Skyler hugged me and pressed her cheek against my shoulder. She unexpectedly mentioned that she had been writing down my stories about the ambulance service.

She talked about the difficult calls and the lives I saved. She said I was so brave and asked what happened to that woman.

I did not know how to answer. I wondered where the woman went who rushed into burning buildings without hesitation.

I missed the woman who made life or death decisions in seconds. I missed the woman who was not afraid to put arrogant doctors in their place.

I whispered that she was still here but just a little tired. Skyler nodded and said she understood.

She said she had to finish her project but wanted me to know that she and Jace were on my side. When she left, I sat motionless for a long time.

Folsom went on with its life as an ordinary American town with ordinary families. There was another knock, but this one was louder.

Melinda said she wanted to wash the curtains in the living room. She asked if I could help her take them down.

I took a deep breath and prepared to leave my refuge. I stepped back into a reality where I was no longer the lady of the house.

I told her I was on my way. My friend Rosie stirred her coffee so vigorously that the sugar had dissolved long ago.

We were in our favorite café, which was an unassuming spot near the city library. Rosie had worked there for twenty seven years.

I lowered my eyes and stirred my own tea. At least Rosie was here because she was the only person I could still speak openly to.

I tried to smile and said it was not that bad. Rosie narrowed her eyes and told me to stop it.

She said I was letting them walk all over me in my own home. I sighed and admitted defeat because Rosie always saw straight through me.

I asked what I was supposed to do and reminded her they were my family. Rosie said families do not treat each other like that as she set her cup down.

She said she had known me for fifty years. She asked where the woman went who once stood up to a drunk bully twice her size.

I smiled as I remembered that I was nineteen and stepped between a man and his girlfriend in a parking lot. I said that was a long time ago and we were young and foolish.

Rosie leaned forward and said it was brave and right. She asked me to remember the ambulance service and the lives I saved.

I closed my eyes as memories flooded back. I remembered twenty eight years in emergency response.

I remembered pulling five people from a crushed minibus and delivering a baby in a skyscraper elevator. I remembered the nursing home fire and carrying out residents.

In those moments, I never hesitated. I knew what to do and I did it.

Rosie said I was strong and asked what happened to that woman. I said bitterly that she grew old and was left alone.

Rosie waved a hand and called that nonsense. She said she was not getting any younger and her husband had died too.

But she said she did not let anyone walk all over her. I said nothing as I stared out the café window.

Folsom had changed and gotten more crowded. Or maybe I had changed and become easier to overlook.

Rosie pushed a plate of lemon pie toward me and told me to eat because I had lost weight. I picking up my fork because it was pointless to argue with her.

I told her that everything was the same. Melinda bosses everyone around while Phillip keeps quiet.

They treat everything in the house as theirs. They criticize me if I touch their things.

Melinda finds fault with every little thing. She says I did not wash the dishes properly or that I listen to the radio too loudly.

Rosie asked what Phillip says to all of this. I said he says nothing or just brushes it off.

He says I know Melinda and she just likes to be in control. Rosie snorted at that excuse.

She asked about the grandkids. I said Skyler understands and tries to stand up for me.

Jace has retreated into his own world of games and headphones. We used to walk and talk a lot but now he hardly leaves his room.