The Dawn at St. Jude
By 6:00 AM, the storm had passed, leaving behind a sky of washed lavender and gold.
Nora sat in the waiting room of the St. Jude Regional Hospital in Burlington, holding baby Leo against her shoulder. The infant was dressed in a clean, soft yellow onesie provided by the hospital nursery, sleeping peacefully after drinking four ounces of formula.
Beside her, Maya sat in an oversized hospital chair, wearing clean denim overalls and sneakers, eating a stack of warm pancakes with maple syrup.
Sheriff Miller walked out from the intensive care corridor, removing his Stetson hat. His eyes were red-rimmed with exhaustion, but a faint, genuine smile softened his weathered face.
"How is she, Miller?" Nora asked, standing up carefully.
"She’s awake," Miller replied softly. "Two cracked ribs, a concussion, and severe contusions, but the trauma surgeons said she’s out of danger. She’s asking for her children, Nora."
Maya dropped her fork, jumping down from the chair. "Mommy is awake?"
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"She is, sweetheart," Miller said, kneeling down to Maya’s eye level. "And she wants to see the bravest big sister in the entire state."
Maya took Nora’s hand, leading her with eager, frantic steps down the sterile white hallway toward Room 408.
