Family Doesn't End in Blood, But it Doesn't Start There Either

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He came back out to where I was. "You told Gen to check on me?" He asked.

"Yes. I was just worried. You're spacy and stressed and you seem upset and you haven't seemed like that until today. What's going on?" I asked.

"I don't know. The stress of work and I think my depression is hitting me again. Not as bad as Jibcon that one time but it's still pretty bad. I'm worried about your safety and about trying to do the convention and trying to be here for you and I'm going crazy. I had a breakdown in my trailer this afternoon and I just can't take this stress." He explained.

"That's nothing to be ashamed of. I know you have depression and I know people who do so I get what it's like. I don't understand it all since I don't personally have it but I knew people who did. They get the same way. Don't feel bad about your breakdown. I know you get those on occasion. Don't be ashamed of it, dad. You're human. You aren't flawed because you have depression. It is a very real thing. Work is getting tough and I understand that. For now, don't worry about me. Worry about you and your mental health. Just remember to always keep fighting. We have a couple days until the convention and I'll be ok about not seeing you. Listen, I'm gonna make a phone call then we can relax again ok?"

"Ok. Thanks for understanding."

"Of course. Be right back." I stepped into the other room. I called the producer's number from my contacts.

"Hello?"

"Hey it's Sarah. Sorry to bother you, sir, but I had a question."

"What is it?"

"I know you're on a tight schedule for filming but do you think you could either cut back on the hours a bit or give the guys a couple days off? All this stress and hours is hurting Jared's mental health. His depression is getting kind of bad again and the stress he feels at work is adding to it. I'm just worried about him."

"How bad is he? Can he do the convention? Just wondering so I can figure out what I need to do."

"He says he's still going to do it. I think he'll be ok. He can still work the next couple days but if there's any way you can take it easy on the hours, we'd really appreciate it."

"Yeah. Yeah. I'll do my best to decrease the hours for the rest of this week and try not to overload it too quickly. Thank you for calling. I wasn't aware of him feeling so bad."

"Thank you. And please don't tell him I called you either."

"I won't." I hung up and returned to the couch where he was still sitting.

"Who were you talking to?"

"A friend." I replied. It wasn't technically a lie. "Dad, I just want to say I'm sorry. I'm adding stress to your life and you don't need any more. Just keep fighting ok?"

"It's not your fault. I'll be ok. You know I always keep fighting."

"I know you do. Just let me know if you need anything ok?"

"Ok." We sat there and watched tv for a while before heading to bed. Jared left for work in the morning and returned earlier than most days which showed me my call did something. He was back home at about 2pm. "Hey."

"Hey. You're back early."

"Yeah. The producer said that he knew we were all stressed and we should all get some time to focus on ourselves for once. You wouldn't know anything about that would you?"

"Why are you mad?"

"Because it's not your battle to fight for me."

"Do you not get why I did it? I called him last night because I knew no one else knew how you felt. He needed to know he was pushing you guys too hard. He agreed to back off a tad and was sorry you were feeling poorly. I did it to help you. You're stressed out of your mind and you're worried and scared and have way too much to think about already." I explained. "I just wanted to help." I squeaked out. I went to my room and sat on the bed. I called Gen.

"Hello?"

"Hey. He's mad. I called the producer last night and got him to cut back the hours a tad the next couple days so that dad could be a little less stressed. He just yelled at me and said it's not my battle to fight for him. I wasn't trying to act like it is. I just wanted to help, mom."

"He's not really mad. Just let him calm down. He's in a mood. He'll calm down soon. Don't worry."

"Thanks, mom."

"Anytime, kiddo. I miss you."

"Miss you too, mom." Jared knocked soon after.

"Sarah, I-"

"I'll stay away and leave you alone, ok?"

"Sarah, don't do that. Don't shut me out. I didn't mean to snap. I'm not mad. You were trying to help and I'm sorry. I appreciate it. I've been going crazy. I'm hurting you and that's not my intention." He replied.

"I was just trying to help. I had something I could do to help you and if you think I wouldn't do something about it, you really don't know me."

"I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have gotten mad. I know you wanted to help. I mean it, I do appreciate it. Come here, Sarah." He wrapped me in a hug. "I'm so sorry."

"It's ok. You're stressed, I'm stressed, and you're dealing with a lot. Can we talk about the convention?" I asked.

"Of course we can." He joined me on the bed.

"Do you think I should go on stage with you and explain who I am?" I asked.

"Yes. I think you should. I would say explain after questions who you are. That way no one can try to say what you're claiming isn't true. I think you should do it."

"Ok. Then I will. You sure you're ok to do the convention?"

"I'll be fine. Don't worry. I just need to see everyone I love and care about and I'll be ok. I love you."

"Love you too, dad."