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.
All that was evident was the family’s lack of concern. There was no sympathy or solace.
My breaking point was eventually reached. I decided to leave as a result.
Maybe instead of being alone, I could find my brothers, or at least some company. My first escape attempt did not last long. The police brought me back.
The Thompsons were enraged.
“Why do you keep attempting to escape?” Mr. Thompson gave a rebuke. “Are you conscious of the issues you’re causing?”
“I’m sorry,” I muttered, but I wasn’t. I just wanted to get out of there.
I was taken back, reprimanded, and handled more worse every time I attempted to get away. I persisted in attempting nevertheless.
On this rainy evening, I decided to go. I packed a tiny suitcase with my meager possessions and slid out the window.
The toughest choice I’ve ever had to make was between the Thompsons’ indifference and the unpredictable nature of the streets.
The existence on the streets was cruel and merciless. I moved into a dilapidated old trailer for a while. It had a leaking roof and a broken entrance, but it provided some shelter from the rain.
After that, every day was challenging.
I took on odd occupations that paid a few money to support myself. I did car washes, carried groceries, and assisted at a local diner. Even though I didn’t make much money, I managed to survive.
The most challenging aspect was being unaware of my brothers’ whereabouts.
I missed Lucas and Ben terribly. They were constantly moving, so it was more difficult for me to see them when I could.
One day, when I went to see Ben, I had a major setback.
A stranger answered the door when I knocked.
“Is it possible for me to see Ben?” I asked.
She shook her head. No, a week ago, they moved. I think they migrated to another state.
My heart sank. “Do you know where they are?” In a panic, I inquired.
She looked at me sympathetically. “I’m sorry; I’m not.”
I thought I had let Ben down. Sitting on the steps of the house, I wept.
It seemed that Ben and I had now betrayed our promise to stick together.
Days turned into weeks, and all I could do was hold on to the hope that I would see my brothers again. I tried my hardest to get to see Lucas while he was in town.
But the fear that I would lose him constantly bothered me.
I was employed as a cleaner at a small company on the outskirts of town a few months later. The labor involved scrubbing floors and cleaning shelves, but it was steady employment.
I led a frugal lifestyle, putting away all of my money and only buying what I needed.
The shop’s owner, Mr. Jenkins, noticed my commitment one day while I was sweeping. He remarked, “Tori, you work really hard.” “Are you considering returning to school?”
I nodded. Yes, sir. I wish I had the funds to attend college.
Mr. Jenkins smiled kindly. You’ll be successful if you keep saving money. I have faith in you.
His encouragement filled Hope with inspiration. I continued working hard, and before long I had saved up enough cash to be accepted to a community college. However, juggling work and school proved challenging. I spent my evenings in class and on homework, and my days started early with chores.
Even though I occasionally felt overburdened, I continued. I remembered the oath I’d made to myself and my brothers. I was going to make a difference. I was unable to let them down.
A few years later, I graduated with my degree in business administration. Using my new credentials, I applied for a position as a store assistant at a large clothing store.
Starting again was challenging, but I was accustomed to putting in a lot of effort. I never failed to give it my all, arrived early, and stayed late.
Eventually, Ms. Carter, my manager, gave me credit for my work.
“Tori, you’re performing excellently,” she said one day while we were replenishing shelves. “You’re moving up to supervisor,”
Thank you, Ms. Carter. I let out a shout of gratitude and happiness. “I promise to give it my all.”
As a supervisor, I had to take on more responsibilities and tasks. I worked very hard, seeking guidance and learning from my errors. After my efforts were recognized for a few years, I was promoted to store manager.
However, it seemed fate had another plan to put me to the test. There was a knock on the door as I was getting settled in my new flat.
My parents, Charles and Linda, were standing there with their bags, smiling as if nothing had occurred, when I opened it.
“Hello, my love!” My mother greeted me happily.
Stunned, I just stood there. They dared to appear after all these years?
“May we come in?” my father inquired, his smile unwavering.
I stepped aside to allow them to enter since I was so stunned. They sat down in the kitchen, leaving us in awkward silence. I had so many questions as I was brewing coffee.
While they were sipping their drinks, my mother broke the ice. “We were hoping that you would let us stay here for a little while until we could move forward again.”
I just stared at her, startled. Would you like to move in with me here?
They both responded “yes” at the same moment.
“Why? How in the world did you find me? Trying not to lose my temper, I inquired.
Oh no, that doesn’t really make a difference. Considering that we are related, shouldn’t we support one another?
I was unable to control my rage anymore.
“Oh really?” I fired back. You haven’t inquired about my brothers since the minute you got here. You just showed up here, expecting my help, after you abandoned us? Where were your family values while we were struggling and living on the streets?
They appeared taken aback, but I interrupted them before they could say anything more. I went upstairs and removed an old ten-dollar bill that I had received from my father many years ago. After returning to the kitchen, I handed it to them.
“I hope that’s as helpful to you as it was to me in the past. Leave my house right now, and never return.
Their smiles vanished when they saw how true what I had spoken was. Without another word, they packed their belongings and departed.
As the door shut behind them, I experienced an odd sense of resolution. They were gone now, and I was free at last.
My past no longer held any power over me. I was prepared for whatever lay ahead of me.
In the scenario, how would you have handled things?
