The first time Whitney and I attended a parent-teacher meeting together after the incident, we both looked as though we’d been sent to the principal’s office.

Mrs.

Ellison welcomed us warmly.

She showed us a drawing Piper had made of a forest full of animals.

Every fox, deer, and rabbit had a small door in its tree trunk or burrow.

“She likes drawing safe places,” the teacher said.

“She’s also starting to join group games again.”

There were challenges.