I explained that we mostly just talked, about feeling isolated; about how this had made us feel cut off from our friends and family, and then Brenda claimed I was the reason for his withdrawal; that I was the one who had cut him off. And honestly, if she was Ashley’s teacher, and it was Ashley in her car, I’d have been saying the same thing, I’d have been breaking down the door wanting answers too. I knew how this must have looked from the outside. I knew how beyond the pale this was, and of course I sympathized with her, mother to mother. But I wanted to tell Brenda—I saved your son. Did he ever tell you about how he wanted to kill himself? How he started to self-harm? You should be thanking me, lady. You should be thanking me your son is still here, sitting in that chair, looking at his hands.

I took a deep breath and, while trying to keep my voice from quavering, I explained how we had been brainstorming possible sources for the noise and told them about the map of all the sites we had visited. I thought perhaps the level of thought and commitment we’d brought to this would help them understand how seriously we took this; how much it had affected us, and the lengths we would go to to help ourselves, when no one else seemed prepared to. I explained our theory about the noise, and the app on Kyle’s phone we had been using to measure the sound at each location. I explained why we chose the sites we did. The electrical substation. The construction work up by Saguaro Drive. The wind turbines out by the interstate. I noticed Valeria grimacing. I tried to imagine how she must have seen me in that moment; a trusted and respected colleague of nearly a decade, suddenly unhinged. Unrecognizable. I exhaled and told them that I was aware of how odd all of this must sound.

We’ve been trying to educate ourselves the best we can, I said.

Valeria turned to Kyle. Is this true, what Ms. Devon’s been saying? she asked. He looked up, ran his tongue along his lower lip, and nodded. Can you please use your words? she asked.

Yes.

So you do hear this noise then, Valeria said. If everything Ms. Devon is saying is true, then you—

Brenda slammed her hand down on the top of my desk. Stop—playing with his words.

I’m just trying to get the story st—

I hope you realize I am this close to going to the police with this.

Yes, I understand that, but—

So you better stop putting words in his mouth.

If this is going to proceed, I need to hear the rest of his story.

Brenda pointed her finger at Valeria’s face. Do not put words in his mouth.

All right.

Or I am calling the police.