“I would like to speak with Eli alone, if that is alright.”
Diane nodded before I could answer.
A minute later, a court aide walked Eli into the room.
He looked at me first, checking for reassurance, just as he had done every hour for the past three weeks.
“It’s okay, buddy,” I told him. “Just answer her questions honestly.”
He nodded once and sat down.
Beverly leaned forward and asked him about school, food, and whether he felt safe with me.
Eli answered in a whisper that I could barely hear while his thumb rubbed the ribbon in tight circles.
