Chapter ONE-CASEY

I wait for the school bell to signal the end of another long, grueling day.

You know the type. One of those filled with runny noses, dramatic tears, and more than one suspicious puddle.

Today, it was throw-up in the library and a scraped elbow during recess that required not just a bandage but three glittery stickers and two grape lollipops to settle the storm.

The last bell finally shrieks its goodbye, and I exhale, slumping back against my squeaky chair in the nurse’s office.

My feet ache.

My back twinges.

But at least the day is over.

I don’t hate the job.

Honestly, it’s not so far off from what I thought I’d be doing with my life.

Nursing kids through schoolyard catastrophes isn’t glamorous, but it’s meaningful in its own tiny way.

Comforting them, listening to their stories—even the ones about monster cats and lunchroom betrayal—it matters.