Owens said in her calm, teaching voice.

“The IV medication will stabilize her body’s response and bring her core temperature down safely.”

I kept my eyes fixed on June’s pale face, refusing to look at the notes Ethan was writing on his knee.

I had spent four long months of our marriage watching him write down schedules and promises he never meant to keep himself.

“How long will the infusion take?” Ethan asked, his knuckles white around the pen.

“About forty-five minutes for the first loading dose,” Dr.