Broken But Believing

Thursday, July 9, 2026

So I started walking.

I passed a couple of baseball fields, and all I could think about was finding somewhere to use the bathroom. I just needed a toilet.

I passed a preschool and came to a stoplight. I turned right, thinking the hospital wasn’t too far away. Surely no one would notice a sweaty, dirty woman slipping inside just to use the restroom, I thought.

About halfway down the road, I had to stop. My leg was throbbing, my back hurt, and I couldn’t believe I was trying to make this walk wearing sandals of all things.

When I reached the next intersection, I turned left toward the college, thinking maybe Twisted Tacos was open and I could sneak in to use their restroom.

By the time I reached the stoplight on the corner, I had to sit down again. My leg hurt so badly. The entire walk I cried, thinking Miles must have been furious with me not to come pick me up from the jail.

But I was determined to get home.

At the stoplight by Twisted Tacos, I turned right and decided I would just stop at the hospital instead. I wasn’t much farther now.

I walked through the roundabout and turned left. The hospital was just ahead on the right.

But by the time I got there, I was too ashamed to go inside.

I was drenched in sweat. It was so hot and humid outside that I could feel it running down my back. I was wearing a skort and a halter top, and all I could think about was how disgusting I must have looked.

I sat on the steps on the other side of the hospital for a few minutes to rest my leg and my back. A man walked past me down the stairs, and I immediately felt like I needed to keep moving. I didn’t want anyone telling me I couldn’t sit there or thinking I didn’t belong.

So I got back up and kept walking.

I went through another roundabout and came to an apartment complex with a pizza place on the first floor. My first thought was, Would they notice if I slipped in and used the restroom? I really had to pee.

I noticed tables and chairs outside the restaurant, but I was too embarrassed to sit there. I was afraid someone would tell me to leave.

As I made my way through the parking lot, I spotted a bench and had to stop again.

My leg…

Oh my goodness, it hurt so bad.

I only rested for a few minutes before getting back up. I knew I was close now. Just one more roundabout and a few more streets.

But about halfway there, I had to stop yet again.

My leg was throbbing.

I was soaked with sweat.

I hurt everywhere.

But I was determined that I was going to make it home.

I finally stood up and started the last part of my walk. Every step hurt, but I could finally see my neighborhood ahead. I walked as fast as my leg would allow.

Finally…

I was standing at my front door.

I looked toward the driveway.

No car.

I reached for the doorknob.

Locked.

At the hospital, Miles had taken my keys, my wallet, and my phone.

I had nothing.

So, I rang the Ring doorbell.