Chapter 6
Dad called Tasha immediately.
No answer.
He tried again.
Still nothing.
Mom contacted the family assistance organization that had helped arrange temporary lodging.
They confirmed Tasha had checked out earlier that morning.
But they couldn't share private details about where she had gone.
My stomach twisted.
Dad looked at me.
"Malik, tell me exactly what Ava said."
I repeated the conversation.
Every word.
The man named Mr. Coleman.
The promise of somewhere nobody could find them.
The way Ava sounded frightened.
Dad listened without interrupting.
When I finished, he looked at Mom.
"We need to report this."
She nodded.
They contacted the appropriate local authorities and explained the circumstances.
An officer asked for Ava's name, age, and last known location.
Dad provided everything we knew.
I sat beside Grandma on the couch.
My hands wouldn't stop shaking.
Grandma wrapped an arm around me.
"You're doing the right thing."
I swallowed.
"What if something happens to her?"
Grandma kissed my forehead.
"The adults are working on it."
But I didn't feel better.
I kept thinking about Ava's voice.
The fear.
The way she whispered before the call ended.
An hour later, Dad's phone rang.
He answered immediately.
"Hello?"
I watched his expression.
"Yes, Officer."
Mom moved closer.
Dad listened.
Then nodded.
"Thank you."
When he ended the call, I jumped up.
"What happened?"
He took a breath.
"Authorities have made contact with Tasha."
Relief flooded through me.
"She's okay?"
"She's safe right now."
I nearly cried.
"And Ava?"
Dad nodded.
"The children are with her."
I closed my eyes.
Thank God.
Then Dad continued.
"There's more to the story."
I frowned.
"What?"
He sat beside me.
"Tasha was contacted by someone claiming to represent a private relocation program."
My stomach tightened.
"Mr. Coleman?"
Dad nodded.
"He offered temporary housing and transportation."
Mom folded her arms.
"But the organization he named couldn't verify that he worked for them."
I stared.
"What does that mean?"
Dad answered carefully.
"It means Tasha was right to stop and ask questions."
I looked confused.
"She stopped?"
He nodded.
"She became suspicious before leaving town."
Relief washed through me.
Dad explained that after Ava's call ended, Tasha noticed the man becoming angry when she asked for written information.
She refused to go with him.
Then she contacted a trusted community worker.
That worker helped her reach a legitimate shelter program.
My eyes filled.
"So they're safe?"
Dad nodded.
"Yes."
I began crying.
Grandma hugged me.
Mom wiped her cheeks.
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Then Dad looked at me.
"Malik, you did the right thing by telling us immediately."
I nodded.
My voice shook.
"I was scared."
He hugged me.
"I know."
Then he added, "But you didn't have to solve it yourself."
I leaned against him.
For the first time that evening, I believed him.
The next day, Tasha called.
She sounded exhausted.
But relieved.
She explained that she'd been desperate after the housing delay.
Mr. Coleman approached her outside the assistance office.
He claimed he could move her family into a furnished apartment in another city.
At first, it sounded like a miracle.
Then he demanded copies of her identification and insisted she leave immediately.
She became frightened.
When Ava called me, Tasha was trying to decide what to do.
After the call ended, Mr. Coleman became impatient.
That was when Tasha refused.
She contacted a caseworker she'd met earlier.
The caseworker helped her find legitimate emergency housing.
I listened quietly.
Then whispered, "I'm glad you're safe."
Tasha began crying.
"Me too, sweetheart."
I asked whether I could speak with Ava.
A moment later, her voice came through.
"Malik?"
My eyes filled.
"Hey."
She laughed softly.
"Hey."
I swallowed.
"You scared me."
"I'm sorry."
I shook my head.
"Don't be."
There was a pause.
Then she whispered, "I thought we were going to have to leave forever."
My chest tightened.
"But you didn't."
"No."
I smiled through my tears.
"I'm glad."
She hesitated.
"Malik?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you for answering."
I swallowed.
"Always."
After the call, I sat quietly.
Dad joined me.
He looked thoughtful.
"What's on your mind?"
I stared at my phone.
"I keep thinking about Mr. Coleman."
Dad nodded.
"Me too."
I frowned.
"Why would he lie?"
Dad took a breath.
"Sometimes people take advantage of families when they're desperate."
I looked up.
"That's terrible."
"Yes."
He continued.
"That's why it's important to verify offers and involve people you trust."
I nodded slowly.
Then looked at him.
"Dad, can we help other families too?"
He smiled gently.
"How?"
I thought for a moment.
"What if we collected school supplies?"
Dad raised an eyebrow.
"School supplies?"
I nodded.
"And food."
Mom entered the room.
"What are you two planning?"
I looked at her.
"Something for kids who need help."
She smiled.
"That sounds like a good idea."
Dad leaned back.
"We'd need to work with a school or community organization."
I nodded eagerly.
"We can do that."
Grandma appeared in the doorway.
"And you'll need volunteers."
I grinned.
"Grandma?"
She smiled.
"I know some people."
For the first time in days, excitement replaced fear.
We spent the evening making a plan.
Mom contacted the school counselor.
Dad spoke with a community center.
Grandma called friends from church.
And I made a list of supplies students might need.
Not because I thought I could fix everything.
But because I wanted to help in a way that was safe, organized, and sustainable.
A week later, we held our first donation drive.
We called it Kicks and Kindness.
People brought notebooks.
Backpacks.
Socks.
Shoes.
Nonperishable food.
And grocery gift cards.
Mr. Raymond donated supplies.
Dad's new coworkers helped carry boxes.
Mom organized volunteers.
Grandma greeted everyone at the door.
I stood beside the donation table.
Watching families arrive.
Some brought things.
Others received help.
Nobody was made to feel embarrassed.
I smiled.
Then I saw Ava walking toward me.
She wore a bright yellow T-shirt.
Elijah held her hand.
Tasha followed behind them.
My heart jumped.
"Ava!"
She ran toward me.
We hugged.
She smiled.
"We came to help."
I stared at her.
"What?"
She nodded.
"Mom says we're doing better now."
Tasha smiled through her tears.
"We want to give back."
I looked at the boxes.
Then at Ava.
And suddenly, I understood something.
Helping someone wasn't about being their hero forever.
It was about giving them enough support to stand again.
Ava reached into her backpack.
Then pulled out another drawing.
This one showed a long table surrounded by children.
Above it, she'd written:
EVERYONE DESERVES HELP.
I smiled through my tears.
Then Dad stepped beside me.
May you like
He looked at the picture.
And whispered, "Son, I think you're starting something special."
