‘Sorry Mom, I Couldn’t Leave Them,’ My 16-Year-Old Son Said When He Brought Newborn Twins Home

Josh is 16 now, and he’s always been my universe. Even after his father walked out to start fresh with someone half his age, Josh still carried this quiet hope that maybe his dad would come back. The longing in his eyes broke me every single day.

We live just a block away from Mercy General Hospital, in a small two-bedroom apartment. The rent’s cheap, and it’s close enough to Josh’s school that he can walk.

That Tuesday started like any other. I was folding laundry in the living room when I heard the front door open. Josh’s footsteps were heavier than usual, almost hesitant.

“Mom?” His voice had an edge to it I didn’t recognize. “Mom, you need to come here. Right now.”

I dropped the towel I was holding and rushed toward his room. “What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”

When I stepped through his doorway, the world stopped spinning.

Josh was standing in the middle of his bedroom, holding two tiny bundles wrapped in hospital blankets. Two babies. Newborns. Their little faces were scrunched up, eyes barely open, fists curled against their chests.