The Midwife's Bag by the Door

Maria Gonzalez has been a midwife in rural New Mexico for twenty-two years. Every night before bed, she sets her medical bag by the front door — gloves, sterile supplies, a fresh set of scrubs folded on top. Her phone stays charged on the nightstand. Her car keys hang on the same hook, always. "Babies don't check calendars," she says with a laugh.…