Chapter 16

Kids, Children what an exasperation they can be, a total annoyance but also total joy. Me finally understanding what my parents and others say about parenthood. It's now I've just meet my wits end with Laura. I love her with all my heart, but all the problems which have occurred because of her. But this, this is it. Life with her has got a whole lot harder.

"She's being bullying the other children." Sydney exploded at Nadia.

"Syd, calm down, she only in the other room."

"I will not calm down. Her behaviour has gone to far this time. She knows better than to do that. What is she thinking?"

"She's five years old. What do you expect perfect behaviour. And as fair as I can see Sydney, this has screwed her up. Having to deal with this crap at her age. How many children have to deal with this."

"I did and you did"

No, you didn't. Mom may have disappeared at around that age for you. But it's totally different. You didn't find out until much later. And me just about the time you came and found me. I didn't know who I was properly, I had no connections. I spent 18 years in an orphanage. So it doesn't compare."

"Stop it. Stop psychoanalyzing it. No matter the age it effects. Anyway what are we going to do to stop it affecting her.

"Maybe counselling. Perhaps her teacher could be right. Perhaps she needs to talk to someone outside the family. "

"But, I can't walk into any counsellor with her and tell them the whole story. I need security clearance just to tell her anyway."

"Ahh, yeah……Actually what about Barnett. She knows about the whole story. I'm sure Dixon would approve it. Seeing how much he cares. She could even do family counselling for all of us."

"What?"

Family therapy Sydney. All of us including Aunt Katya and Yelena. You and me now argue over the smallest things and Mom despite all she says is not as happy as she was."

"I'm not sure if I could be comfortable discussing the family like that with her. Letting the C.I.A know more about us."

"They know nearly all of it anyway. The entire of the C.I.A know the whole story. You know what it's like when agent's transfer to us. They find out and start gaping and talking about us Syd. If you haven't managed to cope with it by now when are you."

"Hand me the phone."

"Why?"

"Because the Bristow-Derevko-Santos family needs counselling."