Chapter 3 - I listened only after Anouk was safe
I did not press play in the foyer.
My daughter came first.
My pediatrician met us at the house because he lived nearby and had treated Anouk for years.
Then we went to the hospital for a more complete evaluation.
Physical condition:
Mild dehydration.
No malnutrition.
No fractures.
No bruising suggesting severe physical assault.
A red mark on one shoulder where Seraphina had grabbed her.
Fatigue.
Anouk had been fed.
Irregularly.
The containers under the staircase included:
Sandwiches.
Fruit.
Crackers.
Pasta.
She had access to bathroom breaks.
That did not make confinement acceptable.
It simply made the facts accurate.
The pediatric social worker asked:
“Did Seraphina lock the door?”
Anouk nodded.
“How did you get out today?”
“She opened it because I was crying.”
“And then?”
“She said I was ruining everything.”
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Then she threw the bear.
That was when I arrived.
