Someone knocks on the front door, and I close the app. I listen cautiously, wondering if Dr. Gibbons got my address and sent someone to have me committed.

“Rebecca, it’s Crystal. Are you home?”

Emotion surges as I pull open the door. I can sense her support even before she envelops me in a hug. “What in the world is going on?” Her familiar perfume—clean and light—instantly calms me.

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

“Try me.” She closes the door and I motion toward the kitchen.

“How much time do you have?”

“As much as you need.”

We sit at the dining room table, and I bring her up to speed. She listens silently. I wish I could see her face to judge her level of disbelief. I reach into my bag and hand over the onesie. “This store in Wisconsin is my last shot. If they carry it, then I might be able to get the receipt of the person who bought it. It’s a shot in the dark, according to Jake, but it’s really all I’ve got.”

“Rebecca.” Crystal’s voice is clogged with emotion. “I’m sorry. I don’t even know what to say. This is all just so unbelievable.”

Annoyance builds. “I know it is, which is why I’m doing this alone.”

“No, I’m not saying that I don’t believe you. It’s just literally unbelievable. I can’t believe you’re still standing.”

“I’m not. I’m sitting.” I make the small joke and it fires into the room. It’s a betrayal to make light of the situation in any capacity. I drop my head into my hands.

“Okay, this is what we’re going to do.” Crystal uses her business voice. “I’m going to go to this store for you and see what I can find out.”

“I can’t ask you to do that.”

“You didn’t. I offered.”

“What about Savi?”

“Pam,” she says. “These days, she prefers her anyway.” There’s an edge to Crystal’s voice, but I don’t challenge it.

“I’m coming with you.”

“You should stay here in case you hear anything.”

A restlessness radiates in my chest. “I don’t want to stay here. I can’t sit here one more second.”

Crystal seems to contemplate her choices and finally agrees. “Okay. Should we go now?”

“Do you want to see the baby first?” Though I’m not sure her taking a look at the baby will do anything to help. Even my friends with babies are as blind as I am when it comes to facial recognition. But I trust Crystal. And part of me wants the validation that she sees what I know to be true. But if she doesn’t see it … I’m not sure I can handle any more skepticism.

Her phone shatters the tension. “Hold that thought. It’s the contractor.”