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\nFor illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels<\/p>\n
Ten-year-old Kevin is stunned when he finds a box hidden in the shabby sofa he inherited from his Granny. However, the letter and legal papers inside the box contain even more surprises and help the boy understand a devastating truth about his family. Kevin will have to make a choice that will determine the rest of his life.<\/p>\n
Kevin stared at the slightly shabby and stained sofa Granny left him in her will. He cringed when the movers dropped it to the floor with a loud thump. He waved away a cloud of dust as he moved closer to check the sofa wasn\u2019t damaged.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to miss Granny,\u201d Kevin said as he ran his fingers over a dark stain he\u2019d caused when he spilled juice on the sofa once. Granny had been so forgiving that day, and seemed more concerned with refilling his drink than the damage done to the sofa.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy mourn for an old trout who left you this junk?\u201d Dad shook his head and kicked at a corner of the sofa.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis isn\u2019t junk, Dad. It\u2019s a memory of Granny. I\u2019ll earn my own money when I grow up, but I can\u2019t make more memories with her.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dad\u2019s lip curled into a sneer, and his eyes narrowed. \u201cShe\u2019s done nothing but cause trouble for us since your mom died. Have you forgotten that your grandmother ratted me out to Social Services? And what about how she handed you over to that other family?\u201d<\/p>\n
\nFor illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels<\/p>\n
Kevin hung his head. \u201cThose people aren\u2019t so bad. They let me come stay here with you for the next few days because of Granny\u2019s funeral. I wish I didn\u2019t have to back\u2026I want to live with you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll figure it out, kiddo.\u201d Dad ruffled Kevin\u2019s hair. \u201cI\u2019m going to see what I can do to get back custody of you now your nosy Granny isn\u2019t around to push her own agenda. You and I will be a family again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kevin smiled. He stepped closer to hug Dad, but the man had already turned away. Dad got a drink from the fridge, sank into his armchair, and turned on the TV. Immediately, the apartment was filled with swearing and gunshots from whatever Dad was watching.<\/p>\n
Kevin hung his head and hunched his shoulders. He\u2019d missed Dad so much\u2026but he was never an affectionate man, unlike Mom. Kevin shook his head. It still hurt too much to think about her. Mom\u2019s funeral six months ago had been the worst day of his life. And now Granny was gone too.<\/p>\n
He studied the apartment, but nothing had changed while he was away at Denise and Miguel\u2019s place. This was still his home, and he refused to leave it again. Dad was going to fix things so he could stay here for good.<\/p>\n
He sighed and sat on Granny\u2019s sofa. A stiff, pointy thing poked him in the rear. Kevin prodded the seat with his hand and gasped.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s something inside Granny\u2019s sofa,\u201d he cried.<\/p>\n
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\nFor illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels<\/p>\n
Dad carried on staring at the TV like he hadn\u2019t heard Kevin\u2019s shout. He seemed to be totally engrossed in his TV show. Kevin lifted the sofa seat cushion. Underneath, he found a torn flap of material loosely sewn into place.<\/p>\n
Kevin fetched scissors from the kitchen. It was a bit too big for the job, but he clumsily cut the stitches and revealed a small, rectangular box. It was taped shut along the edges and had two words written on it in black marker:<\/p>\n
\u2018For Kevin.\u2019<\/p>\n
The boy smiled sadly as he recognized Granny\u2019s writing. He slit the tape with the scissors and sat back on the sofa to examine the contents. He found a sealed envelope, which he set aside to study the folded pages of some legal documents. Then he saw a letter written by Granny.<\/p>\n
\u2018Dearest Kevin, I\u2019m sorry to pressure you while you\u2019re so young, but your well-being and your future depend on you making a smart choice now. You need to know that your father only returned for his inheritance. I\u2019ll explain everything and then you must decide if he\u2019s worthy of your love.\u2019<\/p>\n
Kevin frowned. He briefly glanced over his shoulder to check Dad was still distracted, then continued reading.<\/p>\n
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\nFor illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels<\/p>\n
Grandma Linda panted as she hobbled down the hall to her son-in-law\u2019s apartment. Climbing the stairs had taken it out of her, but she needed to check on her grandson. The message she\u2019d received from her late daughter\u2019s friend in the building had her worried about Kevin\u2019s welfare.<\/p>\n
After several minutes of insistent knocking, Jerry threw open the door and glared at her. There were dark bags under his eyes, and he was unsteady on his feet.<\/p>\n
\u201cLinda\u2026what you doing here?\u201d Jerry mumbled in a gruff voice.<\/p>\n
Linda nearly choked on the stale alcohol stench of Jerry\u2019s breath.<\/p>\n
\u201cI came to see Kevin. Where is he?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUh\u2026\u201d Jerry glanced around while scratching his chin. \u201cI dunno\u2026what day is it today?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTuesday.\u201d Linda entered the apartment and stared in horror at the plastic dinner containers, dirty clothes, and empty soda bottles strewn across the floor. \u201cHow have you been managing without Kelly?\u201d<\/p>\n
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\nFor illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels<\/p>\n
Jerry muttered something unintelligible and wandered over to the fridge. He took out a packet of lunch meat and left the fridge door open while he made a sandwich.<\/p>\n
\u201cSurely you haven\u2019t been feeding this to Kevin?\u201d Linda waved at the ultra-processed junk food in the fridge.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s nothing wrong with it.\u201d Jerry lifted a microwave dinner out as he returned the lunch meat. \u201cSee? Good old mac and cheese. It\u2019s dairy and carbs. That\u2019s good for growing and stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n
Linda pressed a hand to her forehead. She\u2019d never understood what her daughter saw in this man, but regrets wouldn\u2019t help her salvage this situation.<\/p>\n
\u201cJerry, the boy needs fresh fruits and vegetables, grains, and unprocessed meat. I send you money every month to ensure Kevin has everything he needs! Yet I hear Kevin runs around in torn clothes looking filthy. What is going on in this house?\u201d<\/p>\n
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\nFor illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels<\/p>\n
Jerry yawned. \u201cTorn and dirty clothes are a sign of a healthy, outdoors lifestyle. That nosy Tina down the hall\u2019s been talking smack about me behind my back, hasn\u2019t she? You shouldn\u2019t believe a word she says, Linda. I know how to look after my boy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I can see that by the number of liquor bottles lying beside the armchair and this dirty mess hiding the carpets. When last did you do laundry? And\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Linda narrowed her eyes as she realized something was missing from the mess \u201c\u2026where\u2019s Kevin\u2019s toys and sports equipment?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s more into electronics. Kids these days.\u201d Jerry shrugged.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I pay for him to attend a soccer club.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe didn\u2019t like it,\u201d Jerry replied. \u201cAre you done with your questions?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe doesn\u2019t like it or you were too lazy to take him to the training?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jerry groaned and rolled his eyes. \u201cStop being such a busybody. Everything is under control.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\nFor illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels<\/p>\n
\u201cIt definitely isn\u2019t under control, Jerry. There\u2019s no proper food in this dirty house. Kevin isn\u2019t attending the sports clubs I\u2019ve been paying for, and you don\u2019t even know where he is!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNow listen here,\u201d Jerry pointed at Linda, \u201cjust because you send us some money doesn\u2019t mean you get to decide how I live my life, or how I raise my son. You\u2019re not the boss of me, Linda.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGranny?\u201d<\/p>\n
Linda turned just in time to open her arms for a hug as Kevin rushed toward her. He grinned at her, and her heart broke to see his greasy, unkempt hair, rumpled clothes, and tattered sneakers.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood Lord,\u201d Linda said. \u201cWhatever have you been doing? School ended ages ago.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI walked home.\u201d Kevin shrugged and turned to Jerry. \u201cYou said yesterday you\u2019d pick me up from school, but you never came.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHuh\u2026\u201d Jerry scratched his chin. \u201cI meant tomorrow\u2026yeah, I said I\u2019d pick you up tomorrow. You must\u2019ve gotten confused, kiddo.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kevin pulled a face. He was about to say something, but Jerry told him to go and get started on his homework. Once Kevin had left the room, Linda rounded on his father.<\/p>\n
\u201cListen here, Jerry. I\u2019m only going to say this once. I know it\u2019s been rough for you since Kelly died, but it\u2019s been months now and you can\u2019t carry on like this. Kevin needs stability, safety, good food, a good education, clean clothes\u2026you\u2019re his parent and it\u2019s up to you to ensure his needs are met.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou interfering, old\u2026\u201d Jerry screwed up his face. \u201cI told you, you don\u2019t get to come in here and tell me what to do just because you help out with the bills. This is my house, and I\u2019ll do as I darn well please.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThen consider this fair warning, Jerry.\u201d Linda shook her finger at him. \u201cI won\u2019t let you ruin my grandson\u2019s life. You may think that lying in front of a TV and pickling yourself in alcohol amounts to a good life, but you\u2019re wrong, and that\u2019s not what I\u2019m sending you money for.\u201d<\/p>\n
Linda picked her way over the dirty clothes on the floor. \u201cPull yourself together, Jerry, or face the consequences. I won\u2019t sit idly by while you fall apart, or let you drag my grandson down with you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Weeks later, Linda sat on the sunny porch of the main building in her nursing home. She\u2019d brought her current sewing project out but couldn\u2019t focus on it. She was waiting for someone, a person who might be able to save the terrible situation she found herself in.<\/p>\n
A nurse walked around the corner, and Linda immediately waved at her and beckoned for her to approach.<\/p>\n
\u201cSomething you need help with, Linda?\u201d the nurse asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Denise, there is, but I\u2019m afraid it\u2019s a big favor I have to ask you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Denise frowned and sat down in the chair beside Linda. \u201cThis sounds serious\u2026is everything okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
Linda shook her head. \u201cI\u2019ve been to court and Social Services to have my son-in-law\u2019s parental rights removed. He\u2019s been neglecting my grandson, Denise! That poor boy. I hate to say it, but I think all Jerry cares about is the money he gets from me and the state to help him care for Kevin.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s very sad, Linda, but I don\u2019t understand what I can do to help.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou and your husband can adopt Kevin.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAdopt your grandson?\u201d Denise\u2019s jaw dropped in surprise.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve wanted to adopt for ages, dear, and I want to ensure my Kevin lives in a happy, loving home where he\u2019ll be nurtured.\u201d Linda put her hand over Denise\u2019s. \u201cI\u2019d take him if I could, but it\u2019s impossible. The next best thing I can do is try to get him placed with someone I trust.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m\u2026I don\u2019t know what to say, Linda.\u201d Denise smiled at her.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m honored and incredibly nervous! But I\u2019d be delighted to welcome Kevin into the family and I know my husband will feel the same way.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBless you, Denise! I will speak to my lawyer and have her arrange everything.\u201d Linda squeezed Denise\u2019s hand. \u201cYou\u2019ve made this old dame very happy, and lifted a heavy worry from my shoulders.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, you\u2019ve given me an even greater gift: a child to love.\u201d Denise\u2019s voice quivered with emotion. \u201cOMG, I can\u2019t believe my dream is finally in reach, and all thanks to you!\u201d<\/p>\n
Denise leaned over to hug Linda. She was overjoyed that Denise had agreed to her plan. Now she knew that Kevin\u2019s future was secure and that he\u2019d grow up in a household where he was cherished.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd this will be your room. What do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n
Linda cocked her head to gauge Kevin\u2019s reaction as Denise and her husband, Miguel, showed off the bedroom they\u2019d prepared for him. Kevin wrinkled his nose and scanned the blue-painted room. The couple had decorated the walls with vinyl stickers of console controllers and posters.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s nice,\u201d Kevin said glumly, shrugging one shoulder.<\/p>\n
Denise and Miguel exchanged worried glances.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can always change the decor, if you don\u2019t like it,\u201d Miguel said.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet Kevin have some time to live in the room before making such big decisions,\u201d Linda said. She put a hand on Kevin\u2019s shoulder and leaned in to whisper to him: \u201cI know it\u2019s strange, dear, but give them a chance. They\u2019re good people who will take excellent care of you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kevin turned away and ran for the front door. Linda sighed and went after him. When she got outside, she found Kevin sitting on the front lawn, tearing grass from the dirt. No matter what Linda said, he refused to answer her.<\/p>\n
Linda prepared for bed that evening with mixed feelings. She was relieved to know Kevin was in a good home, but it saddened her that he was so upset by the change.<\/p>\n
Linda was confident her grandson would eventually settle in, though. After all, he was an intelligent boy and would one day realize that Denise and Miguel were far better parents than Jerry. It would just take time\u2026<\/p>\n
The phone rang. Linda\u2019s heart began to race when she saw the caller\u2019s identity.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs everything okay?\u201d Linda asked when she answered the call.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d Denise replied. \u201cI just went to check on Kevin and ask if he wanted a cookie, but he\u2019s not here, Linda! I searched everywhere! I think he\u2019s run away.\u201d<\/p>\n
Linda pinched the bridge of her nose. \u201cI think I know exactly where he\u2019s gone, Denise. Don\u2019t worry anymore, I\u2019ll bring him back to you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Linda arrived on Jerry\u2019s doorstep with Kevin\u2019s case worker, Mrs. Jameson. Just as Linda suspected, Kevin was in the apartment. While Mrs. Jameson took Kevin aside to speak to the boy, Linda confronted Jerry.<\/p>\n
\u201cDoes it bug you to see all your clever plans come to nothing?\u201d Jerry smirked at her as he leaned heavily against the kitchen counter. \u201cNo matter what you do, Kevin will keep running back home to his dad, where he belongs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Linda searched Jerry\u2019s bloodshot eyes for some sign of emotion other than smugness. His neglect wasn\u2019t the struggle of an overwhelmed parent adjusting to the loss of a spouse. He seemed to feel nothing for Kevin.<\/p>\n
Then Linda looked at Jerry\u2019s branded clothes and the new, big-screen TV. She narrowed her eyes as she noticed something else just beneath the TV: a brand-new gaming console. She\u2019d always suspected Jerry only wanted money. Now she knew her plan would work.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think I know how to convince you to do the right thing here, Jerry.\u201d Linda removed her checkbook from her purse. \u201cWill fifty thousand be enough to convince you to leave Kevin alone?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFifty thousand?\u201d Jerry laughed and crossed his arms. \u201cI know you can do better than that. Try three hundred thousand and we\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n
Linda gasped. \u201cI don\u2019t have that type of money! Just take the fifty thousand, Jerry. It\u2019s all I can offer you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jerry tsked and let out a dramatic sigh. \u201cGuess you don\u2019t value your grandson as much as you pretend to, Linda. I\u2019ll see you next time the boy comes running home.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jerry shambled across the room and flopped into his armchair. Linda tucked her checkbook into her purse.<\/p>\n
There had to be something she could do to ensure Jerry didn\u2019t become an obstacle in Kevin\u2019s life. She wanted the best for her grandson, but this was a one-way road to ruin.<\/p>\n
If only Kevin were mature enough to realize how selfish Jerry\u2019s intentions were, but he was just a child. No child should have to confront the fact that a parent was using them for money.<\/p>\n
Kevin emerged from his bedroom with Mrs. Jameson in tow. He tearfully said goodbye to Jerry, who patted him on the shoulder without even looking away from the TV. As Linda escorted Kevin from the apartment, she realized there was only one way to help Kevin.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2026so I devised a means for you to uncover your father\u2019s true character and see the truth about the way he treats you for yourself,\u2019 Granny\u2019s letter continued.<\/p>\n
\u2018The legal papers in this box outline an agreement that will allow Jerry to inherit all of my money on one condition: He must stay away from you. The papers are fake, but he will not know that. Give them to him and see what he does.<\/p>\n
If he destroys the papers, then you know your father values you more than money, but if he takes them to a lawyer\u2026well, you have a safe, loving home with Denise and Miguel.\u2019<\/p>\n
Kevin returned Granny\u2019s letter to the box and picked up the legal papers. Fear made his heart speed up as he looked across at where Dad sat watching TV. He didn\u2019t want to believe Dad would turn his back on him, but doubts gnawed at the back of his mind.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, Dad!\u201d Kevin crossed the room and held out the legal papers. \u201cI found these in Granny\u2019s old sofa. I think they\u2019re for you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dad muttered grumpily and snatched the papers from Kevin\u2019s hand. Dad started to grin as he read the agreement. Kevin\u2019s fears were realized when Dad leaped from his chair and strode to the door.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going out, Kevin. There are important things I need to do today. See you later.\u201d<\/p>\n
This couldn\u2019t be happening! Kevin ran after Dad and followed him out to the street. It might just be a coincidence that Dad left after reading those papers\u2026maybe he suddenly remembered they needed milk and was headed to the store.<\/p>\n
But Dad went past the store without even looking at it. Kevin followed him for several blocks before Dad entered a fancy-looking building.<\/p>\n
Kevin stopped outside and read the sign at the entrance. It was a lawyer\u2019s office!<\/p>\n
Kevin angrily wiped away tears as he headed back to the apartment. Granny was right; Dad loved money more than him. He didn\u2019t want to cry about it\u2014Dad didn\u2019t deserve his tears\u2014but it hurt!<\/p>\n
Kevin knocked on the neighbor\u2019s door when he got back to the apartment building. It wasn\u2019t long before she opened the door.<\/p>\n
\u201cHi Miss Tina,\u201d Kevin said. \u201cCan I use your phone?\u201d<\/p>\n
An hour later, Kevin walked up to Denise and Miguel\u2019s front door and rang the bell.<\/p>\n
\u201cKevin?\u201d Denise frowned worriedly as she opened the door. \u201cWe didn\u2019t expect you back for another two days. Is everything okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
Kevin sniffed. \u201cUh\u2026yeah. I just\u2026Dad isn\u2019t\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHey\u2026\u201d Denise crouched down in front of him and put her hands on his shoulders. \u201cIt\u2019s okay\u2026whatever happened, whatever you\u2019re feeling, you can talk to me about it, and I\u2019ll do whatever I can to help. I know we\u2019re still getting to know each other, but I got your back, Kevin.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kevin hung his head. \u201cThanks, Denise. You and Miguel have been so kind to me, and all I\u2019ve done is run away. I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve been going through a tough time, Kevin.\u201d Denise smiled a little. \u201cHow about some cookies and a glass of milk? Then we can talk about what\u2019s bothering you, if you want.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kevin smiled at Denise. He hadn\u2019t felt loved like this since Mom died. In his heart, he thanked Granny for asking such nice people to look after him.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Ten-year-old Kevin is stunned when he finds a box hidden in the shabby sofa he inherited from his Granny. However, the letter and legal papers inside the box contain even more surprises and help the boy understand a devastating truth about his family. Kevin will have to make a choice that will determine the rest […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15824","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15824","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=15824"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15824\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15831,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15824\/revisions\/15831"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=15824"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=15824"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=15824"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}