When I was in 5th grade, a new family moved to our side of town. Nice parents. Their daughter was in 6th grade, and they also had a little baby about 6 months old.

Their daughter was nice. Prone to outbursts of anger during school, but otherwise just a regular kid. She adored the baby. She talked about her little sister all the time, and how she wanted to be the best Big Sister ever.

Fast forward to High School Graduation. All of a sudden, she turns 18 and truth bombs the whole town. She was the baby’s mother. It wasn’t her sister at all, but her daughter. Her stepfather was the father. They moved to VT after she gave birth at age 11, and made up the story to give her a fresh start. She told everyone that her plan after graduation was to take custody of her daughter and be the best mom she could be.

I don’t know whatever happened to her, but I’ve often wondered. I’ve always sincerely wished she and her daughter the best.