Chapter 1: The Boy Who Said He Was Saving for a Bike

My 13-year-old son took a dishwashing job without telling me—then his boss called: "Do you know what he does with every paycheck?!

Everything that boy tells you is a lie."

My thirteen-year-old son, Evan, had been asking for a new bike for months, so when he announced he'd found a Saturday dishwashing job at a neighborhood diner, I wasn't surprised.

"I want to earn it myself," he said proudly.

I couldn't help smiling.

Since his dad died three years earlier, Evan had become determined not to ask me for anything expensive.

Every Saturday, he left in old jeans and sneakers and came home smelling like dish soap and french fries.

When I asked how much he'd saved, he always grinned.

"Almost enough."

But after six months, there was still no bike.

Then I started noticing things that didn't add up.

One night, I stepped past Evan's bedroom and saw him counting a thick stack of bills.

The second he noticed me, he shoved the money into his backpack.

Another Saturday, he came home almost two hours late with mud on his sneakers and a torn sleeve.

"What happened?"

"Fell on my way home."

"Where's your paycheck?"

His eyes dropped.

"I put it somewhere safe."

I told myself he was thirteen.

Maybe there was a girl.

Maybe he was secretly buying something and didn't want me to ruin the surprise.

Then his boss called.

"Ma'am...?

We need to talk about Evan."

My stomach tightened.

"Did he do something?"

"I honestly don't know how to answer that."

"What does that mean?"

The man went quiet before asking, "Do you know what your son does with every paycheck?"

"He says he's saving for a bike."

"You'd better sit down.

Everything the boy tells you about that money is a lie."

Before I could respond, I heard shouting behind him.

It was Evan.

"Please!

Don't tell my mom!"

Then another voice yelled something I couldn't make out.

There was a crash.

"Evan?" I shouted into the phone.

His boss came back on, breathing hard.

"Ma'am, get here now.

Your son tried to do it again..."

I rushed to the diner, my heart pounding.

When I finally saw my son, I went pale, and my knees gave out.

---

What is Evan really doing with every paycheck — and what did his boss just witness?

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