House Rules

by Jodi Picoult

But then I wind up feeling bad for my mom, who usually bears the brunt of one of Jacob’s meltdowns.

Dealing with an autistic meltdown is like dealing with a tornado. Once you are close enough to see it coming, there’s nothing to do but weather the storm. Unlike a child having a temper tantrum, Jacob doesn’t care if his behavior is making me react. He doesn’t make sure he’s not hurting himself. He isn’t doing it in order to get something. In fact, he’s not in control of himself at all. And unlike when he was four or five, I am not big enough to control him anymore.

my brother’s Asperger’s has made me different, too.

I am the one who’s strong, so that Jacob doesn’t have to be.

You don’t love a child for what he does or doesn’t do; you love him for who he is. And even if he is a murderer, by design or by accident, he is still mine.