Twenty minutes earlier he had received a frantic call from his mother’s driver. Dorothy had stepped out of the car near Grant Park, disoriented and wandering without direction.
Patrick had driven through downtown searching every block until he found her. What he did not expect was to see a stranger kneeling beside her, giving instructions calmly while shielding her from the crowd.
The young nurse did not push the curious onlookers away harshly, and she did not look around for recognition. She simply worked, speaking softly and keeping her small daughter close.
Patrick considered rushing forward, but something stopped him. He wanted to see what kind of person helped without knowing who they were helping.
The wail of sirens cut through the morning traffic. Megan squeezed Dorothy’s hand as the ambulance pulled up beside them.
“They are here now,” she assured her. “You are going to be alright.”
Dorothy tightened her grip unexpectedly. “Thank you, my dear.”
Paramedics quickly took control, asking Megan detailed questions about the fall, the confusion, and the timing. She answered clearly and professionally, even as Harper continued to glance anxiously at her watch.
“Are you related to her?” one paramedic asked.
“No,” Megan replied. “I found her like this and stayed with her.”
When the stretcher was lifted into the ambulance, Harper whispered, “Mom, can we go now?”
Megan checked the time again and felt her heart sink. It was 9:52, and she knew the hospital did not reschedule interviews.
There was no point in running across the city. She stayed kneeling for a moment longer, as if standing would make the loss official.
“Did you lose the job?” Harper asked quietly as they walked toward the train station.
“I do not know yet,” Megan answered. “But we did the right thing, and that matters.”
On the crowded train ride back home, strangers stared at the bloodstains on Megan’s uniform. She ignored their looks and kept her arm around Harper, staring at the city rushing by the windows.
That night, after Harper fell asleep, Megan checked her email on her cracked phone screen. There were no new messages, no missed calls, and no explanation.
She lay awake staring at the ceiling, thinking about rent, tuition payments, and the long hours of cleaning she would continue to work. Yet she also remembered Dorothy’s frightened eyes and knew she would make the same choice again.