Right. Mrs. Patterson's Labrador. Ear infection.
I picked up the otoscope, my hands moving on autopilot. Two days since Easton had walked out of my house. Two days of silence. I'd left the envelope on his doorstep yesterday morning with the birth certificate, hospital records, and the photo I'd carried in my wallet for six years.
No response.
Casey kept asking when Uncle Easton was coming over. When could they practice hockey? Did he not want to see her anymore?
Each question was a knife in my chest.
He's just busy, baby. He'll come to see you soon.
Lies. All lies.
I didn't know whether Easton would ever come back. I didn't know if he'd forgive me. I didn't know if Casey would forgive me when she found out the truth.
And she would find out. Soon. We couldn't keep this secret much longer, not with Easton knowing. We had to tell her together, gently and carefully.
My phone buzzed in my pocket.
I ignored it, focusing on the dog in front of me. Sweet old lab, patient as I examined her infected ear. Mrs. Patterson chatted about her grandchildren, oblivious to the fact that I hadn't heard a word she'd said.
My phone buzzed again.
Then again.
"Excuse me," I said, pulling it out. "I'm so sorry, I need to…"
Amber Falls Elementary appeared on the screen.
My stomach dropped.
"I have to take this." I stepped into the hallway, my heart pounding. "Hello, this is Palisade Honors, Casey's mother."
"Hello Dr. Honors. Let me transfer you to Ms. Carter's office."
Who the hell was Ms. Carter?"I'm sorry, who is Ms. Carter?"
"Oh, she's the school counselor. She can explain what happened."
What happened.
Not, "She wants to talk to you."What happened.
I waited for several minutes, listening to announcements about an upcoming school play. Finally, someone answered. "Dr. Honors?" The woman sounded much younger than I expecteda school counselor would be. "This is Ms. Carter. Casey became upset during the lunch period."
"Upset how? Is she hurt?" I pressed, already grabbing my purse.
Ms. Carter hesitated. "It appears some children were… discussing family matters that upset Casey. I'd prefer talking to you in person rather than over the phone."
Family matters.
My stomach dropped.
Easton and I were supposed to tell Casey together. A planned, controlled conversation where we could both reassure her, answer her questions, make sure she understood how much we both loved her.
Not this. Not finding out from schoolyard gossip.
"I'll be there in fifteen minutes," I said, ending the call.
