Reviewer: Nichelle Wellesly Signed [Report This]
Date: Sep 05, 2022 7:00 am Title: Chapter 11- Serenity

Hey Sandy!!! Sorry I've been a bit M.I.A., but work, work and more WORK <insert eye roll here>. Anyway, I wanted to drop a line to tell you just how much I am enjoying this story. I read it all the way through to this chapter, and let me just tell you that you have a gift of storytelling. I could honestly see all of this happening. Brian and Justin's first official date had me smiling like Chester Cheetah with his first bag of Cheetos. It was sweet, and perhaps the perfect setup for a 'last' first date.

As for Lindsay's chronic complaining and harassment regarding Brian's life choices, I just wanted to smack her silent! How dare she imply that Brian shouldn't be dating all under the guise that Gus might get attached? 'Isn't it unethical for you to be dating your sponsor? I probably would have shut her down immediately by asking in return just how ethical it is to use the child support and other requested money for 'Gus' for financing her life instead of buying the things to enhance her son's. But see that why I'm not Brian, and couldn't have come up with this storyline. My first inclination is always to set metaphorical fire to Lindsay's sanctimonious ass, and this would have given me too many opportunities to do just that, regardless of the 'Become someone new, someone different" vibe. I know my limitations, LOL. But honestly, I think the real problem is that it's all well and good for her to be in a relationship, but not her prized bull. Somehow, someway I don't doubt she'll find a way to blame Brian's new relationship for him putting a stop to the money train. It can't just be that she's a gold-digging trollop, who is still trying to use the heretofore cut umbilical cord as a noose to strangle Brian into being her 'husband' in all but name.

Then we have the abject stupidity of Sir Big Mouth, who believes he has the right to weigh in on Brian's life. I think I actually cheered aloud when Brian, Ted and Emmett got up to leave him at the Diner by himself. What's more is that Debbie didn't try to intervene on his behalf, which shows her own growth in a sense. I would imagine though that it's not necessarily Brian Michael 'misses' at all, but the miniscule notoriety of being Brian's 'best friend' that has really upended his world. Perhaps Debbie is really seeing for herself that whereas Brian was Michael's best friend, her son was NOT Brian's, especially since a true friend would want what's best for the other person. Friendship is a two-way street, and as far as I'm concerned, Michael should remain stuck and lost on that particular lonely highway.

All in all, the emotions of this chapter was all too real, and you did a splendid job of Brian running the emotional gamut of diappointment and confusion with a small dash of hope mixed in. I think regardless of where we all are in life, we have all experienced that same kind of disillusionment on some level, even if it's not necessarily the way things are. I know I have been in several situations where I've been forced to play the happy parent while inside I'm doing my best not to fall apart. So whereas in one area of Brian's life he's experiencing success, now he's also experiencing a few growing pains to go along with it. I just hope he's understanding and reasonable when he finds out the reason for the missed texts. 

I think that's about all I can put into words at this moment. I hope to be able to read more of this soon.

HUGS, LOVE and WRITE ON, Sandy!

~Nichelle

Author's Response:

Nichelle:

 

I appreciate all the feedback.  I'm very true to my dislike of Lindsay and Micheal and this story is no different.  I really beleive that LIndsay would be almost jealous of the fact that Brian was finally getting his act together. So much of her friendship is based on her being able to give him advice as she watches from the sidelines and just blows up his personal life.  She uses his drinking and sexualy activity as a means to not allow his interactions with Gus and now that he has cleaned up his act, she is threatened by their continued and growing closeness. She is watching as her carefully crafted machinations are falling apart.  As for Mikey, he's a loser- end of statement.  I enjoy writing and expanding on the characters in the show and I'm pleased to see that my portrayl of the characters and the situations ring true. Thank you for your continued reading.