Kenny strongly believed that everything would eventually be okay. This belief remained with him, even when his dad stopped living with them at the apartment in New York City, and he and his mom had to leave.

Doubt started to creep in, however, when he got detention at school, only because he’d stood up to Winston Turner, that bully. He’d thought it was no big deal, but when his mom heard, she had been so upset that she used his full name.

Hearing “Kenneth” felt as jarring as stepping on a toy in the dark. His mom only used “Kenneth” when she was upset. He was pretty sure his real name was Kenny; Kenny didn’t feel like a “Kenneth.” That sounded like some fancy-pants designer’s name, not a name for an eleven-year-old kid. He was Kenny. Always had been. So why had he suddenly become “Kenneth?” The moment his mom had used that name, worry welled up inside him, like something really important had been broken.

His almost-unwavering optimism had finally faltered when they headed to JFK Airport, destined for Wichita, the largest city close to their new home in Kansas. Kenny had been sure that his dad would be there to see them off. He imagined his father somewhere in the bustling crowd by the security checkpoint, just too far away for Kenny to spot. His dad would be clutching a vibrant bouquet for Mom and a shiny, new toy helicopter for him. But when they arrived, no Dad. Not at security, nowhere in sight.

Mom tried to hustle him through the terminal, fretting about missing their flight. But Kenny resisted. Surely they could wait a little longer. His dad had to be on hs way. Why wouldn’t he come? Because Kenny didn’t get the best grades this year, or win any sports trophies? Did that make him unworthy of a goodbye?

At first, Mom had tried to be nice. Then she got irritated. Finally, she just looked sad. That was when Kenny realized: things weren’t going back to the way they were. After Dad left, Mom’s laughter had faded. She used to have the best kind of laugh—the kind that lit up her eyes and made everyone else smile. And then one day, Dad was just gone.

Mom seemed especially down lately, likely because of losing her job. She’d managed to find another one, but it was back in her hometown, in Kansas, where she and Kenny’s father had grown up. That was why they were moving.

“Everything will be all right, Kenny,” Mom had reassured him when she’d told him the news. But her tear-streaked face had betrayed her—she was trying to convince herself as much as him.

She’d urged him to pack lightly. One suitcase for her, one for him. His computer, video games, toy cars, and the highly-detailed train set—all left behind. Only their elderly cat, Whiskers, came along with them. Whiskers had been a part of the family even before Kenny was born. Mom had gotten him as a kitten, long before she’d met Dad.

On the flight to Wichita, Kenny thought about Whiskers, who was probably snoozing under Mom’s seat in his carrier. That cat could sleep like a champion, especially recently.

A flight attendant reminded everyone to fasten their seatbelts. As the plane taxied down the runway for takeoff, Kenny stared out the window, half-hoping to see his dad in hot pursuit, like in some action movie. But there was no sign of his father.

Life used to be straightforward, full of laughter and games. But things had shifted over the last little while, gotten a little quieter, a bit gloomier. Kenny wished he could rewind and relive those joyous moments with his mom. The memories of his dad joining in the fun only added to his sadness.

As the plane roared into the sky, leaving New York City’s iconic skyline behind, the heaviness of his memories lulled Kenny into a deep slumber.

When he woke, they were already on the ground in Wichita. Together with Whiskers, they disembarked and headed toward the modest airport terminal. They still had a long drive ahead to reach their new home in the small town of Stonewood, Kansas, a place filled with childhood memories for both of Kenny’s parents. Waiting at the airport to welcome them was Aunt Olivia—a small, lively woman who had been Mom’s best friend since their school days.

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

After pulling Mom into a warm hug, she turned to Kenny, peppering his cheeks with lipstick-stained kisses. “Oh, bless your heart,” she fussed, patting his head with a little too much gusto. Kenny fought the urge to roll his eyes; he was practically as tall as Aunt Olivia, after all. She didn’t need to treat him like a little kid.

As they headed for the exit, they met Aunt Olivia’s husband. The strapping man swiftly stashed their luggage in the trunk of his car before turning to extend a hand to Kenny. “I’m Gene,” he greeted Kenny with a broad grin, “but you can call me Uncle Gene.”

Being the courteous kid he was, Kenny replied, “Nice to meet you, Uncle Gene.”

Just then, from his carrier, Whiskers let out a gentle “meow,” which drew everyone’s attention.

“And who is this little fella?” Uncle Gene asked, bending down to take a closer look at the carrier.

“That’s Whiskers,” Kenny replied, pride in his voice.

Uncle Gene laughed. “Well, hello there, Mr. Whiskers.”

The drive from the airport started out as an ordinary one. Mom and Aunt Olivia were deep into one of their nostalgic conversations, Uncle Gene drove with quiet focus, and Whiskers, predictably, dozed off. But things took a turn when Uncle Gene rolled down the windows. As Kenny looked out, he was met with the breathtaking expanse of the prairie. The land spread out as far as the eye could see, merging with the sky at the distant horizon. The wind tousled his hair, puffed at his cheeks, and filled him with an exhilarating sense of infinite possibility.

As they neared Stonewood, the landscape began to bristle with houses. Uncle Gene slowed the car, and the forceful gusts of the prairie wind turned into a quieter, gentler breeze. Kenny looked around. The town they’d moved to was just a tiny speck on the map compared to the mammoth sprawl of New York City. “Is this really a town? Looks more like a village to me,” Kenny mused, surveying the older single-story houses lining the streets. “I bet they don’t even have a movie theater here!”

Uncle Gene navigated through the narrow streets, honking in a friendly manner at pedestrians and waving to a familiar person riding a bicycle. Soon enough, they pulled into the courtyard of a five-story apartment building. The structure seemed older, but had a warm, welcoming aura. From a gazebo nearby, two boys and a girl around Kenny’s age watched curiously as Uncle Gene unloaded the suitcases from the car.

“Your apartment is ready,” Aunt Olivia informed Mom, handing her a set of keys. “It’s been vacant for a while.”

“Would you like to come in?” Mom invited.

“We’d love to, dear, but we have to get back to work,” replied Aunt Olivia. “Gene will help bring in the suitcases, and then we have to head out. We just slipped away to welcome you.” Her gaze rested on Kenny as she added, “There’s a school nearby. Kenny won’t have to cross any busy roads to get there.”

With Whiskers’ carrier in hand, Kenny followed Mom and Uncle Gene upstairs to an apartment door labeled 209. Uncle Gene dropped the suitcases and turned to them. “Take care, all right? Especially you, Whiskers. We’ve got some feisty stray cats and some feral dogs in the neighborhood; best to keep him inside. And, Kenny—stay alert, buddy.”

With a friendly nod and a warm smile, Uncle Gene left. After a few attempts, Mom managed to unlock the door.

They stepped into a dim hallway lined with vintage wallpaper. An old-fashioned landline telephone sat on a small table, reminding Kenny of something out of a classic movie. Mom let Whiskers out of his carrier, and he immediately ran off to explore. “Go ahead, Whiskers. Everything’s new, isn’t it?” Mom said, her voice tinged with sadness.

Following Whiskers, Kenny got a quick look at a small but cozy kitchen and a compact bathroom. The worn wallpaper and outdated furniture were embarassing. “How am I ever going to invite friends over? They’ll just make fun of this place.” He sighed, thinking of his buddies back home, and what they’d say if they saw him now.

As he worried whether he would even have his own space, he spotted two more doors off the living room, easing his concerns. But before he could explore further, something else caught his eye. Next to an old TV set was a state-of-the-art gaming console, one far superior to the one he’d had to leave behind in New York.

Rushing over, he touched the console in disbelief. Maybe this new place wouldn’t be so bad after all.