Jimmy stood on the back porch of his mom’s apartment, knocking.
Nothing.
He knocked again.
His friends had already gone home. It was getting dark. His mom had lost her phone the day before, so he couldn’t call her. And he didn’t want to be the kid whose mom wasn’t there.
After a while he stopped knocking. He sat down at the top of the back steps and watched the streetlight come on. He sat there for over an hour, waiting for someone to show up.
Who will notice when I need help? Who will make room for me?
Eventually he fell asleep with his head against the railing.
That’s how his mom found him when she got home. Jimmy’s mom loves him. She also works long shifts, and she can’t be in two places at once.
Every child needs someone who shows up.
Chris
PS - This is the first part of Jimmy's story. You'll see some of the challenges he's faced, the people who've shown up for him, and what can happen when a child knows someone is in his corner. I hope you'll follow along.