The cracked concrete steps up to the front porch groaned under my boots.

An empty plastic laundry basket lay tipped over by the screen door, next to a pair of small muddy work shoes.

I rapped twice on the aluminum door frame.

A screen door came unlatched from inside with a sharp metallic pop.

Megan stepped out onto the porch with a baby resting on her left shoulder.

The boy had on a yellow cotton onesie, his small dark head tucked under her chin.

She took one look at my face and pulled the child tighter against her chest.