“This is Rachel Donnelly.

I’m a nurse practitioner.

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

She’s tachypneic and lethargic.”

“Bring her straight to the Oakridge General Emergency Department right away,” the triage nurse said without hesitating.

“Don’t wait.”

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

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