A seafood buffet stretched beneath a white canopy, complete with shrimp platters, crab legs, and expensive catering trays.

At least twenty relatives were laughing, eating, and drinking.

And standing in the middle of it all was my mother.

Patricia wore an elegant cream-colored dress and a pearl necklace.

She looked like the guest of honor.

“Grant pays for everything!” she announced proudly to my aunt, Marjorie. “That’s what happens when you raise a successful son.”

Marjorie glanced toward the house.

“Where’s Elise?”

My mother waved dismissively.

“In the kitchen, where she belongs. Someone has to clean up. She’s been acting like a princess lately.”

A few relatives laughed.

I didn’t.

Instead of entering through the front door, I walked around the side of the house.

What I saw through the kitchen window made my stomach drop.

Elise was sitting on a wooden stool beside the sink.

Dirty pots and serving trays were piled around her.

Her hands were red from detergent.

Her eyes were swollen.

And pressed against her chest was our son.

Finn’s cheeks were flushed.

His little body trembled.

He barely opened his eyes when I entered.

“Elise?”

She turned toward me.

For a moment, she looked as though she couldn’t believe I was real.

“Grant?”

I hurried to her.

“What’s wrong with Finn?”

“He’s been sick since this morning.”

I touched his forehead.

He was burning with fever.

“Why didn’t you call me?”

Her expression crumpled.

“I did.”

“What?”

“Three times. Your mother answered your work phone. She said you were busy and that I was trying to ruin the party.”

My work phone had been left in the company truck during the morning inspection.

I remembered that my mother had offered to charge it at home the previous evening.

Suddenly, that small detail didn’t seem harmless.

“Did you call the doctor?”

“I tried. Your mother told me not to take him anywhere.”

“Why?”

“She said people would think I was a bad mother if I couldn’t handle a little fever.”

I looked at the untouched plate beside her.

Two pieces of cold toast.

That was apparently all she’d been given while everyone outside enjoyed a catered feast.

“Have you eaten anything else today?”

She shook her head.

I felt sick.

“Get Finn’s diaper bag. We’re going to the emergency room.”

Elise stood, but immediately glanced toward the backyard.