My Ten-Year-Old’s Pregnancy Test Was Positive

For several seconds, the room made no sound except for the air conditioner.

Then I laughed.

Not because it was funny. Because the words were impossible.

“She’s ten.”

“I understand.”

“She still sleeps with a stuffed rabbit.”

“A test can occasionally be wrong. We’re repeating it with bloodwork.”

Sophie’s face had gone white.

“Am I having a baby?”

I pulled her against me.

“No. There’s been a mistake.”

Hospital policy required them to contact both a social worker and Sophie’s other legal guardian. Daniel was not allowed back into the room.

Eric arrived thirty minutes later.

He came through the doors so quickly that a security officer followed him down the hall. Daniel stood when he saw him.

“What happened?” Eric demanded.

Daniel raised both hands. “Let the doctor explain.”

Eric looked through the window and saw Sophie crying against my shoulder. Then he noticed the social worker sitting beside her bed.

His expression changed.

“No.”