She spoke about kindness too, because Leah and Naomi and Mr.

Patel had offered practical help when she was ashamed to ask.

Afterward, a woman approached her.

“Nobody ever told me that my records mattered,” she said quietly.

Clara understood then that her story could be more than the worst thing that had happened to her.

It could be an invitation for someone else to ask a question before accepting an unfair judgment.

PART 17