A fictional interpretation of a song by Carrie Underwood.
The cancer took his father when he was only three.
Three years later, it took his mother too.
For the first six years of his life, sickness and death were all he knew. But now he was getting a second chance. The foster care system had found him a new mom and dad - cancer free.
“You’re being awfully quiet today.” His foster mom says to the little boy.
His foster parents had been hoping for someone more playful. Damaged and tortured children had lived with them before, and it never lasted long. They always seemed to get themselves into trouble. They had hoped this little boy would be different. His story was tragic, but it wasn’t the parent’s fault. They thought this meant he was luckier than most.
The boy doesn’t say anything. He just hugs his stuffed elephant close to his chest. It was gift from his mother, the only thing he had left.
“Are you scared?” His foster mom asks him, noticing the protective way he held his toy.
“No.” The boy says, matter-of-factly.
“Are you sure? It’s pretty scary being in a new home.”
“This isn’t my new home. This is just my temporary home.”
“What do you mean? Of course it’s your new home!”
“No, it isn’t. It’s not where I belong.”
“Of course you do. Where else would you belong?”
“With my parents.”
How could she argue?
***
Across town, a young mother is struggling to find work. Her parents kicked her out when she found out she was pregnant. They didn’t want to be responsible for their daughter anymore.
At first, she was able to stay with friends. But once she gave birth to a daughter of her own, she became too much of a responsibility to be a guest to her friends.
Now, she stays nights at a halfway house, and searches for work during the day. Without someone to care for her child, though, work is hard to find.
But she hasn’t given up hope. As she lies in the bed at the halfway house, she holds her daughter close and kisses her baby-fat cheek.
“I’m going to find us a home.” She promises. “A real home. This is just our temporary home. We’ll get out of here. You’ll see.”
In the morning, she finally finds work.
***
In the wealthier part of town, in a hospital room on the twelfth floor, a family has given up hope.
“The cancer has spread to his brain.” The doctor tells them. “He doesn’t have much longer. I’d prepare your goodbyes.”
The old man on the bed, so full of life, no longer has much life left to live. But he’s not afraid.
“This was my temporary home.” He tells his family. “My time is up here, but that’s okay. I’m going home.”
“But Grandfather…” His granddaughter says, but he interrupts her.
“I can see His face.” He says, trance-like.
He closes his eyes and smiles.
He’s home.
