As soon as she could catch a breath, the distressed woman fell against my chest and broke into sobs. The hands I wrapped around her felt how thin she was. My heart could tell how scared she was.

She had wandered onto George Street near Del Crary Park, fighting to take off one of her three coats as if it were attacking her. Stumbling and oblivious to traffic, she had no idea the danger she was in.

After circling the block, I found her in a parking lot. Standing shock still. Tears streamed down her face.

At the sound of my voice, she looked up but still seemed so lost. Until she found an ounce of comfort in my arms.

Once she could speak, her first words asked why someone would give her drugs that would do this to her. She was terrified and shaking. Betrayed.

After a few breaths, I guided her........

© Peterborough Examiner