She explained that neck injuries could have consequences even when the marks were fading, and she arranged further assessment.

A nurse photographed the bruises with my consent and documented my account.

No one suggested that wealth or marriage made the incident less important.

Frank sat near the window with his hearing aids back in place.

He faced me so he could read my lips when the room became noisy.

We had communicated that way since I was a child, with speech, gestures, and the sign language he had patiently taught me.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked.