I dropped the phone as if it was made of fire. Sophie was not alone in this. My mind buzzed with a thousand questions and fears. What was happening at school that could be so terrifying, so shameful, it had my daughter and others running to scrub themselves clean every day?
I had to fight the urge to rush to the school immediately. Instead, I forced myself to take a deep breath and grabbed my car keys. My thoughts were a chaotic whirl, but I knew I had to stay calm, for Sophie’s sake. I hurried to the school, each stoplight an infuriating obstacle in my path.
As I walked into the school’s office, the secretary gave me a somber look. I was led to a small meeting room, where a couple of other parents were already seated, their faces a mirror of my own anxiety. The principal, Mrs. Thompson, entered, her expression grave.
