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JADEN’S BACK FROM THERAPY, and he comes bounding up the stairs to my bedroom. He bounces up and down on my bed a couple of times then starts blabbing about the appointment. At least Dad didn’t come in and bug me about going next time. Jaden says Dad dropped him off and drove away.
“It’s a lady doctor,” he tells me, like that’s a big deal. “She’s nice, Amber, real smart too. I told her about you. She wants to meet you.”
“She better not hold her breath. And don’t go telling her stuff about me either.”
“Aw, c’mon. Why don’t you come with us next week?” Jaden’s got those puppy-dog eyes. He’s cute, and normally I would laugh, but this isn’t funny.
“I told you a hundred times already. There’s nothing wrong with me, and I don’t need a doctor for nutcases.” I sniff at him. “I didn’t think you did, either, Squirt. Guess I was wrong.”
Jaden looks like I punched him. Then he says something really mean. “You’re just scared to go see her.”
“Bull! You take that back.” I shove him, not hard enough to push him off the bed, but he scrunches up his face.
“Will not,” he says.
“Then get out of my room.”
He gets off the bed and walks to the door. “Fraidy-cat.”
I throw a pillow at him, but he’s already gone. I wonder what’s gotten into him. Maybe he really is wacko. It seems like everyone is. I don’t understand why Dad’s wasting time with a shrink instead of getting Nina back from crazy, mean Robin. She’s the one who needs a head doctor. Now Dad’s turning nutty too. Mom’s been loony with her Mood Disorder forever.
It’s like all the grown-ups are crazy—except Gloria. She’s the only one I trust. Mom phoned her after Dad took Jaden to see the therapist. She told Gloria about finding Nina’s collar, and they talked for a while. Whatever Gloria said, Mom seemed to calm down. Then she handed me the phone because Gloria asked to talk to me. She’s so great. She said not to worry. She’s positive we’ll get Nina back. And, surprise, surprise. Mom’s not taking me to Jaden’s T-ball after I threw the water bottle at that dumb kid. Instead, I get to stay at Gloria’s during Jaden’s practice, starting this Monday.
Yay!
That means I get to visit with Alex, since Gloria wants me to keep him company. I wonder what he’s like. He’s the first really sick person I’ve ever met.