I cried when I got home from work. Nobody died. It was an incredibly busy shift, but this one call stood out from among the rest. Yes, 98% of the call itself was totally drama. But it was the underlying reason for all the drama that tugged at my heart strings.

This girl clung to me, for whatever reason. I was frustrated but didn’t let it show. Others did let their frustration show, and maybe that was why. I don’t know. We walked out to the ambulance together to get away from everyone to talk. That ambulance door shut and she opened up. My heart broke for her.

I told her that even though it didn’t happen today, what happened way back then wasn’t her fault. I made sure she heard what I had said because sometimes it is difficult to hear the actual truth in the midst of all the chaos in one’s brain. I also told her she wasn’t alone in what she was dealing with because I had been there too. It can be hell dealing with what happened and learning to handle the memories. But it is possible. There is hope.

I asked what she wanted to study in college to which she said she wanted to be a pediatrician. One day, you will get through this and be able to help a boy or a girl through the same thing. I gave her a hug and held her as she cried.

After the call was over, I learned “the rest of the story”. It frustrated me, but you know something, this girl is dealing with her trauma in the best way she knows how. It isn’t right, nor healthy. But I hope she takes the help that was offered to her. Then the drama will become her driving force in how she in turn helps others. But no one, boy or girl, man or woman, should have to live with the memories she has.