Her cheeks were hollow. Her stomach bloated and tense. She clung to Mr. Patch like he was the only solid thing left.
“You did the right thing,” Claire said softly. “May I come in?”
Inside, the air felt stale. The fridge hummed almost empty. No fresh food. Just crumbs and a single mug on the counter.
Outside, neighbors whispered.
“He finally left.”
“That poor kid.”
“We knew it’d happen.”
Claire ignored them.
“Mia,” she said gently, “we’re going to get you help, okay?”
Mia swayed.
Claire caught her just before she collapsed.
“Dispatch, I need EMS now,” she said firmly. “Child appears severely dehydrated. And note this clearly—this is not abandonment.”
The Ambulance Ride
Rain hammered the roof as the ambulance sped toward North Valley Children’s Hospital.
Paramedic Laura Kim knelt beside Mia.
“When did you last eat a real meal?”
“I don’t remember,” Mia whispered. “Dad said he’d be right back.”
As Laura adjusted the IV, a folded note slipped from Mia’s pocket.
On the back, in rushed handwriting:
“Call Dr. Halvorsen immediately.”
Laura tucked it away carefully.
“If Dad comes home and I’m gone…” Mia whispered, “he’ll think I left him.”
“No,” Laura said gently. “He’ll be glad you’re safe.”