My daughter needed regular medical appointments, careful wound care, and physical therapy.
She also began meeting with a child therapist experienced in helping children recover from abuse.
At first, she barely spoke.
She startled whenever someone raised their voice. She apologized when she spilled water. She asked permission before getting out of bed.
The first time her therapist invited her to draw anything she wanted, she drew a little girl sitting at a desk.
The girl had a book in front of her.
Beside the desk was a door.
I asked her about it later.
“Why did you draw the door, sweetheart?”
She studied the picture.
“Because I wanted to leave, Mommy. But I thought I wasn’t allowed.”
I sat beside her.
“You are always allowed to tell me when something feels wrong.”
She looked up at me.
“Even if Daddy says no?”
My heart broke all over again.
