I grabbed the car keys from the kitchen counter, heart thudding against my ribs. “Hold on, honey—” I started, but she was already past the porch, the front door slamming shut behind her.
She disappeared around the corner, the early autumn wind carrying the faint scent of burnt leaves and gasoline.
The Call
The phone rang just as I turned the ignition. I stared at the screen: Mrs. Carter – Homeroom Teacher. My stomach dropped.
“This is Mrs. Carter,” a calm voice said. “I’m calling about Emily. She’s been absent all week.”
I blinked, trying to process. “Absent? She left the house every morning. I saw her walk out the door.”
There was a pause, the kind that stretches thin and tight. “I’m sorry, but she hasn’t been in any class since Monday.”
My throat went dry. “That can’t be right.”
“I’ve checked the attendance logs. She’s not in the system.”
I hung up, the car’s engine humming like a warning. I pulled into the driveway, the house silent except for the ticking of the hallway clock.
Evening Shadows
Emily trudged in at six, cheeks flushed from the cold. She dumped her bag on the couch, a sigh escaping her lips.
“How was school?” I asked, trying to sound casual.
She rolled her eyes. “Same old. Mrs. Carter gave us another pop quiz. I hate math.”
She didn’t look at me. The smell of dinner—spaghetti sauce simmering—filled the kitchen, but the air felt heavy.
“Did you… go to class today?” I ventured, voice barely above a whisper.
She laughed, a short, nervous sound. “Of course, Mom. I’m not a slacker.”
She flicked the TV channel, the screen flashing bright colors that didn’t match the darkness settling in my chest.
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