A

I found out my grown man was texting my 12-year-old daughter. So I set up a fake meeting with him. My daughter Ariel turned 10 last month. She begged for a phone. Every kid in her class had one. Eventually I said yes, but I installed monitoring software. Every text, every app, everything copied to my phone. She didn't know. I wasn't proud of it. She was 10. First two weeks were normal. Group chats with friends, homework questions. Then I saw a name I didn't recognize. Coach Mike. Ariel doesn't have a coach named Mike. I opened the thread. You seem mature for your age. My blood froze. I scrolled back and read everything. Three weeks of messages. He'd learned her school, her schedule, which days I worked late. There were messages like, what do you wear to bed? I bet you look beautiful in a swimsuit. He told her she was special. No one understood her like he did. Her parents didn't really love her. Patient, methodical, like he'd done this before. The last message was from this morning. I want to meet you somewhere private. She hadn't responded yet. I wanted to get sick to call the police, but then I thought of something better. I responded for her. Sorry I didn't reply. I was in class. Yes, I want to meet you too. Responded in under a minute. I'm so happy. I've been thinking about you all day. I wanted to throw up. That night I banned Ariel from using her phone. She screamed and cried. But I needed her away from it so she wouldn't see someone else messaging off it. For four days, I played the man's dream girl. Day one. He asked about her day. Day two. He got bolder. What are you wearing right now? Just my pajamas. Lol. I bet you look cute in pajamas. The sink in the sink every night. Day three. He started talking about the future. When we meet, I'm going to give you the biggest hug. I've never felt this way about anyone. Ariel was talking about a math test. My phone buzzed. Do you think about me when you go to sleep? Day four. I pushed for the meeting. When are we actually going to meet? I'm starting to think you're scared of me. Under a minute. Yes. Where? There's a park on Riverside. The one with the old gazebo. Nobody goes there after 6 PM. He knew the spot. I'd done this before. I'll be there at 7. Wear something cute for me. I put down the phone. Told Ariel I had a late meeting at work tomorrow. She didn't question.