Chapter 5 - The First Fan
Ethan pounded on the door.
"Vanessa."
No answer.
The fan continued.
He tried the handle again.
Locked.
His stomach tightened.
"Vanessa."
Finally footsteps approached.
The door opened six inches.
"What?"
"What is that?"
"What is what?"
"The fan."
Vanessa stared at him.
"It's hot."
"It's February."
"So?"
Ethan tried to look past her.
Vanessa blocked the gap.
"Where's Noah?"
"Sleeping."
"Let me see him."
"No."
Ethan pushed the door.
Vanessa pushed back.
"Stop."
"I want to see him."
"You're waking him."
"I don't care."
Her eyes narrowed.
The fan continued roaring.
Then Noah made a faint sound.
Ethan shoved harder.
The door opened.
Vanessa lost her footing for a second.
Ethan stepped inside.
The box fan stood on the floor near the crib.
It was facing away.
Noah slept beneath a thick blanket.
Ethan stared.
Vanessa crossed her arms.
"Happy?"
He walked closer.
Noah's cheeks looked normal.
His chest rose and fell.
Ethan exhaled.
Vanessa laughed.
"You see danger everywhere."
"Why was the door locked?"
"Because I wanted privacy."
"With a baby?"
"Get out."
Ethan looked at the fan.
Something about the scene bothered him, but he could not identify it.
He left.
Vanessa closed the door.
An hour later Ethan checked again.
The fan was gone.
For the next several days nothing happened.
Vanessa became almost friendly.
She made pancakes.
She asked about basketball.
She let Ethan hold Noah while she showered.
Daniel returned and immediately sensed the difference.
"Better?"
Ethan shrugged.
Vanessa smiled from the kitchen.
"Much."
Daniel looked relieved.
That relief hurt more than Ethan expected.
He wanted his father to know the truth.
He also wanted his father to be happy.
Those desires began tearing him in opposite directions.
Then Laura called.
Ethan's mother had not spoken to him in nine days.
He took the call in his room.
"Hey, Mom."
"Hey, stranger."
Her voice made something in his chest loosen.
"How's my favorite person?"
"I'm your only kid."
"Technicality."
He smiled.
Laura heard it.
Then she heard what came afterward.
Nothing.
"Ethan?"
"Yeah."
"Are you okay?"
He looked toward the door.
Closed.
"You know when adults say that if something is wrong, you should tell someone?"
Laura's tone changed instantly.
"What happened?"
"Nothing."
"Ethan."
He rubbed his forehead.
"If I tell you something, you can't freak out."
"I can't promise that."
"Mom."
"Fine. I'll try."
He began carefully.
Vanessa's rules.
The wrist.
The slap.
The formula.
The fan.
Laura did not interrupt.
When he finished, there was a long silence.
"Did you tell your father?"
"Kind of."
"Kind of?"
"He thinks I'm jealous."
Laura swore under her breath.
Ethan sat up straighter.
"What?"
"I'm calling him."
"No."
"Ethan."
"She'll know."
"Good."
"You don't understand."
"I understand someone put their hands on my son."
"Mom, please."
Laura went quiet.
"What do you want me to do?"
"I don't know."
"Do you feel safe?"
He looked toward Noah's room.
"For me?"
"Yes."
"Mostly."
"And Noah?"
Ethan did not answer.
Laura inhaled.
"That is not the answer I wanted."
"I'm watching him."
"You're fourteen."
"I know."
"You are not supposed to be responsible for protecting a newborn from an adult."
"I know."
But both knew that he already was.
Laura lowered her voice.
"I am coming to Portland."
"When?"
"As soon as I can."
Ethan's heart jumped.
"Don't tell Dad yet."
"Ethan."
"Please."
Laura hesitated.
"Twenty-four hours. That's all I'm giving you."
"Okay."
"If anything happens, call emergency services. Then call me."
"Okay."
"Promise."
"I promise."
After the call, Ethan opened his bedroom door.
Vanessa stood in the hallway.
His blood went cold.
She looked at him.
He looked at her.
"How long have you been there?"
May you like
Vanessa smiled.
"Long enough."
