My phone buzzed at 11:42 a.m., right as I was checking a patient’s chart.
I almost ignored it.
There were always more patients than time, and my break wasn’t until hours later. But something—some quiet instinct I couldn’t explain—made me step into the hallway and look at the screen.
Unknown number.
I answered.
“Ma’am? This is Officer Benny. You need to come home immediately. We have something important to discuss.”
Everything inside me went cold.
“Are my children okay?” I asked. “What happened?”
“Please come home as soon as you can.”
The line went dead.
I didn’t even remember telling my charge nurse I had to leave. I just knew I was suddenly in my car, still wearing my badge, running red lights I would normally never risk.