Earlier hearings or changes could occur, and counsel could request relief before then.

“Twenty-one days is the date on this plan,” she said.

“It isn’t permission to stop working until then.”

I wrote the date at the top of a clean page.

She also explained the protected contact arrangements available through the advocate’s office.

A person seeking safety could communicate without placing a residential location in an ordinary public packet.

“If Mara reaches you,” I said, “we need to know she’s alive.”

“We can work toward verification without handing out her address.”