The letter began: I know I always tell you we’re fine.

The truth is we’re struggling.

I’m scared I won’t be able to keep up.

It ended with a sentence that made Natalie stop reading for a moment: I don’t need someone to rescue me.

I need someone to sit beside me while I figure out the next step.

She gave the sealed personal letter to Helen through the appropriate caseworker, keeping only the existence and location of the material in the investigation record.

That evening Helen read the letter in the hospital waiting room.