I climbed into the ambulance beside her.
Elaine immediately moved forward.
“I’m coming too.”
The officer blocked her path.
“No, ma’am.”
“I am her grandmother.”
“And her mother is accompanying her.”
Elaine looked at me.
“Rachel.”
I had heard that tone before.
Cold.
Warning.
Designed to make everyone else feel twelve years old.
It did nothing to me now.
“You’re not coming near her.”
Her mouth opened.
I continued.
“You are never supervising Lily alone again.”
Elaine went white.
“You don’t mean that.”
“I do.”
“You’re angry.”
“I’m terrified.”
“I would never hurt her.”
I looked at the inhaler sealed inside the clear bag.
“You already did.”
Daniel arrived before the ambulance left.
He parked badly, half a tire over the curb, and ran toward us.
Elaine called his name first.
“Daniel!”
He stopped.
For one second, I saw the old reflex move through him.
