My heart went out to him, a seven-year-old boy. I handed him a glass of water and guided him to a seat indoors. I could see the exhaustion in his eyes and the dirt on his face as he drank. “Tommy, do you know where you live? Can you tell me your address?” I asked softly. He shook his head. “I was with my uncle, but he told me he couldn’t take care of me anymore. He left me alone on the street.”
It ended up being more serious than I had anticipated. Despite having numerous questions, my main priority was ensuring Tommy’s safety. I chose not to reach out to the authorities in order to avoid causing him more distress. I reassured Tommy, “We’ll find a solution to this.” “But first, let’s get you fed and cleaned up.”
After a satisfying dinner and a relaxing bath, Tommy seemed much more relaxed. He even managed to crack a half-hearted smile. My contact from social services answered my call and assured me that they would be on their way to assist. As I waited, I asked for more details politely. Tommy opened up about his life before becoming homeless, including the name of his mother, Lisa, and a heartbreaking tale of mistreatment and abandonment.
My friend approached Tommy with a gentle demeanor, engaging in conversation. She returned after what felt like an eternity, her gaze filled with determination. “Tommy must be brought to a secure location tonight, Laura,” she stated. “I’ll arrange for him to stay in foster care temporarily while I search for his relatives.” Yet, we must handle this situation with caution.
