Mariana reached across the mattress and rested her palm on Noah’s shoulder.

“You saved your sister, Noah.

You did exactly the right thing.”

Noah turned his head toward the window, watching the yellow streetlights down on Children’s Way.

My work phone buzzed in my pocket.

I took it out and saw a text from Robert Vance, my senior floor installer back at the pharmacy job on Thomas Road.

Crew finished laying the vinyl planks in aisle three, Robert’s text read.

We got your back, Julian.