My 12-Year-Old Daughter Came Home with a Pixie Cut After a Day with My MIL — When I Found Out Why, I Couldn’t Stop Crying

it again. 

Then again.

Suddenly the haircut didn’t look like a choice anymore.

Had someone threatened Tessa?

Had something happened at school that she was too frightened to tell me?

Was that why she had cut her hair?

I grabbed my phone.

Before I could call Nadine, it rang.

My boss, Caroline.

“Marla, thank God. Jen went home sick, and we’re buried. I need you back here for a couple of hours.”

Normally, my answer would have been automatic.

Sure.

Of course.

I’m on my way.

In fact, I already had my purse in my hand.

Then I looked down at the note.

I thought about Tessa sitting on her bed, crying.

I thought about Nadine saying, Be there this time.

“I can’t,” I said.

Silence.

“What?”

“I can’t come back tonight.”

“Marla, this isn’t a good night to suddenly become unavailable.”