The professionals had warned us that repeated questioning could increase stress and complicate memory.

I wrote down what she’d told me that evening, including the date and the words as closely as I could remember, and let the appropriate people follow up.

That night, after Sadie slept, I read about recovery from medical trauma.

There were explanations for nightmares, irritability, and the way a young person might blame herself for adult mistakes.

There was no instruction manual for making those feelings disappear.

I wrote a note for the refrigerator instead.