She did not have to learn significant developments through neighborhood gossip.

I was a witness, available when needed, with my own limited place in the process.

I put the detective’s contact information in a folder and kept the notes I had made.

I did not read them every evening.

Preserving evidence did not require rehearsing the morning until I could no longer sleep.

Once, I dreamed I lifted the lid and found the bin empty.

In the dream, I was relieved.