She exhales. “Okay. Just—drive safe.”
“Always.”
My sister’s front door is unlocked when I get there. I push it open and step inside.
“Anna?”
“In here!”
I follow her voice to the living room and take in the situation in one sweep.
Bella’s curled up on the couch, pale, clutching a blanket like it’s the only thing keeping her grounded. Ethan’s on the floor with a bowl in his lap, trying to sit up straight like he’s got something to prove.
Anna’s in the middle of it, hair a mess, eyes tired, holding it together by sheer will.
“Hey,” I say.
Three heads turn toward me.
“Uncle Doug,” Ethan says, and the relief in his voice hits me square in the chest.
That’s it.
Whatever I left behind tonight? Gone.
I move toward him first, dropping into a crouch. “Hey, buddy.”
“I don’t feel good.”
“I know.” I rest my hand on the back of his neck, steady pressure. “You’re doing a good job, though.”
“I am?”
“Yeah. You’ve got the bowl. That’s step one.”
He nods like that makes perfect sense.
I glance up at Anna. “When did it start?”
“Bella first. Then Ethan. Then me.” She makes a face as her stomach clenches again. “Great.”
“I’ll grab extra towels.”
“Hall closet,” she calls out unnecessarily. I know where they are.
After that, I grab more supplies. Ginger ale. Saltines. Anti-nausea meds with a little kid on the front.
“Okay,” I say. “We’re going to take this one step at a time.”
Anna leans back against the couch, watching me like she can finally breathe.
“You didn’t have to come this fast,” she says.
“Yes, I did.”
“Doug—”
“Yes,” I repeat, quieter this time. “I did.”
