Reviewer: Nichelle Wellesly Signed [Report This]
Date: Dec 01, 2019 5:40 am Title: Chapter 21-Support

Hey Sandy,

First, HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I'm sorry that I haven't had a chance to catch up to this story before now. RL has been kicking me pretty hard these past many weeks, with another shocking blow just coming earlier today... well, yesterday, now as it is. So this was sooooo NEEDED to get out of my head right now.

I went back a few chapters so that I could get a feel of where Brian's introspection was leading him, and I'm glad I did. I find your characterization of him at this point in his life, not only insightful but sensitive. I'm enjoying it all immensely. His talks with both Justin and Ted helped him to give voice to what it was he didn't want to face concerning Lindsay, whose betrayal and constant use of him as a bank I believe hurts worse than even his own parents. It kinda gives credence to the saying hurt people HURT people in that she knows exactly what emotional abuse feels like, yet she's inflicting it onto Brian while using Gus as her weapon of choice.

So that said, I'm glad that he's, at last, wising up and determined to do something about it with the help of Kera. In turn, either Mel will realize what they are doing is basically against all the rules in Family Law, which she is supposed to be well-versed, or she's going to find herself facing her own troubles in front of an Ethics board. Considering how Mel treats Brian, I'm almost willing to vote for the latter. However, I DO wonder if Lindsay has ever disclosed to Mel what she has been doing in terms of Brian? I would like to think that Mel is reasonably intelligent in realizing that the likelihood that Lindsay is a veritable cash cow now in terms of commissions at the Bloom Gallery is more impossible than not, and therefore the money-on-demand has to be coming from somewhere else. If she's that willfully blind to who she married then she deserves every bit of ass-kicking she's about to get within the boundaries of the same law she upholds for everyone else, except Brian.

I can't wait to see where you will continue to take this story, and the evolution of Brian and Justin's friendship. I'm really enjoying their dynamic here, where in a lot of ways, Brian is now the ingenue instead of Justin.

HUGS, LOVE and HAPPY WRITING!

~Nichelle

Author's Response:

Nichelle:

  I always admire your lengthy comments, way more than I ever write.  I have to believe that Mel knows where the money comes from, but I think in her twisted mind I think she believes Brian deserves it.  I think she justifies the money saying he can afford it and it is her right since since she is raising Gus.  

I'm not sure where the story is going, well I do know where it eventually will end, but I'm still working on how it will get there.  I always think the stories are going to be short, but that never happens.  I guess I'm incapable of writing something short.  Well actually, I did just finish a short one for the gift exchange.   Anyway, I really appreciate your comments and it means a lot to me to know that a writer whose work I respect enjoys my work.  Happy holidays to you.

 

Sandy

Reviewer: The SNO Signed [Report This]
Date: Nov 11, 2019 9:51 pm Title: Chapter 21-Support

The end is worrying! The "maybe just this once?" is a cliffhanger that could ruin hours of restraint.

The beginning is promising as Brian is actually checking his support to Gus/Lindsay with an analytical POV. The amount he is giving is pretty huge if we consider the age of Gus and that Brian has to pay for other things that the girls should be providing. It always amazes me how they wanted to be autonomous parents and yet aren't able to live without Brian's money. Mel should be ashamed of herself to be depending on him like this. Maybe she doesn't realize or doesn't want to. I hope she will have a painful awakening.

The visit to the lawyer seems promising; the fact that Brian was able to see/appreciate Justin's art is an added bonus.

Author's Response:

Every now and then I manage to put in a cliffhanger.  lol.   Mel is going to be pissed.  The girls always wanted autonomy until it came to financial areas.  Now they will have to live within their means.