My baby had a 104-degree fever when my husband called his mother from the ER. She arrived, shoved his coat into his hands, and screamed that he “didn’t sign up for this much stress.” I didn't argue. I gave my husband one choice—and watched what he did.
My daughter was four months old the night I realized my husband thought fatherhood was optional.
Her name is Nora.
At 11:30 that night, she felt hot against my chest.
Not normal baby warm. Burning.
I took her temperature twice because I didn't trust the first number.
My husband thought fatherhood was optional.
104.1.
I called our pediatrician, trying to keep my voice steady while Nora screamed against my shoulder.
"Take her to the emergency room now," she said. "Don't wait to see if the fever comes down."
Ethan was standing in the kitchen in pajama pants, staring at me.
"What did she say?"
