Michael was just released from the police station. Barely able to breathe, before he could react, his phone rang with a call from home.
His mother’s voice was furious. “Who on earth did you offend?”
“Our family house back home was bombed to the ground! I brought our relatives to the police, but they showed us piles of documents, all valid! I was finally starting to see some hope, and now it’s all gone!”
“I don’t care!”
“You have to give me my house back!”
His mother broke down sobbing. Before Samantha Hayes could even try to soothe her, the neighborhood committee called.
“Mrs. Reynolds, when are you coming to pick up Ethan Jr.?”
“Your son has been taking turns staying with neighbors for ten days. If you don’t come, we’ll file charges for abandonment.”
Samantha froze.
Then she snapped completely, shouting, “Who abandoned him?”
“What the hell are you talking about!”
Michael tried to calm his mother down. “Mom, I’ll take care of this, I promise.”
Before he could finish, Samantha’s roar cut through the line. He quickly added, “I’ve got something else to deal with—I’ll call you later.”