My Two Writing Teachers colleagues and I are hosting the 13th Annual March Slice of Life Story Challenge, in which hundreds of teachers participate in posting a story per day.

Dear Kids,

Remember earlier when you were playing outside in the front yard, and our neighbor, Bobby (name changed), came over to play like he always does?

I was inside doing work while you were playing, and when I looked out the window I saw the two of you, Bobby, and Bobby’s mom in the driveway. Jackson and Bobby were riding their bikes around in a circle, and Lily and Bobby’s mom were talking. I had no idea how long they had been there.

Do you remember how I opened the door and called the to the two of you to come in for dinner? And how I hesitated when you asked if you could first show Bobby the little houses you had built out of rocks in the backyard?

I followed the three of you to the backyard, and Bobby’s mom awkwardly lingered in the driveway. I only let Bobby look at the stone houses for two seconds before I asked you to come in for dinner. Remember? And when the three of you complained I pushed harder. “Lily, Jackson, you need come in the house now!”

I didn’t know how to say it in the moment, but I was terrified when I looked out the window and saw our neighbors visiting. What if Bobby or his mom had the virus? What if they had been traveling recently? What if Bobby’s mom was one of those people that doesn’t believe the virus is real? What if one of you picked up the virus at school last week and we don’t know yet? What if one of them gets sick because of us? What if they go to visit a grandparent? Honestly, I was also thinking What the hell were they thinking? I was angry that they came over to visit. All these thoughts and more flashed through my mind in a split second. I panicked. I needed you to get away from them. Immediately.

There is so much scary stuff happening, so quickly, and sometimes I don’t know how to tell you what you need to know without scaring you too much. How much information is enough? How much fear is enough?

I really just don’t know. But I do know that I love you both to the end of the universe and back, and I’ll do anything to keep you safe.

Love,

Your Mom