I found Rachel crouched behind the basement utility-room door with Ethan wrapped against her chest. His cheeks were flushed with fever, and Rachel was trembling so badly she could barely speak. She had genuinely been at the airport that morning, but shortly after our call, Ethan’s daycare contacted her because he was sick. His scheduled time with Kevin could not proceed normally, so Rachel abandoned the trip and brought him home. She bought soup, medicine, diapers, and electrolyte drinks on the way back.
Then Kevin’s charcoal pickup appeared outside.
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