Dr.

Owens pressed the call button on the wall to summon the phlebotomy tray, then peeled off her rubber gloves.

“I’m ordering a complete blood count and a urine culture,” Dr.

Owens said.

“The lab takes about twenty minutes to process the tubes.”

She stepped out into the corridor, letting the vinyl door swing shut behind her.

I laid June down on the crinkly paper covering the exam table.

Her tiny hands clung to my shirt collar as she let out a flat, exhausted whimper.