He held my son against his chest, supporting Noah’s head with his broad left hand.

I pushed my door open and stepped out onto the driveway.

The moment my right foot touched the gravel, a sharp spike of pain shot up my calf.

I caught my balance against the sedan’s fender, keeping my weight entirely on my left heel as I straightened up.

“I see you ran straight to your father,” Linda called from the top step.

Her voice was sharp, cutting through the quiet afternoon street.