Chapter 17 - Marlene and David
I met Nora’s foster relatives six weeks after the incident.
Marlene and David Ellis.
They did not look like villains.
Of course.
Marlene brought a binder to the meeting because administrators bring binders to emotionally devastating situations.
School schedule.
Medical appointments.
Paige call log.
Therapy.
Nora’s drawings.
David sat quietly.
Then asked me:
“Why didn’t you know she was in your house?”
Fair.
“I was away Friday.”
“Saturday?”
“I came home Saturday afternoon.”
“Vivian hid her.”
He looked at me.
“In your wall.”
“Yes.”
Silence.
I wanted to defend myself.
I did not.
Marlene said:
“Nora asks about Ellie.”
“She does?”
“She thinks Ellie saved her.”
That worried me.
“Ellie is four.”
“I know.”
“We can’t make her responsible for that.”
Marlene nodded.
“Agreed.”
Good.
The eventual therapeutic plan framed it differently.
Ellie helped.
Adults rescued.
Police opened the door.
Doctors cared.
Caseworkers changed placement safety.
No:
Ellie saved Nora.
A four-year-old should be proud she shared bread.
She should not carry the belief another child’s survival depended on her vigilance.
May you like
Hero stories can burden children too.
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