1.   His mother deserted the family a while back and his unemployed father is supporting him and his four siblings with a monthly welfare check.

2.   In flashbacks, they cheer each other up when their mother deserts the family.

3.   The boy carries a small suitcase, has one shoelace untied and is sniffling because his mother has just deserted him.

4.   Her mother deserted her when she was a small girl.