16-year-old Joey runs away from home to pursue his dreams, leaving his widowed mother behind. Thirteen years later, he returns home to see her again but is greeted by a deserted house instead, where he only finds a half-burnt note.
As a 16-year-old filled with ambition and dreams beyond the confines of his rural life, Joey decided to leave home. He left a farewell note to his mother, Flora, beside her old sewing machine.
“Dear Mom, By evening, you’ll be back, but I won’t be home. No, I wasn’t kidnapped; I just finally decided to run away,” Joey wrote in the letter he left behind.
“No matter how far I go, I’ll always love you. I’m sorry. Take care. With Love, Joey.”
The loud squawking of the hens and chickens and the sight of the tall trees that surrounded the farm was a sight Joey knew he was bound to miss.
His backpack was packed and strapped to his back.
After taking one last look at the house he lived in with his mother after his father’s death, Joey turned around and walked away without once glancing back.
Unaware of Joey’s plans, Flora spent her day on the farm, waiting for the son who promised to help but never showed
Despite his love for his mother, Joey felt constrained by the life laid out for him on the farm. He dreamed of becoming a doctor, a dream he believed unattainable if he stayed.
His attempts to convince Flora to sell the farm and move to the city were futile; her attachment to the land and memories of his late father held her back. Unwilling to abandon his dreams, Joey saw no option but to leave, even if it meant leaving his mother and their life behind.
As he approached the highway, ready to hitchhike to the city, his mother’s plans for dinner and her voice filled his mind.
Joey’s journey to the city began. On the bus, he pondered his decision and how he was risking everything. His friend Dan had assured him of a job that would start his new life in the city.
Joey hurriedly called his friend from a payphone after arriving downtown. Dan instructed him to get to his home by taxi, but Joey was shocked at the $30 fare for a short ride. Frustrated and nearly broke, he finally arrived at Dan’s house, glad to be welcomed warmly.
But his hope had diminished after that expensive and tiring day. “I came here with big dreams, but now I’m not sure,” Joey admitted, his shoulders sagging.
Dan reassured him, promising not to charge him rent until Joey was settled in his new job at a grocery store. “You’re going to be fine,” he comforted him. “You’ll earn enough to cover your expenses soon.”
Don’t worry, it’s a great opportunity, and you’ll make good money,” Dan assured him.
Unfortunately, Joey quickly realized the demands of his new life were more significant than anything back home. The satisfaction of receiving his first paycheck was overshadowed by a pressing urge to call his mother, Flora.
Despite his desire to share his success, the fear of being persuaded to return home constantly stopped him.
“I’ll make more money, then I’ll call her,” Joey told himself, viewing the money as a step closer to his dream of studying medicine.
But his optimism was short-lived when Dan reminded him of the rent and food expenses on payday, unexpectedly asking for a thousand dollars, nearly all of Joey’s earnings.
Faced with the harsh winter and the realization that his income barely covered his living expenses, Joey’s college dreams seemed more distant than ever.
“What am I going to do now?” he fretted.
On a regular day, Joey was about to sit outside and eat lunch when an older man fell on an icy patch on the road. He rushed to help out, bringing the old man a bottle of water after getting him upright.
The old man introduced himself as Mr. Clark and sat with Joey for a chat.
You’re an amazing young man,” Mr. Clark said, reaching into his pocket for a card. “Call me, Joey. I would love to know more about you, young man!”
Joey pocketed the card with a polite smile, unsure of what to make of the encounter. But while thinking about the old man later, he decided to go to him.
“Joey! My boy! I knew you’d call me,” the old man said cheerfully. Joey was glad and simply asked Mr. Clark how he was feeling. The old man answered but quickly pivoted to the real reason he had given him his business card.
Mr. Clark was in charge of a scholarship fund for ambitious youths like Joey. “A scholarship?” he squeaked.
