Orla Owens’ signature confirming her complete recovery from the infection.

Below the medical report, every square on the chore grid was marked with a dark checkmark in blue ink.

Ethan lifted a wooden spoon from the utensil drawer and began stirring the pot on the stove.

His cell phone, resting face-up on the granite island next to the fruit bowl, began to vibrate against the stone.

The screen lit up with his mother’s full name, Sylvia Donnelly, flashing across the display.

Ethan stopped stirring, set the spoon on a ceramic rest, and looked across the counter at the glowing screen.