So John made a promise: “Not on my watch.” He stayed the night, draped his leather jacket over her, humming until she slept. The next day, he returned—with friends. Soon, bikers filled her room in shifts, bringing coloring books, stuffed animals, and laughter. She called them “The Beard Squad.” Her vitals even improved.

John gave her a tiny leather vest with patches reading Lil Rider and Heart of Gold. She called him her “Maybe Daddy.”…