In that moment something inside her didn’t break apart.
It broke open.
She sat in the rocking chair by the crib, unfastened her dress with trembling fingers, and brought the baby to her breast.
“Come on,” she pleaded. “Please. Just try.”
For a heartbeat nothing happened.
Then his mouth opened.
He turned, latched, and began to suck.
Janelle gasped. Her whole body went still, then shuddered with relief so fierce it hurt.
He drank, weak at first, then stronger.
Color returned to his cheeks, slow and miraculous.
