When Nina felt something was off with her daughter, Ivy, she grew concerned. One day, she followed Ivy after school and discovered an abandoned house with a homeless man and his dog inside. What had her daughter gotten herself into?

“Mom, cut it out,” Ivy said. “I’m just going through an introvert phase.”

Ivy had always been bubbly, but recently she acted strange. One afternoon, I left work early and followed her. Ivy walked to a sketchy neighborhood and slipped into an old house. Inside, I found her with a homeless man and his dog.

“Ivy, what are you doing here?” I asked, panicked.

Ivy looked startled but explained, “Mom, this is Frank. He saved me from some street hooligans. We’ve been friends since, and I’ve been bringing him food and clothes.”

Frank nodded. “It’s true, ma’am. I’m just trying to get by.”

Ivy added, “Frank’s family kicked him out years ago. He’s all alone now.”

I sighed, feeling my heart soften. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I knew you’d worry,” Ivy said. “But Frank needed help.”

Touched by Frank’s story, I decided to help. My husband and I offered Frank a job at our bakery and a place to stay in a trailer we owned.

Frank was grateful. “I don’t know how to repay you.”

“Stay on the right path,” my husband said.

In the end, Ivy taught me the power of kindness. Now, Frank is part of our family, and his dog, Buddy, has become Ivy’s little companion.