Chapter 3 - THE FEVER
Emily’s fever had begun the night before.
101.8.
I knew.
Melissa texted me at work:
Em’s running a temp. Keeping her home tomorrow.
I replied:
I’ll come home early.
I didn’t.
A client emergency kept me at the office.
At 2:17 that afternoon, I texted:
How is she?
Melissa:
Dramatic. Says everything hurts.
I sent:
Poor kid. Keep her warm. I’ll be home by 5.
Keep her warm.
The words made me physically ill when police later showed me the message.
Melissa had read them.
Then put our feverish daughter outside.
At the hospital, doctors determined Emily likely had influenza.
She was dehydrated.
Her ribs made breathing painful, so they monitored her closely for respiratory complications.
Every cough hurt.
I sat beside her bed through the night.
At 2 a.m., she woke and whispered:
“Daddy?”
“I’m here.”
“Is Mommy coming?”
I paused.
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
She studied my face.
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
She closed her eyes.
Then opened them again.
“You said you’d come home early.”
The sentence hit harder than accusation.
“I know.”
“You didn’t.”
“I know.”
She turned away.
That was all.
Children do not always scream when trust breaks.
May you like
Sometimes they simply remember.
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