CincyKris

They're handling the lockdown better than most! I remember Australia doing it better and having it easier than the US and Europe. Patrick will liven things up! I continued working during the pandemic, gardencenters stayed open in my state and we had our busiest year ever. My fiftieth birthday was a quiet family dinner.

I have a feeling that mom is dealing with some very complicated feelings. She obviously still loves James. But she allowed her husband to reject and exile him. She allowed her son to verbally abuse him. And perhaps most importantly, she might be realizing that she is responsible for creating the monster that Sam has become. Do I feel sorry for her? No.

We now have a name to go with the voice, Madame Camilla. We know the mushrooms are shipped in to the warehouse, probably sent to the glassworks to be dried, processed, and packaged. Who owns the glassworks?

Finally! James stood up to his brother's abuse. I suppose I should be sad for his father's demise, he slightly redeemed himself at the end. But I will be shedding no tears. I hope his mom will now realize the bed she has made! As always, she will need to rely on others. I wonder if she has a self-reliant bone in her body. She will discover that pulling her identity solely from her husband and the useless son will leave her with no identity at all. If James is not careful, she will cling on to him like a barnacle for the rest of her life.

I wonder at Charlie's absence. Was he really busy or was he avoiding Alex for some reason? I like Neil and Lila, their practicality will be helpful for Alex. He seems like someone who would just live with a mattress and a piano bench without practical friends to give him a little push. This overbearing tutor that sent Alex into a spiral does not seem that unlike Uncle Edwin!

I wonder if the recluse upstairs will join our menagerie?

If Sam gives a dime to these people, I’m out. I’m already fed up with his tolerance for Sam’s snide remarks, he has been a welcome mat for so long he has no spine left at all. If I were Evan, I would start questioning whether I wanted to be with someone like James.

Things are heating up! Also, Liam is a master of procrastination.

Great sexual tension! We know the head honcho is a woman. Wouldn’t it be a hoot if it is the lady of the manor? Not the one who got rescued, I think Sam would have recognized her voice. I believe Sam’s employers are cousins to the Lord?

This is it, isn't it? He was family until he came out, then he's not - but up until that time he was the dutiful son and that has stuck with him. He was a dutiful son, but was never recognized for it, well before he came out. I wonder why his parents always favored his brother? His brother is an unsuccessful, spoiled, entitled, brat and a direct result of his upbringing. Is there something we don't know about James' biological parentage? There has to be some reason for their terrible treatment of a good kid.

Until James puts his big boy pants on and stands up for himself, I find it hard to have sympathy for him. Why on earth would he expect them to suddenly change after a lifetime of the same dysfunction?

There was just enough drugs in his system to make him act foolish. This side effect will hopefully remain as much in his mind as the good night's sleep. I hope Graeme is close!

Natasha's threats thus far have been weak and easily proved to be unsubstantiated, this speaks to either her arrogance or stupidity, or both. The new office with the psych office and good cafe is sure the same that Is visited in What Brings Us Together. I look forward to more of Nathan.

I've had this problem with other stories about people who have experienced long-term bullying or abuse, have left the abusive home behind, but still accept the abuse without complaint. I understand the situation intellectually, but cannot comprehend it emotionally. I wouldn't ever let anyone treat me the way his family does. At some point James has to decide if he is worthy of love and respect. Right now he is debasing himself by allowing his family to humiliate him. He is not the same person that just turned around a huge construction project.

Screw that bitch! And her no good son Sam! And the mean spirited old homophobe laying in the hospital!