“Was Dad in trouble?”
“He has to answer questions.”
“Are you going to leave him?”
I considered the question.
“I don’t know what will happen between your father and me. But that is an adult problem. You will not have to solve it.”
She looked relieved.
“Did you find the truth?”
I took her hand carefully.
“I found out that people were afraid and made bad choices. I found out that your dad loved you but didn’t always act bravely. And I found out that some of the things people said about me were not true.”
“Were any true?”
I did not lie.
“Sometimes I let work take too much of my attention. Sometimes I missed things I should have noticed. I’m going to do better.”
Elise nodded.
“So am I.”
“You’re eight.”
I can still do better.”
I kissed her forehead.
“Yes, you can.”
The nurse came in with a message from the doctor. Elise would need several weeks of treatment and follow-up care, but if her recovery continued as expected, she could leave the hospital soon.
