Philippe

Growing up on the ranch…I think they may refer to that as horse sense; then again, that probably means finding the right path home…and not with little Colts trailing.

Road trips for pastries had me thinking of the song radar love as a type of gauntlet to pastry heaven.

I was reading into the interaction of the new house parent with a room full of boys holding a vigil for the sick classmate; even with enough pastries in hand for all, as a positive sign. The benefit of doubt still in his favor despite the sour momentary frown, but with Nicky’s visit seeking house parent permission, the expression of “you and your band of hooligans” held no sign of being anything but judgmental; so much so that I was completely surprised that he agreed to the excursion. With Nicky there by himself, without witness, and apparently no written off-campus passes, I’m concerned this could be an opportunity for setting up the hooligans for a more simple or clear cut infraction, …against policy that is not given to others as he stated himself.

Yes, one could always depend on Mother to betray her allies when she either saw advantage or wanted to put the blame on others. Classic that Lord V aligned with her knowing her very existence depended on using someone to her advantage. Lord V, so arrogant and self centered that he himself started believing himself a true god…so he knowingly walked into the trap thinking himself invincible; as threat to Ray, he stood in the way of Renato's freedom, and to the internal knot of his vile Sires existence. Renato, looking towards his loyalties but with his personal freedom to…live as such. Nicely done, as the Vampires will surely be less manipulated and perhaps find a renewed balance with the valley.

This little spontaneity jaunt with Colt is a risky thing. I’m hoping that Colt is wanting to share a little of his frustrations he has with his parents in hopes of winning some kinship with Joel; after all, Joel did seem to take Colt’s advice after serving Jonny a knuckle sandwich..initially. The knuckle sandwich being served also proves Joel more respectable as Joel is not perfect competition either. Then again, Colt’s all nighter may not have been with his girl, but because of her. His restless mind may have kept him out, but he may harbor a troublesome secret that he can’t tell his parents yet… So it’s easier to let the discipline for staying out than for… Woah be to Colt if this should turn out to be an opportunity for Colt to chastise Joel’s taking advantage of Colt’s parents and HIS home. That could turn out bad for all involved, as many repercussions would/could happen; anything from manhunt searches to Joel experiencing life on the streets/road before having to give a next of kin contact after life threatening injuries. A tough spot for Trace/Celia as they informally accepted guardianship of Joel…yet, they are not the guardians/parents that allowed his vagrancy.

Maybe it seems very protracted but remember it’s only been days since Trace found Joel about as low as he could go without pulling the trigger on that handgun. Unlike Westley, Joel cherished his family life even if less than what Trace and Celia can offer materially. The part about the simple birthday parties and the time lapse of Christmas Tree decorations adorned from being toddlers to teens; and now, has his experience tainted what Cody will be able to enjoy? Or has Cody’s life taking a turn from nuclear family to just existing as a kid with parental droids. The Betrayal by brother Weasel…ahem Westley, was bad enough, but to be disowned and shunned by his mother, then having his father concede to a united shunning is devastating to a teen that wasn’t ready to leave the nest; that was the only home he ever knew…his safe place, his life. Now in betrayal, that was all a snatched away. How do you see trusting someone new to you, that you’re dependent on for now; do you entrust them and risk being destitute again, or just leave on your own hoping to locate where Trace hid your handgun. The teen brain doesn’t know or understand more complex thinking of the long term. The bubble they know as their world is their whole existence. If that world starts collapsing, then the end is already written in their minds.

Joel demanded…or negotiated, seeing Cody before answering the school choice question. Contrary to Joel’s claim that the Trace/Colt discussion didn’t concern him, I think it does, even if more subconsciously. So ironically, I feel much of the decision rests on the Cs, Colt and Cody; that one will be ok if he stays away from Templeton, and the other being if he’s ok with Joel staying in his house, sharing his family. It’s very subtle and subconscious perhaps, but I think it still weighs in more than the external relationship with the twins…plus the twins have seemingly shown more of their cards already.

…but knowing that on the other side of the swinging shelf door was a ham hanging and canned food. After a few days dehydration would have started to accelerate, then into hallucinations, swelling of her tongue and contractions of her dry throat and airways. Her death as not from the slower starvation, but rather fumbling in the dark, and descending into a world of hallucinations, while choking and gasping, as organ failure finally rendered you unconscious. A sad and miserable experience for the poor young lady. The evil Captain finding no forgiveness, through he had sent no word nor evidence of his continued existence. Knowing the content of those letters would be a great insight to her relationship with the Captain; was she traded/wed for debt, or for monies gift her family for her purchase? Arranged marriage most likely, and perhaps her life as a captive had her on the lookout for the next reign of Captain Terror to begin. It’s interesting that the Captain didn’t also round up the lover and toss them in the darkness together.

OMG, I love pizza, but I’m probably more forgiving on moderate sauce. I also love that Costco has tire pressure check stations. This ties back to pizza as I introduced my young 9yo neighbor boy to pizza as reward for helping me when mobility post surgery was a challenge. He learned that I like checking my tire pressures frequently after fueling up. Again, he likes to demonstrate his proficiency airing up my tires…I can do it…often heard as he has probably already pulled out the air hose. Of course, he did well each time we go, as I rotate multiple cars/trucks and need to keep on top of tires and batteries. Of course, each time we go, such help deserves reward. So he mentions that he would really like to get a pizza; and a growing boy needs more than a single slice…or two, sometimes 3. 😆 He loves the personal time as we sit and chat while he enjoys that hot pizza; his own little picnic. My vehicles have never had such close attention to fuel replenishment and tire pressure checks, as the kid asks frequently which vehicle needs gas…can we go to Costco? All this in the name of pizza.

Wow, ML never accepted responsibility for herself. Expect the next nerd that didn’t reject her to marry and take care of her and her child; of course, assuming that without consult with the nerd. 🤦‍♂️ A wise move to get ML out of the house and family, unfortunately that meant the baby had to go a different path, but otherwise ML would have made all involved with it’s life miserable. But instead, in classic ML fashion, she even screws up the life of a deadbeat drunk uncle. The beat down of ML was perhaps justice for a girl given a second leash of life, by a viral plaque that cured her. But ML didn’t seize the day in a respectful way. She chose to live young, reckless, and disrespectful of others; using people only as they helped her, otherwise, ML had no regrets, nor remorse, for all that she did hurting others. Too bad she died as she did; perhaps she could have eased the demand for human trafficking had she lived, it would have made her happy too. 🤷‍♂️ Nasty people can appreciate volunteerism too. Otherwise, chosen family becomes real family, even carrying on tradition and trade. Nice that George and Callum respected each other and remained the friends they sensed from their early friendship.

It can’t be from their viewpoints, unless the epilogue ends abruptly, when the life forces are zapped from their bodies and the final words written are something akin to…poof. 😡

Shall Ray wave his Golden Wand, I imagine all barriers to fate and destiny to be accommodating…if not, Henry should have returned to reality and starting training with his enthusiastic Odetta, for his own charge…to demonstrate the techniques and methods required for such a task; for the good of the Kingdom of course.

Notifications to parents is a mixed bag; first it admits the school either can’t handle to situation or that they want to demand parents assistance them is reaching their objectives. Non-boarding schools may need helping stem home discipline issues washing over into the student day, but a boarding school…they most likely have guardianship power of attorney until revoked. So for a boarding school to call mommy and daddy to get the student in trouble at home is rather cheery. If elevation is needed for professional counseling or treatment I’d understand but for notifications that only involve routine in school discipline is almost vindictive and childish. Parents should get information from their students and/or in normal reporting, not as if waging a campaign against their children.

ML loves to roll.

Ironically, I don’t think the DNA will necessarily say the baby is Billy’s; it was never confirmed either way from the DNA test that I recall; only admission of Billy having engaged, and the testimony of ML…which is as reliable as predicting schrapnel patterns of IEDs. If Billy’s, I had the impression the parents were accepting of their reality of being grandparents/great aunt & uncle. Oh wow, ambulance sex…is the siren or the call of the wild 🤪.

Only if the garment is a poncho…or a drape.

The geek has his own methods for how to best use his slide rule. However, knowing in his mind that ML is pregnant and seemingly unlikely to get pregnant with yet another guy’s baby. Therefore, his young hormonal mind says playing without worry or fear of fatherhood is logically satisfying.

Loosely speaking

The friendship seems to be well in hand; nothing like helping a close friend when things get hard.

Like a loose thread, those little dangling things just invite pulling; sometimes you're happy you you took care of it and at other times you find things got more complicated.

And as young Zack choreographed Timmy’s tipsy takedown confession, there’s plenty of incriminating evidence of crimes; assault, battery, attempted rape or rape, and Timmy’s his own indecent exposure. All of these crimes confessed as only a little over a year passed. Yes, Timmy becomes a pariah, but most like a defendant as this should have generated an investigation with direct attorney general oversight. How ironic too, that the gossip Dallas’ dad endured and acted upon, from his dear friend, Timmy’s dad, now gives dear old dad, a reason to look more critically inward, to look in the mirror, as he reconciles his broken family as a consequence of his own actions resulting from very unreliable sources and his own prejudices.

So dead baby divining it is! As the unseen, to most, spoke to him in a spirited way.

That long? Dang, Who You Gonna Call…Ghost Rustlers?