He pulled the blanket higher, then stepped back.

The baby’s face was flushed.

One cheek looked warmer than the other, and his little mouth opened without making a sound.

I reached into the crib.

Daniel moved in front of me.

“Give him a minute.”

“I want to pick him up.”

“He just settled.”

I looked past Daniel at the baby.

“He does not look settled.”

“He was screaming.”

“Babies scream.”

Daniel rubbed the corner of the blanket between two fingers.

“And you make every small problem worse by rushing in.”