My brother and I were abandoned when we were barely 14 years old. I tried to be as good a carer as I could since he was everything to me.
Unfortunately, I was placed in a foster home along with him when he was removed from me.
I began working three jobs and going to night school when I was sixteen. Fortunately, I managed to rent a little flat. It was the beginning of my dream of seeing Samuel once more.
Even though it all felt overwhelming, I knew that once my brother was back by my side, it would all be worthwhile.
“When can I come home?” he would whisper during our monitored visits. In the hopes that it wouldn’t become another lie, I would squeeze out, “Soon.”
“Brad, you are just too young,” the judge stated, glancing at me during the last custody hearing. However, they were unable to comprehend that Samuel was everything to me.
Francis, the case worker, offered her sympathy. “Brad, I am aware you are doing everything you can, but it’s just not enough.”
I collapsed on the couch in my small flat and reflected on the good old days when my mother was still living. At least we had each other, even though we never had much. The idea that things would never be the same and that I would lose my brother forever made my heart hurt, and I missed those times.
My landlady, Mrs. Rachel, knocked on the door as I was choking on tears. She asked me, seeming worried, and brought cookies. “Brad, how was court?”
“They want proof I can provide for him, like I wouldn’t starve myself to make sure he’s fed,” I answered as my frustration grew.
“I know how much you love your brother, and I know you’d do anything for him, but the system needs something more solid,” she said as she placed her hand on my shoulder.
My flat is too small, they say. I remarked, “He needs his own room.”
That’s when Mrs. Rachel said, “You know what? Fix up the spare room upstairs. Same rent. Just make sure you don’t burn my house down.”
My eyes glowed. “Are you certain?” She merely grinned when I asked.
I immediately got to work on that room. Samuel’s favourite colour is blue, therefore I painted the walls that way.
A few days later, Frances came over and told me that kinship care was my best bet.
I made sure the judge understood how much this meant to my brother and me as I stood in court the next day.
“I might be young,” I said, “but I’ve cared for Samuel his whole life and I can give him a home where he feels safe and loved.”
The foster parents of Samuel were present as well, and they concurred that my brother should live with me.
The judge took a while to decide, but when she did, she said just what I hoped and prayed she would say.
“Samuel is at his best with his brother.”
Samuel, who was seated in the last row, came running over to me.
We had pizza to commemorate that day. That was the day that everything came together at last.
