lyn

aint and too many people crowded around the entrance). The c

d me, his footsteps c

iseptic and desperation. I push thro

Grace Adesua)the

turn!" the

e collapsed

ooking completely out of place in this government hospi

n about her mother," he say

evaporates. "Let me c

s hand touches my back-just

apidly. "Emergency ward. Ward C. Through

again before

rneys in hallways because there aren't enough rooms. I scan frantically unti

" She ru

she? What

octor is insid

ast the

r askew, her eyes closed. She looks s

d eyes looks up from che

n barely speak. "Wha

h. We're stabilizing her now, but she

h?" I in

We can discuss

w m

naira for the immediate tests

d. I have maybe fifteen thousan

l pa

tain entrance, his presence command

or blink

ent. I'll cover it." He pulls out his phon

on't have t

rooks no argument. He turns to the d

now, but we need those tes

hands his phone to the doctor. "Transfe

tunned, and disapp

ind unable to proces

eeve. "Sister, w

have a

down at her unconscious form with an exp

. I'll handle

Sterl

" he

ha

pride and the refusal and all of that-your mother is unconscious

d demand to know why a billionaire I met twenty

in mine, and pride doe

you," I

once and

yes wide. "Sister, what is

f." I squeeze Mama's han

and a tablet. "The payment has been confi

ctful. They wheel Mama away, and I'm left s

et gone, his sleeves rolled up.

an hour," he says. "Th

ine st

re sh

at my hands.

rd the exit. "There's a

not h

sn't a r

too tired to arg

c chairs, and food that looks like it was cooked last week).

ner table. I st

" he

you I'

ing because your blo

him from staring at me. The food tas

doing this?"

r a moment. "

not an

you in my office, and I... wanted to know more. Then your mothe

ould ha

s it simply, li

y spoon. "Mr

eo

people don't just pay strangers' hospital bills withou

te a smile, but close.

the qu

"Maybe I'm curious. Maybe I'm bored. Maybe I saw someone who actually works har

erience? Y

m not like you

meone can just be kind without wanting something. But

rings. Th

trembling fi

is Dr. Okoro. You

intensely that tears spring

have the test results in a few hour

so fast the chair sc

tands too.

ward in silence. Out

in me. "For the money, for the ride, for... everyth

r." He nods toward the do

open th

yes open but glazed with exhaustion. S

her other side,

voice is weak but warm. "

" I kiss her knuc

the doorway where Leonardo

say, the word feeling

her who reads people for a living. Then she n

room. "Ma'am. I'm glad

daughter," Mama says sof

oss his face. Like he'

o me. "I should go. You have m

't, ac

s phone. "What'

al. Leonardo Sterling is

s later. "Now you have mine. Call if

before I c

"Sister! Who be that fine man? How you meet am? Why

ing at the text on my phone(j

ly don

e weight of the day pressing down on me, I can't shake t

ng saw me when

no idea wha