I dropped to my knees and held her.
“Did he hurt you?”
She shook her head.
“Did he make you do something?”
She began crying harder.
“I promised not to tell.”
I looked over her shoulder at Daniel.
“What have you done?”
His face had gone pale.
“I should have told you.”
“Told me what?”
He looked at the little object still in his hand.
Then at Lily.
“Maggie, please don’t panic.”
“Too late.”
I pulled Lily closer.
Then I noticed something on the bedside table.
The white plastic box.
I reached for it.
Daniel moved forward.
“Wait.”
I opened it.
Inside were dozens of tiny objects.
Bits of paper.
Small pieces of clear plastic.
Pieces of eraser.
Tiny scraps of cardboard.
I stared at them.
Then at Daniel.
“What is this?”
He didn’t answer.
I looked at Lily.
“Sweetheart?”
She covered her face.
Daniel quietly said,
“Lily, we have to tell her now.”
I felt sick.
“Tell me what?”
Lily slowly lowered her hands.
“I put them there.”
I stared at her.
“Where?”
She pointed to her mouth.
Study Anatomy
