When I quietly pointed out my son and asked what role he had in the center, she smiled warmly and told me he came almost every day to help the younger ones. The money, she added, came from small charity projects he had organized—selling handmade keychains, snacks, and little crafts. He had been saving the earnings to buy books, school supplies, and even healthy treats for the kids who attended the club.
My heart softened as I realized he wasn’t hiding something harmful at all; he was hiding kindness, effort, and responsibility far beyond his age. When he finally came out, I gently called his name. His eyes widened with surprise, and then with worry, as if he expected to be in trouble.
