By the time Molly got home, her legs were already sore from the walk back. The air was humid, her shirt clinging to her back, and her arms ached from carrying Scarlett most of the way. She wasn’t sure if it was the heat or the lack of sleep, but everything felt heavier today.
Scarlett had been okay at drop-off. Still a little clingy, still a little quiet, but not feverish. Anna had been kind, even reassuring—“She just looks tired, mama. We’ll call if she needs you.” But the moment Molly walked away, guilt started crawling up her spine like it always did.
Now, she just needed to grab her apron and start getting ready for work. Her shift wasn’t for a few hours, but there was still laundry to do. She’d skipped the park—and if she timed things right, she could get to the laundromat and back
