I called at lunch.
Voicemail.
By evening, Marcus wasn’t answering either.
I told myself they were busy at the hospital. Vanessa had warned me labor might make her shut everyone out.
« I’m calling from St. Matthew’s. Your sister discharged herself about six hours ago. »
Still, I slept with my phone beside me.
At 5:17 the next morning, it rang.
A woman said, « Is this Rick? »
My stomach dropped before she even introduced herself.
« I’m calling from St. Matthew’s. Your sister discharged herself about six hours ago. She listed you as her emergency contact. »