rming on her lips, but I didn't want to hear them. The hospital room suddenly felt suffocating. My premonitions had given me

thin hospital blanket aside. My legs

tested, but her voice lacked its usual fo

against the sill. The view was of a brick wall, but it was outside

llway, I encountered them – the gossiping nurses, Mrs. Henderson from two

Miller, I mean. Such a s

sly." A lie, but one Jessica o

And her sister, Jessica, such a

ssica, the saint. The societal judgment, quick and uninformed, wa

d to face Mrs. Henderson, who

"I'd appreciate it if you didn't spread rumors abo

eeks reddening. "Well, I nev

ding her gaze. "But speculation can

own. I had set a boundary

as on the path ahead, the one I had to carve out for myself, away from the life my premo

retary calling to say he was "tied up in meetings" but sent his "best." The emotional distance was palpable, a conf

My small apartment, a place I' d kept even after marrying Michael for late nights working on stories, became my s

"We've got a major opportunity. The Pioneer Grant for Investigative Journalism. National recognition, substantial funding. But it's a t

environmental crisis in a place called Havenwood, a former coal-mining town, wh

fe erased, a voice silenced. This grant, this investigation in Havenwood, was a chance to have a voice, to make a difference,

mfortably. Remote area. Long-term. It was a big ask. One or

y solidified my reso

, I want to apply for t

er of surprise in his expression. "Sarah? You sure? Yo

ought of the people in my premonitions, their lives dismissed. I wouldn't let that happen to the peop

Then, his expression grew more serious. "But Sarah, this isn't a short gig. We're ta

he air: Would my unstable marri

rsonal affairs, Dave. This assignment is my

osal in by the end of the month. If you get it, yo

ve of relief and joy washed over me, so potent it almos