“Tommy?” she called gently. The living room was empty. No toys on the floor. No half-finished puzzles. Nothing. She checked the kitchen next. Still nothing. It wasn’t until she pulled out her phone to text Sabrina that she saw it — a message she’d missed earlier that morning:
“Hi Kayla! I’m taking Tommy with me today. You don’t have to come in. See you tomorrow!” Kayla exhaled in embarrassment, cheeks warming. She shouldn’t have come in. She should’ve checked her phone. She turned toward the front door, ready to slip out and pretend the whole thing never happened.