Ricky's mom called.

Ricky went for an audition He's got talent!

How much money do they want?.... asked skeptical me.

Only money to sign him up, then some for photos, then some travel money... He could be in pictures!

Yea... Is he in school?

No, not yet because, blah blah blah....

Where are you living?

With a friend in her front room because blah blah blah...

Are you working?

No, I'm hoping to go back to school....

Yea yea yea....

They are getting ready to auction off my storage unit, boyfriend number one won't pay, boyfriend number two won't work, at least boyfriend number three...........

Whatever.

Sorry honey, Can't help with money. Call me in a couple of weeks when your life has settled and I'll take Ricky for a few hours.

To see why I'm so harsh, you can read the whole freakin' story of seventeen (now eighteen), posts on this blog.

Again, today, after many previous similar conversations, I suggested some local resources to help get him enrolled in school, get counseling, find a job.

Again I gently encouraged her to ditch all the boyfriends and concentrate on herself.

Then I not so nicely, bluntly asked who she thought was in charge of her life.....

If it is your boyfriends, they aren't doing so well. If it is you, you aren't doing so well.

Who could turn this around for you?

There has got to be an answer for these mothers who can't keep it together.

If she didn't have a child I wouldn't care. He'll be on same the road of jail, homelessness, drugs if he doesn't at least get in school.

There is always hope but.....

Have I mentioned I've already called social services several times on mom, - not because I want to break up the family, but because I am hoping there might be accountability.

Yea yea, blah blah. I'm getting tired of the story.

What a waste.