In 2018, Scientific American published Jim Hopper’s response to the Kavanaugh hearing. An expert in psychological trauma, Hopper likened sexual assault victims to soldiers suffering from PTSD. He says:

“Incomplete memories of sexual assault, including those with huge gaps, are understandable–if we learn the basics of how memory works and we genuinely listen to survivors. Such memories should be expected. They are similar to the memories of soldiers and police officers for things they’ve experienced in the line of fire. And a great deal of scientific research on memory explains why.” To read the full article, click here.

“Pieces” explores this idea of fragmented memory. The story source didn’t speak up for years after her assault, in part because she remembered only pieces of the incident. Through a lot of personal work, she has come to realize, “I remember only pieces, but now I understand, the pieces don’t make me who I am.”