He didn’t respond to his mother right away.

“Mom, I don’t want to,” he finally replied.

My stomach twisted. I moved closer to the screen, trying to hear more.

“You have to tell them the truth, Mom!” Josh’s voice broke. “I hate lying to Dad, and they know that something is up. If Dad knew that you’re making me steal from his house every week, he’d be so mad!”

“Stealing?” I whispered to myself, barely able to comprehend what I’d just heard.

“And what about Liv? She’s going to notice that her things keep disappearing. All the sanitary towels and the lotions… Mom, I can’t keep doing it.”

I knew I wasn’t going insane! Recently I had noticed that my things were getting ‘finished’ too quickly or going ‘missing’ often. Now, the truth was coming out.

What else had Josh taken for his mother?

“So what, Josh?” Linda hissed. “They have more than enough money. I told you, I need some of Olivia’s jewelry next time. If I can pawn one of her fancy necklaces or rings, I’ll have enough to cover my debt.”

“What the heck?” I asked myself out loud.

“And try and get some money, honey,” Linda continued. “Your father usually keeps a wad of dollars in his sock drawer. He keeps them for an emergency, and helping your mother out is an emergency.”

I couldn’t believe that Linda was just standing on my porch manipulating her own son into stealing from his family. I could tell from her voice that she wasn’t giving Josh a choice. She wanted what she wanted.

A rush of emotions hit me all at once, but most of all, I felt this crushing weight for Josh.

My sweet boy who had been carrying this burden all by himself. It wasn’t a wonder that he had been so out of it lately. Without thinking, I got up and marched to the front door.

“Linda, hello,” I said coldly.

“Hi, Liv,” Josh said, reaching out to hug me.

Linda gave me a curt look without saying anything.

“I heard all of that,” I said.

Josh me a bit tighter, and I could feel his breathing get heavy.

“What’s going on, Linda?” I asked. “Tell me, or I’ll call Patrick right now. Josh, would you please go to your room for a bit, love?”

At the threat of Patrick finding out the truth, Linda spilled her story quickly. She went on about being in debt and falling behind on rent. And that she was struggling to make ends meet, let alone look after herself and Josh. She was desperate and frustrated.

“I’ll give you the money to get you back on your feet,” I said. “But Josh will remain here until you do. And you will not ask that boy for anything else. Do you understand?”

“He’s my son, Olivia,” she said coldly.

“Yes, your son that you’re teaching to steal from his family. I’ll press charges if you don’t drop this. Take the money and get back to being able to care for Josh. Understand?”

Linda nodded slowly, realizing that the implications would be much worse than her pride.

“Thank you,” she said almost sheepishly.

“I’ll transfer the funds to you tonight,” I said. “Send me a breakdown of what you need.”

She nodded and walked away.

As I opened the front door, ready to get my phone and figure out how I was going to keep this from Patrick, Josh enveloped me.

“Thank you,” he said, tears streaming down his face. “I didn’t want to steal! I’m so sorry!”

“Oh, sweet boy,” I said. “It’s all going to be okay. I’m going to help Linda, and we’re going to fix this in a way that’s better for everyone. I promise.”

What would you have done?