But none of that helped me speak.
For the first time in years, I had no decision to make and no problem I could solve through money or influence. I needed other people to help me.
Lily watched from beside the bench.
“My grandma says you should help people,” she told the woman.
The woman smiled gently. “And you did the right thing by getting help for him.”
A siren sounded in the distance.
I tried to keep my eyes open. The last thing I remember before everything faded was the little girl looking toward the park entrance, waiting for the people who could take over.
When I opened my eyes again, I was in a hospital bed.
A nurse stood beside me, checking the information on a monitor.
“Mr. Caldwell, can you hear me?”
I nodded.
“You’re in the hospital. The emergency team brought you here, and the doctors are monitoring you. Try to rest while we get you settled.”
