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[3forthepriceof1]

When one of your kids passes out twice in an hour, you have to resist the urge to call paramedics, SWAT and possibly the military for back up to make sure they're okay.

Comments

[aussielawyer]

Hey, what's going on, hon? What kid?

[3forthepriceof1]

Zoran. My god, it's a really long story. I don't even know all of it.

[aussielawyer]

Um, Zoran?

[3forthepriceof1]

Zed's real name is Zoran. When he came to us, it was Witness Protection. They made him change his name and his whole identity. Now he's going through some really awful traumas. He's not doing well.

[aussielawyer]

Fuck. Are you okay? Is there anything I can do for any of you?

[3forthepriceof1]

No. I'm not. You understand, when your kid is hurting beyond hell in ways you can't help them. We just need to get through this somehow. It's hard without all the information.

[aussielawyer]

I do know. I know how much it hurts. Is he sick or just traumatised? I know the moment Justin becomes emotionally taxed, it's a very rapid domino effect.

[3forthepriceof1]

He's both. He's stressed, and the HIV news is looming. His biological father was murdered.

[aussielawyer]

It's not easy, Heather. When you don't have the answers, you feel completely helpless and you feel like you're making it worse for them because you can't help them. It's your job as a parent to, but you can't. Is he getting counselling?

[livingforlife]

Zoran?

[3forthepriceof1]

I wish it wasn't.

[livingforlife]

Oh, Heather. Are you guys still in his hometown?

[3forthepriceof1]

No. He passed out once on the plane, and the second time was when we got in the door back home. He wanted to come home. He wants to have the funeral here. He just keeps saying it's his fault, his dad's death is his fault.

[livingforlife]

Do you want me to come and check on him? How on earth is it his fault? The poor kid.

[3forthepriceof1]

If you think that's a good idea. He's asleep, but he seems pretty crashed out. He's cut his hand, I think it needs cleaning and dressing.

[livingforlife]

I can come and tend to the cut for now and stick around in case he wakes up?

[3forthepriceof1]

It's taking all my strength not to invade his privacy and read that note.

[justyouraveragejoe]

You're not overdoing the mom thing, baby. I see that worry in your eyes, and you don't need to worry about that. I promise you.

[3forthepriceof1]

I know he wants to try to do so much on his own, and I truly respect that. But he's so sick, I just don't want to force anything on him when he's not coping as it is.

[justyouraveragejoe]

I don't think you're forcing anything on him, Heather. He's come here because he needs his family... especially you. He's always needed you when he's hurting.

[3forthepriceof1]

No, not always. And that's okay. Sometimes, when people are at their worst, they're not even capable of knowing how to need someone. They can't see through the darkness. That's why I wanted to keep him here, in case he gets to that place again.

[justyouraveragejoe]

You're the wisest woman I've ever know. Our kids couldn't be luckier to have you, and I know they all feel that way. I'm glad you brought him here. And Caleb, too.

[3forthepriceof1]

I'm just glad he agreed to stay. At the very least I can keep him warm and in clean sheets.

[justyouraveragejoe]

We do the best we can... It's all we really can do. Warm and in clean sheets is better than at home alone.

[3forthepriceof1]

I guess we can be grateful he's never been a stubborn kid. He has never tried to hold off help, he just hasn't actively asked for it very often.