Surprises had once been her favorite thing.

Now the word made her stomach hurt.

I called her therapist rather than telling her she had nothing to worry about.

Together we made a plan: the teacher would explain changes in advance whenever possible, and Tessa could step into the hallway with the school counselor if she felt overwhelmed.

At home we started a new tradition.

On Sundays, Tessa got to choose whether she wanted the week to include a small surprise.

Sometimes she said yes, and I hid a puzzle or a new library book under her pillow.