Chapter 3 - What Lily actually saw
Lily’s first formal interview happened the next afternoon with a specialist experienced in interviewing young deaf children.
A certified ASL interpreter participated.
I was not in the room.
Good.
Parents contaminate memories without intending to.
Later, investigators explained the broad outline.
Lily had gone toward the service corridor because she wanted another strawberry.
She saw Vanessa near the beverage station.
Vanessa believed nobody was watching.
According to Lily, Vanessa held:
A folded white packet.
My glass.
A small spoon.
Lily saw Vanessa pour something from the packet.
Stir.
Then place the glass onto a tray.
Lily did not know the word for the substance.
At preschool she had learned a safety lesson about household cleaners and medicine.
Dangerous substances were “poison.”
That was the word she used.
The interviewer asked:
“Did Vanessa say it was poison?”
No.
“Did you touch it?”
No.
“Did you smell it?”
No.
“Did you see writing?”
No.
Important.
May you like
Lily reported what she saw.
Her interpretation came afterward.
