Throwing Rocks

Rian spent much of the afternoon at The Lake. Dragging children on 'noodles' through the water. At one point stroking sloppily out through the clear swells in search of a dropped sail boat rudder. Collecting stones. And, for a very short, very precious period of time, sitting still in the sun with eyes closed.

Young Black Sheep has made the family plot of land on The Lake his temporary home. There are three cabins, two of them over 100 years old and mostly run down. The other is more inhabitable.

Young Black Sheep is staying in one of the older buildings. He has no car, so he must spend his days stewing beneath the pines.

When Rian arrived this afternoon, Rian found Young Black Sheep's father standing still and wilted in the middle of the modern cabin.

"I'm going home." The man said, "He's uncontrollable. He's physically and verbally abusive to us and he's been throwing rocks at the Audi."

He looked near tears. Rian wanted to hold him close.

"There is nothing to do," he said. "He's clinically depressed. Nothing to do but wait until he is ready for help."

Waiting is the hardest part.