Care Taker

Sky began to talk about something he had tried to forget. He didn't know where to start. The time Riley tried to jump off of a bridge? The many times he had collapsed from weakness after refusing to eat? How about that time he had a panic attack so bad that a passerby called the police? Sky looked to Kesha.

Kesha saw he didn't know where to begin and she asked him, "Can you tell me what causes him anxiety or fear?" She thought this might be a start. Skyler began the list. "Strangers, crowds, police, people yelling, surprises, tests, approval of others, fitting in, water, other people getting hurt, his father, guns, and geese."

"Geese?" Asked Kesha. "One chased him around for a while and them bit him. He still has a scar." Kesha nodded in understanding. She finished her note and turned to Sky. "I know this may be uncomfortable or feel like you are betraying Riley but this is important. Has he ever tried to kill himself?" Sky looked down and knew that hurting Riley short term was better then Riley hurting Riley seriously. With a little sigh he began. Kesha simply listened.

---

Almost an hour later Sky was finished and crying. Not that anyone knew, but Sky almost never cried. Not when his uncle and protector died. Not when his mom handed him to a stranger at age 9 in exchange for a stack of bills. Not when that stranger tried to touch him. Not when he opened the car door at 35 mph and got road burn so bad he looked like he had been through a cheese grater. The only thing that could make him cry was Riley.

Kesha simply said, "That sounds like a lot to handle. I appreciate all you have done for Riley but you will no longer have to be his care taker. You guys are not alone." With that, she stood and gave Sky a small hug then walked out of the room. Sky took a deep breath and followed.