My daughter texted me from a party: “Mom, do we still have ice cream at home?” We don’t. That’s the code. “Ice cream” means: come get me right now. “Cookies” means: call me in five minutes with an excuse. “Nothing” means: I’m okay. She said ice cream. I didn’t ask questions. I didn’t text back. I just grabbed my keys and drove. When she got in the car she said quietly, “People started bringing out things I didn’t want to be around.” We drove home in silence. Every kid deserves a way out without having to explain themselves first.