July 12, 2012

A phone call from Little Biker Boy, at last

It’s been more than three years since the night that the little neighbor boy, in barefeet and boxer shorts, rode his bike to my house in the dark because his mother’s abusive, alcoholic boyfriend was attacking the family in a drunken rage. It’s been more than a year since Little Biker Boy, his sister Ponytail, their baby brother, and his mother were evicted from the trailer down the street.

I taught Little Biker Boy my phone number, and so we managed to stay in touch, even though his mother moved several times. He’d call me whenever he could grab someone’s cell phone. Our phone calls usually ended with the sound of an adult yelling, “Hey! Biker Boy! Is that my cell phone?” and him saying hurriedly, “I have to go now.”

For the first year, I managed to see him about once a week. We’d get a slice of pizza or ice cream, and I’d take him somewhere outside to play. He’d tell me about his mother’s latest boyfriend – usually yet another abusive man. I’d buy him new sneakers if he needed them or clothing or the plastic wrestling figures he so loved. But there was little else I could do.

In February of this year, the phone calls stopped. At Easter, I bought egg dye, hoping I’d be able to dye eggs with him – he loves traditions like that. But he had disappeared.

This week, I’ve finally got news about Little Biker Boy. I’ve talked to him on the phone, and I’m planning to see him this Sunday.

He’s in a foster home.

I talked to his foster mother on the phone, and she sounded calm and supportive. She talked about his issues with anger, and I filled her in on some of his background. She didn’t know anything about his siblings, except for what he had told her. She said, “He keeps talking about you, so I promised that he could call once he got settled here.” She invited me to visit. If I fill out the paperwork and get screened, I can be approved as someone who can take Little Biker Boy for outings.

 It sounds like he’s in safe place. Finally.

36 comments:

Cindy said...

That sounds like good news.

Jules said...

Thank you so much for letting us know. I'm so glad he has you in his life.

Melissa Sarno said...

Oh gosh. I'm in love with this little boy based on your blog and I've been following his/your story with great interest. I hope he is in a safe place. I'm so happy he know your number by heart.

Elizabeth said...

Poor kid. Glad to know he's in a safe place and that you'll be able to spend time with him. Having at least one adult who is crazy about you is a huge source of resilience for kids with traumatic lives.

Anjali said...

What a relief. I've been wondering about him, too. Hope your reunion is a sweet one.

AnnetteK said...

I hope he is safe there, and can find some happiness. And you? Rock.

Belle said...

OH thank god. Please stay in his life; you're obviously somebody he trusts and needs. If you could impress that on his social worker and foster mom, that would help too.

Lorianne said...

Oh, good news. Good luck with the paperwork and screening. With all the changes in his life, LBB could use a long-time friend.

Sandy said...

Such a relief!

Liz Miller said...

So glad he's in a safe place. Gladder still that he has you and your family as a stable force in his life.

Elaine said...

Whew!

Janice said...

That sounds like a very hopeful place to be - good luck with getting screened and set up for visits. Let Little Biker Boy know he has lots of people cheering him on!

rented life said...

So wonderful to hear he's in a good place AND that you can be a regular vistor! Happy for you both!

Jenn said...

Such a tremendous relief. I'd been thinking about him and hoping that you hadn't lost touch with him. Poor kid to have to have gone through all that. I hope this foster family is one of the great ones- and at least he'll still have you.

readersguide said...

Wow -- I am wondering what had to happen for him to finally end up in a foster home. And I'm glad he's safe. And I am worrying about Ponytail.

Kristin H said...

Oh, I'm so glad. I hope Ponytail finds someplace safe too.

Sarah Sometimes said...

I am relieved to hear this. I hope this home turns out to be a stable one.

Magpie said...

this made me shiver. i hope this is a good place for him, and i'm glad they got in touch with you.

EmmaNadine said...

This makes me sad and full of hope at the same time.

Unknown said...

I'm crying and smiling and praying, all at once.

jo(e) said...

I too worry about Ponytail. Last I heard, she and the youngest boy were living with her biological father, who is the abusive alcoholic man who attacked them that spring night that Little Biker Boy showed up on our doorsteps asking for help.

jo(e) said...

Martha, you and I posted comments at the same time! Prayers for all the kids are very much appreciated.

What Now? said...

This is joyful news! Prayers for him and for the new foster situation and for Ponytail.

Anonymous said...

Prayers of thanksgiving!

H.

Tie-Dye Brother-in-law said...

That's awesome! (And I'm sure that Shaggy Hair Boy is looking forward to having Little Biker Boy over for a visit. :-)

Here's hoping that Ponytail is heard from soon, too.

Anonymous said...

I'm so happy he has a little stability now. I hope he can start to do some healing.
Erin

undine said...

So glad you are keeping in touch with him. I hope that Ponytale and the others can be rescued, too.

BrightenedBoy said...

This is sad but relieving news. Hopefully he'll find the loving and supportive environment he needs.

Any word of Ponytail?

jo(e) said...

As far as I know, Ponytail is still living with her biological father, one town over. I talked tonight with the foster mother again, who is passing all the information I'm giving her to a social worker. I'm hoping we'll have more information about Ponytail soon.

I'll be visiting Little Biker Boy on Sunday.

JMKH said...

I'm so glad that you taught him your phone number so that he'd always have it in memory.And I'm so happy to hear that he's contacted you. Here's hoping that you'll be seeing ponytail soon. Have a wonderful Sunday visit.

Anonymous said...

I hope that Biker Boy can get some stability and peace in the new situation. I am so glad you kept us updated.
ChrisinNY

Liz Miller said...

I'm so glad that his foster mom is following up on Ponytail. Thinking of them all, and of all the children in like situations.

Jeff said...

My heart stopped reading this story. This poor kid has had a traumatic life dumped on him yet your support has provided him with a lining of humanity,mkindness & hope. Thanks for sharing and I hope he can be happy.

Lisa said...

Relieved. I have worried about Biker Boy and Pony Tail. So grateful he has you in his life and a FM that's willing to support your relationship. Still worried about Pony Tail....may she find peace too.

Zhoen said...

That anger, that will take a long time to wash out. So glad he has you.

kathy a. said...

oh my god. i'm a little late. but he is in a safer place now, and his foster mom cares, and what you know is now being passed on, and somebody's watching for his sister, and -- you get to see him tomorrow. sending much love. xoxo