My Ten-Year-Old’s Pregnancy Test Was Positive –

Chapter Five

The Damage Done Before the Diagnosis

Sophie was admitted to the pediatric oncology floor shortly after midnight.

By morning, the story had escaped the hospital.

Daniel’s phone began ringing before sunrise. He ignored the first two calls, then stepped into the hallway to answer the third. When he returned, his face was empty.

“What happened?” I asked.

He looked at Sophie before lowering his voice.

“Brookfield placed me on administrative leave.”

Daniel taught fifth-grade science. He had worked at the same elementary school for eleven years without a single complaint.

“Why would the school even know?”

Daniel looked toward Eric, who was sleeping in a chair near the window.

Someone had contacted the superintendent while we were waiting for the ultrasound. The caller reported that Daniel was being questioned after a ten-year-old girl in his home tested positive for pregnancy.