At 16, Joey was done with farm life.
He packed his backpack, dropped a heartfelt farewell beside his widowed mother’s old sewing machine, and walked away without a backward glance. His letter was simple:
“Dear Mom — By tonight you’ll be home; I won’t. I’m not kidnapped — I’m finally leaving… I love you. I’m sorry. Take care. With love, Joey.”
Joey’s dream was to become a doctor — something he believed the rural farm could never give him. Flora, his mother, couldn’t convince him to stay. She clung to the farm and the memories of Joey’s late father.
With doubt in his heart but determination in his step, Joey hitched a ride to the city where his friend Dan had promised work. But city life hit him hard — the taxi fare shocked him, and the job Dan offered barely covered rent and food. Instead of feeling victorious, Joey felt trapped by the harsh reality of his choice.
Then one cold day, on a sidewalk covered with ice, he helped an elderly stranger who introduced himself as Mr. Clark. The old man handed Joey a card and later turned out to be offering a full scholarship — including housing, food, and support to study medicine. Joey grabbed the chance.
Years passed.
Joey graduated. He became the doctor he once dreamed of being, rising above the doubt and struggle of his youth. And after buying a small house he hoped would be just right for his mother, he drove home — finally ready to show her the life he’d built.
But the old farmhouse waited in silence.
Grass choked the yard. Thick dust covered the windows. Joey called out, “Mom! Mom!” — but the rooms only echoed back his voice.
Panicked and hurt, he checked the house from corner to corner… until a half‑burnt paper caught his eye under the cold ashes in the fireplace.
His name was written on it.
“Joey, sweetie… I miss you so much. Where did you go? If only I’d known you planned to leave forever, I would’ve gone with you…”
Half the letter had been reduced to ash — just another sign of how long time had passed.
But then a familiar voice called his name outside. It was Mr. Colins, a neighbor. He told Joey where Flora was — at the hospital. Joey rushed there in a taxi, breathless and shaken. And when Flora opened her eyes and saw him, everything broke. Tears, apologies, embraces — all the years of silence melted in Mom and son’s reunion.
Joey whispered, “I’m so sorry I didn’t call or visit…” as they clung to each other — the farm finally filled with love again.
