84Mags

Perfect title and ‘weather report’! I’m curious who Rita has been with long enough to be engaged but not name in her post. She hasn’t been seen around town with anyone other than Rick or that gossip would be spread. That leads me to the mystery woman from the diner all those chapters ago. It makes sense to keep that a secret if you are ‘flirting’ with the local businessmen and male school board members as a means to your end goals. But then why post the picture? I would not put it past her to want the town, especially the school board, to believe she is tied to Rick. That will help her secure the land to develop. I’m thrilled that Rick’s budding relationship with Gus has lead him to the self confident thoughts that he could stop hiding and be “himself.” He will have to step forward and have more than a few uncomfortable conversations if he wants to preserve Eagle Lake as the town that he loves. This isn’t just about saving College Hill, it’s about fully and honestly being a member of a community he loves. I believe the feelings are mutual.

This chapter was the balm needed after the events of the last two. While we still don’t know Maddie’s backstory, reconnecting with her wolf is a soothing presence and, at least for now, guiding force. Even Jimmy claiming Sawyer was not rushed and was uncomplicated. Dare I hope things are falling in place for Jimmy’s new pack?

My father in law always used a fountain pen. It does lend an air of elegance and a sense of bygone days. You have to write slowly and therefore are more thoughtful. What a beautifully descriptive way to gain insight into Ethan. Michael may make friends quickly, but I contend he also trusts too readily. While that may counterbalance Ethan, it does mean Ethan has to be more cautious for both of them. It’s certainly understandable Michael would want to calm his mother’s fears, but there are ways to do so without sharing their destination. His mother has not kept him safe or prevented his abuse. It’s probably not something Michael has emotionally processed yet, just as he doesn’t understand the true danger he could face upon seeing his dad again. Frankly, he doesn’t know Ethan all that well. It will be interesting to see how he responds to what is learned from Jonathan. Not sure what to think about the two brothers. I hope Zak can turn his seduction into friendship.

It looks like the plan Rita is scheming has picked up speed. Knowing small town life, she most likely let it be known to just the right folks that she and Rick are in an exclusive business deal, thanks to the meeting with Heinrich, but also alluded to and encouraged the belief there is something ‘romantic’ going on, as that also serves her purpose. The interaction with Caroline Lee made me smile. What an endearing way to be a bit of a nosy neighbor, but ultimately a supportive friend! I’m glad Gus can slip away for star gazing, but that conversation reminded me just how much influence Magda and Zoltan have over his life. Between that, Irene’s snit and the congrats messages, there are a lot of ‘trouble ahead’ warnings.

I’m still riding the ‘Holy Sh#t’ feelings from last week! My mouth was hanging open for most of the chapter. “Maddie are you all right? Jada asked. You don’t seem yourself.” Not only did I snort laugh out my sip of coffee, but I mentally gave kudos for perfectly timed and best line written. I can hardly wait to hear Maddie’s back story.

Ethan and Michael take care of each other in the best of ways. Michael is still innocent enough to not completely understand what leaving his family means, yet wise enough to know he can’t go back. Ethan carries the burdens of his past, the knowledge of how precarious their present is, but at least looks with hope towards Jonathan.

What a truly lovely and languid morning. I’m with @weinerdog and think the dream was of the childhood home of Gus. I, too, am usually wrong in my guesses. The symbolism was there for me in the Chickadee and in the trio of felines. For me this was more about what Rick could escape if he allows himself to. I can’t imagine a more ideal way for Gus to express the depth of his feelings and finally get past some of Rick’s self-depreciation than through music. “You can listen to the perfect in your heart and in your head.” Everything about this morning was perfect. Simply perfect.

Holy sh#t, that was epic! My heart is pounding; my arms and fingers are tingling from tensing. Holy. Sh#t.

This chapter is obviously a hard read. I am so relieved Ethan is taking Michael with him. There is something wonderful about Jonathan that I just can’t really put into words. It’s as if he can somehow make things better for Ethan. It is how he knew Ethan was on the phone both times and how he reassured Ethan with his self talk of, “Just two. Okay. Breathe, Jonathan. We can work with this.” There is so much trauma each one of these individuals has experienced. I ache for them.

Dear, sweet Gus. So much beauty out of a childhood with so much tragedy. Home. That says everything. Absolutely everything.

Bring it on, Jimmy! Fergus just couldn’t help himself wasting time with the villain speech and sexual stalking as he preyed upon Sawyer. I’m thankful that bought enough time for Jimmy to get back to the house.

The cycle of domestic violence is tragic and affects every member of a family and oftentimes those around the family. Brilliant, accurate and thus quite sad portrayal of the cycle at work. It’s not just Jack and his obvious problems but how the family orbits around him. Leah especially pulled at me. I was really rooting for Ethan to call Jonathan. It’s hard to live with a family like the Jameson’s, deal with anxiety and personal demons, and then go out on a limb to reach out. Perhaps Ethan will try again soon.

Well, I’m all in! For someone so concerned about the darkness he might have within himself, Ethan finds comfort in the most wonderful things like the blue sky after the storm and the smell of Jonathan’s jacket. So cool that Ethan meditated away dark thoughts and was brought to the realization he needed Jonathan. I look forward to their meeting again.

I was just floating along during this chapter. At times, reliving my son’s two bone breaks and marveling over your accuracy at casting. At other points, smiling over Gus and Rick moving into that sweet, cutesy, more open stage of liking each other. The rainbow cast was a great touch! THEN I was sitting up straight, quickly scrolling back through chapters trying to figure out the time line, heart thudding, as I realized at this point it doesn’t really matter. Interesting and timely plot twist. It is a startling reminder that our precious rights are hard won, can be easily lost, and everyone doesn’t always enjoy the same rights.

That felt like it escalated intensely fast! I’d been ready for a conversation with Maddie that shed some light and holding out hope that Granger wouldn’t continue to blindly follow Fergus since he seemed immune to the Alpha command brain link. Instead it looks like Fergus and the mind controlled pack are bringing the fight to Jimmy right the heck now.

Your writing has a poetic quality that intensifies the suspense and drama. I’m curious about Ethan and what this meeting with Jonathan will do to his carefully constructed and seemingly solitary life.

And I have noticed that as he has more positive interactions with Gus, Rick’s negative self talk has been a bit less harsh and easier to dispel.

After the last chapter I wondered about Gus’ cast and his phone. Guess I should have considered whether or not he could swim! Rick and Gus compliment each other’s personalities. With each interaction they learn more about the other and form a deeper bond. It is pretty easy to fall for someone when you are in romantic situations and have a lazy summer by a lake for the backdrop. However, working together during a crisis oftentimes either cements or destroys a budding relationship. The plunge into the icy lake and subsequent visit to the ER bodes well for these two. It seems they have what it takes to overcome any roadblocks Rita, Heinrich, Zoltan, Magda or even Willy toss their way.

While both the phone call with Fergus and breaking Jada out of the hospital amped up the tension, the pending conversation with Maddie promises to be enlightening.

The one liners are what made this chapter! My favorites: “That’s a position on the team? Singer?” 🤣 “I think I’m a long way from Chicago.” “I’m going to trust you.” “Don’t let me go.” “Oh, you’re a keeper.” “Just paying attention to the music of the world.” ❤️

While I predicted that Shayna would eventually confront Fergus and the pack would finally have enough of Fergus and walk away from his rule, I did not ever fathom Fergus harnessing some deep mystical, magical Alpha power. There is a reason his elders never taught him about it. You aren’t supposed to lead by darkness. Fergus must never have followed the Star Wars Saga. This will be bloody, but won’t end well for him.

I have an unease in my stomach that even the ending couldn’t abate. The chapter felt like the interlude in nature before a bad storm. I am certain Heinrich sunk the whole family business in with Rita and her scheme. He never turned over ownership of the company to Rick; Heinrich has access to all accounts. I think Heinrich fell for what Rick rightly called a scam and Rita’s purposeful allusion of a relationship with Rick gave him a false sense of security. Heinrich values being seen as prosperous and an astute businessman. Risking the financial well being of the business without consulting Rick isn’t surprising, but it is disheartening. It explains Heinrich's upbeat mood and his lunch discussion with Rick. He sees this as an investment in his legacy and perhaps an end to a life of penny pinching. Hopefully the likely demise of the family business can be a new start for Rick and Gus. I bet the ‘friend’ Rita spent the evening with was Willy and that doesn’t bode well. Rita has grand plans for Eagle Lake, but something tells me that when it all falls apart, she won’t be the one left destitute.

There are some badass women in this story; I hope Jada survives. It now looks like an epic battle in the making. Fergus will be pissed to learn she was bitten and left alive; Sawyer will want revenge. Jimmy already had enough reasons to want Fergus gone but will no doubt rethink leaving and instead begin war planning. I gotta say that it amazes me Fergus has survived this long as a leader because he is truly, utterly, incompetently awful at it. I look forward to his downfall.

My soul is calm. Everything about this chapter beautifully portrayed the heartbeat of night in a small, rural setting. It was intimate and unassuming. Rick and Gus expanded eachother’s experiences and learned more about each other. The responses Gus gives Rick’s inquiries are never belittling; he always assures Rick his life and world are of equal value and importance to the one Gus lives. The comparisons of humble, rural Lutheran churches to majestic European cathedrals and the Art Institute of Chicago’s masterpieces to the boy playing catch with a dog or Beethoven’s moving Sonata 14 to the moon dancing silver over a lake resonated with me. They really are equal in their beauty and uniqueness. Gus being trained at Juilliard is no more or less than Rick’s training as a plumber. The kiss was everything I had hoped it would be...absolutely perfect.

I am holding out hope. Had Fergus allowed Jimmy to join the pack, he would have met Doris. I think there are werewolves who know how to help with the transition. I bet Doris knows what to do. Sawyer is in good hands with Jimmy. They will figure it out. Oddly, every time Eddie has been mentioned in past chapters, my stomach dropped a little. I always wonder about him and if he was truly, completely rabid.