MY PARENTS WALKED AWAY FROM ME AT THE HOSPITAL WHEN I WAS 13 — MY MOTHER WENT PALE WHEN THE DEAN CALLED MY NAME

was thirty-four years old, a pediatric oncology nurse who had worked at St. Mary’s for eight years.

She had dark curly hair tied back in a practical ponytail, kind brown eyes, and a smile that reached all the way to them.

She wasn’t conventionally beautiful, but there was something about her presence that immediately made people feel safe.

“Hey there,continue reading …