The following day, Vanessa was surprised by a small envelope on her desk. Inside was a crayon-drawn card depicting a treehouse, an ambulance, and stick figures labeled “Dad,” “Mr. Parker,” and “Me” with a big smiley face next to a figure labeled “Vanessa.” At the bottom, in big, uneven letters, were the words: “Thank you for saving my dad and his friend.”

Vanessa held the card to her chest, tears flowing freely now. In a job where she often dealt with the worst moments of people’s lives, this small gesture was a reminder of the impact she could have.

She sat quietly for a moment, cherishing the connection she had made with a brave little girl named Lily, who had taught her that even in the darkest times, there’s always hope and the power of human kindness.