Kevin, a ten-year-old boy, is stunned when he discovers a hidden box inside the old couch inherited from his grandmother. However, the letter and legal documents within the box hold even bigger surprises, revealing a devastating truth about his family. Kevin will have to make a decision that will change his life forever.
Kevin looked at the slightly worn and stained couch his grandmother had left him in her will. He flinched when the movers dropped it down with a loud thud. Waving away a cloud of dust, he approached to check if the couch had been damaged.
“I’m going to miss Grandma,” Kevin said, running his fingers over a dark stain he’d caused when he spilled juice on the couch. Grandma had been so forgiving that day, more concerned about refilling his glass than the damage to the couch.
“Why mourn an old woman who left you with this junk?” his father said, shaking his head and kicking one corner of the couch.
“It’s not junk, Dad. It’s a memory of Grandma. I’ll make money when I grow up, but I can’t make more memories with her.”
His father’s lip curled into a sneer, his eyes narrowing into a sharp glare. “She didn’t do anything but cause problems ever since your mom passed. Did you forget she reported me to Child Protective Services? And what about how she gave you to that other family?”
Kevin lowered his gaze. “Those people aren’t that bad. They let me stay here with you these days for Grandma’s funeral. I wish I didn’t have to go back… I want to live with you.”
“We’ll work it out, kid.” His father ruffled his hair. “I’ll see what I can do to get custody of you now that the meddling old lady isn’t around to enforce her wishes. You and me, we’ll be a family again.”
Kevin smiled and moved to hug his father, but the man had already turned away. His father grabbed a drink from the fridge, collapsed into his chair, and turned on the TV. Within moments, the apartment filled with curses and gunfire from whatever he was watching.
Kevin lowered his head again, his shoulders sagging. He had missed his father terribly… but his dad had never been affectionate, unlike his mom. Kevin shook his head, avoiding thoughts of her. It still hurt too much to think about Mom. Her funeral, six months ago, had been the worst day of his life. And now Grandma was gone too.
Looking around the apartment, he noticed nothing had changed while he had lived with Denise and Miguel. This was still home, and he refused to leave again. His father would fix things so he could stay here forever.
He sighed and sat on Grandma’s couch. A rigid, sharp object poked his back. Pressing his hand against the cushion, Kevin froze…