My sister announced she was expecting her fourth c…

But that evening, when I started making calls to protect myself, I learned the community center was not the first place they had used my name. It was only the first place that called the police. By 7 that night, I was sitting at my kitchen table with my laptop open, a notebook beside me, and a cup of coffee I had reheated twice but never touched.

I started with Harper’s Elementary School, expecting one awkward conversation and maybe one emergency contact form. Instead, the school secretary paused when I gave my name and said, “Oh, yes, Miss Carter. You are listed as primary pickup if either parent is unavailable.”

Primary pickup.

Not emergency. Only primary. I asked her to send me whatever documents they had on file.

Then I called Miles’s preschool. Same thing. I was listed as approved pickup, backup payment contact, and weekday support person.

Then I called Chloe’s pediatric clinic and felt my stomach turn when the receptionist said, “We have you marked as authorized caregiver for appointments when the parents cannot attend.”