Brenda would admit to certain conduct connected to the incident rather than force Hailey through the uncertainty of a contested trial.

Sentencing, treatment requirements, restrictions involving children, and other conditions would depend on the court’s approval.

I asked whether the offer meant Brenda had to take responsibility for what she’d done.

“It requires an admission to the agreed offense,” Megan said.

“And the judge will decide whether to accept it.”

I thought about Hailey’s future.

I did not want to build our lives around waiting for the next court date.

Nor did I want to pretend that a confession, even a partial one, erased the harm.