The Open Window
Caleb was in a smaller guest nursery at the opposite end of the hallway.
Grant found the door partially closed.
When he stepped inside, icy air hit his face immediately.
One of the large windows stood completely open.
A light layer of snow had drifted across the floor.
Caleb was lying in his crib under only a lightweight blanket.
He was unusually still.
Grant hurried forward and gently touched his son.
Something didn’t feel right.
Caleb felt alarmingly cold, while his forehead seemed noticeably warmer than expected.
Grant immediately lifted him and wrapped him securely inside his coat.
Audrey appeared in the doorway, bracing herself against the wall.
“Oh, my baby.”
Grant reached for his phone.
Before he could dial, Lenora entered the hallway beside Grant’s younger sister, Paige.
Lenora looked more annoyed than worried.
“Could you please keep your voices down?” she asked. “Everyone downstairs can hear you.”
Grant stared at her.
“The window was open.”
Paige crossed her arms.
“Maybe Audrey opened it herself. She hasn’t exactly seemed like herself lately.”
Audrey shook her head.
“That isn’t true.”
Lenora let out an exaggerated sigh.
“Grant, she’s been overwhelmed for weeks. She cries often, forgets things, believes everyone is against her. We’ve all been doing our best to support her.”
Grant looked at his wife.
Then at his son. Then back at his mother.
“Why was Audrey locked inside that room?”
For the first time, Lenora paused.
Only briefly.
“She became difficult.”
That answer told Grant everything he needed to know for now.
He didn’t argue.
He carried Caleb downstairs, helped Audrey beside him, and walked straight through the center of Lenora’s elegant gathering.
Guests turned and watched.
Lenora followed quickly behind them.
“Grant, think carefully about what you’re doing.”
Grant opened the front door.
“For once, Mother, that is exactly what I’m doing.”
