Chapter 22 - THE HOUSEBen refused to move back immediately.
Of course.
Imagine trying to sleep above the place where you were chained.
The house remained evidence-controlled for weeks.
Then repairs.
The crawlspace access was permanently reconfigured according to building code.
The living-room flooring replaced.
Ben sold the house eight months later.
Not at a huge loss.
Not for dramatic symbolism.
Because every sound at night made him sit upright.
Lila did not want to leave at first.
“My toys live here.”
Children attach trauma to places less consistently than adults.
They moved to a two-bedroom rental near her preschool.
Ben said:
“Temporary.”
Then laughed.
“No. I’m done calling everything temporary.”
He began therapy.
Lila continued play therapy.
At first she drew houses with black rectangles beneath them.
Then houses with flowers.
May you like
Then dinosaurs.
Progress does not always announce itself.
