It wasn’t the comforting promise that nobody would ever have to leave the room.

It was something she could expect adults to follow.

Erin, off ambulance duty and visiting with the required permission, sat near the child for a short while.

Mia took the cuff again.

“Blue cup,” she said.

“The crooked-handle one?” her mother asked.

Mia nodded.

The cup was something her mother could bring through the approved belongings arrangement.