For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for November 23, 2017

since when do teachers count as “anyone”? now Michael feels betrayed ()and embarrassed)

When I read this comic in my first go around years ago, I was just as upset as Michael is. There are some things you don’t do and this is definitely one of them.

Michael gave her a note and Martha has judged the content to be sincere. What is the natural next step for a Grade 7 boy and girl thinking about starting a relationship? Maybe they want to set up a date where they can spend more time together. Maybe they want to sit together during lunch. Nope. Michael’s first thought is to give Martha a test of loyalty. Yes, dating Michael is a little like what you have to do to become a full member of the Mafia or Cosa Nostra.

Even though Martha has read his note and the note is no longer needed, Martha must protect the information in that note at all costs. If she doesn’t, well, Michael will be peaking around that wall to watch her every movement to make sure she does.

Poor Micheal. That was really mean of Martha!

Oops, she did it again! Michael should know from the first time this girl cannot be trusted!

And women wonder why men don’t trust.

Every junior high girl would show it to her best friend. Maybe to two. But never in the hallway in view of the boy! Martha, that was a HUGE mistake.

It was predictable, alas.

It’s why he didn’t end up marrying Martha. He lucked out in the end.

GAH!

In love, writing is dangerous, not to mention pointless. Alexandre Dumas jr.

Oh, Martha, not again.

If you write it, you have to own it…

The way Martha looks up at Michael in panel one is so cute. That’s why Michael let’s her get away with this.

And so begins the male journey as he learns to keep his emotions internalized.

The essence of the law: do right and fear no man; don’t write and fear no woman. – David Crockett

This is about Martha’s ego. She just can’t wait to show off to her friends that she has attracted the interest of a boy!

And therein lies a key ongoing problem with that demographic: peer group pressure. So much fear of being yourself due to worrying about what everyone else thinks.

Girls share Mike. More than guys do.

Unfortunately, like many young lovers, he just keeps seeing Martha. The power of attraction is hard to resist and is why so many relationship that never should be but is due to attraction burns out fast. Mistrust eventually wins and the person walks away with a lot of heartbreak. It is not just tweens, adults suffer from it as well. Best learn it when in teenage years and go into adult relationships in a more healthy way.

Lyin’ little heifer!

First rule in lawyering- Don’t put any statements on paper that you don’t mind the whole world seeing.

Sometimes it’s just hard to hold back good news.

Mike’s instincts that Martha will gossip are accurate. (The overwhelming majority of) Women cannot keep a secret for longer than 47 hours according to a study of 3,000 women in 2009. Their burning desire to gossip is stronger than their ability to keep a promise.

These kids are in SEVENTH GRADE. GEEZ, of course a seventh grade girl is going to show her best friends a love note. I’m 25 and I tell my best friends pretty much everything.

OMG Lorraine are you in the 7th grade or something?