She had expected shouting, furious calls, perhaps an immediate confrontation.
Instead, Ethan washed his hands, checked the baby, and called Claire’s doctor.
The doctor advised him to bring Claire to an urgent appointment the following morning, but said she did not appear to need emergency care based on the symptoms Ethan described. She needed rest, hydration, nutritious meals, and help with the baby.
Ethan called the postpartum nurse next.
She sounded shocked.
“Your mother told me Claire’s sister had moved in,” she said. “She said the family wanted privacy.”
“Claire doesn’t have a sister.”
There was a long pause.
“I can be there at seven tomorrow morning,” the nurse replied.
Ethan then ordered groceries, formula, medicine, diapers, and prepared meals from three different stores.
While waiting for the deliveries, he made Claire oatmeal and scrambled eggs from supplies he bought at a nearby convenience store. It was not an elegant New Year’s dinner, but Claire ate every bite.
