Chapter 6 - A Child’s Resilience
While the adults fought in courtrooms and over phone lines, the person who mattered most was busy healing.
Melody was a resilient child, but the trauma left its marks. For the first few weeks, she refused to eat anything that didn't come out of a sealed package that I personally opened in front of her. She had nightmares about choking.
We enrolled her in child therapy specializing in medical trauma. Her therapist, a kind woman named Dr. Evans, used play therapy to help Melody process her fear.
One Saturday afternoon, I overheard Melody playing in her room with her dolls. She had set up a little toy kitchen.
"Now, bunny," Melody was saying to a stuffed animal, "this cake is made with safe flour and apples. No nuts. Because we love you and we want your tummy to be happy. You don't have to be scared here."
Tears pricked my eyes. I walked into the room and sat on the floor next to her.
"That sounds like a delicious cake, Mel," I said gently.
Melody looked up at me, her big brown eyes clear. "Mommy? Is Grandma Gloria mad at me?"
My heart ached. "No, sweetie. Why do you ask that?"
"Because she told me to stop being dramatic, and then she had to go away with the police. I don't want her to be mad."
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I took her hands in mine. "Grandma Gloria made a choice that was wrong and dangerous. The police are involved because adults have to follow rules to keep people safe, just like kids do. You did nothing wrong, Melody. You are the bravest girl I know."
Melody hugged my neck tightly. "I'm glad you have the pens, Mommy. You saved me."
