“Mom says, Mom says.” I kept my eyes on him. “What did you hear?”
Derek didn’t answer. June came back with two glasses of water, sliding right into the silence. “The doctor said you’re under stress. You need to be observed. I’ll keep Sophie for a few days. You rest. Once you’re stable, you can take her back.”
“Mommy!” Sophie’s head popped over the top of the stairs. She’d changed into a little dress. “Mommy, are you leaving?”
“I’m not leaving. Mommy’s coming to get you.”
“Sophie, come down!” June called up the stairs. “Grandma will catch you!”
Sophie hesitated for a second. Then she ran to June. June caught her, lifted her, and carried her into the kitchen with a smile. “Come have cookies with Grandma.”
I stood there, watching my daughter get carried away. Derek came up beside me and took my wrist, voice low. “Let’s go down first.”
