Ethan walked back over to the chair beside mine and sat down, his knees trembling slightly as he lowered his weight onto the vinyl.

He did not look back toward the front doors or toward his mother sitting three chairs away.

He reached across the armrest between us and placed his right hand flat against June’s back.

His fingers were trembling slightly, but he kept his hand anchored firmly over her yellow onesie, offering a steady, warm weight against her spine.

June let out a tiny, shuddering sigh, her head settling deeper against the curve of my neck.

“Is her temperature going to go any higher?” Ethan whispered, his eyes locked on June’s face.