**Chapter 2: An Unexpected Guest**

As Jay followed the Birches into their house, the warm scent of freshly baked cookies enveloped him, making his stomach growl even louder. Mrs. Birch smiled and led him to the kitchen, where she quickly prepared a sandwich and a bowl of soup. "Eat up, dear," she said, as Jay devoured his meal in minutes. "We'll figure out what to do about your parents later." Jay nodded, feeling a mix of gratitude and embarrassment. He had never meant to be a burden to anyone, but he was glad to have a roof over his head for the time being. As he finished his meal, Leah walked into the kitchen, her eyes scanning Jay with curiosity. "Hey, I'm Leah," she said, with a friendly smile. Jay returned her smile, feeling a bit shy. "I'm Jay. Thanks for letting me in." Leah nodded and took a seat at the table, watching Jay with interest. "So, what's it like being on your own?" she asked, her voice gentle. Jay shrugged, unsure of how to respond. He didn't want to reveal too much about his parents' neglect, but at the same time, he wanted to be honest. "It's...complicated," he said finally. Just then, Judd walked into the kitchen, his eyes locked on Jay's face. Jay felt a shiver run down his spine as their gazes met, and he quickly looked away, unsure of what to make of Judd's intense stare. Nick, who had been sulking on the couch, walked into the kitchen, his scowl deepening as he took in the scene. "Great, so now we're hosting a charity dinner for the homeless?" he muttered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Mrs. Birch shot him a warning glance. "Nick, be nice. Jay is welcome here." Nick shrugged, but his expression softened slightly as he looked at Jay, who was trying to avoid his gaze. As the afternoon wore on, Jay found himself struggling to adjust to the Birches' lively household. Leah and Judd seemed friendly, but Nick's attitude was still a bit off-putting. Jay wasn't sure what to make of him. As they sat down for dinner, Mr. Birch suggested they call Jay's parents to see if they were okay. Jay hesitated, feeling a pang of anxiety. He didn't want to talk to his parents, not now, not ever. But as they pressed him for a phone number, Jay reluctantly gave them his parents' contact information. As they waited for someone to pick up, Jay's anxiety grew. He knew his parents wouldn't answer, and he didn't want to deal with the consequences of their neglect. The phone rang and rang, until finally, a voice picked up on the other end. Jay's heart sank as he recognized the voice. It was his mother's. "Hello?" she said, her voice cheerful. Jay's eyes met Mrs. Birch's, and he felt a lump form in his throat. He knew he had to talk to her, but he wasn't sure if he could. "Hi, Mom," he said, his voice shaking. "I'm at the Birch's house." There was a pause on the other end, and for a moment, Jay wondered if his mother had hung up. But then she spoke, her voice laced with guilt. "Oh, Jay, we're so sorry we didn't tell you we were leaving. We'll be back soon, I promise." Jay wasn't sure if he believed her, but he didn't push the issue. He just wanted to get off the phone. "It's okay, Mom. I'm fine. The Birches are taking care of me." As he hung up the phone, Jay felt a mix of emotions. He was relieved to have talked to his mother, but at the same time, he was still worried about his future. Would his parents ever take responsibility for him? And what would happen to him in the meantime? The Birches watched him with concern, their faces etched with worry. Jay knew they were trying to help him, but he wasn't sure if he could trust them. Not yet, anyway.