My Little Neighbor Didn’t Let Anyone Into His Home Until a Police Officer Arrived and Stepped Inside

I taught him pie crust. He showed me how to use his tablet without breaking it.

The house stopped sounding like a tomb.

A few weeks later, his mom came back in person.

She knocked on my door, eyes swollen.

Jack flew at her.

“You can’t disappear like that again,” he said into her shoulder.

“I know,” she cried.

“I’m so sorry, baby. I thought I was doing what I had to. I was wrong.”

We sat at the table and talked.

About her parents. About money. About being alone with too many people depending on you.

We didn’t excuse what she’d done.

But I understood how desperation can warp judgment.

After that, things weren’t perfect, but they were… better.

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