Her job was not finished.
When the medical team entered the house, María asked Emily whether she wanted to walk or be carried.
The question seemed almost too small for the moment.
It was not.
For several minutes, every adult around Emily had been telling other adults where they could stand, what they could touch, and what they needed to do.
María wanted one decision to belong to Emily.
“I can walk,” the girl whispered.
“Okay.”
Emily took one step.
Then another.
She still held the rabbit.
As they passed the bottom of the staircase, Thomas said her name.
“Emily.”
She froze.
María turned immediately toward Thomas.
“No.”
Thomas lifted both hands as though he were the reasonable person in the room.
“I just want to tell my daughter I love her.”
Emily’s shoulders drew upward.
María looked down at her.
“You don’t have to answer.”
