Jack was cuddled on his mother’s lap, looking a lot better than the last time I’d seen him.
“How’s he doing?”
Cora bounced him up and down on her knees. “His energy is still low, and he’s fussier than normal, but he isn’t running a temperature and is keeping down everything he eats. I just wanted to make sure he was really okay. I know you said that these infections can be dangerous. I’ve been giving him all the meds like you told me.”
“That’s good. Let’s give him a once-over, and we can make sure Jack’s healing as he should be.”
I grabbed my otoscope from the wall and showed it to Jack. He tried to grab it, but I danced it back and forth in front of him. “We’re just going to check those ears of yours and then your throat.”
As I leaned closer, I got a better look at Cora. From just a few steps away everything looked as it should, but as I got closer, I realized she wore thick makeup. Even the caked-on foundation couldn’t completely hide the dark bruise under her eye.
I forced myself to focus on Jack and his exam as I ran through possibilities in my mind. By the time I looked in Jack’s ears and throat and took his temperature, I’d come up with a million different approaches. I could only hope that I chose the right one.
I leaned against the counter opposite Cora and her son. “Jack is healing nicely. He still needs to finish his course of antibiotics, or the infections could come back—and they’d likely be worse this time around.”
“I’ll make sure he finishes it.” She bent to rub noses with her son. “Even if he hates the way it tastes.”
“They can’t seem to manage to make good-tasting medicine.”
“I guess that’s how you know it’s working. I give him a little cookie afterwards to help wash it down.”
I smiled as Jack pressed his little hand to his mother’s cheek. “I can see how much you love him.”
“I’d do anything for him.”
“That’s good.” I clasped my hands in front of me. “I’d like to help you and Jack.”
Cora straightened in her seat, pulling her son closer to her. “You have, and we really appreciate it—”
“I can see your black eye, Cora.”
Her face flamed. “I knocked into a towel rod in my bathroom.”
“We both know that’s not true.” I kept my voice low and even. “Does your husband hurt Jack, too?”
“Never.” Cora pushed to her feet, flames of anger in her eyes. “I’d kill him first.”
I wished she could find a little of that rage for her mistreatment. “You shouldn’t be hurt either.”
Cora blinked a few times to clear the tears building in her eyes. “Brandon’s under a lot of pressure. He works hard to provide for Jack and me. He just likes things a certain way.”
“There is no excuse under the sun for him to lay a hand on you in anger. Not one.”
“I can’t leave.”
“Why?”
“I never even graduated high school. I have nowhere to go. No way to make money. I have nothing without him.”
I moved a step forward. “There are organizations that can help. I found one a few hours from here in Sutter Lake that will help you get your GED. Get you placed in a good job. They have daycare for Jack—”
“No. We’re good where we are. I just have to do better. Then Brandon won’t get angry like this anymore.”
“Cora—”
My words were cut off as she bolted for the door, her son in her arms.
I let out a slew of curses as I slammed my palm against the wall.