“He says you fell,” Vega replied.

“He disputes knowing you were seriously injured.

We are checking that claim.”

I wanted to scream.

Instead, I asked about Piper.

“A child advocacy specialist will help us decide whether a conversation with her is appropriate,” Vega said.

“We don’t want her questioned repeatedly by adults.”

That was the first moment I felt somebody outside my family understood the second injury hidden beneath the first.