logo
Shutterstock
Shutterstock

After His Little Brother's Death, Boy Starts Disappearing After School until Mom Follows Him — Story if the Day

Monica Otayza
May 08, 2022
10:00 P.M.

A young boy struggled with the loss of his little brother, forcing him to grow up sooner than he'd wanted. After his brother's death, he started going home at strange times, causing his mother to follow him one day to get to the bottom of it.

Advertisement

Martin grew up too soon after learning that his little brother Joe had died. It happened two years ago, when Martin was five years old.

His brother Joe had been ill for most of his short life and eventually did not return home from the hospital. His mom, Anna, explained to Martin that Joe had become an angel and was taking care of their family from heaven.

Their family now only consisted of Anna and Martin, as Martin's dad left them shortly after Joe was diagnosed with his illness. Anna worked tirelessly to provide for her children and raised them bravely as a single mother.

Martin mourned the loss of his brother. | Source: Pexels

Martin mourned the loss of his brother. | Source: Pexels

Since he was young, Martin would listen to stories about heaven. He knew that heaven was far away, and while his brother flew there with his angel wings, someone needed to take care of their heartbroken mother.

Advertisement

So, after Joe's death, Martin helped his mom out as much as he could. At five years old, he washed dishes, took out the trash, swept the floor, and set the table.

Then, after helping with the household chores, he'd lock himself in his room and cry. Everything in his room reminded Martin of his little brother, as they used to share it. The room was filled with Joe's toys and books, making coping with the loss more difficult for Martin.

Two years had passed, and Martin was already seven years old. He would usually take the school bus and walk himself back home from the nearest stop, but he did not come at the usual time he'd arrive one day.

Martin would usually take the school bus going home, but he would come home late which bothered his mom. | Source: Pexels

Martin would usually take the school bus going home, but he would come home late which bothered his mom. | Source: Pexels

Anna would usually be cooking dinner when Martin arrived from school. However, the table was set on that particular day, and Martin was nowhere to be found.

Advertisement

"Where have you been?!" Anna scolded him when he arrived an hour and a half later than he usually did. "I was very worried! What took you so long?" she yelled.

"Don't worry, mom," Martin replied passively. "I was just reading in the library and lost track of time."

Anna was suspicious, as Martin didn't actually enjoy reading books. Martin didn't think she would check if he were telling the truth, but she did.

She called Martin's school library to ask if he had been there yesterday. "No, ma'am. Martin Keener didn't come in yesterday," the librarian told her.

Anna decided to call Martin's school library to check if he was telling the truth. | Source: Pexels

Anna decided to call Martin's school library to check if he was telling the truth. | Source: Pexels

Anna was ready to reprimand Martin once he got home from school, but again, he was late. She was furious, asking him again: "What's your excuse this time? Where have you been?" she asked.

Advertisement

"I was at my friend's house doing a school project. Carl Dickinson's house," he replied.

That night, Anna called Carl's mom, whom she once met at a parent-teacher conference. She wanted to see whether or not Martin was lying to her again.

"No, Anna, Carl's been sick for a week and hasn't been to school. I haven't seen Martin in a while," Carl's mom answered.

Martin's mom was baffled as to why he kept lying to her. The following day, she decided to leave work early so she could follow Martin on his way back from school.

Anna left work early so she could see where Martin went after school. | Source: Pexels

Anna left work early so she could see where Martin went after school. | Source: Pexels

She saw Martin leave the school, but he walked instead of getting on the school bus. Anna followed him from a safe distance, curious where he was going.

Advertisement

Martin walked a couple of blocks before stopping on the town's outskirts. Anna could not believe what she was seeing. "What is my son doing in these dark and dirty streets?" she thought.

Martin casually walked towards an abandoned house and went inside. Anna turned pale and ran after her son after a couple of seconds.

When she entered the abandoned house, it was filled with empty rooms. She couldn't see where her son went at first glance, but she suddenly heard his voice.

She followed the voice and finally saw her son, her eyes filled with tears. She had assumed her son was doing something terrible, but she was proven wrong.

Anna saw Martin enter an abandoned house, which caused her to panic. | Source: Pexels

Anna saw Martin enter an abandoned house, which caused her to panic. | Source: Pexels

Advertisement

She watched Martin sit across a 6-year-old girl, reading a book to her. "What's going on here, Martin?" Anna said softly, with a smile on her face.

Martin was startled when he saw his mother, thinking she would get angry again. "Mom, I can explain," he told her.

"This is Lizzy. She ran away from her foster family because they were not treating her well. She's been staying here in this abandoned house. I met her when my class went to the nature park not too far from here," Martin explained.

"When I met Lizzy, I felt bad and wanted to help her. She told me she wanted to learn how to read, so I've been reading to her after school. That's why I've been going home late sometimes. I lose track of time and go home later than I usually do. I'm sorry, mom," Martin told Anna.

Anna shook her head. "Thank you for being honest with me, Martin. I wish you would've told me sooner so that we could've helped Lizzy together."

Lizzy ran away from her foster family after being mistreated. | Source: Pexels

Lizzy ran away from her foster family after being mistreated. | Source: Pexels

Advertisement

At that, Martin smiled at his mom and decided to introduce Lizzy. "Lizzy, this is my mother, Anna. She works as a doctor," she told the girl. "Mom, Anna wants to be a doctor when she grows up, too!"

Hearing these words, Lizzie ran up to Anna and gave her a tight hug. "Joe says you are the best mom in the world!"

Anna could feel her body stiffen as she heard her words. "Joe? Who is Joe?" she said, surprised.

"My friend, Joe!" the young girl replied.

Anna looked at Martin, thinking he had been introducing himself as Joe. Instead, he revealed that Lizzy had an imaginary friend.

"Joe, mom. Our Joe. She says she's been talking to him, and Joe's been telling her stories about us," Martin explained.

Lizzy nodded. "Joe told me that you will be my family."

Martin and Lizzy became good friends, and eventually became brother and sister. | Source: Pexels

Martin and Lizzy became good friends, and eventually became brother and sister. | Source: Pexels

Advertisement

Anna was in disbelief. She suddenly remembered her sweet boy Joe and wondered whether or not Lizzy's friend was indeed her late son.

Martin and his mom took Lizzy to their home, where they fed her and gave her clean clothes. Martin and Lizzy remained good friends and eventually became siblings.

After a lengthy process, Anna was able to adopt Lizzy, and they became a happy family of three. Together, they constantly honored Joe's memory while making new memories of their own.

What can we learn from this story?

  • Family is not always about blood but love. Martin and Anna opened their hearts and homes to Lizzy, who was yearning for a family that she could love and cherish for the rest of her life.
  • People cope with losses differently, and that should be respected. Martin grieved the loss of his little brother for years. While his mother thought he was being disobedient, he was trying to shower another person with love and care – Lizzy. Since he could not take care of Joe, he wanted to take care of someone else, who eventually became his sister.

Share this story with your loved ones. It might inspire them and make their day.

Advertisement

If you liked this story, you might like this one about a woman who grows suspicious after her daughter returns home from school in soiled clothes every day.

This account is inspired by our reader's story and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone's life. If you would like to share your story, please send it to info@amomama.com.

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

Wealthy Girl Meets Her Ex Begging on the Street – Story of the Day

February 21, 2024

Doctor Raises Triplets after Mother Dies in Labor, in 5 Years Their Bio Dad Appears — Story of the Day

February 21, 2024

Teen Janitor Returns Lost Wallet to Rich Lady, Years Later Inherits Her Company – Story of the Day

March 04, 2024

Son Deceives Mom about Taking Art Classes, but the Truth Leaves Her Stunned

February 19, 2024

Son Deceives Mom about Taking Art Classes, but the Truth Leaves Her Stunned

February 06, 2024

Mom Eats a Full Bottle of Baby Powder a Day & Concerned Her Son Might Adopt Her Habit – 'I Can't Just Stop'

February 11, 2024

Xen Martin Is Tisha Campbell's Elder Son Diagnosed with Autism

January 11, 2024

Rich Girl Meets Her Ex Begging on the Street – Story of the Day

November 09, 2023

My MIL Comes over Whenever She Wants and Makes My Son Cry, So I Taught Her a Lesson

March 06, 2024

While Preparing for Her Husband’s Birthday Celebration, Woman Becomes The Target of Her Mother-in-Law’s Ploy

January 10, 2024

I Bought Food for a Homeless Man, He Stunned Me with His Confession the Next Day

March 07, 2024

I Bought Food for a Homeless Man, He Stunned Me with His Confession the Next Day

February 15, 2024

Fake Cop Detains Young Woman, Unaware Who She Really Is — Story of the Day

January 11, 2024

Old Man Helps Single Mom Fix Baby Stroller, Next Day Sees Private Jet Landing For Him — Story of the Day

March 03, 2024