The next session she told the counselor about that exchange.

The counselor discussed it with the adults managing the contact plan, and the process moved at a pace that considered Sadie’s well-being.

There was no sudden reunion, no promise that the old family could be recreated by a single apology.

A month later Sadie received a letter from her father.

She asked whether I would read it first to check for anything upsetting.

I said yes, then asked whether she’d rather have the counselor do it.