My Son's New Friend from a Few Houses Down Seemed Innocent Until I Learned No One Actually Lived There – Story of the Day

We moved for a fresh start, hoping our shy son would finally find friends. When he came home glowing about a boy he met nearby, I felt relieved. But my relief turned to fear when I discovered the house his new friend came from had been abandoned for years.

Life, I’ve come to realize, is nothing but constant change. Whether you like it or not, things shift, and we have no choice but to adapt.

That day, change was staring me in the face as we moved into our new home. Moving was never easy, especially with a 6-year-old and a dog in tow.

But James and I agreed on one thing: we were doing this for our son.

We found a house with a big backyard in a great neighborhood, and a school nearby that had a good reputation.

It was everything we had hoped for. As a parent, you always want the best for your child. So, when the decision was made, there was no hesitation.

We brought in the last of the boxes and then stepped out onto the back porch. The backyard was quiet, save for Oscar running around with the dog, his laughter ringing through the air.

I couldn't help but smile, watching him.

James let out a deep breath. "We did it."

"It's just the beginning," I replied. "There's still so much to do."

"Let's take a moment," James said, his arm slipping around my shoulders as he pulled me close.

Oscar was still running around, his little legs carrying him with the dog by his side.

"He's going to love it here," James said.

"He's starting school in two days, and I really hope he makes friends."

James kissed the top of my head. "He will," he said. "He’s a good kid. He’ll find his way."

I sighed, thinking about Oscar. He was such a sweet boy, so kind, always sharing with others. But he was shy, and that held him back. Maybe that’s why he didn’t have any friends.

It broke my heart every time, but I didn't know how to help him.

After the first day at school, when I picked Oscar up, I could tell something was off.

He looked down at the ground, his little shoulders hunched in that way he did when he was upset.

I waited until we were in the car before I asked. "How was your first day at school, honey?"

"Okay," Oscar replied.

"Did you make any new friends?"

He shook his head slowly. "No. Nobody wanted to talk to me."

It hurt me to hear that, more than I expected. I had hoped that moving here, to this better school, would change things for him. But it looked like his shyness had followed him here, too.

"It’s okay, sweetheart. You’ll make friends. It’s just the first day, right?" I smiled as best as I could.

Oscar just nodded, his eyes on the passing scenery.

***

When we arrived home, I noticed a woman standing in front of our house. She was holding a covered dish, and as soon as she saw us, she smiled and walked toward us.

"Hi! I’m Kate, your neighbor! I brought you a pie as a welcome gift."

I smiled. "Thank you, that’s so kind of you."

Oscar, still a little down from the day, walked up beside me and asked quietly, "Can I take Bailey for a walk?"

I hesitated for a moment, but Kate spoke up. "Oh, it’s perfectly safe around here. It’s a quiet neighborhood. Let him go, I’m sure he could use the fresh air."

"And Bailey will protect me," Oscar added.

I glanced at Oscar, who was already looking hopeful, and then at Kate. "Okay, just don’t go too far."

Oscar’s face lit up, and he quickly grabbed the leash, leading Bailey out the front door.

"He’s a good kid," Kate said.

I nodded. I watched as Oscar walked away, feeling a bit uneasy about the whole situation.

A while later, when I realized Oscar had been gone for almost an hour, my stomach dropped. When I stepped onto the porch, I saw him walking back toward the house, the dog happily trotting by his side. His face was bright.

"Mom! I made a friend!" he exclaimed. "His name’s Max, and we played in the yard the whole time. He lives just a few houses down from us, and we’re going to play again tomorrow!"

"That’s wonderful, honey," I said, hugging him tightly. "I’m so glad you found a friend."

From that day on, Oscar talked about Max constantly.

Every afternoon after school, he rushed to play with him, coming home full of stories. For the first time, Oscar wasn’t lonely. Still, I thought about meeting Max’s parents, if only to thank them.

One morning, after Oscar had left for school, there was a knock at the door. I opened it to see Kate smiling.

“I told you I’d stop by,” she said.

“Perfect timing. Come in,” I said, leading her to the kitchen.

I made us tea, and as we sat down, she asked, “So, how are you liking the neighborhood so far?”

“It’s wonderful,” I said honestly. “Oscar is already happier. Our shy little boy even found a friend here.”

Her brows lifted. “Really? Who?”

“His name’s Max. I don’t know the last name.”

Kate’s smile faltered, and for a second her expression tightened.

I frowned. “What is it?”

“Where does this boy live?” she asked carefully.

“Just a few houses down,” I said. “I wanted to ask if you know his parents. I’d love to meet them.”

Her face paled slightly. “Emily, there aren’t any families with children living down that way. And that house you’re talking about… It’s been empty for years.”

“Empty?”

She nodded slowly. “Yes. No one’s lived there in a long time.”

I forced a smile, but my stomach turned. “I… I think I need to check something,” I said, standing up. Kate gave me a look of quiet understanding and nodded.

The moment Kate left, I couldn’t shake the unease sitting heavy in my chest. I had to know the truth.

Maybe Oscar had made Max up; maybe it was just a game to keep himself from feeling lonely.

I walked down the street, every part of me tense. When I reached the house, I felt my throat tighten.

It looked abandoned, just as she said. The paint was peeling, the porch sagged, the windows clouded with dust. Still, I pushed the door handle, and it creaked open.

Inside, the air was stale, heavy with dust. The rooms were bare, stripped of furniture. I moved cautiously, heart pounding, until I heard a faint noise upstairs, like a footstep.

I climbed quickly, holding my breath, but every room was empty.

I stepped back outside, shaken. I pulled out my phone and called James.

“You need to come home right now,” I said.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“I can’t explain it here. Please, just come.”

When he arrived, I told him everything: the house, Kate’s words, the emptiness inside.

His jaw tightened. “We’re picking Oscar up together,” he said firmly.

At school, Oscar bounded over. He climbed into the car with a smile. “I’m going to play with Max again today!”

James and I exchanged a quick glance. I turned in my seat. “Oscar, honey, I went to the house you told me about. No one lives there.”

“That’s not true! He lives there! Just because the house looks old doesn’t mean it’s empty.”

“Sweetheart, is he maybe… an imaginary friend?” I asked carefully.

“He’s real!” Oscar shouted. “I’ll show you!”

Back at our street, James parked the car, and together we walked with Oscar down to that house.

Oscar cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, “Max!”

A few minutes passed, and nothing happened. I was about to take his hand and lead him home when the front door creaked open.

A boy, maybe a little younger than Oscar, stepped out cautiously. He walked slowly toward Oscar.

“My mom said no one can know we live here. You weren’t supposed to bring anyone. Only you can come.”

Oscar grabbed his friend’s hand. “It’s okay. These are my parents. They’re nice. They won’t tell anyone.”

The boy shifted nervously, glancing from me to James, then back to Oscar. Finally, he gave a small, uncertain nod.

I crouched down. “Sweetheart, could you take us to your mom? We just want to meet her, that’s all.”

He hesitated, his little brow furrowed. I added quickly, “It’s really all right. We just want to say hello.”

After a moment, he turned and motioned for us to follow. Inside, the house looked as empty as before, but this time he led us to a narrow staircase I hadn’t noticed.

It wound upward into the attic.

James and I climbed slowly, and when we reached the top, I stopped short. The attic had been turned into a place to live.

A mattress was tucked in one corner, with blankets piled on top. A few bags of food and other essentials were neatly stacked against the wall. It was small, hidden, but it was home to someone.

Then I saw her. A woman sat near the window.

“Who are you?” she demanded.

“I’m Emily,” I said quickly. “This is my husband, James. We’re Oscar’s parents.”

“What do you want from us?”

“Nothing,” I said gently. “We were just worried. Oscar kept talking about his friend, and when I heard this house was supposed to be empty, I came to check. That’s all.”

“This was my father’s house,” she said quietly. “But it isn’t mine anymore. We’re not supposed to be here.”

“Then why live up here?” James asked softly.

“Because I had to leave my husband. He was… cruel. I couldn’t stay, not with Max. This was the only place I could go.”

“What’s your name?” I asked.

“Lara,” she whispered.

“Lara, you can’t live like this forever,” I said.

Tears filled her eyes. “I know. I want to find work. But with a child and no real home, it’s almost impossible.”

I turned to James, and he met my gaze. His slight nod told me everything.

I looked back at her. “Come stay with us. Please. You and Max can be safe, and you won’t have to hide anymore.”

Lara shook her head immediately. “I can’t accept something like that. It’s too much.”

“It’s not,” I told her firmly. “Your son is the first real friend Oscar’s ever had. That means the world to us. We have a big house, and it won’t be a problem. Let us help you.”

Lara covered her face with her hands, her shoulders shaking as sobs slipped out. “Thank you,” she whispered. “Thank you both.”

I looked at Oscar and Max sitting side by side on the mattress. For the first time since we moved here, Oscar wasn’t alone. And maybe Lara and Max didn’t have to be either.

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