I nearly called after her.
Then I noticed her backpack sitting beside the stairs.
“Tessa forgot her bag,” I muttered.
I picked it up, meaning to drive it over.
The zipper wasn’t completely closed, and when I lifted it, several notebooks shifted.
Something crumpled fell onto the floor.
A piece of lined paper.
I should have left it alone.
I know that now.
But after everything that had happened, I opened it.
There were only a few words written across the page.
Next time, I’ll make sure there’s nothing left to cut.
My hands went numb.
I read 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.
