A few weeks before her second birthday, Lisa was drawing on the floor of the law office library. Taking a break from her work to check on her daughter, Lisa's mother saw a drawing of herself and Lisa at the park petting a dog. A fully recognizable scene of something that had occurred earlier that week.
That was when she realized her daughter was bright.
By second grade Lisa was being placed in AP classes.
Lisa's mother petitioned for every educational advantage she could get her daughter. Outside of school she spent every dollar and free moment on Lisa's cultural enrichment through books, galleries, documentaries, camping, gymnastics, games, programming courses and so on.
In the 3rd grade Lisa was bored with her peers and so made friends with the 4th and 5th graders.
In the 4th grade Lisa's friends were just the 5th grade AP students.
Now in the 5th grade she was bored and lonely.
Seeing this, her mother looked into having Lisa skipped ahead. Tested for grade placement, Lisa was found to be academically ready for the 9th grade. Her mother made the case to send Lisa to high school.
Lisa was excited to go.
However, there was pushback from Lisa's teachers and father.
She's not emotionally mature enough for high school.
Lisa's mother fought hard and a compromise was reached, Lisa would finish the 5th grade before skipping ahead.
Mom?
Lisa's throat lumped with the thoughts that she had made a huge mistake.
Mom? Are you there? Mom?
Had the emotional immaturity her teachers and father warned about led her to put her biggest champion in an inescapable coma?
Lisa wrote down on the ripped off page: "I'm sorry."
I'm sorry.
Hearing this, Lisa burst into tears, buried her face into the couch cushions and wailed.
I'm sorry, what were you saying? Lisa, are you there?
Mom...
"I'm sorry" was a coincidence.
The Coma Keeper functioned exactly as Lisa had anticipated.
Here's the aspirin you wanted and a glass of water.
Oh thanks, I think I passed out for a second there. I must be working too hard.
Lisa wiped her tears.
Get home safe, mom. Love you.
As Lisa ended the call with her mother she heard her father's car pull up in the driveway. She quickly hid the Coma Keeper away in her bookbag and turned on the tv.
Heya kiddo.
Hi dad.
Hey, what's with the red eyes? Have you been crying?
The news reported on migrant children being separated from their parents and housed at detention facilities.
Lisa burst into tears again.
Lisa's father turned the tv off and hugged his daughter.
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