It did not need to become entertainment before lunch.

At the hospital, Hannah was treated for severe dehydration, extensive bruising, and a sprained wrist.

The twins were examined and found to be physically unharmed, though exhausted and deeply distressed.

The reassuring part of that news did not erase the rest.

A child can have no broken bone and still flinch when a door closes.

A mother can be given water and a wrist support and still not believe that a man cannot come through the next doorway.

I learned those things slowly over the following days, mostly by listening.