Dr. Lawson got an emergency call and left in a rush but not without giving Brenda the reassurance that he’d be calling her later to discuss the matter. After the doctor left, Brenda paced the living room, her thoughts chaotic. Calling CPS seemed logical, yet something in Stacey’s reaction made her pause. Determined to protect both the baby and Stacey, she decided to hold off until she had more answers. She needed to get through to her daughter first.
Brenda returned to Stacey’s room and sat down gently on the edge of the bed. “Stacey, I need you to help me understand,” she began softly. “Who have you been spending time with lately? Have any of your friends been acting strange?” She kept her tone calm, hoping it would ease her daughter.