Now I was beginning to understand that a ringing phone was not a command.

Garrett hired an attorney.

A statement circulated among people we knew, claiming I had become confused because of pregnancy complications and that his family had been trying to prevent me from hurting myself.

The story was polished, almost sympathetic.

It used my illness and fear as explanations for his choices.

A year earlier, that story might have made me doubt my own recollection.

Now I had heard the dispatcher say help was coming.