HH, hang in there!!! Please don't be too rough on yourself, sure you could've handled the call better, but heck, you're a MOM.
If your son is truly ready to change (which I believe you're right to suspect he really isn't) then he will go to any lenghts to change. He will be open to the idea of a halfway house. He won't throw phrases like "you threw me out" in your face.
How do you get the images of him living on the street out of your head? You don't. But play it forward: I bet you can clearly see your son still living at home and treating you badly when he's 35 years old, can't you? Play that image, instead, and stand your ground.
He needs to first face the consequences of his behavior. Running to atlanta to live with a deadbeat relative is not the way to do this. Running anywhere and trying to hide from the result of his actions is not the way to change his life. He needs to turn and face it. $300. a month is a lot to pay in fines. Well, tough. He needs to find a way to start paying that money.
He needs to stop being messed up. And you know he's not going to be motivated to do that if you open the door to him. Whatever you do, I will support you. I know it's not easy to turn away from our children! (((Hugs)))
Peace
