Chapter 17 - The MedalSix months after the attack, summer sunlight filled the kitchen.
Sarah stood at the counter making pancakes.
She was wearing jeans and a simple white shirt.
No silk robe.
No fear.
No blood.
Just an ordinary morning.
Lily entered wearing a bright red summer dress.
Her golden curls bounced as she ran toward the kitchen.
"Mom!"
Sarah turned.
"What?"
"Are the pancakes ready?"
"Almost."
Lily climbed onto the stool.
On the refrigerator hung the small American flag magnet.
Beside it hung Lily's Citizen's Valor Award.
The medal caught the sunlight.
For a moment, Sarah simply stared at it.
She remembered the hospital.
The courtroom.
The sirens.
Her daughter's terrified face.
Then she looked at Lily.
The little girl was stealing strawberries from the counter.
Sarah laughed.
"You're going to ruin your breakfast."
May you like
Lily grinned.
"That's okay."
