Showing results by author "Henry Hurt" in All Categories

Jeanne Szuber's body tightened as her mind held on to an image of her daughter, Patti, an effervescent, bright­-eyed 22-year-old, the youngest of their six children and one of only two still living at home. "I'm so sorry," the voice on the phone said gently. "I have to tell you that death may be moments away. I'm so very sorry." Jeanne looked at her husband of 37 years. "It's Patti," she whispered, though she knew that Chet knew. "They don't think there's a chance."

With flames in her hair, her nostrils filled with smoke, eight-year-old Rona Mahilum grabbed the first child she could and rushed down the ladder steps to safety. She then ran back into the smoke, squinting and holding her breath.