“This is Rachel Donnelly.

I am a nurse practitioner.

My four-month-old daughter June has a rectal equivalent ear temperature of one hundred four point one.

She is tachypneic and lethargic.”

“Bring her directly to the Oakridge General Emergency Department immediately,” the triage nurse said without hesitation.

“Do not wait.”

“We are on our way,” I said, ending the call.

I turned to Ethan, who was still holding his messenger bag tightly against his side, his face pale in the dim yellow light of the nursery nightlamp.