When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 17

Brody grabbed his coat and headed for the door, but as soon as he opened it, Carrie was standing right there, hugging her stuffed bunny. Her eyes were red and puffy.

“Daddy, Ms. Olson is sick…”

He stopped in his tracks. At dinner, Sheila had seemed perfectly fine. She’d even made a huge meal, trying to cheer Carrie up. But after they watched cartoons together, Sheila suddenly got so weak she could barely stand.

She was burning up. Carrie had found a thermometer and checked. The number flashed back—102.2. Panic flooded her. She wanted to run to Brody right away, but Sheila wouldn’t let her. Sheila kept saying she was fine, that there was no need to bother him.

Ms. Olson was always so kind to her. Carrie just couldn’t ignore it. Even though Sheila had asked her not to, Carrie came looking for her dad.

On her way, she overheard Brody and Alan talking.

Her own mom… was thinking about quitting?

Carrie’s mind spun. She remembered that Nelly was supposed to pick her up today. When Nelly didn’t show, Carrie had stubbornly refused to call her. She could pretend she didn’t care, but deep down she was still just a kid, and it scared her. Did her real mom not love her anymore?

Brody checked the thermometer, then pressed his hand to Sheila’s forehead.

“You’re burning up. Why are you pretending you’re okay?” He frowned, looking frustrated.

Alan looked at him and spoke quietly. “Sir, should we go home or straight to the hospital?”

Sheila tried to sit up, shaking her head. “Do you have something to do? I’m alright. I’ll just take some medicine, I’ll be fine…” Her voice was scratchy, and she started coughing before she could finish. Her face had gone completely pale. Even Alan looked worried.

She’d thought it would be Brody’s wife or his daughter. Jessie had met Nelly once or twice. This was clearly someone else.

Sheila was soon settled in a private room. The medicine was ready and, after checking her over, Jessie hooked up an IV drip.

“It’s nothing too serious. Just a throat infection,” Jessie explained, glancing at Brody with a curious look. She noticed Carrie sitting right at the bedside, clearly attached to Sheila.

“She’s a friend. She’s been looking after Carrie,” Brody said simply, not offering anything more.

Jessie hesitated. “Do you want me to keep this quiet?”

Brody’s lips twitched, his voice suddenly cold. “That’s why I have a private doctor. For privacy.”