On the worn carpet, beside a sofa with frayed fabric, lay a woman. Her skin was pale. Her chest rose and fell so faintly that Grayson had to lean close to see it. He touched her wrist and felt a pulse, weak but there.
“Talia, I need to call an ambulance,” he said, keeping his voice steady.
The girl hugged her backpack like it was a lifeline. She nodded, though tears spilled anew.
He dialed 911, described the scene, stayed on the line until paramedics arrived. As they examined Renee, the lead paramedic explained, “Severe hypoglycemic episode. She might have been trying to manage on her own but likely skipped medication to stretch it out. Stress and exhaustion made everything worse. It is good her daughter found someone.”
Talia clung to Grayson’s coat as her mother was carefully lifted onto the stretcher. She looked like a terrified fledgling refusing to let go of its branch.