I could see Xiu-Ling, Frankie, and Nathan, along with the rest of the kids, making their way down from the cabins for pill call. One girl had beat them to it and was already there, anxiously waiting. I knew her name was Sarah but she didn’t take meds and wasn’t one of our “regulars.” When she saw me, she ran over. “I have to talk to you!” I unlocked the door and she followed in, close on my heels. “I just got my period. What a nightmare! I can’t believe this is happening. My mother said I probably wouldn’t get it until I turned thirteen but I’m twelve so I didn’t bring anything with me.” “Congratulations!” I gave a big, cheery smile to offer a warm welcome to womanhood. “I’m so not ready for this,” she moaned. “Why couldn’t I just have pneumonia?” I gave her some supplies in a brown paper bag. She waited while I finished pill call then walked with me to the dining hall for breakfast. “Do you think anyone can tell?” she asked, looking around self-consciously.
