Jasmine’s fall had been no light matter. She sat on the couch for a long while, catching her breath.

Her arm was bruised, a deepening welt coloring her skin, but the real injury was to her left ankle. When she attempted to stand and take a few tentative steps, a dull ache radiated from the joint, insistent and unforgiving. It would clearly take acupuncture to ease the swelling and bruising.

Nearby, Layla put on a show of concern. “Ma’am, should I call the ...