When his parents divorced, Kevin saw his mother crying constantly and promised to take care of her as he was the “man of the house.” After a few days, Kevin showed up, shocking his mother with a moving truck and a surprise she was not expecting. “Mom, please don’t cry. Everything is going to be alright,” Kevin comforted his mother, Carmen.
It was 2 a.m., and he had once again heard her crying. It had been the same way since his father left her for another woman. She was devastated, and every day seemed to get worse. “I’m sorry I woke you, Kevin. Go back to sleep.” His mother sobbed into her pillow, begging him to leave. But Kevin refused and patted her back in comfort. “No, Mom. I’m here for you,” he insisted!
“That’s very generous, but it still doesn’t explain the truck,” Carmen continued, baffled. “You shouldn’t have to. I shouldn’t be like this. But this house… there are so many memories here, and it kills me every single time,” Carmen explained through tears. “We’ll make new memories now,” her son replied. “I’m here for you, Mom.” “You shouldn’t be. I’m the parent. I have to take care of you.” She wailed, turning her face into the pillow to mute her crying.
“I’m going to take care of you, Mom. I’m the man of the house now,” the 13-year-old vowed and stayed with his mother until she fell asleep.That pattern repeated for several weeks after his father left. Carmen was just too devasted, and not even the beautiful Miami sun was enough to make her smile. Kevin had no idea what to do, but he had promised to care of her. Something had to be done.
Luckily, Carmen got better after a while. She wasn’t crying all night anymore and acting more herself, accepting that her husband would never return. She was still sad, but something had distracted her. Kevin had been coming home later than usual, and his clothes were always dirtier for some reason. It was odd. She had no idea what was happening but didn’t want to ask him.
Carmen was too embarrassed by her recent behavior, and it was time to act like a mother and pretend everything was fine. Kevin, on the other hand, had a different plan. He yelled at his mother from across the street one day. “Mom! Come on out now! I’ve got a surprise for you!” Carmen had been preparing dinner when she was interrupted by her son waving at him from inside a moving truck. The driver was also happy. “What-?” she began.
“Mom! We’re moving because you asked us to!” Kevin yelled as he got out of the truck. His hands were outstretched, as if he were presenting the surprise to his mother. “How, though?” Carmen exhaled. “It’s quite a story…” Kevin described how he learned that one of the school’s teachers, Mr. Perkins, was relocating to Tampa. He offered to assist Mr. Perkins with his packing, and the boy eventually told him about his problems at home.
“Mr. Perkins then revealed that he owns two houses in Tampa that were previously rented but are now vacant. He’s moving into one, and he’s offered us the other! Mom, we can live there. It could be just what we need!” “That’s very generous, but it still doesn’t explain the truck,” Carmen puzzledly continued. “Oh, Mr. Perkins’ son owns a moving truck company, and he offered it to us as a thank you for my assistance with his packing and sorting.
He accompanied me to the market, where we purchased a number of boxes. We can begin moving immediately. We have the truck for as long as we need it, and Mr. Perkins stated that he would rent you the house for less than market value. Isn’t that awesome? What are your thoughts?” Kevin inquired, his eyes bright and eager. Carmen was at a loss for words. She knew she needed to have a more in-depth conversation with Mr. Perkins about a tenancy agreement and payment for the moving truck.
However, her son’s suggestion was not incorrect. He was concerned about her well-being. She closed her eyes at the lovely gesture, but quickly opened them and nodded to her child. “How can I say no to the man of the house? Let’s get started!” Carmen said as she extended her arms to hug him, and they went into the truck to get the boxes.