Her new friend stood outside with a backpack over one shoulder. He was polite, slightly nervous, and immediately said hello.
“Nice to meet you,” he said.
“You too,” I replied.
My daughter appeared behind me almost instantly.
“Come on!” she said, pulling him toward the stairs.
I smiled.
Everything seemed completely normal.
Until I noticed his phone.
The Moment Everything Changed
A little while later, I brought the kids some snacks.
They were sitting at the kitchen table, talking about school. My daughter was laughing about something that had happened in class, while her friend listened and occasionally added a comment.
Then his phone buzzed.
He picked it up.
I wasn’t trying to look at his screen. In fact, I barely paid attention at first.
But something about the expression on his face made me stop.
The cheerful look disappeared.
He stared at the screen for several seconds.
Then he quickly locked the phone and placed it face down on the table.
