Ryan rushed outside with Lily in his arms while Ethan ran behind him. They got in the car, and Ryan tore off toward the hospital with his hazards on. On the way, he called Nicole again.
Still voicemail.
From the back seat, Ethan asked in a small voice, “Is Mom mad?”
Ryan tightened his grip on the wheel.
“No, buddy. Your mom just isn’t okay right now. But I’m going to take care of you. I promise.”
At the ER, nurses hurried over the second Ryan came through the doors.
“How old is she?”
“She’s three. She hasn’t really eaten in at least two days. She’s got a fever, and she passed out.”
“We’ll stabilize her. Stay here.”
Doctors laid Lily on a stretcher and rushed her away. Ethan clung to Ryan’s leg without saying a word. Ryan knelt and hugged him.
“They’re going to help her. She’s going to be okay.”
“She’s not going to die, right?”
“No, son. I promise.”
While Lily was taken to pediatric emergency care, Ryan went to the desk, gave their names, explained what he knew, and asked for social services. Within half an hour, he was answering questions.