Intertwined

Part 31: A Dance and A Mural

It seemed to Helen that no matter how much she tried to keep herself grounded and focused on one day at a time— the week just didn't want to slow down.

Before she even knew it, Monday turned into Friday and with it, Lukas and Logan were chatting about what they were to wear for the Homecoming dance.

Lukas had been quiet about the entire thing- despite telling his Mum he needed to get a corsage. He yet to tell her for whom it was for- he only said it needed to be pink.

Logan on the other hand, finally began taking his mother's advice and took his medicine every morning and wore his ear plugs and a pair of sunglasses everyday to school- which pissed Karen Brantley off, but Max quickly shut that shit down for Helen- without her even needing to get involved.

She and Max still haven't been sharing a bed at night- which has left them both still quite tired and restless.

And even though Logan is still having his tiny episodes of flip outs- he is catching on about using his coping skills Max set up for him.

The only person Helen has nonstop been worrying about besides Logan- is Lauren. She had missed a few days this past week and hasn't told Helen yet what she planned on doing about her situation.

Not that it's Helen's business.

Yet still.

"Mum! I CAN'T GET THIS BLOODY TIE RIGHT!!!" Logan angrily yells as he comes running down the stares in his dress clothes for the dance. He went with black pants, black dress shirt neon green bow tie and a neon green jacket to match that has a black collar to it. It's slim fit and looks very good on him, but his bow tie is currently frustrating him beyond belief and Helen- standing in her simple black dress for the night- tries her hardest to calm him down.

"It's alright... darling- let me see." She says and yet that's not what Logan wants to hear.

"YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO TIE A BOW TIE MUM!!" He flips some more and Max comes downstairs in his dark jeans, striped shirt and brown blazer and comes over to Logan immediately.

"Lo—breath. Stop yelling at your mother- she's just trying to help. You know that." Max says firmly and turns the boy physically to look at him. Logan is still puffing heavily and angry and Max begins to tie his bow tie.

They both warned him.

They told him he should pick a regular tie because he knew how to tie it. They found one that matched perfectly to the jacket- but he wanted a bow tie because Lukas was wearing one.

And of course we have to match our big brother.

But now- he's flipping out.

"There. See—perfect. Now apologize to your Mum for not using a coping skill." Max says slightly agitated at the boy and Logan begins to cry and pushes his face into his Mum's shoulder.

"I'm sorry...M...Mummy..." She simply holds him and kisses his head.

"You just need to take a moment and calm down instead of getting flustered, Baby. Why don't you grab a bottle of water and go sit in the living for a bit. You're just over stimulated."She says and after a few minutes of being coddled, he pulls away and quietly goes to sit in the living room after snagging a bottle from the fridge.

That has been their go to.

Cold water and a sit.

Helen has found it extremely frustrating that despite Logan being old enough to know better and to know what needs to be done to feel good- he seemingly forgets and over reacts until reminded what needs to be done. Though the doctors—and Max- have told her this is just the new normal and they need to accept that he may never get back to how he was: Helen is still struggling because much like many people in the world, she struggles to truly understand the drastic changes that can occur from concussions and head trauma. Max, having dealt with these things before, is way more equipped and trauma informed than Helen and therefore doesn't feel the overwhelming frustration when dealing with Logan.