“You pull her earlobe gently down and back, put the tip into her ear canal, and hold it steady until it gives three quick beeps.”

Ethan reached out and took the thermometer, weighing the blue-and-white plastic device in his palm.

“Every two hours.”

I uncapped the antibiotic bottle and picked up the clear plastic syringe.

“This is five milliliters.

You pull the plunger up until the dark rubber ring lines up with this black mark right here.

Exactly five.

Not four, not six.”