Another Tearful Phone Call

Elisabeth was on campus this morning to finish her paperwork for her fall semester. She didn't really want to be there. She's been struggling with a back injury and the treatments are painful. The doctor says this is normal and the injections will cause more pain before it feels better. But today was the final day to finish up the paperwork.

So the phone call goes something like this:

"What are you doing, Mom?"

"Just emptying the dishwasher, what about you?"

"Yeah, I finished up my paperwork." I can tell her voice sounds funny.

"Great! Where are you? Are you still at school?"

Her voice cracks.

"Yes....(pause)...they won't let us leave. I don't know what is happening." At this point, I can tell she is starting to cry.

"What is going on?"

"They say we are on lockdown and I can't go to my car. My back hurts real bad and I just don't know what is going on."

I do my best to console her not really sure what is going on. I hang up the phone and turn the on the t.v. A report of the lockdown is on the screen.

Police were chasing armed robbery suspects. A crash occured near the campus and the armed suspects fled on foot. The campus was locked down as police continue to search for the suspects. I text message my daughter to let her know what is going on, I know she is too teary to talk. And now we wait. This isn't the same world as when I was growing up.