As his mother drove away, 11-year-old Billy stood by the curb and cried. His mother was an abusive drug addict; still, she was all he had. Now he was to live with his aunt. A wave of desolation mounted in his chest.
Aunt Val had no interest in caring for him, either. Billy was left alone, living off peanut butter, stale bread, and cereal. In the evenings he spent his time listening to the voices of five children who lived next door, the laughter and shouts, and the firm voice of their mama sending them to bed.
Aunt Val had no interest in caring for him, either. Billy was left alone, living off peanut butter, stale bread, and cereal. In the evenings he spent his time listening to the voices of five children who lived next door, the laughter and shouts, and the firm voice of their mama sending them to bed.
— Chicken Soup for the Soul, "Slender Thread"
Narrator: Also, [Shirogane and Kei] live alone because their parents are overseas for business.
Shirogane: Yeah, that's definitely a red flag. Why hasn't anyone called child protective services?
Shirogane: Yeah, that's definitely a red flag. Why hasn't anyone called child protective services?
— Kaguya-sama: Love Is War, "Kagukoku: Miyuki and His Girls"
Cherie Johnson: You know what, Punky? You're my idol.
Punky: I am?
Cherie: Yeah. Just think, you've got your own apartment. You can stay up as late as you want and you don't have to go to school. You're the youngest grown-up I know!
Punky: Thanks, Cherie, but you've got something I don't.
Cherie: What?
Punky: A family.
Punky: I am?
Cherie: Yeah. Just think, you've got your own apartment. You can stay up as late as you want and you don't have to go to school. You're the youngest grown-up I know!
Punky: Thanks, Cherie, but you've got something I don't.
Cherie: What?
Punky: A family.
— Punky Brewster, "Punky Finds a Home, Part 1"
