I Let My Friend Drive My 10-Year-Old Daughter to Summer Camp – A Few Hours Later, the Camp Administrator Called and Said, ‘I Think You Need to Come Here. It’s About the Man Who Brought Her’

her cereal. “Can parents pick kids up early? Like, if they feel sick?”

“I guess so. Why, you feeling okay?”

“Can parents pick kids up early? Like, if they feel sick?”

“No.” She stirred her spoon around. “I was just wondering.”

***

Then Thursday she unpacked her duffel and repacked it twice.

I figured it was nerves. She was ten and about to sleep away from home for the first time. Wouldn’t you think the same?

That Saturday, the hospital called while I was getting Greta ready. Two nurses had called out sick, and they needed me early.

I figured it was nerves.

I couldn’t get Greta to camp and make it to the ER on time.

Greta watched me from the doorway, her bag at her feet.

“It’s okay,” she said quickly. “I don’t need to go. I’ll stay home.”

My heart cracked a little. There she was, ten years