Chapter 11 - THE MAN WHO FOUND US IN THE STORM
Evelyn Parker visited me one afternoon.
She was the highway maintenance worker who had stopped beside the road.
I had asked the emergency services department to help me contact her so I could thank her.
She arrived carrying a small knitted blanket.
"For your little boy."
I took it.
"It's beautiful."
She smiled.
"My mother made it."
I looked at her.
"Evelyn, I don't know how to thank you."
She shook her head.
"You don't need to."
"You stopped."
"Of course."
I stared.
"Other cars didn't."
Evelyn looked at me.
"People don't always realize what's happening."
I nodded.
She sat beside me.
"How's your son?"
"Getting stronger."
She smiled.
"Good."
I hesitated.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Anything."
"Why did you stop?"
She looked surprised.
"Because you needed help."
I swallowed.
"That's all?"
She nodded.
"That's enough."
My eyes filled.
For months, I'd been told my needs were inconvenient.
That my fears were exaggerated.
That my pregnancy was making me emotional.
And here was a stranger who had stopped in a storm simply because someone needed help.
I took Evelyn's hand.
"You saved us."
She squeezed my fingers.
"I'm glad I was there."
After she left, I sat beside the window for a long time.
Then I called Margaret.
"I want to establish a fund."
"What kind?"
"Emergency transportation assistance for pregnant women and families facing medical crises."
Margaret paused.
"Khloe, that's a wonderful idea."
I smiled.
"Call it the Road Home Initiative."
May you like
And for the first time since that terrible night, I felt something stronger than anger.
Purpose.
