My daughter “went to school” every morning — then her teacher called and told me that she’d been skipping for a whole week, so I followed her the next morning.
My 14-year-old, Emily, is not a bad kid. She’s moody sometimes, like any teenager, but she’s never been the kind to cut class. Not once.
So when the school called me on Thursday afternoon, I answered right away.
“This is Mrs. Carter,” her homeroom teacher said. “I wanted to check in. Emily has been absent all week.”
I almost laughed because it sounded impossible.
“That can’t be right,” I said. “She leaves the house every morning. I watch her walk out the door.””
There was a pause on the other end.
“No,” Mrs. Carter said gently. “She hasn’t been in any of her classes since Monday.”
My stomach tightened.
When Emily came home that evening, she acted normal. Complained about homework. Asked what was for dinner. Rolled her eyes at my questions.
The next morning, I didn’t confront her. I didn’t call the school again.
I waited.
That morning, I sent Emily off like usual.
Then I got into my car and drove ahead of her.
I parked where I could see the bus stop from a distance.
She walked up and got on the school bus.
As soon as the bus pulled away, I pulled out and followed it.
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