A Minor Surgery
When my middle-school-aged daughter underwent surgery for appendicitis, I messaged her homeroom teacher to request a two-week leave of absence.
The teacher called back a few minutes later, clearly irritated.
“Mrs. Stephens, is your daughter going to take time off during the SATs, too? Other students attend school even with broken legs. Why is Claire the only one demanding special treatment?”
I already knew Claire’s teacher was notoriously difficult, so I steadied myself and explained as patiently as I could.
“Miss Lawson, an appendectomy is an invasive surgery. Her doctor has specifically ordered at least two weeks of bed rest. I hope you can understand…”
Before I could finish, she hung up.
Convinced I had made myself clear, I set my phone down and thought no more about it.
I never expected Claire to come running home in tears two weeks later.
“Mom, Miss Lawson said the advanced class has no place for lazy students like me and that she refuses to teach me anymore. She also said no one needs two weeks to recover from such a minor surgery. She accused me of sleeping around, getting pregnant, and secretly staying home to recover from an abortion.”