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.
