The Truth About His Father
Before she passed, Granny had fought to keep Kevin safe.
His mother had died six months ago, and in that time, his father, Jerry, had spiraled into neglect and alcoholism.
Granny had received a call from a concerned neighbor, who told her that Kevin had been wandering the streets alone, looking dirty and unkempt. His father hadn’t even noticed he was missing.
When she rushed to Jerry’s apartment, she was horrified by what she saw. The house was in disarray—empty liquor bottles, rotting food, piles of dirty laundry.
And Kevin? He hadn’t eaten a proper meal in days.
She confronted Jerry, demanding answers. But he just shrugged her off.
“He’s fine,” Jerry had said, shoving a microwavable mac and cheese into the oven. “Kids don’t need fancy food.”
“But what about the money I send every month for his care?” Granny had asked.
Jerry had laughed. “Oh, I use it… just not on useless stuff like vegetables.”
That was the moment Granny made a decision. She reported Jerry to Social Services and arranged for Kevin to be placed with a loving couple—Denise and Miguel, friends from her nursing home.
But now that she was gone, Jerry wanted Kevin back.
And not out of love.
Because he thought he would inherit Granny’s money.
The Test That Would Reveal Everything
Kevin’s hands shook as he turned to the last page of Granny’s letter.
**“I devised a way for you to uncover your father’s true character. Enclosed in this box are legal papers that will ‘grant’ Jerry my entire inheritance—on one condition: He must give up all parental rights to you.
The papers are fake, but he won’t know that. If he truly loves you, he won’t accept the offer. But if he takes them to a lawyer… then you’ll know the truth.
And when you do, my sweet boy, remember: Denise and Miguel love you. You don’t have to stay where you are not wanted.”**
Kevin swallowed the lump in his throat.
Granny had known this moment would come.
Now, it was up to him.
A Choice That Changed Everything
Kevin walked into the living room, gripping the papers.
“Dad?” His voice wavered. “I found these in Granny’s sofa. They look important.”
Jerry barely glanced at him. “Huh?” He snatched the papers from Kevin’s hand and skimmed them.
Then, his expression changed.
His eyes widened. His mouth twitched into a greedy smirk.
Kevin held his breath.
Then Jerry jumped from his seat and grabbed his coat. “I’ve got something important to take care of,” he muttered, heading for the door.
Kevin felt his heart drop.
This was it.
His father had fallen right into the trap.
Kevin followed him. At first, he thought maybe—just maybe—Jerry was going to the store.
But when his father walked right past it and into a law office, Kevin knew.
Granny had been right.
His father cared more about money than him.
Tears stung his eyes, but he refused to cry. Jerry didn’t deserve his tears.
He turned and walked away.
A New Beginning
That night, Kevin knocked on Denise and Miguel’s door.
Denise opened it, her eyes widening in surprise.
“Kevin? What are you doing here?”
He hesitated, then wrapped his arms around her.
“I… I want to stay,” he whispered. “If you still want me.”
Denise crouched down, putting her hands on his shoulders. “Of course, we do. We always have.”
Miguel stepped into the doorway, concern in his eyes. “Did something happen?”
Kevin took a deep breath. “I gave my dad a test. And… he failed.”
Denise’s eyes softened with understanding.
“You’ve been through so much, Kevin.” She smiled gently. “But you don’t have to do it alone anymore. This is your home now.”
Kevin looked around.
It didn’t smell like beer and cigarettes. It didn’t have a loud TV blaring violent movies.
It smelled like cookies baking in the oven.
It felt safe.
He nodded, his chest lighter than it had been in months.
Maybe Granny wasn’t here anymore, but she had given him the greatest gift of all—family.
A real one.