An over-the-top mom hides her son with their pet dog so she can forget about things. After an hour, the dog at least comes home crying and limping, but her son is nowhere to be found. Even though the last few scary months had changed everything, Hazel had always wanted to be the best mom, a good mother. It turned out that her marriage was broken and that her husband was sleeping with someone else while she was away.
Hazel closed her eyes and tried not to cry when her husband came home the night she found out he was cheating on her and gave her a big hug. She didn’t like him, and she wanted to push him away. But Hazel didn’t have any savings because she was a stay-at-home mom. So she got a job in secret, went to work, and focused on getting herself and their son out of the situation.
When she gave him the divorce papers and told him they were over, Alvin’s face turned pale. “Hazel, how can you leave me? He hissed, “You’re nothing without me!” She told him she had found out about his affair a long time ago. Hazel’s marriage was so bad that even time couldn’t heal the wounds it left. It made her less sensitive and more realistic, and her young son Barney was the one who suffered because of her “new me.”Hazel had a good job. She had always had the skills; all she had to do was work hard at it. Now she could do everything she had only dreamed of. At Barney’s school, she was a senior teacher and the head of the parent-teacher group.
Barney wasn’t cut out for the things Hazel wanted him to do, but Hazel didn’t know that. He wasn’t meant to be in debate or literature groups, and he also wasn’t meant to be in the sports groups she made him join. Barney had a lot of imagination and warmth. Because seeing people on the street made him feel bad, he put money in their cups and often shared his lunch with students who couldn’t afford it. In that case, Barney was. There is no choice in life so important that we forget how valuable our children are.
Barney and Hazel were leaving the mall one day after shopping when Barney looked over and saw an older guy painting a blank canvas with great skill. To say the least, Barney was blown away by the man’s skill. Then he saw the man who didn’t believe him and the hat with the words “I’ll draw you for $5.” “Mom!” Barney cried as she pulled her dress up. “Please let us ask him to draw us.” Could you please?”
She scrunched up her nose and looked at the dirty old man. “Oh my God. “Oh no, Barney, no,” she told him. “These people live off of other people’s hard-earned money. He needs to get a real job. It would be awful to stand next to him!” When Barney realized the man had heard him and Hazel talking, he slumped his shoulders. Barney and the poor painter locked eyes for a moment. The painter looked sad in a strange way as Barney got into the car and Hazel drove off. That day, Barney was really mad. He wanted to help the man and ask him to draw him, but more than that, he wanted to know how the man painted so precisely and easily, moving his brush around like it wasn’t there.
He told Hazel, “I didn’t like how you talked about him, Mom,” as they ate lunch that day. “And what’s this about?” Hazel asked as she gave him his salad. He moved his fork around the plate and said, “That painter.” “You showed no respect.” “Barney, for the love of God, can’t you?” Hazel spoke. “You’re way too young to understand how these jerks trick good people!” Barney said in a low voice, “I want to learn how to paint.” “The man’s answer interested me.” Hazel told her, “No, you don’t want to learn how to paint!” “I don’t want you to end up like a homeless man and beg for money on the streets!” That’s not why I asked our director to add you to all the school clubs!”
Barney hissed as he forced his food down and said, “I hate the groups and societies you’ve put me in, Mom.” “Why can’t I keep living like my friends do?” “There are times when I wish I lived with Dad.” Hazel said under her breath, “Well, you never like anything, Barney.” “Do you understand how hard I’m working?” There are so many bad things about your dad that I can’t even tell you the whole truth. “You have no idea how hard it is to make a living.”
“Enough with the self-talk!” He cried as he jumped up from his chair and ran to the floor. “Dinner is over!” I’m going to my room!” Hazel told her, “No, you’re not!” “You won’t go to your room until you do your walk with Cooper.” He needs to go for a walk!” “You’re so rude!” I hate you so much, Mom!” Barney said something as he put Cooper’s leash on and left the house.
Hazel finished her meal, cleared the table, and then went to sit down on the couch in the living room. She then watched the local news and took a short break before looking at her calendar for the next day. Barney would walk Cooper for an hour every day and then go home. But after an hour that day, Barney and Cooper were still nowhere to be found.Hazel saw the time on the wall and knew they would be home soon.
She brought her work into the living room to keep herself busy, but she just couldn’t concentrate. She finally got her phone and went to the window in the living room that looked out onto the street. She saw Barney and Cooper get home from there every night. But that day, when she saw Cooper sitting alone on the dirt outside the house, it made her stomach turn and her heart skip a beat. Beary wasn’t with him. As Hazel ran out the front door to find Cooper, she could barely keep her heart from racing.
“How—how did you hurt yourself, Cooper?” she asked herself in a sharp voice. “And also, where is Barney?” The dog did nothing but whine and look back at him as if Barney were about to come out of nowhere. He wasn’t there, though, and Hazel knew something was very wrong. There was no doubt in her mind that her son was in danger, so she called 911 right away.
She yelled, “My son!” on the phone. “He hasn’t been seen! He’s not really lost, but he left to walk our dog and hasn’t come back yet. I need help right away because the dog’s back is hurt. Something is wrong!”
“Ma’am,” the person came back. “Calm down.” After that, we’ll be able to assist you. The unit is being sent to your address right now… There will be help soon. Hazel tried to calm down, but she couldn’t. There would be no calm for a mother if her son didn’t come home from walking the dog and the dog came home lame and whining. After quickly giving Cooper first aid, Hazel told him, “You’re going to be a good boy and stay home, okay?” No matter what, I’m going to look for Barney and find him!”. After a few minutes, Hazel looked all over her area for Barney and the paths he usually took to walk Cooper. She ran into the police who had been sent to her house when she got to the neighborhood park.
He told Hazel, “My name is Knox and this is Reece, my partner.” “Ma’am, please calm down and tell me more about what happened tonight, okay?”Hazel was short of breath. She had no idea what was going on. Barrney’s clothes that night and the fact that he often took their dog for a walk in the park were all she could tell the police. It was getting close to dark when the police joined Hazel in her search for Barney. That night, there was no one in the park, so it was quiet and creepy. Call out “Barney!” Hazel let out a very loud scream. “Hey honey, can you hear me?” Hey, Barney!”
Hazel and the police searched the whole park. As they got close to the end, Hazel noticed something on the pavement. Officer Knox got on his knees and rubbed the red liquid between his right thumb and middle finger. This made her sure she wasn’t dreaming about it out of fear. “It’s definitely blood, and it’s not very old,” he sighed. Hazel thought she was going to pass out. She put her hands to her lips and cried so hard that tears came out of her eyes. “Son… ” I only want him to be safe!” She cried. “That’s all I need!” Do you know where Barney is?”
“Knox!” Right then, Officer Reece yelled at them. “I think we found the kid!” I have his right shoe!” Officer Reece was pointing behind the bushes. Hazel and Officer Knox found a shack by following the blood trails from the road to the bushes and joining him. It was made of wood and grass straws, and the light coming from the window showed that people lived there. “Be quiet! Don’t make any noise!” As Officers Reece and Knox carefully walked up to the house, they saw that the blood spots had disappeared at the entrance to the cottage. Before breaking open the cottage door, they took their places and looked at each other to let each other know what to do.
“Raise your hands!” “Shut down!” As the older man cleaned his hands with blood in the living room, Officer Knox yelled at him. The man’s arms were handcuffed, and Officer Reece pushed him against the wall. “Where is the boy?” Reece asked in the office. “What were you doing?” “Where in the world is the kid?” With Barney’s shoe in her hand, Hazel walked into the shack in shock. The house looked really old and dirty. It broke her heart to think of her beloved son living like that. She yelled, “WHERE IS MY SON?” “What in the world did you do?” Okay, we’ll let you go. Are you sure you know where Barney is?”
After getting so angry, Hazel was about to charge at the man when a soft voice from the corner grabbed everyone’s attention. It said, “Stop it, Mom!” “Let him be!” Do not touch him!” When everyone turned around, they were shocked to see Barney on crutches come out of a room inside. “He saved me,” he yelled. “What do you want to do?” “Back off, police!”
The man was freed by Officer Knox and Reece, and Hazel ran to hug her son. She kissed and hugged him all the time until Barney told her to stop. Hazel cried, “I love you, honey.” “I love you a lot!” “I’m so glad you’re safe!”
Mom, you need to say thanks to Colin! I was saved!” No one knew what was going on until Colin told his sad story and said he couldn’t leave Barney in danger. Colin said, “I rushed to my window because I heard a dog barking and the loud brakes of a car stopping.” “When I ran outside, the car had already hit them and was gone.” This kid was lying on the ground. “Your son hurt his leg in the accident and needed help right away,” he told Hazel. “I took him home because I couldn’t leave him alone. “When I turned around, the hurt dog wasn’t there; I thought he was following me.”
“What made you not call the police?” What did Officer Knox ask? “You ought to have done it right away!” “Well, um, officer, I don’t have a phone,” Colin said in a shy voice. Say “sorry.” Officer Reece laughed. “You know that story isn’t true, right?” Knox, don’t believe him! Hey, dude, tell the truth, or you’ll be spending nights in jail from now on! Yes, there were no phones there either!” Colin said in a sad tone, “I have nothing to gain by lying.” Hazel felt like she knew this guy right away.
“I have no one to talk to,” Colin said next. “I never had kids because my wife kicked me out years ago.” I now live by myself in this hut with my art. It’s what I call my little gallery. Barney is using crutches that belonged to my late brother. I thought it might help him get around. “I recognize you,” Hazel said as she looked around the room with Colin’s art on show. “I saw you outside the shopping center. “Are you the same person?” Colin said yes. He said, “You’re right.” “When I met your son, I also knew him. It looks like he loves art. You helped my son, so thank you. Hazel said, “I’m sorry I was rude the other day.”
“Did you see the license plate on the car?” Colin was asked by Officer Knox. “Of the car that hit the younger boy and his dog?” You’re right, I did see it through the window, but I have trouble remembering specifics. But,” he added. “I could draw a picture of you!” I can paint pretty well, at least!” Colin then drew a picture of a red Chevrolet truck. Barney was once again amazed to see Colin drawing. Officer Knox and Reece thanked Colin for the tip. After a week, they found the car and caught the person who did it.
This event changed Hazel’s life because it made her think about the choices she had made and how she felt about Barney. She promised herself she would never force herself on her son again and made a surprise for him. She went to see Colin and hired him to teach art to Barney. Barney was thrilled to hear that Colin was going to teach him how to paint. It helped the older man make a living. Colin and Barney didn’t get to spend much time together, though, because Hazel got a promotion and had to move to a different city.
When Colin looked at the box Barney had given him as a farewell gift one morning, he started to cry. It was a cell phone. He remembered that his young friend had given him a hug and told him, “Call me whenever you want, Colin!” I will miss you!” He was upset that he couldn’t teach Barney how to draw anymore, but he didn’t know that Hazel had planned something fun for him to do with his free time. The next morning, Colin woke up to the sound of a knock on the door. Outside his house, he saw a line of dozens of kids and their parents.
The kids at Barney’s school heard about Colin from Hazel, and parents who saw his work wanted to hire him as their child’s art teacher. Colin tried not to cry that day as he looked up at the blue sky and the shining sun. He thought of Hazel and Barney. After giving them a big, fat smile, he quietly thanked God for everything and for putting him in touch with the nice mother and son.