Part 1: Welcome to the Gatehouse Regional Youth Center
Dear Diary, so often reunions like the one I had today with Kara are portrayed as happy occasions. You know the kind, where the parent runs down the hall toward their child, the child sees the parent, a bright smile comes across their face as they run too, calling, “Mom!” or “Dad!” It all ends with a deeply satisfying hug, and the parent saying something like, “Don’t ever leave me again!” Or, “I thought I’d lost you forever!” The light fades as upbeat music plays.
It wasn’t until we got the call that Kara was rescued, and we arrived at the Gatehouse Regional Youth Center, that I realized this would not be a reunion like that. I don’t know what I expected, but when Mom, Perry, and I entered the lobby, my skin crawled at the site of prison type gates, and general dinginess.
A young woman spoke to a police officer as we got our bearings.
My heart was beating so fast, I thought it might burst through my chest and kill me. I could feel my nails digging into my palms as I clenched my fists, yet I couldn’t loosen them or I might cry. Anything not to cry.
“Our Kara does not belong in this filthy place,” Mother said, her voice firm, her mouth a thin line.
“I can’t understand why they would have brought her to a place like this. She’s not a criminal,” I added.
“I’m sure we’ll find out what’s going on soon,” Perry said, his voice a reassuring beacon in the gloom. He waited a moment, then cleared his throat in an effort to make our presence known.
Finally, the young woman approached us, a smile affixed to her face. “Hello, you must be the Wrights. I’m Erika Fellowes, Kara’s doctor.”
After the introductions, I said, “I don’t understand why Kara was brought here?”
“Never mind that,” Mom said, “thank you for taking care of her, Dr. Fellowes, but if you’ll go get her, we’ll be on our way.”
Erika’s smile fell away and she regarded us with a seriousness that chilled me. “I’m afraid we have a lot to discuss.” Looking away from Mom, she turned to me. “I know all you want to do is take your daughter home. And I don’t blame you. You have to understand, though, what a fragile state she is in.”
“Of course she’s upset,” Mom said, “who wouldn’t be, living with that dreadful man the way she has been all these years? The sooner we get her home, the faster she will recover.”
“Mother, stop,” I said, my hand on her arm to emphasize my point. “Please, Dr. Fellowes, go on.”
“Let’s go to my office,” she suggested, gesturing toward one of the locked gates.
Part 2: The Reunion
The corridors were cleaner than the lobby, but the fluorescent lighting made it feel cold, and clinical. As Dr. Erika Fellowes led me to the day room Kara was in, my mind mulled over what she’d told us.
Kara was a toddler when Jem took her, and because of her age, she didn’t remember me. My heart lurched against my chest wall every time that thought entered my throbbing brain. All these years, what I’d focused on was finding my daughter. It never occurred to me she wouldn’t know me anymore.
We passed another set of locked doors, and my eyes burned with the newfound knowledge of the situation. Kara didn’t know me from Adam. My baby wouldn’t be able to recognize me.
Dr. Fellowes told us about the living conditions Jem had kept them in. Kara had never seen her own reflection, or another child. To her, the entire world consisted of the shack they lived in, and her father. What I wanted to do was tear the doctor’s office to pieces, screaming about the injustice of it all. Instead, I sat across from her desk, listening, trying to understand, my face frozen like a mask.
Even Mom was silent during our talk with Kara’s doctor. The gravity of the situation hit us all at once, like a brick to the head.
Then, it was decided. Kara couldn’t possibly come home with us today. Or probably any time soon. She needed time to adjust, to get to know us first. There was a lot for her to learn. Dr. Fellowes said she would be working with Kara a great deal. At this time, she had no idea how long this adjustment period would take because she needed to get to know Kara better as well.
Finally, Dr. Fellowes stopped outside a set of doors. “This is our day room. It’s kept unlocked during the day and the kids can watch TV, play games, or read. They’re allowed outside in the courtyard, too.”
My mind numb, I nodded. I hesitated, my hand on the door handle. Then, taking a deep, steadying breath, I went inside.
The youth center had a low attendance at the moment, and most of the kids that were brought there were troubled in some way. Dr. Fellowes told us that while some of the kids may have committed crimes, others hadn’t, and Kara wasn’t in any danger from anyone.
A couple of kids in the day room were playing dominoes. They looked older then the other two kids standing nearby. One was a boy who was standing near the corner for some reason. The other was a girl who was singing a song at the top of her voice. It wasn’t bad, though.
She was thirteen now, but I recognized Kara immediately sitting on a couch by herself. As I came closer, I was overwhelmed by the tears on her face, and how thin she was.
My pulse quickened, thumping in my veins. If only I could take her in my arms, hold her against me and tell her everything would be all right now.
Dr. Fellowes had told me not to do that.
“H-hi, Kara,” I said, my voice a squeak.
As if in slow motion, her gaze met mine. I nearly gasped at how much she resembled Jem. But her eyes were mine.
“I’m your… my name is Bea. May I sit with you?”
She didn’t answer, but she didn’t protest either, so I sat near her, careful not to touch her, as hard as that was.
An uncomfortable silence fell over us. I was afraid of saying the wrong thing even though Dr. Fellowes had told me to just be honest. This would be a trust-building time.
“I- I know you must not remember me,” I said as a few tears escaped my eyes and rolled down my cheeks, “but I’m your mother. And- and I’ve missed you so much.”
“I looked for you everywhere but couldn’t find you. I- I never gave up hope, though, that you’d come home.”
“Home?” she mumbled, her voice as tiny as she was.
If only I could reach out to her, wipe her tears away at least. Dr. Fellowes said Kara didn’t react well to physical contact, and it was killing me.
“Yes, honey, home.”
“I want to go home with my dad,” she said. “But he’s dead now. And, I’m here.”
Again, my rage bubbled up, my stomach roiling, churning the bitterness and anger. I wanted to tell her how mentally ill Jem was, and that he’d deserved to die.
“I’m sorry about what happened and that your dad died,” I said instead.
It was then, I realized she was wearing some of the clothing I’d brought for her. I pointed to her shoes, a small smile playing on my lips.
“I made sure your shoes would be hot pink. I don’t suppose you remember, but your favorite color was hot pink. You had a pair of shoes you wore all the time because they were that color.”
Was she smiling as she regarded her feet? Maybe a tiny bit. At least the tears were drying now for both of us.
“You don’t know me, but I would like us to be friends,” I ventured. “Would it be all right with you if I visit again tomorrow?”
Her nod was almost imperceptible, but the little smile her lips had curled into was not. We were starting at the very beginning, as strangers, but I was determined it wouldn’t be that way for long.
Part 3: It’s Good Care
Back at home, I hunted around the kitchen, trying to decide what to do for supper. My mind and heart weren’t into it because all I could think about was Kara back at the teen facility without her family.
When I told Perry this, he said, “I’m worried about her, too. But I’m also encouraged by how you said your visit went. I made some calls and Dr. Fellowes is a good doctor.”
“I wish we could move her some place nicer,” I grumbled, slapping a pan onto the stove with a loud thwack.
“Well, we can’t. Moving her again would be too much for her to take. And, besides, looks aren’t everything. I did some nosing around and she has individual counseling, group therapy, activities, and a private room. The care she gets is the most important thing right now, anyway.”
“It had better be top-notch!”
“It’s good care,” he said. “I promise, I’ve checked it out.”
“I don’t know what we’re going to eat tonight.” I sobbed and put a hand to my forehead.
Perry pulled me into an embrace. The warmth of his body, the strength of his arms gave me comfort.
“There is a bright side, you know.”
“What possible bright side could there be?” I asked.
He kissed my cheek and said, “Well, the more meager her surroundings are there, the more she’ll love being here in her beautiful pink room you put together.”
I kind of half chuckled, half sobbed, in spite of myself.
“We’re here, yo!” Karen called from the foyer.
Andy, Joey, and Teagan were laughing and I heard Karen trying to settle them down.
“I’d better pull myself together, the zoo is home,” I said, wiping my eyes on my sleeve.
Perry kissed me again, then pulled his phone out. “I’m ordering pizza.”
As sad and distraught as I felt, I couldn’t help but smile when I saw my boys. They complained and squirmed when I hugged them a little too tightly.
“Teagan,” I said, “you look like a farmer!”
“She’s a cowboy,” Andy informed me.
“Cow-girl.”
“Oh, yes, definitely a cow-girl,” I said.
“She’s worn that outfit almost every day this week. It’s driving me batty,” Karen said.
I laughed, then asked, “How about staying for pizza?”
“Pizza!” the boys yelled before high-fiving each other.
“All right, you monsters, go wash your hands,” Karen said, waving them toward the staircase.
Part 4: Bob Benson and His Story
After we ate, sent the kids to play, and cleaned up, I updated Karen on the situation with Kara and the youth center. She commiserated with me, as I knew she would.
“Mom won’t be home this evening, and Detective Benson is supposed to stop by in a little while. Will you stay?”
As if we’d summoned him, he rang the bell and I let him in.
“I remember you, Karen. Please, call me Bob,” he said, after I introduced him to Karen. “I’m retired now, so, I’m just Bob who likes to pull the boat out and go fishing.”
Once we were seated in the living room, Bob told us about Kara’s rescue in more detail than the current detective on the case had done.
“What happened was, we were doing a search of the area, and an officer ran into Kara in the woods. Before she could do anything, Kara ran off. So, the officer followed her, and that’s how they came across the shack Jem had put up.”
“We saw photos of where they lived. You can’t imagine how distressed we are Kara was brought up like that,” Perry said.
“I’m not distressed as much as I’m enraged,” I said. “If Jem hadn’t died, I’d kill him myself!”
“I understand why you feel that way, Bea. I wished it could’ve turned out differently, though.”
“I’m sure it was a ghastly sight,” Karen said, a sympathetic chord in her voice.
“Yes, it was. It’s a terrible situation. As a cop, you don’t want to see it resolved in that manner. You’re hoping you get everyone out safely. But, when he came out with a drawn gun, he directed the way it was going to go.”
“How many times was he shot?” I asked, my chin jutting forward, my eyes cold.
I ignored Perry who was openly watching me with concern, his mouth slightly agape.
Bob cleared his throat, possibly taken aback by my question. But I didn’t care what any of them thought about me. The anger was pushing at my insides from all directions, and it was all I could do to keep it under wraps.
“They didn’t tell you?” Bob asked. “He was shot in the head. Once. He did it himself. Not one officer fired a shot that day.”
“Oh,” I heard myself mumble. My voice sounded far away as if it was coming from a different room.
Karen was staring at me, too, now.
Confusing thoughts swirled around me as images of Jem from happier times flashed through my mind. Jem as a child, playing in my tree house with me. Then, doing homework at my kitchen table, glancing up once in a while to smile.
That smile. It had won my heart over so many times.
All at once, my heart was breaking again. He’d hurt me more than anyone ever could, and now he was dead. There was no yelling at him or demanding to know how he could do this to us. The finality of his suicide left fresh, gaping wounds, and I wasn’t sure anymore what I felt.
“Are you all right?” Bob asked.
From my peripheral vision, I could see Perry’s raised hand, as if he wanted to put his arm around me but knew better than to do it just then.
Something inside me cracked, but it wasn’t a mere fracture. It was a fissure, a chasm. The crater inside me filled with hardness, as if someone had poured molten steel into it. The steel worked its way up through my emotions, too, hardening fast, until I was in a state to deal with it all.
Notes
I would like to give a shout out and special thanks to Bee (Poses by Bee, Stories by Bee) who built the youth center for me because I can’t build. At all. Thank you, Bee! I love it! And, no, it’s not really deserving of all the insults I hurled at it in this chapter. lol It’s actually a beautiful building.
In other news, welcome to the launching of my new post template! I hope you like it. I worked crazy long hours on it. 🙂 I see the “Like” button from JetPack is missing and I’m in the process of trying to figure out why since I have it enabled in JetPack settings and on posts. I also learned how to convert font files to .woff format, upload them, and use them in my theme. So, now my header font matches my signature image. Woot!
Because my chapters are on the longer side, I broke this one up into four parts. Anyway, let me know what you think! Good decision or bad? 🙂 I’m counting on you to let me know.
One more question… I’m curious as to whether you read my chapters in the WordPress Reader or on my site? There is no wrong answer, I’m just nosy. lol As for me, I follow the reader but go to your individual sites to read your content.
Sorry this is so long, but just an FYI: Thanks to my wonderful husband, I have the flu. (At least you know we’re close haha.) Anyway, don’t be alarmed if I can’t get to comment responses right away as I’m feeling pretty craptastic. I deeply appreciate each comment left, and will answer them soon as I can.
Thank you for reading, liking, lurking, and commenting. You all are the best!
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I read most blogs in WordPress Reader but since I’m so far behind in yours I read it on your site, where there’s navigation buttons making it easy to follow the stories sequentially. When I want to comment though, after liking one of your posts I go to my Likes and revisit the post in WordPress Reader because for whatever reason WP doesn’t work well for me when I’m trying to comment on any site from the front end, not just yours. In fact, there’s a new thing now where I have to enable pop-ups just to like something on someone’s site (as opposed to doing so in WordPress Reader). Not sure what that’s about.
This is all good to know. I’m glad it’s not just my site, but at the same time, I feel aggravated by wordpress. I’m so glad you still take the time to make comments, especially when it’s such a pain to do so. Are the popups ads? Because my site is supposed to be ad-free. So that would be good to know, too. I really appreciate you telling me all of this. xo
No, I haven’t seen pop-ads on any of the WP sites that I have to remove pop-ups for in order to like their posts. Just a blank pop-up that immediately disappears! It’s weird. I don’t really understand the purpose of it.
*accept pop-ups I meant to say, not remove :p
Oh, yes, I knew what you meant. 😀 😀 xo
That is so strange. There are many things with WP I can’t explain. LOL
This is such a bad situation all around. Poor Kara suffered because of Jem’s actions, and who knows how this is going to affect the rest of her life. I like Elle, but she just doesn’t get it. That poor woman is totally out of her element. As to Bea, this is going to be majorly difficult. I sure didn’t expect the suicide, but I could see how it would turn out that way. I had a funny feeling about that family and felt that something was off. It caught up to them in the end, and I’m sorry it turned out like that. I think maybe had things been done differently, all of this could’ve been prevented.
I’ve been reading the posts on the website. Because I am playing catch-up, I just got to the website through the browser and just read one chapter after another.
You sound like me when I was trying to figure out what was going on with my like button when I switched over to self hosting. For the life of me, I just couldn’t get it to work. Turns out I had to enable it in two different places, and then it worked. Sheesh! Building a website from the ground up can be quite taxing, let me tell you. LOL!
I like the different things you brought up here. This will definitely be an experience that defines the rest of Kara’s life. When I thought of how this would end for Jem, I figured he would realize there was no way out for him. In his mind, he failed Kara. It was over.
Thanks for letting me know how you read the posts. 🙂 It’s really helpful to know. You sure read all the generations fast! 😀
Yes, it’s true about building your own site. I’ve enjoyed every second of it, though, even when it was frustrating. 😀
Sadly, that’s the way with some people. It’s all or nothing, and I just don’t think he would’ve been able to cope with it. Plus, they would have stuck him in jail, which would have really driven him insane, I’m sure. It’s never any fun to feel like a failure. It’s too bad he never got therapy though because maybe that would’ve helped. Who knows?
Hey, no problem! Yeah, I guess I did go through the generations pretty fast. I’m actually a pretty slow reader but when I banged up my knee a little bit, I decided to take that time and just sit back and read while I was babying it.
Exactly! It’s fun to see it all come together and realize that you, yourself did it. I still have some tweaks to do on mine, but I’m getting there. I love the customization you can get and the control over what goes on it and how.
I definitely think therapy would have had an impact on him if he stuck with it. It’s sad he went the route he did and that it all ended up this way. I hate what he did but I did feel bad for him, too.
I love the customization of self-hosted, too. ❤️
I’m still planning on responding to your email. I’m so sorry it’s gone so long without an answer. ❤️❤️❤️
It sounds like you’ve had a lot going on, so I totally understand about the email. 🙂 No worries at all and no need to apologize. *hugs*
Thank you so much for understanding. Just when I think I’ve caught up on something, BOOM! Nope! LOL 😀 I’m so behind in the reader, it’s terrible. But, I will prevail! LOLOLOL
I really like the way you’re approaching this. Most stories would have Kara just come home immediately, crying but happy. It seems obvious that you’ve put a lot of research into how this would work irl. And, yep, Kara isn’t going to understand how awful Jem really was when he provided the only world she knew.
Jem committing suicide in that moment does make sense for him. He couldn’t face the consequences.
How I read on wordpress depends on if I’m at my computer or not. If I am, I open up the website. But of I’m on my phone, I just use the wordpress reader.
Thank you, Heather. 🙂 I’m so glad you like how this is going. I appreciate your kind words.
I thought Jem committing suicide made sense, too. He saw the end and probably felt he’d failed to protect Kara after all.
Thanks for letting me know how you read on WordPress. I’m so nosy. 😀
great chapter Kymber 🙂 hope your feeling better now,
“Cesare the Cat. He thinks he’s in charge, and maybe he’s right.” thats funny :)) may be you could give a little stroke for me please Kymber 🙂
thats such a cool idea “This post is Cesare Approved.” hope he approves my comment to :))
Thank you so much, Darren! 🙂 I’m feeling just fine now, thank you.
I just petted Cesare for you. He liked it very much. 😀
And, he does approve your comment. LOLOL
I don’t mind the parts, but I read the entire chapter in one go whether it has them or not! I write long chapters too though so maybe that’s why!
I feel for Bea. There’s no closure for her, really. She can’t confront Jem and yell out her feeling at him, get some sort of personal justice. There’s all the pieces she still has to pick up and he’s left her with that.
Perry is so great for her, at least. He’s a wonderful rock. I’m so happy he’s in her life.
I wonder how Jem’s parents have reacted during all this?
Thank you 🙂 I’m so glad you let me know whether you liked the chapter in parts or not.
You’re so right about Bea and how she can’t confront Jem about what he’s put them through. I like how you said he’s left her with all those pieces to pick up. It’s so true.
Perry is Mr. Wright, you know. hahaha Okay, that was maybe only funny once. Maybe. lol
I love that question! Perhaps we’ll find out.
Man, I knew things would not go smoothly, but I didn’t expect them to be that bad… at least it’s somewhat reassurring that Kara seemed accepting of her mom’s approach and did not behave like a wild animal – which would also be within the normal range of reactions, right?
And even though I could perhaps see Jem’s behavior from his perpective (including the family dynamic of his childhood years, as Jowita already said), I can totally understand Bea’s anger towards him.
I hope both will overcome their scars and that there will be only happy moments between them from now on! <3
Thank you so much. 🙂 I think Bea had a picture in her head of the perfect reunion with Kara, and then, bringing her home to her pink bedroom. I like that you brought up how else Kara could have reacted; I do think what you suggest is within the realm of reason. I mean, she’s never even met other people before. This must all be very shocking for her.
I also like what you (and Jowita) said about Jem’s childhood and upbringing. We never saw Calpurnia, his mother. Nor did J.P. ever seem very connected with Jem. Even when Holden was urging J.P. into action, J.P.’s response was that the parents should butt out.
I hope the same thing. ❤️
It’s scary that this is what a lot of reunions are like for abducted children who are rescued, where they aren’t the children they were when they were taken and they don’t recognise home or their loved ones. It must be utterly heartbreaking, and so difficult for that person to adjust, while also being so hard on the families who just want them home and safe again.
I’m glad Perry was there for her to raise a smile, and that the rest of the gang came when she needed the distraction. It’s good for Bob to provide a little more closure going over the rescue and how Jem had held her daughter over the years. I’m not sure how I’d feel, if I were Bea, knowing he’d killed himself. I’d be glad it was over, but I’d probably also feel like justice wasn’t served, that he wouldn’t be held accountable or shown the damage he’d caused.
Such a good chapter, Kymber, you’ve crafted this so brilliantly and emotively!!
Caz xx
Thank you, Caz. 🙂 You’re words really touched me. It’s a horrifying thought about who the child may be when they are rescued. As the parent, you’re longing for your child to just be safe and home again. It would be shocking to find out what they’d been through and who they are now as a result.
It was Perry to the rescue with a smile and a pizza. lol I think you’re right that it was good for Bob to bring more closure to the situation especially since Bea can’t confront Jem and pursue closure that way. I think I’d feel the same way you mentioned if I were Bea, too.
I thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement. It means a great deal to me. xo
I hope that this is the beginning of a nice relationship between Bea and Kara. It might not be the mother-daughter bond that Bea wants after all this time, but friendship is a start! Hopefully Kara will adjust well and can move home soon, but she has a lot to work through. As messed up as Jem was, he was still her father and the only family Kara knew. She loved him despite it all. His suicide will be hardest on her, and Bea too I suspect. I think the fact that he took his own life is leaving Bea without the closure she needs. If he had survived, she might have been able to let all of her remaining anger and grief out in a final confrontation. Now she has to let it go and make peace with it which would be extremely difficult to do. This family will need lots of healing. ❤️
Also, go Perry for deciding to order pizza! 🍕 During that scene I was like, come on man don’t let your wife worry about that. She’s dealing with enough haha. I can hardly figure out what to make for dinner on a good day!
Sometimes I read posts in reader and sometimes I read them on the author’s site. It depends on my mood I suppose. 🤷🏻♀️
Feel better soon! 😊
Thank you 🙂 Yes! Friendship is a start, and when you think of how this could have gone, it’s a great start. lol It will probably take a while before Kara is in any shape to go home, but there is hope for a relationship with her family.
You are very right when you say that Jem taking his own life is leaving Bea without the closure she needs. Spot on. You just couldn’t be more right.
LOL Yes! Go, Perry, order that pizza! 😀 I’m with you on trying to figure out dinner. haha
Thanks for letting me know about whether you read in Reader or on the site? I appreciate it. 🙂
It’s good Kara is getting the care she needs. I didn’t even think about how unused to other humans she’d be! Hopefully her and Bea will be able to build their relationship and have the happily ever after they deserve.
Thank you, Raymond 🙂 It’s strange, I think, when you realize Kara has never seen another person before other than Jem. Her world was so small and contained. Now, it’s unbelievably big and overwhelming. I’m hoping she and Bea will be able to build a good relationship and have the happily ever after, too.
I hate that she is in such a place .. I woudl love to see her in a private home .. too much bad stuff she can learn there is she makes the wrong friends
Thank you, Lisa 🙂 That is a great point! I think you’re right to worry about that. It seems almost like she’s a blank slate right now. So, what will she learn? And who from?
At that age they are like sponges but sometimes they dip into the wrong bucket
Ain’t that the truth? I think of Kara right now as a blank slate because she doesn’t really have knowledge of anything about the real world. So, this could be interesting.
WOW. It never occurred to me that she had never seen her own face before. Wow! Jem’s face is literally the only face she has seen! WOW!
Part 2 was so moving, I actually teared up!
I love their house.
*gasp* Jem killed himself? Wow. Getting himself out of the situation was cowardly, though giving up Kara was the most sensible thing he’s done in his whole life.
Man…this situation just keep getting worse and worse for Bea. I know she won’t be ok for a while, but I hope it doesn’t turn into “a thing.”
Thank you, Jes! 🙂 It’s such a strange thing, isn’t it? She saw her reflection in the water, but it wasn’t clear. Isn’t it strange that Jem is the only person she’d ever seen before? I can barely wrap my brain around it.
Awww…. I’m glad you found part 2 so moving. I was hoping it would be.
I love their house, too, and wish it was real. And that I lived in it. haha
Yep, Jem killed himself. I thought at the time that’s what he would do once he realized there was no getting out of this and his daughter would not be protected by him anymore.
I hope it doesn’t turn into a “thing” either. I would like to see major healing on all fronts here. I reckon we’ll see if that can happen.
I’d totally live in their house!
Yes! I need blueprints! I need a contractor! 😀 😀
Ooooh! Maybe I’ll do a little house tour!
Yeees tour please!
Coming right up! This morning at 10 a.m., in fact! Woot! 😀
Baby steps, baby steps. It’s been a long time. Kara’s been living a tough live. She’ll need help readjusting. At least, she’s getting it.
Thank you 🙂 Baby steps is right. Kara is going from severe isolation where everything she knew about the world was right there, to a world so big, she is probably overwhelmed and can’t comprehend it all. But like you said, at least she’s getting what she needs.
Oh that was rough. But at least Kara seemed to be responding to Bea. Ellie needs to butt out. As much as I initially liked Ellie, she turned into a bitter controlling woman.
Ugh. Wasn’t finished. Bea is doing the right thing. Again, very happy she has Perry. But that hardness that she is feeling may wind up hurting her family. I hope not. Anyway, great chapter! I do like the way you made it into parts. That worked well. Hope you feel better soon.
I press send before I’m ready so often! haha
I agree with what you say about the hardness in Bea, and how that might do more harm than good. Maybe Perry can help with that, but we’ll see. 😀
I’m glad you liked the chapter being broken up into parts. 🙂 I am thinking I will be doing it that way now.
And….I read it on your site! Lol….
hahahaha Thank you for letting this nosy girl know! 😀
Thank you, Audrey 🙂 I actually like what you wrote about Ellie. Somewhere along the way, she flipped. When she was first introduced, Holden fell in love with her innocence and big dreams. It’s sad, really, how she’s changed.
I think the chapter was perfectly written, even with all the insults hurled at my beautiful build! I liked the structure and the thoughts were believable to what I imagine it would be like at this time. I’m also sick so this is all I can accomplish for a comment. Sorry.
Thank you, Bee. 🙂 You’re so kind to say that. Especially after all the insults your build endured. 😀 I’m glad you like the structure, too, since I know you didn’t see that beforehand. It was kind of a last minute idea I thought I’d try.
I’m so sorry you’ve been ill. I hope you are feeling better. xo
First, I want to wish you a get well soon for catching the flu. I hope nothing is serious, this illness kills a lot. Take a lot of rest and please take your time before answering us.
Second to answer your question I enjoyed you cut the chapter into different part, to me it’s easier to read.
Sometimes I read from the reader, sometimes I read from the , depend on the colour of the background layout and how big the font is. If it’s black with a tiny font I read from the reader. Reader is useful to put you comments, I cannot like or comment from the site.
Now about Kara, she needs to have this therapy, to learn how to behave in society and to slowly get to know her mother and her father in law she forgets. She suffers from the family of the Stockholm syndrom. (I ignore the true therapy term to design it). She bounded with her father only of course she misses him, of course she wants to beback home with him all her life was built until now in this misery. That’s her routine. Her safe space.
Ellie is wrong to push her to be back home and she should listen to Perry. He seems to know well how to manage the issue and he is right to leave her in this institution as long as Béa can visit her as often as she wants to.
Thank you so much for your well wishes. I’m beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel now. LOLOL I hate leaving comments go, but I was just. so. ICKY. lolol
Oh, good! Thanks for letting me know about whether you liked the chapter with subtitles or not. I’m so glad it was easier to read that way. 🙂
You can’t like or comment from the site? All sites or just mine? If you don’t mind me asking. That’s a good point about the background color and font size of the site. So, it makes sense to me you would go to the reader if your eyes are strained from that. In fact there is a site I follow that would be perfect for Reader reading because it has a super bright background color and the print is actually just a lighter version of that, so I can barely read it.
I like what you said about Kara needing this therapy right now so she can learn all the things she doesn’t know. Which is a lot. lol I’m glad you brought up Stockholm Syndrome. I honestly didn’t think of it in technical terms like that, but tried to imagine what it would be like in that situation. But you make an excellent point.
It makes sense to me, too, that she misses her father and wants to go home. It’s all she knows.
I think Ellie is wrong, too. And, I agree with what you said about Perry, and Bea visiting, too.
You are welcome, I am glad you feel a little bit better even though you’re slowly recovering.
You are welcome for the advices.
I cannot like and comments from the all sites I am following, I have to go to the reader. This is the only way I can interact with all of you. Maybe Internet started to hate Firefox who knows? lol
I also cannot read on black background/ white colours ad on bright vivid background/font too these are too raw for the sight. If something is wrong with my wordpress just tell me. I will try to use smoother colours.
The Stockholm syndrom is I don’t think right to use this term with family because no matter how people are violent and rude, you are still a part of natural bound with your family , the blood/dna bound but Kara relashionship with his father tends to be similar , close to just because she was kidnapped and Jem was mad.
Thank you. 🙂 Each day, I feel better than the day before.
I wonder why you can only use the Reader to like and comment, but either way, I’m glad you are able to somehow.
Your site is very nice. 🙂 I like everything about it.
I see what you’re saying about Stockholm Syndrome. It is a bit different because Kara was kidnapped by her father.
But I am sure someday or even now there is a medical term to call it , DSM is always growing up on each versions it becomes richer.
I am glad you feel better each day this is a very good new.
I even don’t know why, all the thing I am sure if Firefox is hated more on each week.
I don’t use Firefox very often. I’m not sure what browser is the best. I’m using Chrome right now.
Everybody uses Chrome , I don’t like it I use it on my phone only.
I use it because I know it the best, but I also have Microsoft Edge on my computer.
Everybody got edge sometimes it’s useful.
Well, I was really hoping that the fissure in her heart would allow the spaces to be filled with love and forgiveness. Now she has so much healing to do. I hope that she gets there… hardness inside just makes life harder.
I really love the direction you’re taking this in. It feels realistic and right. I’m so eager to get to know Kara.
On a side note, when I was 4, I was a cowgirl, and dressed like Teagen every day!
Thank you, CT. I like that you brought up the points about the fissure in her heart. I agree that hard hearts don’t heal well and make life more difficult. But, good news! I have a plan! 😀 😀 lol
I’m so glad you’re loving the direction the story is taking. I wanted there to be a lot of focus on Kara and her recovery, so you will probably get to know her quite well.
I love that you dressed as a cowgirl, too. lol My son, when he was in first grade, wore a Superman shirt underneath his school clothes every day. haha So, every night, I had to wash that thing and make sure he had it fresh and clean for the next day of school. He did that for an entire year. 😀
What a wonderful person you are to have done that for him. Many people wouldn’t have understood and would have told him he was being silly (or worse ) and would have made him change.
Awww… thank you. Honestly, it never occurred to me I should talk him out of it. 🙂 I needed coffee to get through my day. He needed a Superman shirt. lol 😀
Wow! That was a surprise, but in a way, a good one. It gives them something to work with. There will be no one else to blame but evidence that he was a sick person. I hope that she will be receptive to her little brothers and that she not turn up any of Jem’s traits that could endanger the others.
Thank you, Jolie 🙂 Oh, wow! That is a really good point about Kara – that hopefully, she won’t have any of Jem’s negative traits. The family doesn’t know right now; I’m not sure they’ve even thought about that yet. Jem was her only influence, so that is a great statement you made.
If I recall in her baby days she was quite “self willed”, wanting Perry over Jem.
Yes, you recall right. 😀 At the time, it was chalked up to the fact that Jem wasn’t around as much as Perry was… but again, good point! 😀
Oh, give her her kid!
But i’m glad her other kids aren’t being ignored.
To answer your question – i read this on your site.
Thank you, Jina! I was so curious about that. 😀
And, yes! Let Kara go home already! lolol 😀 The boys will be the focus of the next chapter. After all, they will have a pretty big adjustment, too, learning their sister is coming home.
I feel for Kara and Bea. They are going to have a lot of challenges ahead of them, that’s for sure. I knew Jem had shot himself; he seemed like the type to do that. Always on edge about things. I just hope that Kara can be with Bea soon and work on building their relationship together as well as with the rest of the household. Excellent chapter and I loved the way everything was put together!!! 🤗
By the way, they way you spelled Jem’s name reminds me of Jem and the Hollograms–LOL. I was actually planning on using that name in The Willows for next generation for a girl, but decided not to when I saw you used it. 😂 No biggie, I have some other names to use. 😊
Oh, funny! 😀 The Poes are the first sim family I ever made, so Jem and his parents are pretty far down the line. Anyway, I took his and his mother’s name from “To Kill a Mockingbird.” LOL His mother’s name was Calpurnia. haha
I can totally see why you might not want a character named Jem now. LOLOLOL 😀 😂
LOL! Yeah I think I’ll go with another name. 😂🤣
😂 😂 LOL That sounds like a solid plan.
Thank you, Stormy. 🙂 I’m so glad you let me know you like how the layout is. That’s so helpful. 🙂
You’re so right about all the challenges ahead for Bea and Kara. Honestly, when I saw the gun in Jem’s hand, I couldn’t imagine him going out any other way. Such a tragic situation. Hopefully, Kara will adjust quickly and feel comfortable going home to her family.
I’m really happy with the direction you’re taking it, because I always think about how reality would be in situations like this one. Especially when Kara can’t remember her mum. I appreciate the care you’re taking to portray the situation. You’re so talented. 🙂 I think the division works, by the way. I enjoyed this chapter a lot. 🙂
And your site looks fantastic. 🙂 I, too, go people’s blogs to read. I don’t always remember right away, but I just like seeing how people’s blogs are looking and everything. Especially yours because there’s often a pretty new theme to look at! 😉
Sorry to hear you’re ill, Kym. You take care and make sure to get plenty of rest. Get well soon. <3
Thank you, Louise. 🙂
You’re so sweet with your kind words. ❤ I love looking at YOUR site! lol You are the talented one, my friend. Little tidbit: I haven’t changed the theme in ages. This is the same theme, it just has every option under the sun. LOL If anyone is looking for a theme they can totally customize, build pages, their headers, footers, etc. to look like one of a kind, this is the theme to use.
Anyway, I appreciate how you feel about the story, and letting me know. This is the part I couldn’t wait to get to, and why the kidnapping was sped up a bit.
Thanks for letting me know about the chapter divisions, too. I wasn’t sure if it would be too distracting, or a welcome visual break. lol
I feel so bad for Kara. It will be very difficult for her to adjust. The only thing she’s ever known is the life in this awful shack with Jem…
A suicide? That was shocking news. I didn’t expect it, I was so certain that one of the policemen shot him. Jem’s life was so tragic, beginning with a worrying family dynamic, and finally, he ended his life just as the only woman he’s ever (truly) loved. I’m sorry it had to come to this. And that Kara had to suffer because of his actions.
Anyway, I really want to hug the poor teenager, and Bea… It’s not going to be easy, but I hope they will, slowly, and taking their time, find their way back to one another as a mother and daughter. ♥
I always said you were an html pro, Kym. Just another proof. And I do the same as you, use Reader and then right click on the title of the post to view in a new tab. I hope you feel better soon, I wish you a quick recovery!
Thank you, Jowita. Yes, that’s what I do, right click and open in a new tab. I like seeing peoples’ sites.
You’re right that it will be difficult for Kara to adjust. When I think of the isolation she endured, it must be overwhelming for her now, being bombarded with everything.
I feel terrible about Jem, to be honest. When I brought the Poes into my game for this gen, I didn’t at all plan his story to go this way. The Poes are the first family I ever made. lol (My old avatar was Rosalie Poe who was born into the family.)
Anyway, I think they could use some hugs. lol
Clever story, amazing production.
Thank you, Jacqui! I appreciate your encouraging words.