My daughter was the only kid not invited to her best friend’s sweet 16—when I called to ask why, she whispered, “You’d better-ask your husband.”

Isla didn’t.

⸻

She texted Piper. No answer.

She called. Straight to voicemail.

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At school, Piper actually turned around and walked the other direction the moment she saw Isla approaching.

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That night, I found Isla sitting on her bedroom floor beside the pink dress they’d chosen together, still hanging carefully on its garment bag.

Then she started crying.