Willa needed to know she was loved, that the adults hadn’t understood the situation, and that none of it was her responsibility.

Dr.

Lin also told me to expect ambivalence.

“She may be excited one minute and frightened the next.

Don’t ask her to reassure you.

You are the adult here.”

That sentence stayed with me.

A week later, Elena and I sat with Willa on the rug in Rose’s living room.