Page 34 of More Than a Hero
Tom Daniels lay sprawled on the floor beside his bed, unmoving. She started toward him, but Krukowski held out an arm, his voice low but firm. “Stay back, ma’am. Don’t touch anything.”
Angie stopped short, pressing a fist to her chest, her breath shaky. “I’m sorry. I know better. It’s just—” She swallowed thickly. “This isn’t my first time on a wellness check that turned out like this.”
The deputy nodded, his expression grim. “It’s always a gut punch.”
His partner radioed for an ambulance as Krukowski knelt, pressing his fingers to Tom’s neck. A few seconds later, he twisted back, meeting Angie’s eyes. Slowly, he shook his head.
She closed her eyes, the ache in her chest growing stronger.
There were so many rewards in her work, but there was always this, too—the moments that shattered her heart a little more each time. She turned and walked back toward the living room, needing space to breathe.
The sound of approaching vehicles signaled the arrival of more responders. She turned as Cora eventually arrived and stepped inside, already suited up in PPE.
“Hey, Angie,” Cora greeted gently. “Did you find him?”
She nodded, wrapping her arms around herself. “Meals on Wheels called when he didn’t answer the door. The deputy and I went in together.”
Cora placed a reassuring hand on her arm. “I’m glad you weren’t alone.”
Angie nodded, knowing there was nothing more she could do. She slipped outside, rubbing at her temples. The weight of the day pressed down on her—grief, frustration, and exhaustion all wrapped into one unbearable mass.
She gave Krukowski her contact information before making her way back to her car, weaving carefully through the growing number of official vehicles. As she pulled onto the road, she sighed heavily, blinking hard against the sting in her eyes.
By the time she made it back to her office, the fire in her joints was undeniable. The deep, gnawing ache settled into her fingers, her wrists, her hips, even her toes—each movement a reminder that her medication was no longer keeping up.
She rescheduled her work, grateful to avoid any more conversations. The rest of the day passed in a blur of paperwork, reports, and a trip to the county building to drop off documents. Every step sent pain radiating through her body.
By the time she finally drove home, the ache had deepened to a sharp, burning throb. Tears pricked her eyes—not just from the physical pain but from the sheer emotional weight of the day.
The house next door was empty when she arrived since her grandparents were still at their church meeting. She felt a sense of relief because she didn’t have the energy to pretend she was fine.
Stripping down, she ran a bath as hot as she could stand, sinking into the water with a sigh, letting the heat ease into her swollen joints. But even as her body relaxed, her mind remained heavy.
She needed to call her rheumatologist in the morning. She needed to have her medication re-evaluated. She needed rest.
After microwaving leftovers and eating straight from the container on her couch, she was startled at the knock on her door. It was too early for her grandparents to be home. She peeked out the security hole.Pete.
She threw open the door, not caring that she was in old sweatpants and a worn T-shirt. “Hey,” she murmured, finding it hard to speak when all she could think of was how grateful she was that he had decided to surprise her with a visit.
There was a pause, then his deep, steady voice. “Long day?”
A lump formed in her throat. “Yeah.” She tilted her head. “Do you know?”
Another pause. He quietly answered, “Cora called Jeremy.”
She pressed her lips together, not trusting herself to speak but nodding her understanding.
“You want to talk about it, Angie? I’m here for whatever you need.”
And just like that, the tears she had been holding back all day threatened to spill over.
15
Pete didn’t hesitate. The moment he stepped inside, he shut the door behind him, wrapped his arms around her, and guided her toward the sofa. Even in loose, slouchy clothes, with tear-bright eyes and the weariness of the day settled in her posture, Angie was still breathtaking.
He sank onto the cushions and gently tugged her into his lap, his hands firm yet tender as he settled her against him. She curled inward instinctively, her arms winding around his neck, her cheek resting on his shoulder as if it were the most natural place for her to be. He held her, saying nothing, just breathing with her, feeling the tremble of her sadness as it passed through her body.
Her sobs quieted faster than he expected, melting into soft sniffles, and then, just silence.
