Chapter ThirteenThe next day, Ruth stood outside the police station. Uniformed officers and civilians brushed past her to enter the facility. Thus far, the structure had escaped unscathed from the bombings. It stood tall and proud next to a two-story office building that had not been so lucky. Bricks were missing, and much of the wooden trim was broken or riddled with holes. Of the eight windows on the front of the building, five were boarded over. The remaining three were crisscrossed with tape to prevent being shattered when the next bombing occurred. When, not if.
Would she ever be able to enjoy Independence Day fireworks again? Or would she crouch in terror at the colorful explosions in the sky? She shook her head to clear her mind and straightened the collar on her chocolate-brown wo
