“Stop it!” Marla snapped in frustration, her voice sharper than she intended. Instantly, guilt washed over her as she saw the fear in Johnny’s tear-streaked face. Something wasn’t right.

She knelt down and pulled Johnny into her lap, rocking him gently until his sobs softened. “I’m sorry, sweetheart,” she said, stroking his hair. “Mommy didn’t mean to yell. Can you tell me why you don’t want to go to daycare anymore?”

Johnny clung to her tightly, whispering, “I don’t like it.”

“Why, honey?” Marla asked gently. “Are the other kids being mean?”

Johnny shook his head but stayed silent. After a moment, he looked up and asked, “No lunch, Mommy? No lunch?”

Marla frowned, confused. “What’s wrong with lunch?”

Johnny didn’t answer, but his anxious expression left Marla uneasy. Determined to figure out what was troubling her son, she promised him, “I’ll pick you up early today, okay? Before lunch.”

Johnny seemed relieved, nodding as he walked into daycare. But the pleading look he gave her before disappearing through the door stayed with Marla all morning. Something was wrong, and she needed to find out what.

Marla left work early that day, her boss—another mom—understanding her need to deal with a personal issue. Instead of picking Johnny up before lunch as promised, Marla decided to drop in unannounced during lunchtime to see for herself what was happening.

The daycare’s dining room had large glass windows, allowing her to observe unnoticed. As she approached, Marla spotted Johnny sitting at a table with the other children. A woman she didn’t recognize was seated beside him, holding a spoon.