tell them I have a family emergency.”
“You don’t have to.”
“Yes.”
He looked toward June.
“I do.”
“You need sleep.”
“So do you.”
“She needs to be monitored today.”
He held out his hand.
“I’m staying.”
I studied him.
Then nodded.
“Okay.”
At eight, he called his boss.
He explained.
His boss said the presentation could be rescheduled.
That was it.
No catastrophe.
No career-ending disaster.
Just a manager saying:
“Take care of your family.”
Ethan returned to the living room.
“Rescheduled.”
Then he held out his arms.
“Rachel.”
