My in-laws sent my 6-year-old daughter a cute brown teddy bear for her birthday. She smiled for a second, then suddenly froze and asked, “Mommy, what is it?

box. Not stuffing. A square.

Daniel whispered, “Claire?”

I did not answer.

I carried the bear into our bedroom, closed the door, and set it on the dresser. Then I switched off the lights. The left eye faintly glimmered.

Daniel’s face changed.

“No,” he breathed.

I searched the bear carefully and found a hidden switch under the stitched fabric near its leg.continue reading …