[ Mike swallows, his mouth falling into a frown at her attempted smile. He doesn't know what kind of mother would leave her kid when she was in this kind of condition. He doesn't even think his dad is that cold, and he once forgot Mike at a rest stop on a family vacation. ] Things have been pretty nuts out there, maybe she's been trying to find a place for you two to live.

[ It's not much of an excuse, but it's the only thing he can think of. He knows if it were him in Max's place, Karen would have to be physically removed from the room. He reaches out and squeezes her hand again. ] But don't worry. We'll find her.