na

. I considered hiring a housekeeper, a chef. The thought of performing domestic duties filled me with a dull dread. The old Alena had prided herself on being the perfect homemaker, a role she had taken on to

s, the meticulous labels I'd checked for his severe peanut and dairy allergies. My hands moved stiffly. The movements felt alien, disconnected from any sense of purpose or joy. I found myself staring blankly at the p

er indifference. The idea of preparing a meal, a task that once brought me a sense of accomplishment, now felt like an unbearable burden.

how disorganized you get." He had always been particular about his private spaces, subtly implying my presence or my touch would somehow disrupt h

or jolted me awake. It was Koby. His voice, thin and reedy, pi

hum of my newly awakened mind. "There's cereal in the pantry, Koby," I called out, my voice raspy.

ys makes pancakes! With chocolate chips!" he grumbled, his word

overs higher, embracing the lingering warmth of sleep. The exhaustion of s

soriented. Karl stood over me, his face a mask of furious indignation. "Al

hat are you talking about?" I aske

surprising force. "Look at him!" he demanded,

Red blotches covered his arms and face. His breathing was shallow, wheezing.

hurt him! You knew he had allergies!" His voice cracked with a mixtur

or the accusation, for the disruption this would cause. "What cereal?" I asked,

the ambulance dispatcher. "My son is having a severe alle

. I told him to pick something from the pantry. I hav

snapped, his eyes blazing. "You're punish

" I started, bu

eded the procedure! I should have never brought you back! Y

arrived, rushing Koby out of the house on a stretcher. My mind felt strangely clear. This was the

ience in severe allergies, to ensure his safety when I couldn't be there. She quit after three weeks, citing Karl's constant interference. "Dr. Rodriguez keeps giving Koby snacks I've explicitly warned against due to his allergies. He underm

me, I felt no anger, no panic, only a cold re

flashing on the screen. "Koby is stable. He ingested p

n cereal box Koby had mentioned sat on the counter. I examined it. It was a brand he didn't usually eat, a novelty box with a cartoon character. On the side, a sma

He had likely seen the toy, ignored the warning, and eaten through the cereal, maybe even the toy itself, to get to it. He blamed m

a customer service representative answered. "I have a question about a promotional cerea

with a collectible mini-figure. It's clearly marked on the side of the box, right above the ingredient l

nted the weapon that nearly killed Koby, but they would make sure my fingerprints were all