I place my arm on Crystal’s hand. “I’m fine. The fresh air will do me good.”

“Okay. Call me later?”

“Promise.”

“Let me tell Savi you’re leaving.” When she’s out of the room, I stand. I pray the room doesn’t spin, and luckily, it doesn’t. I extend my cane and find the front door. I grapple with the fancy knob.

“I’m ready to go,” I say to Jess.

Jess finishes her call and whistles. “Look at you. You look like you went a few rounds with Mike Tyson.”

“Who won?” I joke.

“Remains to be seen.” She slips past me into the hall, Baxter snug in his carrier on her chest. “Let me grab the stroller.” I follow her into the foyer.

“Are you guys going already? No fair.” Savi’s disappointment is clear. “I hope you feel better, Ms. Rebecca.”

“I will. Thanks for your help.”

Outside, Jess insists on walking me home.

“Gotta hand it to old Ice Queen,” Jess comments. “That house is money. Kid seems a little lonely though.”

“The curse of being an only child.” I know how often Crystal works just to make ends meet, but I’m confident Savi will make fast friends once school starts. At my house, I refold my cane on the porch steps, fish the key from my bag, and stick it in the lock. Jess helps roll the stroller to the door.

“Still got those pills I gave you?”

I nod. “Yes.”

“You’re going to take two and get some rest. That’s an order. Give him a bottle if you need to. Actually, do you want me to take him for the afternoon?”

I shake my head. “No, that’s okay. You’re right. I just need to rest.”

Jess rummages in my diaper bag and opens my hand. The two pills land. She fishes another water bottle from her diaper bag. “Here. Take them now.”

“I can’t take medication. What if Jackson needs me?”

“That’s why I’m here.”

The fatigue washes through me. I hesitate, then toss them back. I need sleep. My head throbs and I finger the cut. “Is it okay to go to sleep after I just fell?”

“Oh shit.” She hesitates. “I didn’t even think about that.”

“Technically I hit my cheek, not my head.”

Jess’s voice sounds strangled. “Is there a difference?”

“I’m sure it’s fine.”

“Rebecca.”

“Seriously, I’m fine.” I unlock the door. My knees involuntarily buckle.

“Okay, that’s it. You, upstairs now. I’ll feed Jackson and put him down.”

I think about protesting, but I’m too tired. I point weakly toward the kitchen. “There are a few bottles of milk in the fridge.”

“Got it.” She adjusts Baxter and wheels the stroller into the kitchen. “Nighty night!”