The blonde woman in the bright purple dress clutched her belly, staggered two steps and crumpled to her knees. Ma’am, made Leona gasped, kneeling beside her. Her starched black uniform and white cap were already damp with sweat from the afternoon heat, but panic cut deeper than the sun ever could.

The woman’s lips trembled. I, I can’t breathe. My legs.

Her voice broke, eyes wide with terror. Leona glanced around. Cars were jammed tight along the road, horns blaring impatiently.

No taxi could get through. No ambulance would make it in time. The crowd that had formed was frozen, staring, some whispering.

No one moved. Leona made her choice. She slipped her arms under the woman’s body and heaved.

Pain shot through her shoulders, but she gritted her teeth and stood, lifting the pregnant wife into her arms. The woman whimpered, no, don’t. People are watching.

Let them, Leona snapped, already pushing through the crowd. You want me to lay you back down on the pavement? Let your baby gasp for air while they just stand there staring. Tears streaked the woman’s face as she clutched at Leona’s collar.

You don’t understand. My husband, he’ll see this as shame. I’m not supposed to be, Leona’s voice cut like a blade…