Timothy M.

Reading this story again it struck me how sensible, but uptight Alice is, while her wife is emotional, but still has a backbone of steel. I guess this is partly the result of their awful mothers. I still feel like strangling the pair of them, ugh. Hopefully, it will get better once they have their own child, but I fear it might get worse. Anyway, it was great to see how Alice slowly relaxed and was able to connect to the happiness and simple joys of childhood. It will help her both personally and professionally. I had no idea who Joy was, so the ending was a lovely surprise. It gives me (and Alice) hope and confidence she'll be able to get through to the girl IRL too. Fuchsia will be so proud of her - and enjoy being able to throw 'i-told-you-so looks at her mother.

And what I'm saying is that she can be stupid and selfish EVEN though she's a victim of abuse. If she had gone back to Jim that other time they let her stay - I would have felt sorry for her. Breaking the ONE rule they had for letting her stay makes her lose my sympathy and respect. I'm sorry, but being under his thumb was no excuse for the stunt Eliot described IMO. But I agree their therapist will focus on what can make their life work and ignore the problems of Sarah, who is not her client. A bit of personal take in the spoiler, if you think I'm lacking in sympathy.

You have some good points @Thorn Wilde. And I don't blame Grant's sister for being unable to ditch her abusive boyfriend on her own. But I do blame her for disrespecting and rejecting the people who tried to help her and got hurt very badly. Let me give you examples: 1) she let her abusive boyfriend enter the apartment although this was the one condition they had given, as per the quote below. 2) When Eliot was hurt, she was upset they pressed charges, and not only that, she became estranged from them over the issue. There is not a single word in the story indicating she felt any kind of sympathy, guilt, or remorse over Eliot's suffering or permanent loss of sight. THAT is why I call her stupid and selfish - not because she got preyed upon by an abuser. 3) The therapist they're seeing is apparently not trying to explain to them what you have written, according to the quote below. To me this indicates that the counselor's take on the matter is that Grant has been taken advantage of by his sister for most of his life - and indeed, isn't this what Eliot objects to, quite reasonably: that her needs are Grant's first priority, ahead of the comfort and safety of the man he loves? This pattern must have been set before she got into an abusive relationship. I can feel sorry for women and men who are caught in abusive relationships, and I don't blame them for not being able to escape. BUT just because they're victims doesn't mean they're automatically nice persons. I reserve my right to call Grant's sister stupid and selfish for those acts which had nothing to do with her being a victim of abuse, but everything to do with her personality and behavior as presented to us by Cassie. It's one thing for her to defend and forgive him for abusing her, because 'he's in her head' - but the moment she took his side against Eliot and Grant, she lost my sympathy. What if your friend's abusive boyfriend had attacked you, because you were trying to help her? Would you have understood and forgiven her if she had sided with him after that? If so, you're more of a saint than I can be.

I'm glad Micheal found someone who can make him happy. And that Kris got what he deserved.

I think they've had sex, but without Grant touching the right side of Elliot's face. There are several ways they could do that, no matter who is topping. To me this was simply another step forward, to create new experiences to overcome the trauma of having his face smashed.

That's why I don't blame her for not being able to take the initiative and leave. But if she refuses the help and support of her son and Andy, if she tries to pretend nothing is wrong, if she insists on hoping he will get better, that's when I'll shake my head and focus on feeling sorry for Adam. But from her thoughts it seems she knows her husband is an abusive, controlling, violent alcoholic, and I'm still hoping Adam and Andy can persuade her to leave.

I'm off to bed. Have a nice week-end, ladies and gentlemen.

I can't see the icons I'm OK with thinking about your naked body, it's just the image of long intimate body hair fluttering in the wind which is a bit disturbing. and that makes it better, how ?

Well, it seemed logical, since it was a reply to a suggestion you should wear clothes when driving, rather than sit naked on a hot leather seat.

Glad I'm not the only one. I was sort of thinking about the front (and under her arms).

I want to scrub my brain to get rid of that image. Can't you make do with the wind blowing through the hair on your head ?

Well, if she doesn't grab at the opportunity, I shall lose whatever sympathy i had for her, and reserve it all for Adam, who has to live with the knowledge that both of his parents are idiots.

Such a sad story, even though they managed to stay together. Elliot was the victim of his partner's inability to see his sister for what she was: a stupid, selfish woman who refused to take responsibility for her own life. I hope she got an abortion, but I bet she preferred the attention she'd get as a 'mother'. Grant will be spending the rest of his life making up for his mistakes and earning the love and forgiveness of Elliot. I guess it's better than the misery they felt while being apart. Extremely well written, Cassie.

I agree with @mayday. Eric should make a drawing for Andy and Adam. Maybe one of their garden as he remembers it from his visit, or of the venue for the wedding if he can trick Andy to take him there in the near future. Seeing and hearing yourself on camera is always unsettling. But if it inspires Eric to be more aware of his looks, it's worth it. Small improvements could make a lot of difference for his confidence and in the way other people react to him. I know it sounds shallow, but first impressions mean a lot, and he'll get more attention and respect with a little investment in his appearance. Not all of his scruffy looks are due to age or poverty, and while it may take him time rather than money, he has plenty of hours in the day. I hope Andy and Adam will confront Felicity as soon as possible. She seems to be at the point where she just needs a chance to escape, and she'll grab the opportunity with both hands. They can tell her how much it would mean to them, if she could attend their wedding as a free and healthy woman. Does she really want the mother of one of the grooms to be a battered house wife and perhaps unable to be in any photos? No strategy is too tricky to get her out of her husband's reach.

What a lovely revenge on an unwanted visitor. Hopefully, the idiot will now spend ages complaining to the stupid sister.

That's what happens when your story only has 28 followers, there are less than 700 views of each chapter except the first one, and the latest chapter got far fewer comments than the ones before. And I think most authors here worry constantly about readers losing interest, especially someone like me who post irregularly. It is a reason to treasure each and every like, comment and review.

Diego surveyed his equipment one more time to make sure he had everything. Sandwiches in a box with a thin cooling pad? Check. Chocolate biscuits, crisps, apples and other snacks in another box? Check. Two bottles of water and two cans of beer. Check. Napkins, a knife, and two blankets which could double as towels. Check. Two thinsulate pads to sit on. Check. He packed his rucksack with Marine precision, laced up his boots, and took a last glance in the mirror. Every time he saw the pendant,

Cool. I've seen the ravens at the Tower, and they're very impressive. I didn't realize they only had seven at a time. I liked that the breeding pair was named after Odin's ravens.

I feel a little bit cheated. I want hot claiming sex. But I think they're going to be very good for each other. Carl will help Tristan get rid of all his unfair feelings of inferiority and Tristan will keep Carl on his toes and happy. Everyone benefits when the elder vamp is content, including Simon. Carl may even be too busy to tease the kitty.

Milk ? Or it could be anything or nothing, but just getting checked it's not an allergy could be worth while. I hope your doctor doesn't give up easily.

Any allergies you know of ? I had a friend who developed gluten allergy, and some of his symptoms sounded like yours.

I think Chris made the right decision to hide his feelings for Ryan - and finally he could make use of something he'd been forced to learn while being abused. Ryan was important as a friend and someone who inspired Chris to take that important next step and also helped him in the aftermath of the sessions. I'm sure Chris, like you, will find someone to love. Thank you for writing this very important story to remind us all how much evil comes of fanatic and bigoted religion.

Finally the dam breaks. But Chris should focus on Ryan as someone who can help him expose the evil and cruelty of his tormentors, rather than as a potential boyfriend. That may come later, but first he needs to heal.

Um what ? I have no idea what this is about. Please explain