Chapter 5

“How did your first night go with the baby?” Avery gave Maya a tired smile.

They were sitting on the soft grass close to the water’s edge, and she lifted her face to the sun. The days were growing cooler, but it still felt good to be in the outdoors. They had bathed in the lake and washed their clothing, and Avery couldn’t get over how much better she felt after having her long hair and body scrubbed clean for the first time in months.

“He has a fever. And he threw up nearly everything I fed him in the night,” Maya said worriedly.

“He always has a fever,” Sophia said. “He rarely eats without throwing it up.”

She kissed Nicholas, who was lying wanly on his back on Maya’s lap, before looking at Maya.

“Can I play in the water?”

“Yes, love, but you must stay where I can see you at all times and you must not go any deeper than your knees. Do you understand?”

Sophia nodded and skipped down to the water’s edge. They watched as she waded in before g