I called Nora, then Rachel.

Neither congratulated me.

They knew this was not a victory parade.

Brenda was served with court papers through the ordinary process.

A short time later, her attorney sent word that she denied intentional wrongdoing and believed the video had been misunderstood.

At a preliminary hearing, I sat near the back of the courtroom with Nora.

I did not wear a suit intended to make a statement.

I wore the same dark jacket I’d used to drive Hailey to the urgent care clinic, now washed and folded carefully over my arm.