ek p

n along the Hudson River, code until noon,

g, her brain sharpening. The fog o

'd turn her head to tell Elara to stop jumping o

use, the rhyt

he flu. The agency sent a replacement, a young gir

ed the jar in the pantry

legs. Caden was on a call, pacing t

a huge bi

coughing. She clawed at her thr

amed. "Mr.

hed into the kitchen. Elara was

king!" Sar

"It's anaphylaxis! The Ep

en drawers. Spoons, fo

pouch in her purse, or taped to the sid

1!" Cade

later, at Lenox

sk over her small face. Caden sat

lloway, peanut allergy is not a joke. It's in her

Caden trailed off. The excuse soun

and holding a Starbucks cup. "Oh my god, is she

stood by the door, checking

voice was muffled b

heart

ftly. "Addie smells like

forced a smile. "Oh, honey, Au

the window. He pulled out his

umb ho

you need her. Tell

im expectantly. If he called Eulalie, he admitted d

be fine," he said gruffly. "W

, her neighbor from 4B. Mrs. Foster was eighty, wore

Mrs. Foster said, pa

ie admitted, staring at the

call

't. No

om. Caden was downstairs arguing with

cked up the landline. She knew the number

One-S

rang. ID: Holl

She stared at it.

She didn't speak.

tiny, sca

mouth to stop the sob. Tears s

are yo

ulalie

ked from the other end. "What

fle. "No! I'm ta

to you! Look, I bought y

ic

ne wen

ll pressed to her ear, listening to th

phone. Her hand was s

trolling the access. As long as Eulalie w

. The sadness in her eyes hardened

hispered. "No