“Why were the children alone?”
“They were supposed to be with their mother,” Thomas explained. “She told me she was going somewhere with no signal for the weekend. Today my son called and said his sister wouldn’t wake up and they hadn’t eaten.”
“And where is the mother now?”
“I have no idea. Her phone’s been off since Friday.”
“Do you share custody?”
“Yes. Week-by-week. This week was hers.”
The social worker nodded seriously.
“We’ll have to file a report for child abandonment, Mr. Carter.”
Thomas rubbed his face with his hands.
“Do whatever you have to do. I just want to know my daughter is okay.”
After some time, the pediatric doctor returned.
“The little girl is stable,” she said.
“She’s dehydrated and has a mild intestinal infection from not eating. We’ll keep her under observation tonight. The good news is you brought her in just in time.”
Thomas exhaled slowly, realizing he’d been holding his breath.
Ethan squeezed his hand.
“Can I see her?”
“In a little while. She’s sleeping, but she’s okay.”
“Okay,” Ethan nodded.
Then he asked quietly:
“And my mom?”
Thomas didn’t know how to answer.
Two hours later, a nurse approached him.