Chapter 7 - Learning to Sleep Again
The months after the trial were difficult.
Olivia started therapy.
At first, she barely spoke.
Then slowly, she began talking.
She talked about the closet.
The meals.
The threats.
The things Madison had told her about Sarah.
One afternoon, her therapist called me aside.
“She needs reassurance.”
“About what?”
“That you believe her.”
“I do.”
“Tell her.”
I nodded.
That evening, I sat beside Olivia's bed.
She held her rabbit.
“Daddy?”
“Yes?”
“Are you mad at me?”
“No.”
“Because I told?”
“No.”
She looked at me.
“Then why were you crying?”
I smiled sadly.
“Because I love you.”
She thought about it.
“More than Madison?”
I took a breath.
“I love you more than anything.”
She smiled.
“More than cake?”
I laughed.
“Much more.”
She giggled.
Then she asked:
“Can Mommy come back?”
My heart broke.
“Sarah?”
She nodded.
I hugged her.
“I wish she could.”
“Is she still under the dirt?”
I closed my eyes.
“No.”
“Where is she?”
“In here.”
I touched Olivia's heart.
“She'll always be part of you.”
Olivia smiled.
“Then I have two mommies?”
I swallowed.
“You have one mommy who loved you before you were born.”
“And Daddy?”
“Daddy loves you too.”
She hugged me.
“Good.”
That night, she slept through until morning.
It was the first full night she had slept peacefully in months.
I sat beside her bed afterward.
And cried.
May you like
Not because I was sad.
Because she was finally safe.
