My Daughter Died Two Years Ago – Last Week the School Called to Say She Was in the Principal's Office
"It's a scam. AI voice cloning."
"Obituaries are public. Social media exists. Anyone could pull that information."
When I grabbed my keys from the hook by the door, Neil stepped in front of me.
"Babe, you can't go," he said, panic flashing across his face. "Please."
"Please what, Neil? My hands were shaking, but my voice wasn't. "If she's dead, why are you afraid of a ghost unless she isn't one?"
"Don't do this," he said quietly. "You won't like what you find."
"Babe, you can't go."
I didn't answer. I just pushed past him and headed to the car.
The drive was a blur. I don't remember traffic lights or stop signs and gripping the steering wheel so hard my fingers hurt. When I reached the school, I jumped out and ran inside. The receptionist looked startled to see me.
"She's in the principal's office," she said softly.
I rushed to the principal's office and barged in.
The girl was sitting across from Frank.
"She's in the principal's office."
She looked about 13, taller and thinner, but it was her.
"Mom?" she whispered.
I crossed the room in seconds and dropped to my knees in front of her.
"My Grace," I sobbed, pulling her into my arms.
She was warm. Solid. Real!
My daughter wrapped her arms around me as if she were afraid I'd disappear.
She looked about 13.
"Why did you never come for me?" she cried into my shoulder.
"I thought you were gone," I choked.
Grace pulled back just enough to look at me. Her eyes were red and scared. Before she could respond, someone stepped in behind us. It was Neil. He stood there, breathing hard.
Grace turned slowly. "Dad?"
He stared at her as if he were looking at something impossible.
"Why did you never come for me?"
"You knew she was alive," I said.
"No," he replied, but his voice lacked conviction.
"Then why did you try to stop me from coming?"
"Mary," he said tightly, glancing at the principal. "We should talk in private."
"No."
I stood up and took Grace's hand. "We're leaving."
"You knew she was alive."
Neil followed us into the hallway. "You can't just take her."
"Watch me."
Students and teachers stared as we walked past, but I didn't care.
Outside, I let Grace sit next to me. As I started driving, planning on taking my baby home, I realized Neil might go there too, and I didn't trust him.
"Please don't leave me again," Grace muttered beside me.
I didn't trust him.
"I won't, my baby," I said firmly. "I'm taking you to your Aunt Melissa's house for a little while. I need to figure out what happened."
She shook her head. "I don't want to be alone."
"You won't be. Remember, you used to love staying with her? She'd let you stay up late and eat ice cream for dinner sometimes."
A small, uncertain smile appeared.
"I won't, my baby."
When we pulled into my younger sister's driveway, my heart was still racing. Melissa opened the door and stared at us. Then she gasped.
Grace stepped forward. "Aunt Melissa?"
Melissa covered her mouth before pulling Grace into a tight hug.
"It's really you," she cried.
We stepped inside and shut the door behind us.
Then she gasped.
"I don't know everything yet," I told her. "But I think Neil's been lying to me."
Melissa's expression changed instantly.
"Please keep her here," I said. "He doesn't know your address, only the name of the area."
Grace looked up at me, fear creeping back into her eyes. "Please don't let them take me again."
Them.
"No one's taking you," I promised. "I'll be back soon."
She grabbed my hand. "Promise?"
