Hi Everybody,
I wanted to do this post, to tell you about Joey. I was alone, like usual when this was told to me.

Back in 1998-2001, i was a mananger for a boys group home shelter. We took care of boys ages 4-12 years old. These boys came to my shelter from CPS, Child Protective Services. The agency was closed down in 2001, otherwise, i would still be working there. I was very happy to work there, to be there for these boys, help them, teach them ect. They came to us for different reasons, parents being arrested for drugs, parents, single not being able to care for them, or grandparents not being able to handle them, kids with no place to go for a single parent being killed or who have died etc. My shelter was the first stop in the "system". They stayed at my shelter from one day to 3 months, until the state decided what to do with them next. With that, i had hundreds of young boys come through my shelter. All with different problems. I learned a lot. I also learned, you come close to some boys, and others you do not, but all were cared for.

Joey came to my shelter in 1998, he was 10 years old. He was the most "problem child" i have ever had to deal with. It took a lot of time and patience to deal with him. I had to restrain him a lot when he got angry so he would not injure the other kids. I think because of that, he learned to respect me. He did finally learned to adjust to the group home and be a positive resident.

With the shelter, we also had 8 permanent group homes, when a child left my shelter, he was placed in one of our group homes for long term help, or given over to a relative. Joey went to one of our permamnent homes. He did very badly there. Got into fights etc. I was asked to stop by there a lot to talk to him. We always had a good relationship. He knew he could trust me. He was my "special child".

That was 11 years ago. Out of all the hundreds of young boys i cared for, i have never heard from any of them, hard to do too back then. I have always hoped i did a good job teaching them etc., and hoped they all turned out ok. I just know most did.

I got a call tonight from my dad, in another state, saying the Police were trying to contact me. Of course, being a BL, i was scared shitless! The police contacted my dad, thinking he was me, we have the same name since i am a Junior. My dad gave them my phone number here.

I talked to the police an hour ago. Joey turned 21 three days ago, as some people who turn 21, they want to be 21 in [edit] as Joey did. Was told he was in a car accident, alcohol involved. And that he died. But in the emergency room, he talked, he knew he was going to die, i was one of four people he mentioned by name. He gave my first and last name. He simply wanted me to know he was glad he met me as a youth, to help him.

It took the Police 3 days to find me, to tell me this. I am just surprised that after 11 years ago, Joey still thought of me. That means a lot to me. I am very happy i was there for him.

I Love You Joey. RIP.
Nash

[With the location revealed anyone who knows the story in real life or who can find out can figure out who you are. Thanks for sharing.]