Maybe one day, Andy can be proud of himself; maybe he can admit that he was brave and stood up to someone who was going to abuse him. For now, it’s enough to hold onto his sense of safety and self, and wonder what else he must guard against in this world. Thanks for your contrarian comment, which I really liked!
It’s unfortunate that so many kids have parents who react badly to their kids coming out. The difference between Andy/Stefan’s dad and Zander’s is like night and day. While there is plenty of room on the continuum between these, I hope for the day when more and more react like Zander’s folks. As for Andy, you’re right about the contrast. He dreams of a simple embrace, and of warmth. Thanks again for reading and sharing your thoughts.
He goes through names in order to hide. With no social media and no history, he can be who he likes. He just needs to find a safe way to become himself. In the meantime, his own personal purgatory awaits him. Thanks for your thoughts and for reading!
I have no doubt Eric will miss Eustace, at least as much as you and I do. He seems to have shed much of Stefan’s outward identity, doesn’t he? Yet much of that must remain with him too.
Eric has had his heart torn and his life shredded before. It’s happened again, and all because Ambrose couldn’t help but be himself. At least he was spared the agony of arrest, questioning and fear in being sent back to Carlsberg. I did wonder how much the State Police would be searching for Eric now. Thanks for continuing to read and comment.
I fear you may be impatient a little while longer. The redhead packed a mean punch and a nasty temper. Poor Eric got the worst of both. Thanks for reading!
Time will tell if freedom rings for Eric. The world of the farm is both familiar in terms of hard work, and completely new in terms of how he relates to everyone else in it. I like your connection to a theme song. Maybe you’ll choose others for different parts of the story.
Eric has much to learn, as well as much to unlearn. What Eustace is doing - probably without knowing it - is showing Eric that this unlearning and learning is possible, and that it doesn’t have to be painful. Thanks again for reading and for sharing your thoughts.
This chapter opens a new door for Eric/Stefan. For once he can rest, eat, and stay in one spot. More importantly, Eric is finally getting positive attention and a little affirmation from someone. Thanks for watching and waiting with him through his journey to this point.
He is surviving, but he’s realizing that doing so on his own terms might not be possible. Even though Eric/Stefan seems to have no fixed itinerary, he’s always on the move, never staying longer than the present moment. Thanks very much for your thoughts and for reading.
Stefan/Eric can’t help but do the right thing in these circumstances. Afterwards, he retreats to the darkness, and the perceived safety of invisibility. Thanks again for reading his journal and for your comments.
I'm glad that you recognized and enjoyed the Kipling allusion. He's had no bi-colored python rock snake to help him along his way, either. Thanks very much for reading!
@Dan South Stefan/Eric desperately wants to be invisible. Sometimes he succeeds. I think you may be onto something, insofar as he seems to get hurt worse when he is most invisible. Thank you very much for hanging in there and making your way through his journal, even as he wanders farther and farther from Carlsberg.
Stefan has had to be strong and stubborn for a long time, even as he’s been forced to give in and knuckle under. The scenes at the nursing home were interesting to write. Thanks so much for continuing to read his journal.
Thank you for starting A to Z. It is not always an easy read, as the clouds that gather do not always part swiftly. I am most grateful that you have undertaken to try the story.
The visit from Mark, plus what we see of Liam toward the end of the chapter, sent me a clear message about the hazards that await Liam when he emerges from Nurton Cross. Nonetheless, this is a warm and lovely chapter.