My four-year-old daughter, Emma, stood completely still for a moment—then suddenly rushed toward the pastor, shouting something that brought the entire room into stunned silence.

Who was awake?

What did they see?

What did they hear?

My father-in-law initially said that Miriam only wanted to help.

Then he said he didn’t remember.

After she perhaps added some supplement, some natural remedy, a vitamin.

I watched him sink in real time from protective husband to man who understands that his marital loyalty is about to become obstruction of justice.

Melissa swore she never thought her aunt capable of something like that, although we all remembered perfectly every time she herself laughed when Miriam called crying children “dramatic”.