My teenage son started buying me expensive gifts I knew he couldn’t afford. Then I found out he was skipping school. I searched his room and found a bag full of cash! I followed him the next morning, and when I learned where the money was coming from, I almost collapsed.My 16-year-old son and I lived in a small apartment. I worked back-to-back shifts, wore the same three pairs of trousers until the hems frayed, and made sure Joshua had what he needed.There wasn’t enough money for luxuries, but I spoiled Joshua when I could.I thought he deserved it.I thought I’d raised a good kid.Then the boxes started appearing.

One day, I shuffled into the kitchen after work and stopped dead.A cardboard box was sitting on the table.”What’s this, Josh?” I asked, squinting at the expensive branding on the lid.Joshua was leaning against the counter. He had a look on his face I couldn’t quite place.”It’s a gift for you,” he said. opened the box.Inside lay a pair of genuine leather shoes.He shrugged. “Online sale.”I stared at him. Even on sale, I couldn’t imagine how my son could afford designer shoes.”Don’t look at me like that, Mom. You needed new shoes, so I got you a pair. It’s not that deep.”I watched him walk down the hall. My mom senses were telling me that something wasn’t right here.