Clara stood frozen near the armchair, her heart pounding like a hammer against her ribs. She had never seen an adult look so frail, so helpless, or so terrified. The sight of her mother lying on the hardwood floor made the little girl's knees shake violently.
For a split second, the memory of her mother shouting earlier flashed in Clara's mind. She remembered the harsh voice, the cold rejection, and the feeling of being pushed away when she only wanted to share her love.
Clara: I can't deal with this right now!
She squeezed her eyes shut, taking a sharp dramatic gasp as a rush of overwhelm nearly made her turn and run upstairs to hide under her bed. Fear urged her to run away from the scary situation, but her deep love for her mother pulled her back.
She opened her eyes and saw Sarah's hand twitching weakly toward the cell phone lying on the rug. Sarah's breathing had become terrifyingly shallow, her lips turning a faint shade of blue under the dim living room lights.
Sarah: Clara... please...
Clara swallowed her fear, stepping forward with sudden determination. She dropped to her knees right beside her mother, her small fingers wrapping tightly around the cool glass of the cell phone.
She remembered her kindergarten teacher showing the class how to make emergency calls during safety week. Her hands trembled violently, but she unlocked the screen and opened the keypad, her index finger hovering over the bright red emergency button.
Clara: Hang on Mom, I'm getting you help right now!
She quickly dialed nine-one-one and pressed the green call button, pulling the phone close to her small ear as it began to ring loudly.
Dispatcher: Nine-one-one emergency, what is the location of your crisis?
Clara: My mom collapsed! She is on the floor and she can't breathe!
Dispatcher: Sweetheart, I need you to stay calm. Where are you located?
Clara: We live on Maple Street! Number four-five-two! Please send help hurry!
The dispatcher's voice remained steady and reassuring, guiding Clara through basic steps to help her mother while the paramedics were dispatched. Clara leaned over Sarah, gently turning her onto her back just like the operator instructed.
Dispatcher: An ambulance is on the way right now, honey. Is she still awake?
Clara: Her eyes are closed, but she is breathing real fast!
Clara took Sarah's cold hand, holding it tight between both of her small warm palms. She stroked her mother's pale forehead, whispering words of encouragement over and over again.
Clara: Stay with me, Mom. The doctor is coming real fast. I won't leave you.
High-pitched sirens began to wail in the distance, growing louder as they rushed through the quiet suburban neighborhood. Clara kept her eyes locked on her mother's face, refusing to let go of her hand even for a single second.
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