I chalked it up to the dryer monster. But then another disappeared, and another. By the fifth missing sock, I was convinced something was amiss.​

Determined to get to the bottom of it, I marked a pair of socks with small dots and set up an old nanny cam in the laundry room. The next morning, I reviewed the footage and was stunned. My son, Dylan, was sneaking into the laundry room before dawn, selecting a sock from each pair, and placing them into his backpack.​

Curious and concerned, I decided to follow him. He walked to an abandoned house on Oak Street and knocked on the door. An elderly man in a wheelchair answered. Dylan handed him a sock, saying, “I thought you might like these.”​

The man, Frank, explained that his own children had moved away, and Dylan’s visits had been his only company. Touched by Dylan’s kindness, I joined them the next day. We brought more socks and spent time with Frank, who shared stories of his past.​

Now, Dylan and I regularly visit Frank, bringing socks and food. His tales of the past remind us both of the importance of compassion and community. What began as a simple mystery turned into a heartwarming connection, teaching us that sometimes, the smallest acts can make the biggest difference.