Bad Machinery by John Allison for July 17, 2019

I’m scared. This could be the end of Shauna and Lottie friendship. And if it happens, I can’t blame Shauna.

Well that went well.

You know…I can’t pity them, seeing that at least one of them suggested this might not be that good an idea from the start, but then and did it anyway, so…

“I thought she’d be more delighted.”

Nobody else did.

Such thoughtful friends. :-)

There may be a very good reason Glenn Hughes is not a member of that household. Not every bio-dad is fit to meet.

Certainly, Lottie and Mildred shouldn’t have gone tracking down Shauna’s dad behind her back. On the other hand, they have no idea why he’s not a part of Shauna’s life. Shauna doesn’t even know that. All Shauna knows is that he left a long time ago, and she doesn’t remember anything about him. Are the Wickles better off without Glenn Hughes? Well… you’ll just have to keep reading, the story is too big and important to spoil it. (But… it’s a story, all right.)

And, of course, from Mildred’s perspective… why wouldn’t someone want to know their father? She gets along great with Neil; isn’t that how fathers and daughters are supposed to be? As for Lottie… if she could trade for the opportunity to see her dad again, I’m pretty sure there wouldn’t be much she wouldn’t give. And it’s not like Shauna’s ever really said she didn’t want to meet her father; that she seemed to not regret not knowing him should have been a sign that maybe that particular hornet’s nest wasn’t worth disturbing (no matter what Glenn Hughes is like), but they didn’t have bad intentions, at least, they just didn’t put the right amount of thought into their plan.

Other than that, all I’ll say is: buckle up, it’s gonna be a ride.

Gimlet eyes to the left,

Gimlet eyes to the right,

Into the valley of Ire,

Rode the two.

I have to repeat what pauline_gangof4 said yesterday. This artwork is incredible. You can see every emotion on each of their faces and each of their gestures! Amazing!