HIS NEIGHBOR WOULDN’T STOP REPORTING THE SOUND OF A GIRL CRYING INSIDE HIS HOUSE—THEN HE HID BENEATH HIS DAUGHTER’S BED AND HEARD HER PLEAD FOR SOMEONE TO SPARE HER

Thomas asked if she was okay.

Lucia smiled faintly. “I think I am.”

At twenty-six, Lucia became a counselor for teens experiencing bullying, coercion, and family emotional abuse. She worked in schools, shelters, and community centers. She never told her whole story at first. She only told enough.

“I know what it feels like when adults call your pain drama,” she would say. “So I’m going to listen differently.”