The Call That Changed Everything
The phone rang midmorning — a call from the school nurse that froze my world.
“Mr. Jensen, your son needs you here,” she said, her voice taut with concern.
I rushed to the school, heart pounding, and found Leo sitting on the cot, small shoulders trembling. I knelt beside him, my hand steady on his shoulder. “You’re safe now,” I said softly, though my insides churned.
The nurse’s eyes met mine, heavy with sympathy. “We’ve called the authorities. They’ll take your statement shortly.”
I nodded, fighting to keep my composure. This wasn’t the moment for anger — not yet. I needed to think, to protect Leo, to make sure justice came before rage.
“Dad,” Leo whispered, eyes wide and unsure, “what are we going to do?”
I met his gaze — so much like my own — and felt a surge of fierce resolve. “We’re going to make sure you’re okay first,” I told him. “That’s all that matters right now.”
As the officers arrived, their calm professionalism grounded me. When one asked whether I wanted to accompany them to the house, I hesitated only a second. “I’ll go,” I said, squeezing Leo’s hand. “I’ll be back soon.”