Jay stomped faster the closer I got. The panic that had subsided earlier came back with walloping thumps. What if Jay walked right through the park gate and took off into a neighborhood? We were at the fairgrounds in an unfamiliar town. I got the impression this wasn’t exactly the safest area.

Part: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Jay had his cell phone but I knew earlier he was too mad to answer it. So I had to expect he wouldn’t answer it again until he calmed down. I had no idea how long that would be and I knew he didn't have an instinct for danger.

In my experience my oldest son’s peculiar behaviors either brought out the bully or the nurturer in people. I’d not seen much in between. Jay was in such a mood that I knew it would attract attention and he would react unfavorably to anyone who spoke to him.

The area was busy with fairgoers going to or leaving their cars. Small clumps of obvious hard-edged types were interspersed with the crowd. Jay’s expression might make another guy think he was mad-dogging him and, with Jay being six-foot-tall, it could be a problem. He wouldn’t be seen or treated like a kid.

I stopped my advance and had to think of another way. I yelled, “Jay come on we’re leaving. Come with us, just get in the car and buckle up. We don’t have to talk.”

“No, just leave me here.” He kept marching. Well, at least he was communicating somewhat.

“I can’t leave you. You can stay in the car if you want while we’re visiting at the house.” He wasn’t interested and kept up his pace.

I wasn’t athletic enough to chase him at a speed I’d be able to catch up with him. Even if I was, what would I do with him once I got there, tackle him?

My words weren’t convincing him to change direction. Threats would be ridiculous and ineffective. He was getting closer to the outside edge of the park and would exit soon. Once he did I’d have no idea what direction he’d take.

I had to get to him before then, but how?

Check the 'Raising Jay' category for more in this series.

*Dan and Kathy are my son Craig's grandfather and aunt on his birth dad's side. Their names have been changed to protect their privacy.

*Baby-in-laws is how we refer to being family to one another through open adoption. One day I told Dan that he feels like my in-law but wasn’t sure how that worked since he wasn’t Jimmy’s dad. He said we’re baby-in-laws! The name has stuck.

You can email me at specialkidsblogger@adoptionmail.com

Read all the posts in this series: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8