Erin Walker's pager vibrated against her waistband as she stepped off the city bus, breath frosting in the crisp morning air. She tucked Liam's hand into her own and guided Luna by the stroller's handle. Today's shift at Hope Free Clinic had been swapped for volunteer EMS duty: ride-along with Portland's volunteer responders. She'd refused payment—every cent she had went toward the twins' care—but she craved the familiar rhythm of emergency medicine.
“Unit 7, respond to a multi-vehicle collision on I-5 northbound, mile marker 256," the dispatcher crackled through Erin's radio earpiece.
“Copy that," Erin replied, strapping on her reflective vest. She and her partner, Jake—another volunteer EMT—hurried to the red-and-white rescue van idling at the curb. Erin placed the twins' small backpac
