A blast of cold air fanned the coals in the fire. A small flame sprang from the coals. Frank stirred, saw that the flame returned, but laid back down.
The next morning was a rare morning when he woke first. As much as he wanted to peek through the partition at the girl and her baby, he dressed first before checking in. As he dressed, he thought it was odd the baby hadn’t woken him during the night needing fed. After he dressed, he was alarmed to see the girl was gone. The baby was still in the basket. He bent over to uncover and check on her. He folded the blanket back, felt the baby’s cold skin, and noticed its pale color.
“Greg, get up. Baby didn’t make it.”
Gregory sat up, startled. “Didn’t make it?”
“The baby, Greg. Cold as ice.” Frank sat down on their bed, put his head in his han
