She was also brave.

Neither fact gives anyone permission to punish you.”

That evening Colleen went into the hallway to speak privately with Leah.

Through the open door I heard only fragments: a prescription, insurance, a family policy, and an old pharmacy account.

When she came back, her face was grave.

“I need to tell the investigator something about your father’s health coverage,” she said.

“It’s something I never expected to matter again.”