The Wesenbergs’ world shattered when their young son Ted tragically drowned in their own swimming pool on a quiet Sunday afternoon. The place that should have been their safest refuge became a site of heartbreak. Paul Wesenberg tried desperately to save Ted, performing mouth-to-mouth and calling paramedics, but it was too late.
After Ted’s death, Linda and Paul’s grief overwhelmed them and tore their family apart. They argued bitterly every day, blaming each other for the tragedy. Their fights filled the house with tension, leaving their younger son Clark feeling abandoned and invisible. He missed the warmth and peace Ted’s presence had brought. Now, their home was cold, filled with shouting and tears.
Clark clung to his teddy bear, hiding from the chaos around him. He longed for the love and attention that had vanished since Ted died. His mother no longer kissed him goodnight, and his father’s attempts at making breakfast and dinner couldn’t replace what was lost.
One night, exhausted by the endless arguing, Clark burst into his parents’ room, begging them to stop fighting. But instead of calming down, they resumed their blame game. Feeling completely unloved, Clark ran away to the nearby cemetery where Ted was buried.