It was hidden in the narrow cabinet beside the pantry, behind a stack of old takeout menus.
I picked it up.
There was a dial tone.
I called 911.
I gave the dispatcher our address first. Then I told her my son and I had both collapsed after eating the same dinner and that my husband had spoken as though he expected us never to wake up.
She asked where Daniel was.
“I think he’s outside,” I whispered. “But I don’t know if he actually left.”
Noah crawled to the window and lifted one corner of the blind.
He looked back at me and shook his head.
No car leaving. No sign of Daniel.
The dispatcher told me help was coming.
Noah wanted to run for the back door immediately, but I stopped him.
First I opened the freezer again, took out the sealed bag of food, and tucked it inside the waistband of my sweatpants beneath my shirt.
Then I helped Noah stand.
His knees buckled once, and I caught him against the refrigerator until he could support himself.
We crossed the kitchen slowly, Noah gripping my wrist while I kept one hand against the counter.
I unlocked the back door.
Headlights suddenly swept across the blinds.
I slammed the deadbolt back into place and pulled Noah away from the window.
“Floor,” I whispered.
He understood immediately.
Noah dropped beside his chair. I lowered myself onto the tile and helped arrange his arm close to the position it had been in before.
Then I flattened my palm beside my face and shut my eyes.
A car door closed outside.
Keys scraped against the lock.
Noah stopped moving.
So did I.
The back door opened.
Daniel stepped into the kitchen.
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Type PLATE and I’ll continue.
(I know you’re curious about the next part, so please be patient and read on in the comments below.)
