Where the Streets Have No Name
Chapter 63
Perhaps not surprisingly, the chain of events that led up to the disaster that became their lives was triggered the day Renate had to leave work early. She had notified Edward in plenty of time and he knew that he had to be home by five that day as Renate wouldn't be able to stay beyond quarter past the hour. Her sister was having cataract surgery and would need a ride back home after being released from the hospital.
Incidentally, it was also the day nearly the entire graduating class of James A. Garfield High School came down with food poisoning and the ER was flooded with achy teenagers and their frantic parents. All junior residents were called on board. Amidst administering treatment to the afflicted children and fielding questions on how soon the CDC would sweep in to establish a perimeter, Edward knew he wouldn't be able to get back home in time to take over from Renate.
His best estimations suggested that the soonest he would be able to clock out would be six at least. For nearly an hour, Carmen would be left in charge of Ella's care.
It wasn't ideal, but Edward reasoned that it wouldn't pose too great a stress on Carmen. It would give her the chance to venture out of her shell and test the waters of motherhood again. He would be home soon anyway.
He called and spoke with Renate and Carmen to make sure his delay wouldn't cause a panic, then spent the remaining hours of the day trying to stave off a panic attack himself. He loved his daughter, but he also knew that Ella wasn't an easy child to look after. She could be cranky and clingy with little regard for her mother's low tolerance for loud noises.
It was half past six when he finally arrived home. He expected to hear Ella's cry and Carmen's frantic attempts to escape them, but as he crossed the threshold, he was surprised by a perfectly quiet house.
Ella, for a change, wasn't crying.
He couldn't hear Carmen either.
All the furniture seemed to be intact as well.
Allowing his hope to rise, Edward moved farther into the house and was truly shocked by what he found in the kitchen.
Thank you Lulabelle98, HeidiJoVT, and Dinx.