“Do you mean to tell me, you kids have been on your own for weeks? You’ve been starving, living in a drug den, fighting off dirty cops and pimps?” He took a sip of his sweet tea, and I could see his hands were shaking. “Well, that shit ends now. I’m calling James and getting you squared away tonight.” He pulled out his phone and dialed quickly. Obviously, he did know our uncle if he had the number memorized. “James, hey, where are you? You’re not driving, are you?” He listened for a second, then, “Good, I need to tell you something, but you need to sit down. No, I’m not bullshitting you, just do it, asshole!” He laughed at whatever was said, then he seemed to sober when he said softly, “James, I found them.”
Everything went silent for a second, and then I heard yelling from the other end of the line. “Yes, I’m sure, and no, this isn’t a joke. I’m looking right at them, James, and you couldn’t deny them if you wanted to. They all look just like you and John.” He listened for another second, then, “James, listen, they need you, man. They’ve been on their own for weeks, and they’re a heartbeat away from being homeless.” He listened for a second, then handed the phone to me. “He wants to talk to you,” he said, handing the phone over.
“Hello?” I whispered. I had no idea what to expect from this conversation.
“Ladd, is that you?” The voice sounded deep and soft, gentle even. He was trying to make me comfortable and not scare me. I liked that voice.
“Yes, sir, this is Ladd.”
I heard a soft sob on the other end of the line, then a sniff, “Oh, thank you, God! Ladd, this is your uncle, James, your dad was my older brother, John. I’ve been looking for you for years, son. I never gave up and never lost hope that I would find you again. Patrick tells me you need a place to stay.”
“Yes, sir, we, uh, we’ve had it a bit rough lately.”
“Well, I’m only three hours away. I promise you’ll never have to worry about another thing, my boy. I’m leaving in a few minutes to come and get you. I’m bringing you boys home.”
