Katie was heading home from work in a buoyant mood: the boss had let her leave early for the job shed finished the day before and hinted at a bonus. She hopped up the steps to her block, fumbled with the intercom, and was suddenly halted by the sound of a plaintive childs cry. Katie frowned. Whats this gloom on such a fine day? she thought. She looked around, found no source, and reached for the apartment door, but the wailing grew louder.
Where are you, little one? Katie asked, her patience wearing thin.
Here, came a thin voice.
She stepped onto the pavement and saw, on the cobbled street outside her building, a boy of about five. He looked pitiful: a thin jacket, torn muddy trousers, sports shorts that had clearly not seen a wash. Dark tracks of tears stained his cheeks. Katies heart tightened.
Whats your name? Why are you crying?
Im Tommy, the boy sniffled, I just want to go home.
Do you live here? Katie tried to guess which resident might be his relative.
I dont know. I cant find my house. Im lost, Tommy answered, his pronunciation oddly precise.
Seeing the little lad again, Katie decided he needed a warm place first. She offered her hand.
Come with me. Ill get you a cup of tea
Tommy clutched her palm trustingly and followed, his nose twitching. Katie hadnt yet decided what to do with him beyond giving him shelter; a maternal instinct simply kicked inhe looked hungry, cold, alone.
Ive got a pot of soup. Want some? she asked as they entered her flat. Tommy nodded eagerly.
When he ladled the broth, Katie realised he wasnt a picky eater. She thought of her spoiled niece, the daughter of her older sister Emma, and sighed: Tommy probably dreamed of the kind of meals Emma prepared for her kids every day.
She knew someone would eventually look for the child, but while she wondered what to do, her phone rang. It was Alex, the young man whod been dating her.
Hey, what are you up to?
Feeding a little boy I just found.
A boy? Which boy?
Tommy, the little one outside.
Where did he come from?
I found him at the entrance.
Why bring him into your flat?
Hes shivering.
How old is he?
Not more than five.
Tommy, listening on the other end, held up his fingersfour. Katie smiled, correcting herself.
Actually, hes four, maybe five soon.
Get the child to his family.
I dont know where his family is.
Call the police. You cant just keep feeding him yourself. They have specialists.
Police? Katie sighed, disappointed.
Exactly. Theyre the ones to look after him. Bring him there, then you can come over to me.
Reluctantly, Katie said, All right. Lets go, Tommy. Well find your mum.
They walked to the nearest police station. The officer on duty was a young constable, roughly Katies age, which gave her a small flicker of hope; younger officers often seemed kinder, not yet hardened by the job.
He listened attentively as Katie recounted the encounter. He made a call, logged the boys details, and told her to wait. Soon a uniformed female officer arrived, ushered Katie and Tommy into a small office, asked a few more questions, and then said, Youre free to go.
What about Tommy? Katie asked.
Hell stay with us for now. We need his testimony, the officer said, and Tommy nodded cheerfully. Seeing that he was in safe hands, Katie felt a weight lift.
Thank you. Goodbye, Tommy, she said.
Bye! the boy waved.
Katie left the station and headed to the coffee shop where Alex awaited. He looked a bit annoyed as she arrived, as if shed kept him waiting.
I ran into a lovely officer at the police, Katie remarked.
If youd taken him straight there, we couldve gone to the cinema, Alex teased. She didnt take offense.
He was so vulnerable, I couldnt just hand him over. You know theyre not always empathetic, she replied.
He waved her off, and the conversation ended. Though the evening had been pleasant, Katie couldnt shake thoughts of Tommy. She wondered if his relatives would ever be found or if he might be better off elsewhere. Alex didnt notice her preoccupation; she kept it to herself, returning home with a lingering unease.
The next Friday, as she approached her flat, she saw Tommy again on the doorstep.
Youre back? she asked.
I came to you. Got any soup? he asked.
No soup, but Ill find something. Want some pasta?
Sure! he beamed, clearly famished.
She fed him, trying to learn more about his family. She discovered that the previous Friday night, after leaving the police station, his mother had arrived, filed a missingperson report, then scolded him harshly, slapped him, and forbade him from going out. She left early the next morning, leaving only his uncle, Sam, at home. Tommy feared Sam and tried to avoid him, but Sam was fast asleep. When Sam started snoring, Tommy slipped on his jacket and came to Katie.
Her heart ached as Tommy finished his meal and said, Ill go home, or mum will punish me again. She never hurt me before. I think Ill have to look for a new mum soon.
Alright, Katie said thoughtfully. Let me walk you.
She wanted to know where he lived. Tommy agreed; his home was nearby. As Katie approached his block, a woman stepped out and addressed Tommy.
Hello! We didnt see you in the courtyard today. Did you go for a walk?
My mum punished me. I slipped away today.
Are you hungry?
No, Katie fed me.
Then run home before she notices.
Going. Bye, Katie! Tommy vanished through the entrance.
Katie turned to the woman.
Does his mother drink?
Worse, she sighed. Shes a drug user. Shes turned from a pretty girl into a wreck in just a year.
So you cant leave him with her!
I cant call social services; my conscience wont let me. Vicky was a good girl, my neighbour. She died before Tommy was born. She and her husband split up, then she met that devil He ruined her life.
The boy is in danger. He cant stay there!
I agree, but Vicky still loves him and forbids him from seeing Sam. Shes trying to feed him when she can, the neighbour muttered.
Katie understood without further words. She asked for the neighbours phone number, promising to keep in touch.
That night, Alex called. Hearing her melancholy, he asked what was wrong. Katie confessed that Vicky was still looking after Tommy.
You should have taken the boy to care, Alex said.
Then I shouldnt have involved myself with this family, she replied.
Dont get tangled in it. Why cling to the child? Alex pressed.
I cant help it, she whispered.
Katie, youre making a mistake, Alex warned sharply.
She fell silent, picturing herself in a courtroom fighting for adoption. Its madness, she thought, yet the image of a happy Tommy in her home lingered.
Well talk tomorrow, she said.
Are you upset, Katie?
No, just a headache. Ill go to sleep, she lied, the first lie shed told Alex.
After hanging up, she called her sister, Emma, with whom she was close. Emma listened and said, I like Tommy already, even from a distance. You know I love children. Id meet him.
Hes wonderful!
Do what feels right. He didnt appear in your life by accident. How long has Alex been dragging you around?
What does Alex have to do with this?
Everything. Hes been using you for two years, never clarifying where youre heading.
I feel like I dont want him anymore, Katie admitted.
Maybe its not just a feeling? Emma suggested.
Katie spent the evening mulling over Emmas words. She knew the boy couldnt stay where he lived. She decided to take a day off and speak again with the neighbour, but the neighbour called the next morning with alarming news.
Tommys in hospital with a concussion!
Later Katie learned his mother hadnt returned home the previous day; police were searching for her. His stepfather, drunk on drugs, was demanding answers, and Tommy couldnt escape. The neighbour heard his cries, called the police, and they rescued him. An ambulance took him away.
I wont let this happen again, Katie resolved.
That evening she visited the hospital. The same constable shed spoken to earlier and a junior officer from child protection were there. They recognised her, explained that removing Tommy from his mother would be difficult unless her parental rights were terminated, which isnt easy. When Katie asked about other options, the officer said, Adoption is possible, but only after the mother loses her rights. The social services can advise further.
The sympathetic officer, Gary, offered to escort her home. As they walked, Katie, halfjoking, offered him tea. He accepted.
Over tea, Gary listened to her worries about Tommys future, then said, Hes a bright lad. Id take him myself if I could. He took her number, promising to keep her updated on any news about the mother.
The next morning, Katie received a call: Hello, Katie. Weve found Victoria. She died last night from an overdose.
How do I tell Tommy? Katie stammered.
Well let him process it in his own time, the officer advised.
All day Alex didnt call. That evening she got a text from him: I hope you understand I was right. If not, choose: me or your filthy streetkid! The message ignited fury. She wanted to fire back, but then Gary called again: Katie, would you like to visit Tommy together today?
Yes, please, she replied, but lets be on firstname terms; it feels strange otherwise.
She never answered Alex that night.
Helping Tommy brought Katie and Gary closer, while Alex grew impatient, assuming she was merely playing hardtoget. A week later, Alex finally rang. Katie answered calmly, Some things are better discussed in person. We need to end this. I dont love you any more. Im sorry. Alex was stunned. She turned and left without looking back; he tried to call back, but she hung up. Their twoyear relationship ended then.
A month later, Katie secured legal guardianship of Tommy.
Congratulations, Gary said.
Thank you. I couldnt have done it without you, Katie replied.
Its my pleasure. Not everyone would take in a child of a drugaddicted mother, Gary remarked.
I fell for him the moment I saw him, Katie admitted, blushing.
I love you too, Gary confessed, embarrassed, and Katie smiled shyly.
A few months later, encouraged by Tommy, Gary proposed.
Yay! Tommy shouted. Now I have a new mum and dad! We need a brother soon!
A year later, Tommys wish came true, and everything turned out well.
The experience taught Katie that compassion must be balanced with courage: caring for a child in need is noble, but true kindness sometimes means taking decisive action, even when its difficult, to ensure a safer future for those who cannot protect themselves.
