Their lives fall apart when Tori and her two younger brothers are left to fend for themselves by their heartless parents. She returns home to find her parents gone, grinning as if nothing had occurred in the meantime while she was getting her life back together. After all this time, what has led them back to Earth, and what are their plans for Tori?
My parents were frantically packing their belongings in our living room, which astounded me. “We’re calling child services; they’ll find you a new home,” my father angrily declared.
My younger brothers, appearing both scared and perplexed, clung to me.
“Tori, what is going on?” Lucas asked, his eyes wide with fear.
He was only six, and my heart hurt for him.
“I’m not sure, Lucas,” I soothed him while holding him close. However, everything will turn out okay. I promise.
At fifteen, I was overwhelmed and confused.
Ben, who was only five, started crying. “I don’t want to go, Tori. I want to be by your side forever.
My heart was broken by my brothers.
I felt helpless to keep us together and to defend them.
The sound of the doorbell ringing caused my heart to sink even lower.
It was Child Services, just as Dad had suspected.
A woman entered the living room with empathy. She said hello, but because my mind was racing, I couldn’t remember her name.
“I’m here to help,” she added in a hushed voice. “I know this is difficult, but we have to move you to a safe place.”
I resisted Lucas’s tightening hold on me. “Please, let us stay,” I pleaded. “We’ll behave properly.”
The woman sighed, sorrow lighting up her eyes. “Tori, I’m sorry. I have no control over it.
As we were brought outside, tears began to rise up in my cheeks.
Ben and Lucas were crying too, clinging to my hands till they broke. It felt like someone was tearing out my heart.
We were placed in different cars, each headed to a different foster family.
I could see my brothers’ faces through the window, their tears blurring their features.
My experience in foster care turned into a maelstrom of uncertainty and grief.
My father’s harsh words lingered in my mind as I wondered how things had gotten to this point.
How could they dismiss us with such casualness?
When I went into the foster home owned by the Thompsons, my life took a drastic turn for the worst.
I felt a sense of estrangement at first.
Mr. and Mrs. Thompson barely acknowledged me, and they regarded me more like a bother than a needy kid.
Their cold stares and curt comments made it obvious that I wasn’t welcome.
Mrs. Thompson would say, “Make sure you finish your chores, Tori,” in a stern voice.
“Yes, ma’am,” I said, turning away.
It was incredibly lonesome.
I missed Lucas and Ben so much that I often wondered if they were okay or if they missed me too.
The days melted into one another, silent and packed with tasks.
Just the glaring indifference of a family that didn’t give a damn. There was no compassion or consolation.
I eventually reached my breaking point. So I made the decision to flee.
Maybe I could find my brothers, or at least some company instead of loneliness. My first attempt to flee was short-lived. I was brought back by the cops.
The Thompson family was furious.
“Why do you keep trying to get away?” Mr Thompson reprimanded. “Are you aware of the problems you’re creating?”
I mumbled, “I’m sorry,” but I wasn’t. All I wanted to do was get out.
Every time I tried to escape, the same thing happened: I was taken back, chastised, and treated even less well. Still, I kept trying.
Rainy evening, I made the decision to go. With my meager belongings, I stuffed a small bag and slid out the window.
The hardest decision I’ve ever had to make was choosing the unpredictability of the streets versus the Thompsons’ disinterest.
The street life was harsh and unforgiving. I took up temporary residence in an ancient, run-down trailer. It offered some shelter from the weather, but it also featured a broken entrance and a leaky roof.
Every day after that was difficult.
In order to support myself, I took on odd jobs that paid a few dollars. I helped at a nearby diner, carried groceries, and washed cars. I made very little money, but I was able to get by.
The thing that was the most difficult was not knowing where my brothers were.
I really missed Ben and Lucas. I tried to see them whenever I could, but it was harder because they kept moving.
I had a terrible setback when I went to see Ben one day.
When I knocked on the door, a stranger answered.
“Is Ben available for me to see?” I enquired.
She gave a headshake. No, they relocated a week ago. They moved to another state, I believe.
My heart fell. “Are you aware of their location?” I frantically asked.
She gave me a pitying glance. “I apologize; I don’t.”
I felt like I had disappointed Ben. I sobbed while sitting on the house’s steps.
Ben and I had made a vow to stay together, and it appeared that we had broken it now.
I clung to the thought that I would see my brothers again as the days stretched into weeks. I made every effort to visit Lucas while he was in town.
But I was always plagued by the dread that I would lose him.
A few months later, I was hired as a cleaner at a tiny business on the outskirts of town. Although the work was steady, it entailed washing shelves and scrubbing floors.
I lived a thrifty lifestyle, saving all of my earnings and only purchasing necessities.
Mr. Jenkins, the proprietor of the shop, saw my dedication one day as I was sweeping. “You’re hardworking, Tori,” he said. “Are you thinking about going back to school?”
I gave a nod. Indeed, sir. I wish I could go to college, but money is limited.
Mr. Jenkins gave a kind smile. “You’ll succeed if you continue saving. I believe in you.
Hope was inspired by his encouragement. I kept putting in a lot of work, and soon I had saved up enough money to get into a community college. But balancing studies and job was difficult. My days began early with housework, and my evenings were spent in class and on homework.
Though there were times when I felt overwhelmed, I persisted. I thought back to the pledge I had given to my brothers and to myself. I was going to accomplish something. I could not disappoint them.
I received my business administration degree a few years later. I applied for a job as a store assistant at a big clothes store using my new qualifications.
It was difficult to start from scratch, but I was used to working hard. I always gave it my all, showed up early, and remained late.
My manager, Ms. Carter, eventually acknowledged my efforts.
One day, when we were restocking shelves, she observed, “Tori, you’re performing excellently.” “You’re getting promoted to supervisor,”
I’m grateful, Ms. Carter. I let out a delighted and grateful exclamation. “I swear to try my hardest.”
I had to take on more duties and obligations as a supervisor. I put forth a lot of effort, asking for advice and growing from my mistakes. I was promoted to store manager after a few years since my efforts were noticed.
But it appeared that fate was destined to test me again. I was getting used to my new apartment when there came a knock on the door.
When I opened it, my parents, Charles and Linda, were there with their bags, grinning like nothing had happened.
“Hello, sweetheart!” With joy, my mother greeted me.
I just stood there, stunned. After all these years, they still dared to show up?
With a persistent smile, my father asked, “May we come in?”
I was so stunned that I moved aside to let them enter. They took a seat in the kitchen, and we were left in awkward quiet. While I was making coffee, I was inundated with inquiries.
My mother broke the ice as they sipped their beverages. “We were hoping that you would allow us to remain here temporarily while we get back on our feet.”
Startled, I just gazed at her. Do you wish to live here with me?
“Yes,” they both said at the same time.
“Why? How on earth did you locate me? Struggling to keep my cool, I asked.
Oh, dear, what difference does that make? Since we are family, shouldn’t we help one another out?
My wrath could no longer be contained.
“Oh really?” I shot back. From the moment you arrived, you have not asked about my brothers. You left us and now you just show up here, expecting my assistance? When we were having hardships and living on the streets, where were your family values?
They seemed surprised, but I cut them off before they could say anything. Going upstairs, I took out an old ten-dollar bill that my father had given me years before. I went back to the kitchen and gave it to them.
“I hope that helps you as much as it helped me in the past. Go now from my house and never come back.”
When they realized the truth of what I had spoken, their smiles disappeared. They gathered their things and left without saying anything else.
The door closed behind them, and I felt a strange kind of closure. Now that they were gone, I was at last free.
I was no longer bound by my history. Whatever was in store for me, I was ready.
How would you have responded in that situation?