Dodger

This is not always easy to do and sometimes I spend ages trying to think of the right reply. At first, I didn't quite get what the comments were all about and despite eagerly reading each one, I rarely replied because I didn't think I needed to. Then someone explained it to me and it clicked, duh! Since then I have made a point of replying to every comment even if it sometimes takes a couple days to work through them a bit at a time. I've learned a lot from reader's comments and found them a useful indicator, especially if I'm writing a story on the fly, which I've been doing for most of the Cockney Canuck. This story would have finished a year ago if it wasn't for the comments. I love the fact that readers want to spend some of their free time discussing the plot and the characters as if they were real people, and I feel embarrassed if I'm not able to reply with the same level of enthusiasm. I also enjoy commenting on the stories I'm reading so I can see how it works from both sides. It's probably the best thing about posting stories online.

Oh no. Looks like winter's arrived!!! ☃️

I'm sorry to hear this @Benji. It must have been a difficult time for you. Thanks for sharing this with us. I admire you for wanting to learn about what happened, why it happened and what could be done. I think a lot of people prefer not to think about it and don't really want to know because the truth can be scary. I'm glad you were able to recover.

Thanks @NimirRaj You have a good memory for detail. I was wondering how many readers would pick up on this with the clues that i dropped. You're absolutely right about Robbie's blind date and there's no reason to keep it a secret. Robbie and Nathan met his sister outside the movie theater on the same night they broke up. I doubt if Nathan will be invited to the party but it's also likely things won't exactly go smoothly for Robbie. They never do!

Thank you for your nice words @Scary Comments like these make my day too, and make everything worthwhile. I've enjoyed writing the Cockney Canuck, and while I accept it's impossible to keep everyone happy, it's nice to know there are people out there still enjoying it.

Thanks @chris191070 it promises to be an interesting evening.

Hmm...... a very clever comment. Are you a physician @Benji?

Hospitals in Canada also have a certain amount of financial restraints and have to meet budgets set by local and provincial authorities. Although these budgets vary greatly and are often exceeded. It's not a perfect system as I'm sure the US will discover as they haul themselves gradually into the world of free healthcare. It's not free, of course, nothing's free, but it does feel like it when you leave the hospital without being presented with a bill. Don, of course, and everyone else who's making money, will contribute towards Robbie's treatment through his federal taxes, which he has to pay anyway. Robbie knows he's not right and could probably have been more honest with the doctor at the hospital.

I'm sure knuckle dragging Don's religious plans will be met with some feisty opposition from the rest of the family. Robbie seems to be safer with his best friend than at home. Sue really needs to step up now and put a stop to this madness or you could be right about a judge. Thanks @Benji

Robbie's anger and short temper has always been a problem for him, but especially so now with his health issues. The bible study and Don's attempts to bring religion into the family are likely to meet with a lot of resistance, particularly from Nicola and Robbie who will see it as a direct threat and another attempt to control him. He already feels more comfortable at his friend's house than he does at home, which is not a good sign at all. I'm sure that Walter would recognize this if Robbie would open up a little. Thanks @Butcher56

I guess it would have been too good to be true for Robbie. Life is never that convenient and Robbie isn't the luckiest of guys. Thanks @droughtquake for the most comments.

Blind dates are bad enough, but a blind date in fancy dress can be problematic. Thanks @Wesley8890. Always the first to comment.

I disliked people talking about me behind my back, especially when I could hear what they were saying. ‘I wish they would go outside and talk or let me get up and go home’. I felt okay, but the nurse insisted I lie down until Sue arrived to collect me. The school day was finished, but I would have to wait until Nicola got home to look after Amy before Sue could leave. I couldn’t understand what all the fuss was about. I could easily have taken the bus home as usual; there was nothing

In the past I've never been any good at keeping New Year's resolutions. Especially when they involved giving something up. I prefer now to set myself a realistic goal each year and this year, I achieved it. It may not mean that much to others, and I wasn't aiming for the stars, but it was a step forward and that was important to me. Next year, I want to be a better person than I was this year. In whatever way I can. Better at my job, my hobby, my family, and better at helping and understanding other people. Even a small improvement means a lot. But there's no way I'm ever going to be able to give up Timbits (see Tim Hortons).

Hey Gary. Happy New Year! I hope everyone's well.

Morning Albert. Afternoon Gary

Robbie often appears brash and argumentative, but we know he's actually very vulnerable and insecure. He still has some very serious underlying issues relating to the death of his mother which have not been addressed or even recognized as a problem by his new family. He needs a strong person around make him feel secure and safe.

Thanks Tim. Happy New Year to you also may friend. I know it's frustrating, because everyone can see it except for Robbie and Nathan isn't the answer to his problems.

Thanks @Ezz0564 This will be a big concern for Robbie, the doctors, and those who are genuinely concerned for his well-being. They will be worried about him passing out, which is not usually associated with panic attacks but could definitely be related to his head injury. Robbie would have had a much easier time with Don had he been straight, of course. Nicola and Daniel haven't been mentally abused in the same way because they haven't challenged Don's warped perception of family life.

Thanks for your kind words, Steve, and also for your wonderful insight. You often point things out that I miss and you make a very good point here about Don deciding what is good and what's bad. With no set parameters, Robbie will always feel threatened and Don can change the goal posts to suit him. It's an impossible situation and the fact that Robbie is willing to go along with it shows his current state of mind. As you point out, he has certainly been through the wars of late and he has taken some flak. I suppose it was inevitable this would happen. The next couple of weeks in Robbie's life will decide his future.

Thank you my friend. Put me in the last category!

Fran's super hot brother is unfortunately for Robbie, completely straight and in a long term relationship. He's also quite a bit older, although I don't suppose that matters if Robbie's over sixteen. Don's definitely trying to manipulate him and is close to succeeding. Interesting point about Nathan trying to get Robbie back. I wonder what gave you that impression. Fran is likely to have a hidden agenda. I don't see many girls inviting their ex-boyfriends to a party. Robbie should be wary. Clearly Robbie's health issues are quite serious and more than just panic attacks, although they can be serious as well. The doctors will be concerned about his recent head injury and a possible link so we can expect to see him in the hospital again sometime soon. It would be nice to see some justice handed out to Don, but these people often get away it. I'm leaving this one open.

The dizziness and blackouts are worrying and I expect Robbie will be back at the hospital for tests. These spells seem to be triggered by stress but no doubt the doctors will be concerned because of his recent head injury. It's a worrying time for Robbie as the walls gradually close in on him from every direction.

You may be right about Robbie's intentions, but he will have his work cut out with Rory. There are easier options available if he looks around and stops beating himself up over Nathan all the time. Fran's brother is straight and is in a long term relationship. He was just another fantasy for Robbie and never likely to be anything more than that.

Don't read too much into the conversion therapy thing. Robbie's not about to go seeking out the opposite sex. I think you're spot on with Fran though and the principal and Walter are likely to be very concerned by Robbie's reaction. Even his denial wasn't really believable.