As he and his wife began to pack, Tori’s father remarked, “We’ll call child services and they’ll take you away.”
She was only fifteen so she couldn’t understand the meaning of these words and unfortunately, she and her siblings had to learn it the hard way.
A few days later, Tori’s journey began when she and her siblings were separated and placed in separate orphanages.
Ben, who was five, sobbed, “I don’t want to go, Tori,” and Lucas, who was six at the time, continued to wonder why the strangers were taking him away. I’d like to stay with you.”
Tori wanted to be there for her brothers now that her parents had left them, but she couldn’t. She felt powerless to keep what was left of their family together.
“I’m here to help you,” a woman from the Child Protective Service reassured the frightened three siblings. “I know it’s hard, but we have to take you somewhere safe.
“Please, please don’t take us away,” Tori begged.
“We can stay here, we’ll be fine.
After being kicked out of the residence, Tori, Lucas, and Ben were thrown into three separate cars and driven in different directions. Through the car window, Tori watched her brothers as their tearful faces disappeared from view.
The car ride to Tori’s foster home was full of tears and confusion. She couldn’t stop thinking about her father’s harsh words and wondered how they could let their children go in such a way.
Tori felt unwelcome from the moment she met her foster family, the Thompsons. They were aloof individuals who barely interacted with her except when they had to remind her of something important to do.
Tori was depressed and lonely, and her thoughts were constantly consumed by her younger brothers.
Tori decided to run away from her childhood home, where she never felt comfortable because she couldn’t handle the reality she was created for. However, this plan was unsuccessful as the Thompsons enraged at her, got her back when she was apprehended by the police shortly afterward.
The same thing happened every time she ran away. She would be more disrespected, scolded, and pulled back. However, Tori wanted to get away from there, so one evening she packed a few things and slipped out the window.
Even though Tori found herself homeless, she realized that it was a better option for her than staying with her foster family. She spent the nights in an old trailer she discovered. It had a leaky roof and no door, but it was the start of a new life that she hoped would improve every day.
She managed to make ends meet by doing odd jobs such as grocery delivery, car detailing, and even a counter in the neighborhood. While trying to make ends meet, the hardest thing for her was being away from her brothers.
Tracking was difficult because when she found out where they were, they were usually placed in another orphanage.
One day when she went to see Ben, a strange face answered the door. She said, “Excuse me, but can I see Ben?” “No, they moved out last week. The woman at the door said, ‘I think they moved to another state.’
“Do you know where they went?” Tori asked, desperate to know where her little brother was. The woman replied, “I’m sorry, no,” and closed the door.
Tori’s heart sank. She felt as if she had let her brothers down by not fulfilling their promise to be together one day.
After a few days, Tori managed to get a job as a cleaner at a small business outside of town. She dusted the shelves, scrubbed the floors, and washed the dishes, yet she was stable.
Mr. Jenkins, the owner, noticed her working hard and once asked her if she ever thought about going back to school. Tori stated that even though she couldn’t afford food and a few other necessities, she wanted to go to college.
“If you keep saving, you will succeed. I believe you,” he told her.
His comments were energizing.
Tori eventually went to college, although it was somewhat difficult for her to juggle work and studies. She worked in the company in the mornings and in the evenings she studied hard and completed her homework. She knew of no other way to get closer to seeing her brothers again, even if it was overwhelming.
After a few years, Tori earned her college degree. She managed to get a job as a sales clerk in a large clothing store thanks to her business major. In time, Mrs. Carter, her manager, realized her commitment.
She remarked, “Tori, you’re doing a great job,” one day as the two were restocking the shelves. “I will promote you to the leader.
“Thank you, Mrs. Carter!” Tori replied excitedly. “I promise I’ll do my best.
After being promoted to store manager, she eventually moved into a beautiful apartment. But just when she felt everything was going well, she got another bombshell.
As Tori settled into her new home, there was a knock on the door. As she answered, she noticed Charles and Linda, her parents, standing there carrying suitcases. My mother happily said, “Hello, darling!” act as if nothing happened.
Tori remained standing. She was amazed. Then her father asked if they could enter. Still in disbelief, she let them in.
“We were hoping you’d leave us there for a while until we got back on our feet,” her mother remarked. Tori said in surprise, “You want to live with me?” Almost in unison, they both said, “Yes.”
Trying to keep her voice calm, Tori asked, “Why? How did you even discover me?”
“Oh, honey, how does it matter? They asked, ‘We’re a family, and a family’s supposed to support each other, right?’
Tori’s rage had reached a breaking point. She screamed, “Really?” You haven’t asked me anything about my brothers since you arrived. You just show up and expect me to help you when you left us?
When we were fighting in the street, where did you think families should support each other?”
Tori didn’t even give them a chance to answer. She asked them to go and never contact her again and unlocked the door.
Although she assumed meeting them after all these years would bring back all the agony, she was relieved and felt like she finally had the closure she needed.
Her history was no longer an obstacle; all she had to focus on was finding her brothers so she could get back to her happiness.
Tori stood by the door, her heart pounding with a mixture of anger and relief. For years she was haunted by the absence of her parents, carrying the burden of responsibility for her younger brothers and navigating the harsh realities of life alone.
Now, as she watched her parents standing on her doorstep begging for help, she realized how far she had come. They had walked away from her and her siblings without a second thought, and their sudden reappearance seemed like an affront to everything she had been through. Tori felt a sense of empowerment as she closed a chapter in her life and finally took control of her narrative.
With her parents gone, Tori felt purpose again. Her attention shifted completely to finding Ben and Lucas. She spent hours searching the Internet and contacting social services and organizations that specialized in bringing siblings together. Her every move was fueled by a determination that ignited in her darkest moments. Tori knew she wouldn’t stop until she found them, no matter how long it took or how many obstacles lay ahead.
Months passed and Tori faced countless setbacks, but she refused to give up. She began to build a network of friends and allies who supported her quest. One day, while volunteering at a community center, she met a social worker who specialized in caring for children. When Tori shared her story, a social worker offered to help her find her brothers. Together they delved into the system, tracking records and contacting different foster homes. It felt like a small victory, but Tori remained cautious, afraid to get her hopes up too high after all she’d been through.
Finally, one sunny afternoon, Tori received the call she had been waiting for. Ben and Lucas were placed in a children’s home not far from where she lived. Overcome with joy and relief, Tori ran to meet them. She felt a mixture of nerves and excitement as she walked into the orphanage, her heart pounding in anticipation. As Ben and Lucas ran up to her, their faces lit up with recognition, all the hurt and pain gone. In that moment they were reunited and Tori knew she would never let them go.
Together they created a new family, rooted in love and resilience. Tori promised her brothers that they would never be separated again. With her newfound determination and support system, she began to create a stable environment for them. Tori secured a larger apartment where they could all live together and made sure to involve her brothers in every aspect of their new life, from decorating their homes to exploring their neighborhoods.
As time went on, Tori watched her brothers thrive. Ben, once shy and withdrawn, began to open up and show his lively personality, while Lucas found confidence in himself and his abilities. Tori enrolled them in school and allowed them to succeed and build a future for themselves. Although the scars from their pasts remained, they learned to navigate life together, drawing strength from each other and a bond that was tested but never broken.
Tori’s journey has made her a beacon of hope for her brothers. The love they shared became the foundation of their new life and allowed them to heal from the wounds of their past. Tori understood that family wasn’t just about blood; it was about determination, support, and a willingness to fight for each other. With her brothers by her side, Tori finally felt complete. Not only did she get her family back, but she also carved out a future full of promise, joy, and an unwavering belief that together they could overcome anything.