#so at long last im dustin her off and giving her the same care that biche basil and arkady all got

[sortagaysortahigh]

Trailer Park Pretty | Eddie Munson

A/N: I had so many concept ideas for this specific fic, but i present to you hurt/comfort friends to lovers with our nerd king. Also as usual my reader is coded, and in this specific fic she leans towards being black coded w big curly hair, and one last thing, before anyone tries to pull the ‘well its obv ab a white reader bc white ppl live in trailer parks’, i just KNOW you’ve never been to the south bc there’s hella black/brown trailer parks down there...like bitch don’t play w me. ALSO this is fanon...so for the sake of this spcific fic dustin and susie arent together lmao

Summary:  “A girl like that? She’s what you call trailer park pretty, she gets it from her mama, she’s gonna have a guy from every corner of the park and beyond after her-you just gotta be the one to get her attention and treat her right cause there’s gonna be a lot of them that won’t.”

Warnings: angst, mentions of domestic abuse/parent in an abusive relationship (brief, not graphic), mentions of a deceased father (i give my y/n’s trauma im sorry), mentions of insecurity, eldest sister who takes care of her family instead of herself, mentions of cornography (dirty magazines, sci-fi based corn, Eddie’s Heavy metal magazines), spelling and grammar errors, brief mentions of sex, mentions of mary jane, mentions of absent parental figures, mentions of trauma, violence (broken bottles, cuts/scrapes, and a cast iron skillet, broken/shattered hands) - nothing happens to the main characters

Word Count: 11.5k

Eddie Munson x Fem!Reader

(so totally very much in love)

Eddie Munson had quite the crush on one of his neighbors-Y/n y/l/n to be specific or as he called her ‘Curly’-courtesy of her big curly hair that she’d been sporting since they were kids.

Her family had been living in their red and white trailer for as long as he could remember. They lived on the lot to the left of his, her family consisted of Y/n, her mother, and her little sister who was nearly finished with her freshman year at Hawkins High and based on the way guys were constantly dropping the girl off-he knew she had the same charm as her meaner older sister.

Y/n Y/l/n was the definition of pretty, growing up his crush on Y/n came and went depending on the status of their friendship. But one thing he knew for sure was that she’d gotten prettier and prettier as they grew up, and anytime he asked his uncle for advice about her-especially when the two attended Hawkins at the same time-Wayne always told him the same thing. 

“A girl like that? She’s what you call trailer park pretty, she gets it from her mama, she’s gonna have a guy from every corner of the park and beyond after her-you just gotta be the one to get her attention and treat her right cause there’s gonna be a lot of them that won’t.” 

Wayne was right about one thing, the older she got, the more male attention she got. When the two went to school together he remembered seeing her in the hallways, constantly rolling her eyes as some guy offered to hold her books and walk her to class, or they’d try to talk to her at her locker, not to mention the way they’d always ask her to sports games, some even offering her their jersey-trying to make some ‘big’ statement-she rejected them all. The only person she hadn’t completely rejected was Steve Harrington, but after one date she let him down as softly as she could.

It was after he’d been dumped by Wheeler-Eddie remembered hearing about it through the grapevine, he almost felt bad for Steve. Getting cheated on, then dumped, then he actually thinks he gets the girl but she has to let him down because apparently Y/n knew that he was still in love with his ex. However, now they were friends-to the point that he’d seen Steve pick her up several times. 

She was always so close, yet so far out of reach. He’d never even been able to make a move, anytime he tried to speak to her he’d get nervous and completely move past it, opting to talk about music, his band, what she’d been up to-hell he knew a lot about flower maintenance because he’d always see her outside the trailer, taking care of the potted plants lining the front of it. 

It wasn’t like she was a bitch to him, she’d actually always been nice to Eddie, probably because they’d been neighbors and as kids the two were friends, but they drifted apart due to their different interests. Eddie loved music and Y/n loved nature. So while he was inside learning how to play the guitar, she was outside tending to her mother’s plants, or she’d ride her bike to the forest and trudge her way around it-granted an unsupervised twelve year old alone in the forest wasn’t a great reflection of her mother’s parenting-however Y/n easily roped her sister into going with her.

As long as the girl had her backpack full of drinks, snacks, and supplies, alongside her trusty compass, and the crowbar her mother spray painted pink and told her to use if anyone ever came into the house when she wasn’t home-then the two were perfectly fine. Some days Eddie would see Y/n on her bike with her sister in tow, the two riding off towards the forest, and other days she’d hear the sounds of him strumming chords when she’d walk past his trailer-that’s just how it was.

But that didn’t mean Y/n was nice to everyone. She’d grown up poor-he knew that-hell anyone who lived in Forest Hills knew that-because they all lived it. She’d been chastised and bullied as a kid, growing a thick skin by the ripe age of ten-and by then she was fighting boys on the playground. Of course the classism didn’t end in elementary school, kids were mean-and those same kids grew into spoiled rotten teenagers. She had no issue in socking guys twice her size in the face-and she had a mean right hook.

So it’s safe to say Y/n had quite the reputation in Hawkins, even after she’d graduated last year people still spoke about her when they spoke about her younger sister. To the point that even Eddie had heard the older jocks warning their younger teammates about even trying to date Mia Y/l/n, saying if she was anything like her older sister they’d need God’s good graces. Not to mention the fact that they’d have to actually go through with meeting her sister, the girl still had that pink crowbar.

She was perfect, at least he thought so.

When he stepped outside he hadn’t expected to see her outside, the only people he expected to see were his neighbors who worked at one of the plants or factories-either coming home or leaving for a long shift. But there she was, her wild frizzy hair blowing slightly in the morning breeze, an oversized flannel over her body-and he couldn’t help but crack a smile at the way it was clearly buttoned unevenly, and from what he could see she had on her bunny slippers. 

He watched for a few seconds as she pulled the clean laundry from the clothesline, holding a white basket to her hip as she pulled the articles off with her free hand. Then she spotted him, raising a brow. 

“Hey Munson!” she had to yell a little bit so he’d hear her completely,”hey Curly!” he lifted a hand, waving it at her, trying not to blush as he noticed the smile on her face as she rolled her eyes. Then she grabbed the final few pieces of clothes before turning around and heading back inside. The entire time he stood there he was blushing and smiling, he looked like a lovesick puppy-then he finally snapped out of it, fishing his van keys out of his pocket as he walked up it, unlocking the back doors and rummaging through-looking for a specific tape of his band’s new songs.

However, no less than ten minutes later, when he finally found the tape, he heard the front door of her trailer slam open, followed by her mother’s boyfriend clearly being shoved out, stumbling slightly with a long cut along his cheekbone, blood clearly dripping along his face-not to mention the cast iron skillet that clanked loudly as it hit one of the wooden steps then the gravel below. Then he spotted Y/n walk out, her mother tried to chase after her-but Mia held her mom back. Meanwhile Y/n held a broken beer bottle-probably the reason he was bleeding in her hand.

He watched as she ran behind him, kicking him in the back of one of his knees-then in his moment of imbalance she shoved him to the ground, one foot against his back, the other stepping on one of his hands-the cry of pain from him unmistakable as she gripped him by the hair, pulling his head back-ignoring his shouts of pain as she pointed the broken bottle to his face as she spoke.

���You think you can put your fuckin hands on my mama like that? You come around here again-I’ll drag you by your fuckin hair to Monroe’s and feed you to the pigs alive.” she stepped harder onto his hand-clearly shattering part of it “you understand me you old fuck?” he winced as she pressed one of the broken ends of the bottle into his cheek. “I said, do you fuckin understand me?” 

“Yes-y-yes” she smiled, dropping his head-and it immediately fell flat against the cobblestone and grass below. “Good. Now get the fuck outta here before I get my dad’s gun, I’ve got jack shit to lose” with that she kept one foot on his back, the other off his broken hand as she stepped over him. Her mother stared with tears running down her cheeks while Mia looked both impressed and terrified. 

All Eddie could do was stare, his eyes wide and jaw dropped. This wasn’t the first time he’d seen something like that living in Forest Hills, it was no secret that a good portion of the men that were brought around here weren’t good guys. But he’d never witnessed Y/n like that-at least not with a grown man. Sure he’d seen her sock a few guys in the face here and there, but his heart was racing as he watched her single handedly take down her mother’s now ex-boyfriend. He shouldn’t have found that as attractive as he did-but he couldn’t help it.

What Eddie didn’t know was that Y/n hadn’t even meant for that to happen. As soon as she walked into the trailer she placed the clean laundry basket on the floral patterned couch, she wanted to make breakfast for her mom and sister, then fold clothes, and once the two were headed to school and work, she planned on cleaning the trailer then she was planning on taking the lot rent check in. However that quickly changed the second she heard her mother fighting with one of her shitty boyfriends-this ones named paul. 

She watched as the two of them walked through the trailer, her mother followed behind him, berating him about his whereabouts yesterday-it was clear things had escalated fast-but the second she noticed him grab her mother’s shoulder the way he did alongside the pained look on her face-Y/n easily connected the dots especially after spotting a bruise on her mother’s back a few days ago. So she did what any rational almost-twenty year old would do, she grabbed an empty beer bottle off the counter.

The next few moments were a blur, it felt almost like an episode of Looney Tunes-she grabbed his shoulder as hard as she could-and she immediately hit him with the bottle-glass breaking and slicing his cheek right open. Then as he stumbled slightly she grabbed the cast iron skillet from the counter and didn’t hesitate to smack him with it, watching as he fell backwards into the door-falling right through it, stumbling outside. 

Meanwhile her mother was shouting for her to stop, while Mia came running from their shared room-immediately grabbing her mother the second they stepped outside-watching as her older sister did what she did best-took care of them. 

The icing on the cake however was Y/n walking past her mother and sister-handing Mia the bottle and mumbling “just incase” then she rushed inside, emptying the laundry basket onto the couch before rushing to her mother’s room, gather all of her boyfriends random things-followed by his car keys and rushing back out, heading to his beat up sedan, unlocking it and throwing all of his shit inside of it. Then she walked the few steps back towards him, threw the keys on the ground next to him.

“Get the fuck up and go!” she stared down at him, watching as he struggled to get off the floor. The entire time she didn’t move, she watched as he made his way to his car and got in-her eyes held on him until he was speeding off. 

That’s when she noticed Eddie staring, she didn’t even acknowledge it, simply turning back around and making her way towards her mother and sister “are you two okay?” the concern in her voice evident as she paused in front of them-her hands on her sisters face first-making sure she was alright, then she pulled her crying mother into a hug-she’d always been a little taller than her mom so it made it easier to gently massage her scalp as she hugged her. 

The entire reason Y/n always rejected guys was simple, she didn’t have time for a relationship-not when she was the glue that kept her family together. Sure she had crushes here and there, but she didn’t think too deeply into them, she’d grown up taking care of Mia while her mom worked long hours to keep a roof over their heads, but now as an adult she found herself taking care of her mother and Mia. She never gave herself the opportunity to be mad about it-knowing that dwelling wouldn’t change things.

She did the best she could with the minimal free time she had, of course the girl had a few one night stands in high school-but now she avoided them, opting to spend those nights sitting on top of the trailer stargazing, or she’d be reading-lately she’d been into the lord of the rings saga, Eddie recommended it a while ago and she’d never gotten around to it, other times she’d focus on cleaning, keeping things nice and tidy.

“Go finish getting ready, I’ll drive you to school today Mia.”

Once her mother and sister went back inside, she stood outside for a few more minutes, then she went inside, grabbing the pack of marlboro reds from her mother’s jacket hanging by the door alongside a lighter, then she walked back outside, sitting on the wooden steps, placing one between her lips and lighting it. She’d never been a strong cigarette smoker-but when she was stressed and had things to do and weed wasn’t an option, it was the next best thing. It set in that it wasn’t even seven thirty yet as she smoked, her gaze held on the skyline past the Mayfield’s trailer-it always looked the prettiest looking that way. 

Eddie shoved the tape into his pocket and made his way over there, she didn’t say anything-but he knew she saw him. Then he sat next to her on the steps, watching as she absentmindedly handed him the pack of cigarettes and the lighter, which he accepted. 

“You think life ever gets better Eddie?” he shrugged as he lit the cigarette, taking a quick puff before speaking “for people like you? Yeah definitely” her brows knit together as she exhaled smoke, gaze now held on him “people like me?” he nodded his head “yeah, protective, rough shell-soft heart, good person-yeah, life’ll get better for you” she slowly nodded “I dunno if almost murdering a forty year old man makes me a good person” he laughed at that, nodding his head as he turned to look at her.

“Looks like he deserved it to me” she cracked a small smile, nodding her head “I hit him with a pan” he laughed at that, shaking his head “that’s one way to get your point across” she rolled her eyes as she lightly shoved him.

Moments like these always reminded Eddie of why he’d fallen for her in the first place, regardless of if they were talking every single day or once every other month it was as if nothing had changed. She was always so warm around him, her wide smile almost always made its way to her face as they spoke, and she was so comfortable around him. He was practically her childhood best friend-sure they weren’t extremely close anymore but they’d still been around for one another if need be.

She leaned her head against his shoulder “be honest with me Munson-did I look like a psycho?” he laughed at that, shaking his head “looked pretty badass to me, gotta say, I’ve never seen someone in bunny slippers take down a grown man” she rolled her eyes, the same smile on her face as she put the cigarette out on the steps below. “Someones gotta protect them y’know” he slowly nodded, his brows knit together as he processed her words.

“So who’s gonna protect you?” she sat back up, shrugging with a confused look on her face “I’ve never really thought of that-guess I am? I mean i’ve been doing it pretty well for years” he nodded again, looking at her, he then took a second to gently tuck one of her curls out of her face behind her ear. “Remember when we were kids and you made me promise I’d always be there for you if you needed someone” she smiled, grasping his hand that had been ghosting her face and moving it away.

“That’s cause you pushed me off of the jungle gym and I broke my arm” he laughed “Hey! That’s just semantics! What I’m trying to say is-if you ever need someone y’know where to find me” she nodded her head at that “thank you Eddie” “course Curly, that’s what friends are for-and neighbors I guess?” she shoved him again, laughing now “you’re so lame Munson” she heard the door behind her creak open-the two of them turning their gazes towards it-spotting Mia looking down at them.

“Oh uh-hey Eddie. Uhm, are you ready to go?” she raised a brow at her sister “what time is it” Mia shrugged “almost seven thirty-like five off” she nodded her head “yeah just gotta change my shoes” with that she stood up, and Eddie followed suit. “Uh, I’m gonna head back but like I said Curly, you know where to find me” she smiled, watching as he stepped down, nodding her head.

Then she went inside and opted to change into her vans, she kept on the flannel because she knew she wasn’t going anywhere after dropping off her sister. The two sisters walked out first, then as they were getting into the old beat up Camry, their mother followed suit, only in her work clothes-the diner uniform having a few unwashable stains on it. “Y/n where’s my cigarettes?” she reached into her jacket’s pocket, tossing them to her mother, then she followed suit with the lighter. “I’ll be home late tonight okay, working a double” the two nodded their heads.

Then they were headed their separate ways. 

However less than five minutes into the drive Mia turned the radio down, staring at her sister. 

“What’s up with you and Munson?” her brows knit together at the question as she quickly glanced at her sister-then back at the road. It was clear that Mia was serious, however Y/n didn’t get where the question came from. “Uh nothing? We’re friends” she slowly nodded “so why don’t you hang out with him then-if you’re friends”

“Because I don’t have time and he probably has too much time” Mia laughed at that, nodding her head. It was no secret that Eddie was repeating his senior year for the third time-however from what she’d gathered he was finally on the way to graduate. “That's total bull! You spend your time reading those nerdy books and stargazing! You definitely have time!” she shushed her sister, reaching to turn the radio back on-however Mia immediately turned it back down.

“Come to think of it, the only people you hang out with are your co-workers, and sure Robin and Steve are technically your friends-you don’t even hang with them off the clock! But you also don’t look at them the way you look at Eddie!” she scoffed “now I know you’re bullshiting me Mia! I do not look at Eddie any different than anyone else.” 

“Yes you do! You have like this little sparkle in your eye! And you’re all smiley and giggly! You’re never like that!” her brows knit together again as she shook her head “I am not all smiley and giggly! I don’t giggle you little shit!” she nodded her head “yes you do! I’ve only ever heard you giggle around Eddie! Even when we were younger and you’d show him some weird bug you found!” 

She rolled her eyes “Hey! You liked the weird bugs too!” her sister scoffed “stop changing the subject! What's going on between you and him! Are you two gonna date!” her eyes practically popped out of her head at the question-granted she used to have a crush on him-but she hadn’t thought about that in years. “No! What the hell!” Mia slightly squinted, skepticism evident on her features “so why’d he say you know where to find him huh?! Don’t you think it’s time you go on a date and get a boyfriend! He’s cute too!” she scoffed again “Mia! I am not going on any dates! Quit it! Me and him are just friends!” 

As Y/n pulled into the Hawkins High parking lot she sighed, parking the car and staring at her sister “now cut it out! Besides, don't you have your own love life to worry about!” Mia shook her head “actually, no. I don’t. I enjoy being single, besides the guys here are tools. I just like getting rides home-but today I’m going to Tina’s so you don’t have to get me.” she nodded her head at Mia, digging in the pocket of her shorts and pulling out a ten dollar bill, handing it to her.

“I know you’ve been saving the money mom gives you and mooching off of other people you little shit” her sister laughed “hey! I know you did it too! Free food from dumb guys is worth it!” she raised a brow “you’re something else Mia, now go before you’re late!” with that Mia got out of the car, slutting the door “bye! Love ya!” to which Y/n responded with “love ya more!”

A few hours had passed, and while Y/n was home cleaning, Eddie was currently sitting in the cafeteria listening to Henderson ramble on about the really pretty girl in his math class. Something about how smart she was, and the way she always smelled so good-which he defended himself in saying it wasn’t creepy because he sat behind her.

“Eddie, are you even listening?” he blinked a few times, nodding his head “uh yeah, something about a girl in your math class Henderson?” Everyone stared at him with confused expressions, he almost never zoned out mid conversation-usually he was the one to further the conversation with his commentary or advice to his younger friends. 

Gareth cleared his throat “he’s talking about Mia” Eddie’s eyes widened “as in Mia Y/l/n?” the brunette nodded, then Eddie was looking at Dustin “you’re into Curly’s sister?” the freshman looked confused “who’s curly? I know she has an older sister-didn’t know you two were friends though” Eddie nodded his head “yeah we’re neighbors, we’ve been friends since I was like six and she was five” 

“So what’s the big deal exactly? Mias really nice-sure she clearly takes advantage of meatheads-but I’m not a meathead and I’m a gentleman!” Dustin spoke with his hands, glancing between Jeff, Gareth, then Eddie. Earning a slight grimace from Jeff “Mia might be nice-but her sister’s definitely not. She wasn’t a bully but she definitely isn’t the friendliest-and she threw a literal encyclopedia at Jason Carver last year” Gareth nodded his head before adding “Not to mention she broke the star runningback’s nose because he tried to touch her ass-mind you the guy was like six four and she just went for it” 

Eddie nodded his head, but unlike his two friends, he had a large dopey smile on his face while he thought about it, leading to Mike furrowing his brows and staring at him “why do you look like you’re in love with her?” Gareth laughed “because he is, he’s been into her for years-completely refuses to make a move!” Eddie scoffed “ignore the drummer, Curly and I are just friends-totally fine with being just friends. Besides she’s not the relationship type” 

Jeff raised a brow “are you saying that as an excuse to not make a move?” he scoffed “No! Have you ever seen her in a relationship? The only guy who’s ever gotten a date with her was Harrington-and even she let him down!” Dustin and Mike glanced at one another before they both made the realization. “Wait Y/n that works at the Family Video?!” the three older guys nodded at Dustin.

“Wait so Robin was serious about her being scary sometimes? She’s only ever been really nice to me” Eddie laughed “because she’s not an asshole-tell you what Henderson, I’ll talk to her about her sister and see where her heads at” Dustin’s eyes widened, brows raising as he shook his head “no-no don’t do that-cause then she’s gonna figure out I told you-and she knows who I am-what if she doesn’t like me? No-that’s completely gonna ruin my chances!”

However before the conversation could continue Gareth quickly shushed Dustin, then turned his gaze to Mia who was now standing on the opposite end of the lunch table, a textbook in one of her hands and the other held a can of soda as she stared directly at Eddie and cleared her throat. 

“Munson, are you into my sister?” he scoffed “wha? Me? No-nope-never she’s just a friend” Mia blinked a few times “you’re lying this morning you two were awfully close, don’t make me steal your car battery, empty your oil, and steal your spark plugs” his jaw slightly dropped “how the hell do you know how to do any of that” she shrugged “your girlfriend is how, so it’s true that you’re in love with her?”

Gareth and Jeff tried to hold in their laugh-but they did a terrible job at it and the second she looked at them the two of them nodded their heads rapidly. “Case and point. Now here’s the deal Munson, you’re gonna ask her on a date and make her feel special and sweet because she’s been through a lot lately and you’re the only person that makes her all smiley and giggly. If you don’t ask her out soon I’m popping your tires” 

His jaw dropped, face now tinted a bright red as he stared at the fifteen year old girl across from him, he couldn’t tell if he was embarrassed or intimidated-or embarrassed that a fifteen year old wearing a madonna t-shirt was intimidating him. “You’re way too much like your sister, especially when you make demands” she raised a brow “She raised me you dufus, now do we have a deal or not?” he knit his brows together “how is that a deal?” 

“You get to date my sister-which we all know you’re dying to do, in return I don’t pop your tires, I thought it was pretty simple. But honestly I think this is the only way to actually get you to act on your feelings” Dustin stared at Mia mesmerized, his lips slightly pouted and brows slightly raised as he watched the entire interaction. Meanwhile Mike was glancing between everyone as if he was on the sidelines of a sports game, Jeff and Gareth were both snickering at Eddie’s embarrassment, and Eddie was staring in shock.

“Uh? I- she’s not even into me like that” she rolled her eyes “yes she is, she had the biggest crush on you her sophomore year and never shut up about you. I guarantee it’s still there underneath her layers of bitchiness.” he blinked a few times “wait are you serious-” she cut him off “you’ll do it! Great!-” then she glanced at Dustin, a small smile on her face “Hi Dustin, see you next period” with that she left, leaving both Eddie and Dustin dumbfounded as they processed what just happened.

In true Eddie Munson fashion he decided to skip the rest of the day, instead opting to drive home before this evening’s Hellfire session and grab a few things-he also hopped into the shower because for some reason in his head he needed to shower before walking next door and talking to the girl of his dreams. However, when he’d barely finished pulling on his jeans he heard someone knocking on his door-leading to him answering it while drying his wet hair with a towel and being completely shirtless. 

“Uh-Hi Eddie” his eyes widened as he registered that it was her, stepping to the side slightly “Hey-uh hi-come in Curly” she nodded her head, walking past him-trying to ignore the way he smelled like green apples, not to mention his lack of shirt-her gaze slipping to his somewhat toned chest-then she easily snapped out of it as she made her way to his room. She knew the layout of his trailer like the back of her hand, not much had changed in terms of the living room decor. Wayne’s hats and mug collections only increased over the years, and while it wasn’t one hundred percent clean, it was pretty tidy given the fact that it was Eddie and his uncle. 

He watched from the doorway as she grabbed a few stray clothing items from the floor and his bed, tossing them into his closet. “Can I ask why you’re cleaning my shit up?” she shrugged “I clean when I’m stressed-besides you’re the one with shit everywhere” she raised a brow as she glanced at him. He slowly nodded, watching as she got to his bed, grabbing his large comforter and shaking it off-then she laid it across the sheet clad mattress and situated herself on top of it, grabbing one of his pillows and holding it over her lap. 

“Are you gonna finish getting dressed?” he blinked a few times, nodding his head as he grabbed a Motley Crue shirt, throwing it on then he tossed the wet towel over the door-hanging it to dry. In the process she’d gotten off his bed, now standing in front of his rickety bookshelf, manicured fingers tracing along the spines of his books, things ranging from Tolkien to Dungeons and Dragons Dungeon Master’s Guides to Stephen King to Alexander Dumas. 

“Do you ever feel like your life is just constantly falling apart?” her voice caught him off guard, he’d been sitting in his bed-gaze held on her while he watched her delicately admire his things. She pulled out a copy of The Hobbit-gently opening the worn book-tracing her fingers along the pages as she spoke “Like it’s like one second things are going really, really good, and the next everything is just falling to shit” 

He nodded his head “I think that’s part of life-y’know you have to go through the good to get to the bad, it’s like the scales don’t ever really balance out” she let out a choked laugh, it was at this point he realized she was crying-and that’s probably why she kept her gaze on the book in front of her-rather than him. 

Even as kids she never cried in front of him, only when she’d broken her arm and was in too much pain to stop the tears. He immediately jumped up from his bed, and as he stood behind her he was slightly nervous-but he went for it, grasping her arm gently-spinning her around and carefully prying the book from her hold-tossing it onto his messy dresser before pulling her into a hug.

He wrapped his arms around her, rubbing soft circles into her back as she gripped the sides of his shirt-her soft sniffles were the only sound heard for a few minutes as he gently swayed, doing his best to comfort her. “I’m getting your shirt all dirty” he laughed “doesn’t matter to me sweetheart” she sniffled again, feeling the damp spot formed on his chest from her tears against her cheek. 

“You don’t always have to be the strong one y’know, it’s okay to cry every now and then” she laughed slightly, pulling away from him as she wiped her tears with the backs of her thumbs “it’s not that easy Eddie” he raised a brow, grasping her hand and pulling her towards his bed-then he sat down first, motioning for her to join him.

She giggled slightly, rolling her teary eyes as she sat back in his bed, however he pulled her closer to him, opting to pull her between his legs, wrapping his arms around her waist as she leaned into his chest. The two hadn’t sat together like this since her sophomore year, but it still felt the same-as if nothing had changed.

One of his hands gently rested against her exposed thigh, tracing small circles into her skin “it’s like if I’m not there for them-then no one is. And I know it’s stupid to want to take care of my mom when she’s barely fifteen years older than me but it’s like what am I supposed to do? She just constantly brings home pieces of shit and she lets them treat her like shit. Then Mia-God I had to raise Mia, when my dad died I was only five, and that was the year we moved here, she was a baby and I had to figure out how to change diapers, make bottles, and keep us fed because otherwise what the hell were we supposed to do?” 

She sniffed as she spoke, wiping her tears away occasionally. “But now it’s like Mia’s fifteen, and I love her to pieces but I just don’t want her to end up with guys like the ones my mom ends up with-she needs a kid like Henderson or something, someone who’s sweet and kind and a nerd, and just genuinely cares about her for her.” Eddie laughed at that, a small smile on his face. “Y’know Henderson has a crush on her? Talked about it today” she smiled.

“Good. Because the assholes she lets drive her home? She just craves male validation because she’s never had it-but refuses to admit that. She’s gonna end up doing the same stupid shit I did and losing her virginity to some asshole who’s gonna treat her like shit” he tensed up slightly, however he had to remind himself that it was all a thing of the past-he couldn’t change the past. 

“And now it’s like, I work to help pay bills, to help do everything that I shouldn’t have to fucking do! I was working at Benny’s for like three years before he passed, I didn’t even get to have the shitty teenage experience because I was too worried about our rent, or our electricity, or the water, and all the shit that teenagers shouldn’t have to fucking care about” he shifted one of his hands, moving it from her waist to her hand, intertwining their fingers and giving her hand a small squeeze as she spoke. He knew she just needed someone to listen, and that’s exactly what he was doing.

“It’s just so fucking unfair. I’m barely gonna be twenty and here I am, taking care of my thirty five year old mother and my fifteen year old sister-constantly having to wonder about their well being because of the assholes ma brings around, and worrying about how Mia’s doing in school-I could’ve gone to fucking college. I graduated in the top ten of my class, but instead I’m stuck in Hawkins and everytime something feels like it’s going well-everything has to fall apart. Like today-jesus christ I had a whole meltdown after I dropped Mia off because that shit’s traumatic-and I can’t even fully acknowledge that it’s traumatic because it feels so normal”

She paused for a second, shaking her head, gaze held on the ceiling as tears welled in her eyes. “I learned how to fight because I was bullied-and now I'm fighting forty year old men? On what feels like a fucking weekly basis. And like you said-who’s gonna protect me? Who’s gonna take care of me? I’ve been taking care of everyone else my entire life and never for a second has anyone really truly taken care of me-and I won’t even let them if they try because I’m so scared they’re gonna leave or end up like one of my mom’s boyfriends, or just treat me like shit-or what if I get too attached to them” 

“I probably sound so pathetic right now” he shook his head, leaning his chin against her shoulder “no you sound like someone who’s been through a lot and hasn’t had time to actually think about it. You just bottle shit up-always have” she scoffed “says who?” He raised a brow, placing a gentle kiss against her cheek-he didn’t even know what motivated him to do so but he did anyway.

“Says me-you’ve been doing it since we were kids. You didn’t even tell me your dad died until you were eight because you refused to acknowledge it, then you ran back home and didn’t come outside for a week.” she rolled her eyes “that’s different!” he shook his head “mmm no it’s not, you don’t like to think about the bad shit that happens to you so you occupy yourself until you have no choice but to address things because something makes it all spill out-this morning is a prime example of that”

She blinked a few times “when did you become mister psychologist” he shrugged “dunno, life experience helps you figure shit out” she now shifted, turning around to face him, her legs crossed as she sat between his, before she could say anything he wiped her tears away gently with his thumbs “stop being so soft Munson, it takes away from the rockstar thing” he rolled his eyes “I can still be a rockstar and be soft with the girl I’ve known my entire life”

“Uh huh, sure you can.” he raised a brow “are you deflecting? You are! Keep talking princess, y’know you have a lot to get off your chest” she scoffed “no I don’t” he raised a brow “you found out your mother was in a shitty relationship and literally kicked her boyfriends ass this morning, and based on what you just said-this isn’t the first time something like that has happened with her” 

“You’re good at reading people and I hate you for it” he smiled at her joke, nodding his head “I’m here for you, all ears, ready to listen and follow you to the ends of the earth.” she raised a brow “even into Mordor?” his eyes widened “wait! You read it?!” she cracked a smile, rolling her eyes “maybe” he nodded his head “yeah I’d follow you into Mordor” 

“There’s one other thing that’s been bothering me since this morning-and it’s gonna sound stupid-so don’t laugh at it. We can unpack my mommy issues on a different day-trust me that’s gonna take hours and I’d rather not focus on that” he slowly nodded his head “so what’s the other pressing matter?”

“Y’know how I said, I've never gotten to like have that teenage experience?” he hummed in acknowledgement “this morning Mia was talking to me about someone, anyways he’s not important-but it had me thinking that I’ve never even been on a real date, and like yeah I’ve had sex-I mean it was probably because I needed validation and felt like shit at the time-but it’s also like I wouldn’t even give anyone the time of day. I didn’t even make it to the actual date with Steve-but thank God I didn't. He was so in love with Nancy it wasn’t even funny-but like is there something wrong with me?” 

He had to hold in his laugh, an upside down smile on his face as he tried to hold it back “you’re gonna laugh! You said you wouldn’t!” he shook his head, letting the laugh slip out “it’s just that I never really thought you’d be into that stuff” she rolled her eyes “what girl doesn’t want to be whisked away by her prince charming? Just because I’m a bitch doesn’t mean I don’t want to be loved you ass!” she leaned forward, shoving him slightly.

He raised his brows “who would’ve thought, mean ol Curly who’s smashed more windshields in her life than I can imagine wants to be wined and dined” she scoffed “shut up!” he smirked, wiggling his eyebrows up and down “oh c’mon you know it’s true! Miss ' I reject every guy who’s ever tried’ wants to find her prince charming!” she grabbed his pillow and didn’t hesitate to smack him with it.

“Seriously? A pillow fight? Are you ten?” she scoffed, squinting her eyes slightly, now standing on her knees as she tried to take the pillow back from him “maybe I am! Let me live you ass! Give it back” he tugged it a little too hard and it sent her falling into him, Eddie landing flat on his back while Y/n landed on top of the pillow-above his chest.

It was silent for a few seconds before the room erupted with laughter, however when she tried to get up and grab the pillow from him he easily tugged it from under her-however that lead to her letting out a small ‘yelp’ as her shirt was slightly rolled up and she fell into his chest, mumbling “you moron” but then she looked up at him, placing her palms on his chest, then resting her chin atop them. “Thank you Eddie” he looked down at her-the angle definitely awkward but worth it because she looked beautiful “for what?” she smiled “for listening”

“I’ll always be here to listen” she smiled, then she moved, now sitting up while he still laid in place-gaze on the ceiling, a dopey smile on his face.

“Can I borrow your copy of the Hobbit?” he sat up, now staring at her with a singular brow raised-giving himself a mental pep talk “only if you let me take you on a date” her brows knit together, lips slightly parted as she stared at him, unsure what to say “hear me out Curly, you’ve never gotten that first date, and I think I know you pretty well-so instead of sitting on top of your place and star gazing-let me take you on a date”

“Why?” he shrugged “because you deserve it” she smiled at that, looking down at her hands as she fidgeted with the singular gold ring she wore all the time-it was her father’s. “So do we have a deal?” she bit her bottom lip, a small laugh leaving her lips before she glanced at him again “yeah, we have a deal” he nodded “tonight or tomorrow at seven?” “Are you picking me up?” he laughed “course, my chariot awaits” then she raised a brow “don’t you have Hellfire tonight?” 

“Aw Curly, you remembered?” she rolled her eyes “it’s almost like you’ve been talking about Hellfire nonstop for the past five years-course I remembered. Just because we don’t talk all the time doesn’t mean I just randomly up and forgot you dweeb”

She laughed again as she stood up from his bed, walking over and grabbing the book before she spotted something from the corner of her eye-he stared at her confused as she squatted down-then she grabbed the black magazine, her eyes widening at the Heavy Metal magazine-specifically the cover art. Then she flipped through the pages.

“Holy shit-” his eyes widened as he realized what she was looking at, meanwhile she was turning the magazine slightly, angling her head to get a better look at the image “so you’re into like sci fi porn? What the fuck is that?” she squinted slightly “Oh she’s like a cyborg? Wait is she getting fucked-oh no nevermind I don’t think that’s that-” she tilted the magazine again “actually wait is she getting fucked? I can’t tell if that’s a robo dick” he was stunned-he expected her to judge him, instead she was flipping through the pages and examining the artwork. 

It’s safe to say he was falling even deeper into his ‘I’m in love with Y/n Y/l/n’ hole. 

“Aren’t you like weirded out?” she shrugged then shook her head-still looking at the magazine, now holding it at a ninety degree angle as she examined a long image that looked like a raunchy star wars knock off. “No, you’re a guy-figured, you'd have something to y’know help with the job, plus the artistry is actually kinda interesting-and I’m gonna wash my hands anyway” Then she turned the page “oh wait! It has like stories! i thought it was just porn honestly-this makes more sense it’s like sci fi and fantasy but with tits?” 

He nodded his head slowly “so do you have more of these? Or is this the fan favorite?” he rolled his eyes “are you really asking me about my spank bank?” she giggled, and he was trying to ignore the way he was blushing while she glanced back towards where she found it-spotting another one but deciding to leave it be. Then she shut the magazine and placed it on his dresser, she acted nonchalant but in all reality her mind was racing and for the first time in forever she thought of Eddie in that way. “So tomorrow? Seven” he nodded his head, watching as she grabbed the book once again. 

“It’s a date Sweetheart” she rolled her eyes at the pet name-but her smile was still evident and as she turned to leave he wanted to stop her but he didn’t want to overstep. So he just let her go, but little did he know her smile had widened the second she opened the door and walked outside, a skip in her step as she made her way back to her place-holding the book closely to her chest. 

She’d never felt this way before, maybe it was because her crush on Eddie had never really gone away-she just didn’t think about it because it wasn’t a pressing matter. Hell she’d never really thought of herself over the past few years, making sacrifices for her family at her own expense. She didn’t want to regret anything, and based on Eddie’s subtle input-she shouldn’t regret it, rather she needed to learn how to let people in and to talk about her feelings. 

Maybe he’d be the one to help her with that. She hoped he would be. 

For the rest of the day she had a wide smile on her face, as she folded and sorted the clothes, vacuumed the floors, swept up any broken glass,took the trash out, washed the dishes, and made dinner for herself while putting everything else away in the fridge sorted into two foil wrapped plates-she had the same smile on her face. Even as she showered she was giddy, singing a tune the entire time.

She’d even opted to listen to Dolly Parton’s Jolene album-granted she’d never been big on country music but she had a soft spot for the Blonde. 

What she didn’t know was that as she cleaned her and her sister’s shared room and made both beds over again with the music playing loudly through her stereo, her singing was even louder-and as Eddie parked the van after coming home from Hellfire he could hear her singing ‘Randy’-only knowing the song because she used to hum it often. He liked to imagine that she thought of him when she sang the song.

In truth, her mind did drift to him and she simply smiled and rolled her eyes while tossing the pillows back onto the beds on opposite sides of the room. She’d been so caught up in singing ‘Jolene’ that she hadn’t heard the front door open-nor did she notice her sister standing in the doorway with a wide smile on her face as she watched Y/n sing and sway her hips and for the first time in a long time-she looked happy.

“Someones in a good mood” she screamed as she turned around, instinctively throwing the book in her hand at her sister-who easily dodged it. “Don’t scare me like that!” Mia laughed, nodding her head as she walked in and turned the music down “Dolly? You haven’t listened to Dolly in forever-oh my god” her eyes widened and she jumped in excitement “did he ask you?!” she blinked a few times, taking a step back from her younger sister.

“Did who ask me?” Mia smiled “Munson! Did he finally grow a pair and ask you out!” she scoffed “did you really put him up to this?” it was evident how easily her mood changed, of course he only did it because her sister put him up to it. “Woah! Woah relax! I just told him to go for it because he’s clearly into you!” she scoffed, rolling her eyes, then she shoved past Mia, the usual attitude and anger surfacing again as she took off her slippers, opting to slide into her vans again then rush out of their home and towards the Munson residence.

She banged her fist against the front door several times, and as Eddie answered it he could practically see the heat leaving her ears-and he knew the fact that Chrissy Cunningham was over because she’d been buying weed from him for the past few months would be an issue. But Y/n didn’t know that the blonde was just another one of his customers-so the second she noticed the blonde she scoffed. 

“Are you fucking kidding me? You fucking asshole!” his eyes widened as he tried to calm her down “woah! Woah-relax sweetheart-Jesus Christ come inside before someone thinks you’re gonna kick my ass next” she scoffed as he grasped her hand and pulled her inside, then he shut the door behind her. He took a second to give her a once over, noticing the baggy Up In Smoke t-shirt she wore alongside either no pants or the shortest shorts in existence-most likely the latter. 

“Uh Curly this is Chrissy-Chrissy this is Curly-” she scoffed “It’s Y/n.” Chrissy nodded her head, a sweet smile on her face “yeah, I know who you are! You totally kicked Derek’s ass last year-he so deserved that, you’re kind of a Hawkins legend” she blinked a few times, and she knew that the girl was being genuine, which only made it harder for her to be upset. She honestly wanted to cry, a smidge of heartbreak sneaking through her.

“Oh uh-thanks?” Chrissy laughed, the same smile on her face “of course! I didn’t know you and Eddie were together? You must be the girl he’s been telling me about for months!” she glanced at Eddie who’s eyes were wide and the familiar red flush overtook his features “we’re not-we’re not together” he mumbled it as he ran a hand over his face and she looked surprised “oh! Shit my bad! Uhm don’t worry Eddie’s said a lot of good stuff about you!” 

“We’re not-me and him aren’t doing anything if that’s what you thought! He’s just my dealer! We’re friends! Promise! I have a boyfriend too” she slowly nodded her head at Chrissy’s panicked demeanor. Eddie groaned, quickly rushing over to the kitchen counter where he had Chrissy’s weed ready then he handed it to her, taking the twenty dollar bill from her hand. 

“I’m gonna go, uh it was nice meeting you Y/n! Once again-totally not doing anything with him-he talks about you all the time! We’re uh friends-platonic friends!” she slowly nodded, watching as Chrissy rushed past her then she went outside, the sound of a car starting signaled that the blonde was leaving.

“Can you please explain to me why you rushed over here ready to go to war?!” she scoffed “did you only ask me out because my sister told you to” he looked taken aback as he rapidly shook his head “no-I mean she gave me the push I needed but no-I’ve been into you forever you’re just-you’re you and you’re amazing”

She rolled her eyes “you’re full of shit Munson” he craned his neck slightly “are you kidding me! This is the shit we talked about earlier! You always put up walls and you bottle everything up because you’re so afraid of letting someone in! I could sit here and tell you that I’m in love with you and you’d tell me to fuck off!”

She shrugged “because you’re a fucking liar” he shook his head “I’m not a liar, you’re just too afraid of your own feelings to have any ounce of trust in anyone else!” she scoffed, stepping towards him, a cynical smile on her face as she stared at him “yeah I’m just supposed to wanna jump into your fucking arms and trust every single word you’ve said to me right? As if you didn’t have Chrissy Cunningham in here less than five minutes ago!” 

“Because I’m a dealer, you know this, everyone knows this! People want weed, I sell them weed! It’s simple” she scoffed, nodding her head, running her tongue along her top row of teeth “yeah so fuckin simple huh? I’m just supposed to believe that pretty girls from rich families like Chrissy Cunningham smoke weed? Yeah-great fucking story there.” he shook his head, letting out a deep breath.

“Y/n it’s 1986-everyone smokes weed! It’s weed!” she rolled her eyes again “you’re so full of shit Munson. You just fucking play the part so fucking well huh?” he raised a brow “what fucking part?!” she shook her head, feeling her eyes water “fuck you” he stared at her, noticing the way her eyes glossed over as she stared at him “you think you’re so unloveable and you push everyone away because you’re scared of getting hurt. You hate the idea of people hurting you so you don’t let them even like you.”

As he spoke she stared at him, ignoring the singular tear that slid down her face “You’ve been taking care of everyone else for years and haven’t given a shit about yourself. You’re so used to neglecting yourself that you don’t even see it when people want to be there for you, and when people wanna take care of you!” she rolled her eyes “yeah cause you clearly wanna take care of me huh?” her sardonic tone had him clenching his jaw.

Eddie Munson rarely got angry, sure he had a lot of reasons to be angry in life, ranging from his absent parents, the Munson family name, being labeled as a freak, being looked down upon, to being considered ‘trailer trash’ since the ripe age of ten. But he didn’t care, he hated being angry, he’d promised himself that he’d let the anger go after his dad stopped calling, after he’d been left in the dust and picked up by Wayne. 

For the first time in a long time, he was getting angry. She was pissing him off because she couldn’t see herself the way he saw her-because she was so insecure without even realizing it that she couldn’t accept that Chrissy Cunningham was just a friend and a customer.

“Is it so wrong to say I do? That I do wanna take care of you-that I’ve wanted to take care of you for years! That maybe every now and then I wanna give you a hug without you fighting it-or that I wanna hold your hand and take you on long drives, or just be there for you on a regular basis and not whenever your facade falls apart and crashes to shit!” 

She took a step back, he’d never yelled at her before-to be fair he wasn’t even yelling his voice was slightly louder than usual but it still felt different. She hadn’t been spoken to like this in years, sure she had people yell at her-but they weren’t people who mattered. Eddie shattered her entire reserve, her tears now slipping down her cheeks faster-but she tried to hold her composure-still staring at him.

“Jesus Y/n I’m sorry-I didn’t mean to get loud but you just-you’re so frustrating.” she shook her head, tears still flowing “yeah? Guess I am huh?” she was shutting him out, and it was as if he could see her walls building back up. “Curly, I care about you in a way i’ve never cared about anyone else-I want you to be happy, I want to make you happy, I want you to see yourself the way I see you because you’re so fucking beautiful inside and out but you refuse to see yourself that way”

She shook her head “because all I’m ever gonna be is trailer park pretty. I’m gonna end up like my mom with shitty boyfriends back to back to back, living in a run down trailer park having men offer me stupid shitty things just for a chance to sleep with me. You said life gets better for people like me-but it doesn’t. I’m stuck-and if I drag anyone else down with me-I just-I dunno” she sniffled as she spoke, and it took everything in him to not start crying.

He took a few steps forward, then placed a gentle hand along her cheek “none of that is true Curly. None of it-not for a single second”  the two held eye contact for a few seconds before he leaned in and connected their lips. The kiss was so soft as he poured his heart into it, he wanted her to know he cared and that he was in it for the long run-as friends or as more. 

It wasn’t long before she was kissing him back, one hand gripping the edge of his denim vest, the other on his jaw, pulling him closer as their lips melted together, perfectly molding against one another, then she slid her tongue along his bottom lip and he was spreading them. Her tongue swiping against his as she kissed him, the motion made him groan, but he kept up with her-taking control of the kiss as he sucked on her tongue-then slid his against hers.

Once they pulled apart for air he slid his thumbs along her cheeks-wiping away her tears. “You’re worth so much more than you think” his words were so loving and tender-she didn’t even know how to react. No one had ever spoken to her like that, sure she had her few friends but this was different. 

“For the last time, I didn’t ask you out because your sister put me up to it, I asked you out because you deserve to be wined and dined and taken care of. You deserve to be loved” she nodded her head, sniffling again “I’m sorry” he shushed her “don’t apologize to me, I know how it is, I know that it’s gonna take time for you to see yourself the way I see you” 

“But what if that doesn’t happen Eddie?” he laughed, rolling his eyes while placing a kiss on her temple “it will, i’m gonna make sure of it-if it’s the last thing I do, now do you wanna stay the night here? Or you wanna go back home?” she raised a brow “are you trying to get into my pants?” he laughed at that, shaking his head.

“No but I think you’d benefit from being held a little longer” she rolled her eyes “are you saying I’m touch starved?” he nodded his head “yeah basically” she scoffed, shoving him back, but instead of making a beeline to her door, she went to his room and flipped him off in the process. Once she was inside she kicked off her shoes, tucking her socks into them as well before going through the things on his dresser-looking for a hair tie. 

“Top drawer princess” she rolled her eyes at the pet name, opening the drawer and spotting the practically unused pack of hair ties, then she spotted something else, the light reflecting off of the shiny paper. She grabbed it, her jaw dropping as she stared at the most explicit magazine she’d ever seen-immediately screaming and shoving it back in the dresser. His eyes widened as he noticed what she grabbed-then he had to hold back a laugh as she slammed the dresser shut.

“Jesus Christ Munson! Keep your porn in one place!” He shrugged “I told you where the hair ties were-I didn’t tell you to snoop. Curiosity killed the cat” she rolled her eyes “but satisfaction brought it back” what she hadn’t realized is that he’d moved from his doorway to behind her, his hands now resting on her hips as he leaned closer to her “are you satisfied?” his voice was lower than usual but then he cracked the act and laughed, letting go of her hips. 

She shoved him back as she made her way to the bathroom, now taking time to braid her hair. Meanwhile he shrugged off his jacket, then his shirt and his shoes-leaving his jeans unbuttoned because he didn’t want to make her uncomfortable-he’d wait until they were actually going to sleep to take them off.

She hadn’t expected him to follow her in, but he stood behind her, admiring her work through their shared reflection. “How do you do that?” she furrowed her brows, glancing at him “braid my hair?” he nodded his head “I can’t really explain it well, but I dunno, just watch my fingers” he scooted closer to her, now standing slightly to her right as she braided the other half of her hair back, grasping each section by section until she was finished.

“I’m gonna learn how to do that” she raised a brow “really? You wanna braid my hair Munson?” he nodded “I’ll do anything you want me to do sweetheart-but yeah I do” she laughed, rolling her eyes. “It’s harder than it looks y’know” he raised a brow “and you’re softer than you look-your point is?” she scoffed, but didn’t say anything. The sound of knocking caught them both off guard, he left the bathroom to go answer the door.

Mia stood outside, holding a satin scarf in her hand. Her eyes practically popped out of her head at the sight of Eddie “jesus christ you two hornballs! Here this is for her hair-figure: she wasn’t coming home tonight. I didn’t think she’d already jumped your bones” his jaw dropped as he shook his head. “It’s not what it looks like-jesus christ-uh” she shook her head “you don’t have to lie to me Munson, but at least make sure her hair is wrapped.” she shoved the scarf in his direction and as he took it she cleared her throat.

“And uh-can you do me a personal favor?” he raised a brow “I don’t sell weed to freshmen” she scoffed, rolling her eyes “that’s not it, can you ask Henderson what he thinks of me?” he smirked “so baby y/l/n likes Henderson hmm? It’s your lucky day-he’s into you, talks about how pretty you are all the time. Just ask him out, you two nerds can watch star wars together” her jaw dropped “how’d you know!” he raised a brow “your sister talks, and I just happened to listen, now go home-it’s late” she rolled her eyes and turned-walking off. Eddie stood outside, making sure she made it back inside before he closed and locked the door.

He expected her to still be in the bathroom, however she was in his room, flipping through one of his copies of Heavy Metal while she sat in his bed, her legs extended in front of her as she tilted her head slightly, eyes wandering across the page-she was clearly reading something.

“Are you serious right now?” she glanced up at him “shush the interesting parts coming up! I need to see if they fuck it out-this shit’s actually interesting once you get past the alien porn” he blinked a few times “Curly please put that away” she shook her head, gaze still focused on the pages-he watched the way her eyes widened as she flipped the page “Oh my god-Jesus Christ!” she dropped the magazine for a second-and he noticed the exact panel she was on.

“Uh yeah-tentacles are kinda some peoples thing” she slowly nodded “i can tell” she looked slightly disgusted as she picked the magazine back up, grimacing as she read through that page, then she let out a sigh of relief. “You’re seriously gonna keep reading it?” 

“Yeah, is that a problem? Did you wanna take it and go jerk off or something? Use the other porn you have stashed everywhere, i’m reading” her sarcastic tone was unmistakable as her gaze didn’t shift from the magazine in front of her. 

He raised a brow “really? You’re reading?” she nodded her head, turning the page again-eyes widening at the next graphic scene-more specifically the clear knock off of Princess Leia’s slave outfit falling off of a woman’s body “you would get off to shit like this, you pervy nerd” he bit his bottom lip, slipping into the bed next to her, peaking over at what she was looking at-his cheeks immediately reddened at the sight, and he couldn’t help the way that his cock stirred.

He then blinked a few times, handing her the scarf. “Mia brought it over-she uh thinks we uh y’know” she raised a brow, taking the scarf and handing him the magazine in return. Then she folded it into a triangular shape, angling her head down as she tied it around once-then again atop her head. “Of course she does” he bit his bottom lip, nodding his head. Then she moved, laying down and looking up at him, raising a brow “lay down Munson” he blinked a few times before nodding his head-except he glanced down at his pants.

“You can take them off if that’s how you sleep” she turned away from him, and the sound of shifting alongside his pants hitting the ground made her giggle, then he turned off the light before she felt the bed dip beside her.

He carefully wrapped his arm around her waist, slightly pulling her against him as he spooned her, however she shoved his arm off, turning around again and resting her head against his chest, one of her legs resting against his-her thigh right on his waist and the warmth from her skin made him dizzy. She traced small patterns into his chest with her fingers.

“Thank you” he clicked his tongue “stop thanking me” she glanced up at him, and he met her stare “I can’t help it” he raised a brow “yes you can, stop thanking me for caring about the girl I love” she blinked a few times, somewhat shocked at his confession “you don’t gotta feel the same way-but just know as long as I love you I’m not giving up on you” 

“I-I think I love you too” he smiled at that “you think so?” she giggled, rolling her eyes before nodding her head. “Yea I think so you dweeb.”

-

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[witchsickness]

oh em gee saw that forest burning pic and honestly for trust fall um might have spiralled the concept of billy wanting to burn everything down but steve holding unto him and like both of them burning together. like pompeii lovers idk im screaming

screaming!!!!!!! babe a scene like that isn’t even remotely within my writing scope, but [rod serling voice] imagine, if you will, a fight in the upside down. steve and billy in a protective circle around the kids. bats attacking them from above, billy blasting fireballs at them, but it’s. it’s not enough. the only way to end this is to burn down their nest. and billy knows. he knows he’s gotta be the one to do it. so he turns around, finds max’s eyes amidst the chaos. nods, once, and she nods back, and billy knows she’s trusting him to come back, and he’s trusting her to go on if he doesn’t. for good, this time.

steve isn’t looking at him. a blessing in disguise, because billy’s not sure he’d be able to give those eyes up. steve’s a vision, feet planted like billy taught him, winning against hell and never budging an inch, and billy loves him. vows to try telling him, even, if he comes back. this time around

he takes off, sprints through the barren land towards the cave, a mouth spitting out death. ignores steve crying out his name, ground trembling with the force of it. the cave’s in flames before the sound of steve’s voice has ceased ringing in his ears. it’s—he’s burning. billy’s burning. never done anything this big before. this reckless. isn’t sure he’ll survive it, isn’t sure he cares. not when it means dustin, and lucas, and—and max getting out. not when it means steve, getting to live his life, all because of billy

at this thought, he flares up impossibly bright, impossibly hot. feels like the world’s ending, and he’s at the centre of it. that’s twice now they owe me, he thinks. it’s the last thing he remembers before everything goes black.

next time he blinks his eyes open, everything’s ashen and grey, obscured by smoke. he grunts, gets up, every muscle on his body protesting, begging him to just. stay down. which isn’t an option, at least not until he makes sure everyone’s—safe. the earth’s charred around him, the cave and its hellish occupants nothing but rubble. billy’s—standing in the middle of a circle, the only place left unsinged, untouched by the flames. his clothes are tattered and torn and burnt, but when he looks at his hands, they’re intact, not a trace of burn on his skin.

he hears steve calling his name, calling him. sounds painfully close to begging. billy’s got enough time to choke on a relieved sob before he’s running like the devils he just barbecued are out to get him. falls into steve’s open arms, hands patting him up and down to make sure he’s alive, unharmed, while steve’s doing the same to him. never a boring day, huh, he whispers against steve’s lips, and waits until steve laughs to crash their mouths together.

doesn’t even realize they’re floating a few feet above the ground, engulfed in blue flames that feel like a cool breeze against his skin, like dipping your toes in the ocean after a long, humid day. doesn’t realize, not until max is tugging at his ankle, calling him an insufferable drama queen, whining about never getting all that ash out of her hair.

when steve pulls back to smile at him, billy lowers them to the ground. fuckin’ come on, then, he tells max, and starts walking, walking out of this place, but steve tugs him back with a pout, grabs billy’s hand. laces their fingers together, and waits until billy falls in step, this time, hands clasped tight and dangling between them, ablaze. if anyone has anything to say about the blue flames, billy wouldn’t know. he’s too busy being alive. third time’s the charm.

#harringrove #billy hargrove #steve harrington #my stuff #not exactly what you asked but close! #there's also the option of steve getting hurt and billy letting the entire town go up in flames in his rage but..........let's not go there #ask #anon

[ninthhousesteel]

fucking hell

i stayed up till 4 am to watch vol 2 cuz i thought it’d be good and it was good!!

Good ol’ queer bait thats what it fucking was.

I’m sorry that the duffer brothers felt that this was good enough writing to finish something amazing, and i am willingly ready to partake in a rewrite of vol 2 because this was blasphemous. (apologies ahead of time for the sheer amount of ranting i am going to do)

okay like first?? steve??? just. no. that whole spiel about the six ‘nuggets’ (that wounded me) and him LITERALLY SAYING THAT LIKE HES STILL IN LOVE WITH NANCY AND HE WANTS HER TO HAVE S I X KIDS WITH HIM ITS LIKE HE DOESNT EVEN KNOW HER BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW SHE AINT BUILT FOR THAT. ALSO nancy was in the middle of talking about robin, a person for whom they both care about, and its like he just redirected the conversation onto him. it looked like someone tried to inject more ronance but then someone else just like sidestepped it into Steve/Nancy, which was SO bad. Steve and Nancy shouldn’t be a thing. they just cant give each other what they need. Same with Jonathan and Nancy. Honestly, I did enjoy their relationship in all the past seasons, but s4 its been so strained and weird and the fact that Jonathan didnt even come clean to her at the end about the college apps was just ridiculous, and the exact moment i knew that they weren’t going to last. even their interactions at the end seemed weird and stiff, like neither of them really wanted to be there. (I hope they dont make her get with either of them. And maybe im just a diehard Ronance shipper, but Robin and Nancy make the most sense!!!)

Second point- Robin and Vickie

10000000.999999% unneeded and unwanted and unfunctional. If youre going to give the only explicitly confirmed gay character a love interest, the worst thing you could do was use the ‘oh no my crush is straight oh wait no she dumped him and now i think she likes me’ trope. tired, overdone, nasty. not even to mention the fact that Vickie is just. a straight (haha) up clone of Robin. They are the same person. They could be revealed to be cousins in s5 and i wouldnt be surprised. It’s tasteless and pathetic to watch. And it’s even more hurtful, because so many of us fans genuinely are in love with Robin and invested with her because we can connect to her the most, and the Duffers just cop out of a genuine and amazing relationship (ronance) and just turn to the basic and unflavorful This Was Obviously Written By A Straight Person relationship of Robin and Vickie.

And Max. And, you know let’s loop in Eddie too. Since they both died. Oh wait.

I’m not even sure to tackle Max’s death. i love her SO MUCH. she’s my second favorite character (right behind Robin). if i was in that situation, i would have let her die. its just easier, and we dont even know if, once dead, she even wanted to come back. this trope of bringing someone back always has consequences, which is why im not really a fan of it in the first place. it requires delicate writing because the situation can get bad very fast. and as of vol 2, im not sure the duffers can do it. (that being said, obviously i dont know their plan for max, but plots like these are kinda hit or miss yk? its just such a big thing)

Eddie’s death was anything but compelling. Like, i knew he was dying but i was kinda…. bored? idk if thats the right word to use, but it just felt kinda off. and the fact that no one addressed it besides Dustin, like, Eddie had so many more friends. and in my mind i think the whole ‘eddie died saving a town that didnt love him’ was more of a white lie for his uncle, because eddie didnt owe Hawkins anything. i mean, it does make him a hero in the way that everyone who helped was a hero, but not everyone needs a ‘redemption’ arc to better be accepted by society. like, his whole thing was kinda that he was different and he didnt care what other people thought. and he had so much potential too!!!

this is long lmfao sorry if i jump into your asks later because i still have more grievances

st4 spoilers

no need to apologize for the long ask because everything you said is true

i know duffers will never actually let ronance happen but Why push stancy it just doesn't make sense to the plot at all please just let nancy pull her self worth away from whichever boy she chooses duffers let nancy be single challenge

and im grilling them for putting in the whole six kids thing ESPECIALLY with the word nuggets it wasn't cute it wasn't funny it made me literally gag

AND VICKIE im

i love amybeth and nothing of this is directed to her bc she was getting paid to play a role and i love her <3

BUT THE DUFFERS let vickie be a barely present and exact carbon copy of robin just to serve as her love interest. how fucking lazy is that? they see how popular robin's character is Plus she's the only confirmed queer character (since they wanna be ambiguous with will) on the show and they just throw her with an underdeveloped character for diversity points... and with the whole extremely similar personalities thing yeah vickie started to ramble but robin said like 4 words and ik thats just bad writing and they don't actually care about my girl but im choosing to interpret it as she got over vickie which Good For Her

max my poor angel they really did just use you for bait </3 and sadie doesn't even know her role in s5 yet and its breaking my heart can we have anything nice Also why go after one of the girls.... one who's been abused her whole life too like give her of all people a happy ending

eddie was such a wastef character :( he was so original and fresh and he could've helped robin break out of her shell more but the duffers had to keep up the boring old pattern and kill him and his death was Meaningless because he could've just climbed to safety but noooo we can't have nice things now can we. and the fact that no one addressed his death what the hell

#im livid #st4 spoilers

[delta-syrup]

i have had this oc since.. 2016, she’s one of my oldest ocs. but since like 2018 ive been really unsatisfied with her design and shes kinda been.... in design purgatory. until now.... it’s Hollyhock! :D

she / her and he / him for Holly!

#her name used to be fraicica ive drawn her once before like.. a year ago..??? but #even that design i didnt really like #HOPEFULLY this design will stick around #she is so so important to me considering ive had her so long #it felt wrong to just... abandon her #so at long last im dustin her off and giving her the same care that biche basil and arkady all got #some of my oldest and most beloved ocs <3 #her and Biche are close friends! im not sure where she fits in w the rest the Basil Gang just yet.. #but yes. holly now. #shes a cougar! puma! mountain lion! panther! whichever #lmfao #delta draws #digital #oc:hollyhock #furry #sfw furry #safe fur work #clean fur #clean furry #anthro #tdl #big hits #deltas ocs

[peachypunk22]

Harringrove Feedback Fest

not me participating in something when I haven’t been active in months 😅 

fic recs from AO3 authors that inspire me! these fics are all incredible and i’ve re-read each one listed multiple times!! 

@gothyringwald thank you for putting this together! its such a cute idea!

knit more tightly together by lymrics (E) @lymricks

part one of the blues in chicago series. i think one of the first harringrove fics I read. love the steve/billy dynamic and so emotional and high tension that im pretty sure it made me cry at some point? even though it’s not a sad fic! idk it just really pulled some emotion up. literally the fic that got me into the fandom and wanting to write for it! the whole series is amazing!

Steve takes a second to feel relieved it's not Dustin getting all sorts of arrested in places he shouldn’t be, then he goes back to staring.

It's Billy, who looks as good now as he did the last time Steve saw him: three years ago. He looks just as complicated, too. He’s got bruises on his face, a split lip.

star-crossed bullshit (black holes feast) by ?? (E)

this work got orphaned, but i’m so glad the author didn’t delete because it’s one of my all time faves! strong dom/sub undertones and messy relationship with an incredible use of the unreliable narrator! plus it has mechanic!billy 

Billy makes a mixtape for when he fucks boys, except it’s on Spotify, and he’s only fucking Steve, and all the songs are oddly, and suspiciously, romantic.

liquor (on your lips, makes you dangerous) by eternalgoldfish (E) @eternalgoldfish

i love a college!au with some gross hot Billy and this one is so good. equal parts cute, funny, and sweet with a side of kinky that I hadn’t read before

“Careful, sweetie, don’t break a nail,” Billy said, leaning over Steve’s shoulder, lazy cat’s-grin gleaming up to his eyes.

“I’m not going to break a fucking nail.” Steve hissed and elbowed him, like he hadn’t been thinking the same thing as he struggled to wedge one of his shiny red nails into his wallet’s tight leather pockets.

Or, Steve makes a bet he can't win and Billy doesn't realize his mistake.

i’m saucing on you by Boardingschooled (E)

speaking of college!au’s this one has fratboy!Billy being gross hot in all the best ways. also sweaty concert grinding, boys being absolutley smitten, and waffle house breakfast dates? it’s like college slaps you in the face and makes you listen to AMINE and it’s great

Steve wants a ticket to the biggest party on campus; Billy's got one with Steve's name on it.

Tale as Old as Time by hoppnhorn (M) @hoppnhorn

i’m an absolute sucker for beauty and the beast au’s and hoppnhorn is such a fantastic writer that i had to include this one

Prince William, imprisoned in the form of a beast, can be freed only by true love. What may be his only opportunity arrives when he meets Steven, a man who bewitches him from the very moment he steps foot in his enchanted castle.

Honeyed Wine by Antarc (T) @rascheln

am i biased because this fic has literally all of the thing i like because it was written for me? perhaps. but for real, this fic is SO sweet and well-written! it has baker!billy and a twist at the end that i did not see coming at all. every time i read it i just have a huge smile on my face

While he recovers from an injury at Robin's farm and helps run her market stall, Steve unexpectedly reunites with his old high school rival. Billy, once a tough asshole who got into weekly fights, is now a proud owner of the best bakery in town and mans the stall right next to Steve's- with the best croissants Steve has ever eaten.

samarra by gothyringwald (T) @gothyringwald

i think this was the first fic in a long time that i’ve read that took a more gen/mystery/sci-fi approach, with the romance taking a backseat for most of it, and honestly this fic made me remember how much i like reading. the story and universe building is excellent. very trippy and gives off a lot of twin peaks dream walking surrealist vibes.

When the kids bring Billy back from the dead, it doesn’t go quite as expected: he’s alive but his soul has been left behind. And Steve is the only person who can bring it back.

Salt in the Wound by SheWritesDirty (E) @shewritesdirty

if ‘fuck your enemies’ was a genre, this would be THE fic. rough, gritty, and violent. I could wax poetic about how much I love the writing style and imagery and how different it feels in comparison to other fic. steve and billy are toxic and messy and so bad that its good

The way he ate slow, like his jaw hurt. Like it was tender, like whatever had put that bruise on his face had left more of an impact than just… flesh and bone. And now that he was seeing it... Steve knew that he hadn’t done that to Billy.

That someone else had, after that night and over the weekend... someone else had gotten their hands on Billy and put karma into his skin.

And he still hadn’t looked at Steve.

Here I Go Again by HeckinaHandbasket (E) (WIP) @heck-in-a-handbasket

oh god oblivious!Steve is top tier in this A/B/O fic. combine with a lifeguard!billy that’s trying (and failing) in his rough, fumbling way to make it obvious that he’s courting him and you get this adorable mess. it’s so sweet and funny and the rest of the gang are actual little kids that run around and create havoc. i’m always excited when it updates!

Not just a new lifeguard, either. No, Billy was the lifeguard supervisor.

Because of course he was, the prick.

Swing Away by lemonlovely (E)

sports!au sports!au sports!au - specifically a baseball!au that actually serves as a really cool character exploration of billy and his dad and sports. this one is so bittersweet and i love the dynamic between steve and billy as they figure out a rocky start to a friendship and romance

Steve and Billy go to the same Hawkins Baseball Camp that Steve's been going to since he was a kid, and Billy is not particularly thrilled to be there - he fucking hates baseball, alright? And he tells Steve as much.

lamp-bright rind by nagdabbit (G) 

chef!Billy teaching his neighbor Steve how to cook au. unbelievably sweet and a writing style that is unique, expressive, and comedic. you really fall in love with the characters, as flawed as they may be, and the descriptions of food. did i mention its an almost 100k slow-burn? 

Billy spies on his cute neighbor, his cute neighbor doesn't know how to cook. Luckily, Billy can do something about that.

#harringrove feedback fest #harringrove #i tagged everyone's tumblrs that i could find #but yeah check these out!!

[hargrove-mayfields]

Day five of Horror on Cherry Lane Challenge! Today’s prompt was monsters!

Little brat’s been in the school ten minutes after the bell.

After they both broke curfew, Max staying out late trick-or-treating and going to one of her little friends’ house to trade candy, and Billy crashing at the lingering party until he was sober enough to come home and not get his ass kicked, they were supposed to be straight home today. Used up all their free time for the week apparently.

Max knew that this morning, he already told her to forget about the damn AV club. If he had to cancel on whatever chick he was going to take out (was it Carol? No, Carol is Tommy’s girl. Fuck he doesn’t know anybody yet) Max had to give her shit up to.

He gets bored of waiting for the little twerp and tosses his cigarette to the ground, marching in there his damn self.

Only time he’s ever been in this building was to pick Max up from AV. His dad made him come all the way inside and give his assessment on the teacher. Asked (slapped him and demanded it) that he do so to check on Max. Just to be sure. Like he cares.

But it works out anyways that he knows the way now that Max has decided to disappear and it’s up to him to track her down. Only problem is he gets there, and the room is empty. Not even just that Max isn’t in there, there’s no damn kids or teacher or nothing. Just a knocked over lamp and some shit on the floor.

He ain’t trying to hunt her down, but he has to get her back home in like, the next half-hour, and she’s somewhere she ain’t supposed to be. The school isn’t very big, half the damn building is closed off for the school board to use, so there isn’t much ground to cover.

He’s not trying to get himself arrested either, so he makes quick work of the school, checking all the places Max might be. Still, he comes up empty, and he’s about to just give up and let whoever she was with keep her when he sees something scurrying across the floor out of the corner of his eye.

It’s not really any of his business whether or not the middle school is infested, but it catches his eye for the wrong reasons.

It’s a gnarly little thing, a cross between a frog and rat or some shit, but Billy’d recognize that thing anywhere. It’s a fucking monster, crawling around the halls of his sisters school.

Purely on instinct, he tracks the thing to where it cornered itself, taking advantage of the fact that it’s still small and growing into its demon teeth to stomp on the gross monster. He stops once he’s positive it’s dead and not just faking him out like they do sometimes, he’s not gross or something, but he nearly jumps out of his skin when behind him, Max shouts, “Billy!”

He turns, ignoring the pile of goop that was one of those things to face his, apparently, from the flush on her cheeks and the bitterness in her tone, “Jesus, shitbird. What is wrong with you?”

He’s hardly even got the question out before Max snaps at him, “Why would you kill it!”

“Do you even know what that thing is?” Billy raises eyebrows, no patience for Max telling him what to do, but she counters with something that surprises him, “It was Dustins, he discovered it, you jerk!”

“Yeah, no. These things’ve been around longer’n any of us have been alive. And I don't care who found it first. They’re fucking monsters.”

“How do you even know what he was? You killed him.”

“It. Not him. Don’t humanize them.” Billy hisses, warning Max, “And anyways, I seen some shit kid. Don’t ask. And don’t play around with anymore of these little fuckers. Give ‘im a day or two ‘n he’ll be the size of a gray wolf. Another month or so and he’s seven feet tall.”

“But what is he?” Max demands stubbornly.

Billy answers simply, “Something you don’t want anything to do with.”

By now, the rest of Max’s friends have followed the sound of her yelling to their little showdown, and it’s Dustin, the owner of this thing, that chimes in, “But wait, does that mean you know?”

“Know what?” Max huffs, but she gets ignored, Billy firing back at Dustin, “Do you?”

All four of the kids nod at once. Billy sighs deeply, “Jesus, how the fuck did a bunch of little kids get caught up in this bullshit?”

“How did you?” These kids aren’t very original coming back at him with his own questions like this.

Again Max interjects, being left out of the questioning just making her more confused. “Excuse me, but what exactly are we talking about?”

But again nobody acknowledges her, Billy busy answering the boys’ questions.

“Had a friend came from that lab. You know about that part too?” He clarifies, getting three attentive nods, and this time one disapproving scowl, as he explains, “Well the monsters followed ‘im. Through their portals and his head and shit, they were out in California too. That’s how I know I was right to kill that thing.”

There’s a moment of stunned silence before Mike insists, “I don’t believe you.”

“I don’t know, man. How else would he know about everything?” Lucas shrugs, exciting Dustin and promoting him to ask, “Do you think he knows about Eleven too?”

“I’m still here too you guys. What is going on?” Max interrupts, serving only as a reminder, Lucas turning the conversation back to Billy as he asks, “Why haven’t you told Max?”

Billy smugly tries their little deflecting shtick on them, “Could ask you the same. Why are you showing her the monsters if you ain’t gonna tell her jack about ‘em either? I was keeping her safe. You assholes were keeping her stupid.”

Max interjects, “Hey!”

“No, that’s not fair. We had to sign an NDA.” Dustin corrects, very matter of fact for a kid who doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

“Yeah, me too kid. It wasn’t any secret that number six escaped. I’ve had those assholes watchin’ over my shoulder for years and I didn’t even do anythin’.” Billy feels like he’s having a trauma competition with a bunch of middle schoolers, and he hates it. His tone is harsh as he demands, “Which brings us into, what the hell did you do to get caught up in all this?”

“None of your business.” Mike spits, but for the first time in the conversation, Will chimes in, “I got taken. By the demogorgon.”

“Okay. What’s that got to do with this, kid?”

“The demogorgon is what we called the big one. Before El killed it.” Lucas explains.

“Look, I don’t know who El is, but believe me when I tell you, you brats don’t know nothing. There ain’t just one of those, you know. Every last one of those annoying little fuckers like the one I just squished’ll turned into a ‘big one’.” They all look collectively defeated by that, maybe because he knows more than they do, or maybe just because they didn’t want to admit it was that bad.

But none look more ghastly than Will, who barely manages to inform them, “That’s bad. Last night, I heard them while we were trick-or-treating. They were everywhere.”

“Then we’re gonna have to do something.” Dustin declares determinedly, but Billy shuts it down right away, “No. Seriously, what the hell? All you sorry little punks are going right the fuck back home and pretending none of this never happened. If you don’t provoke ‘em, they’ll stop.”

“But they weren’t provoked when they took Will.” One of then argues, but Billys ignoring them now, turning back to a no less calm Max, “I don’t care. I ain’t doing this shit all over again. Come on, Maxine. Gotta leave your little friends to their baby ‘demogorgon’ and their world saving bullshit.”

Max scrunches her face up and argues, “Um, did you forget that I still have no idea what the hell is going on?!”

“Honestly, yeah.” Billy admits, “But s’better if you don’t ask questions. Now if you please, we gotta go.”

“No. You’re being a jerk.” Max crosses her arms and glares at him, a clear sign shes refusing to leave with him.

Billy just shrugs, “M’always a jerk. Thought you’d know that by now.”

“I do. And that’s exactly why I’m not listening to you. If my friends are going to do something, I want in on it.”

“Look what you little fuckers did.” Billy grumbles at the boys before trying to reason with his sister again, “Max. We only got fifteen minutes out of an almost half hour drive to get home. Come on.”

“This is so much bigger than that! I don’t care what your stupid dad says, I want to do something!” Her attitude gets on Billy’s nerves. That’s definitely deliberate if the spite gleaming in her cold eyes is any indication.

“You don’t even know what it is!”

“Then I deserve to find out!”

Billy sighs deeply, done doing this with a bunch of little kids in over their heads, “You know what, fine, but we’re stoppin’ at a payphone and you’re gonna be the one to tell my old man I’m takin’ you out for.. I don’t know, fucking ice cream or some shit. And if we get in trouble, I’m blaming you. Deal?”

Max smiles to herself at having gotten one over on him, “Deal. Where are we going though?”

“I dunno. Ask your nerds. S’their big fucking idea.” Billy grumbles, matching Max’s bitterness.

“We’ll have to call a meeting.”

“Will my basement work?”

“No offense, but I don’t think he’s getting past your mom.” Dustin nods towards Billy, the older boy rolling his eyes even though he’s not wrong, then offers, “My mom doesn’t like visitors. Maybe Will’s?”

“Yeah, Mrs. Byers will let anybody come over.”

“And she already knows what’s going on.”

They all nod again, and Billy rolls his eyes at them again while Lucas relays their decision to Max, “Alright, meet us at Will’s in an hour.”

“Why that long though? We’re all here right now.”

“Gives us time to cover our tracks, shitbird.” Billy hums in response to Max, stepping forward and asking, “What’s the damn address?”

This ‘meeting’ the twerps called was pretty much everyone in this hick town that knows the same dirty little secret as he does getting together in a tiny house and panicking. Billy and Max get fully interrogated like, a dozen times, once by the damned chief of police himself, all the while everyone is coming up with theories and plots and arguing. So much fucking arguing among this lot.

It gets to be too much pretty quickly, day five in this place and he’s already having to jump back into some of the worst things that ever happened to him. None of these people realize how big this is. Especially not the kids who just think it’s badass to fight monsters.

He leaves without telling anyone, or without anyone noticing among the chaos, to the back porch to light one up. There’re ashtrays all over the house he could use, but looming smoke in that cramped little kitchen wasn’t going to be any better than watching it curl upwards to the stars. So outside it was.

He leans against the wall, gaze fixing straight to what’s above him. He doesn’t notice the presence of another person until he hears them speak, startling slightly at the sound of a voice breaking the calm silence of a humid November night.

It’s Steve, sitting on a rusty and banged up glider at the opposite end on the porch, lit up just like he is. “So, uh. I guess you’re a part of this now?”

“I guess I am.”

Steve just nods and responds simply, effectively ending the conversation, “Right.”

But that’s not satisfying to Billy. He might appreciate peace more than what’s going on in that house, but he doesn’t like empty silence either. “What’re we all awkward like this for, Harrington? Spit out what you’re thinkin’.”

“I dunno, man.”

Billy frowns, prompting, “Come on. I know them gears are turnin’ over there. You've been quiet since we all got here.”

Steve looks away from him, but he does answer, “I dunno it’s just.. We’ve lost so much. People died because of this. People I knew. And I don’t like that anyone else is involved I guess.”

Billy scoffs, “Even me? You don’t even know me other than the asshole you met at the party last night.”

“So? What do you mean even you? I don’t want anyone anywhere near those fucking monsters. Could be my worst enemy and I’d still save them. I’d protect anyone from those things.” The haunted look behind his eyes, which seem so tired the longer Billy looks, tells Billy everything he needs to know.

He doesn’t mean to sound so soft when he asks, “What makes you so confident you can? Save ‘em I mean.”

“I fought a demogorgon myself. Well, not really by myself. Nancy and Jonathan were there. But I took a nail bat to its fucking face. Like hell I’d just let one of those things get anyone. Even you.” Steve

Billy flicks away his burnt out cigarette, sitting next to Steve on the old glider. “That’s real touching H, but I ain’t letting nobody sacrifice themselves for me. Need I remind you I’ve fought these assholes too.”

“But you told the kids you didn’t. Said it was all your friend.” Steve looks at him, sort of doubtful, but Billy blows off the remark, “No shit Sherlock. I ain’t airing all my business to any nosy brats like them.”

“I get that, but.. “ Hesitantly, he clarifies, “Is.. your friend, you know, even real?”

Billy must look at him like he grew a second head, “Shit, man, you think I’m one of those freaky experiments? No way. ‘Course he was real.”

“Oh. You said ‘was.’ Does that mean...” Steve’s voice trails off, sparing him hearing the words out loud.

“Don’t know. He got caught about two years back. Haven’t heard from him since. They might’a brought ‘im back here, they might’a killed him. I dunno.” Billy shrugs, picking at his nails while he talks so he doesn’t have to acknowledge Steve, or the fact that he’s even admitting this shit to him, “That’s why we’re here in Hawkins though. Susan’s got family over in Hope and a little ways up by Indie, so I suggested Hawkins. Just to come see where he came from. Get some closure I guess.”

“Guess he was really important to you then?” Steve smiles softly, but Billy only sighs through his nose, “You got no idea, Harrington.”

“Well, for what it’s worth, I’m sorry. I’m sure you’ll meet someone like him again.” He offers.

Somehow that sentiment immediately sets Billy on edge though, something about his tone implying that he knows, knows him and six were more than just friends, and Billy really doesn’t want to face that kind of monster tonight. He snaps, suddenly defensive, “What the hell’s that s’posed to mean?”

Steve’s face falls a little, evidently surprised by how upset Billy is, and he tries to fix it, “Oh I just thought that, the way you talked about him- and you look so sad when you do- that he was, you know, special to you.”

“So what? You gonna leave me to the monsters or some shit for that?” Billy growls, quickly warranting more defense from Steve, “What? No way. No I.. I get it, Billy. I do. More than you probably think I do.”

Billy half nods, his shoulders untensing as he slowly recognizes Steve’s genuinity. He mumbles eventually, working through what he needs to in his head to be comfortable talking openly with him again, “Didn’t expect to be getting relationship counseling too. That your assignment on the team, mister romance expert?”

“Shut up. You’ve never seen me swing a bat before.”

“Oh believe me, I cannot wait to.”

Steve’s smile returns, something Billy is personally glad for, though he might not be ready for that realization yet. He bumps their shoulders together, to hold Billy's attention and let him know he’s genuine, “Still, in all seriousness man, I hope you can find someone else like that for you. I know it’s not really easy pickings around here.”

This time, Billy’s tone is light, his features soft and vulnerable for the boy next to him, for the way he makes him feel less weighed down, less alone in this, “You got no idea, Harrington.”

#CherryLangeChallenge #harringrove #billy hargrove #steve harrington #billy x steve #ej writer #story by ej! #this is probably a disaster but I don’t care #season two au where literally none of the bad shit that happens happens except that the monsters are back #has my dialogue been too southern lately? #I feel like I’ve been writing Bills with an accent oopsie

[lesbianrobin]

Im dying to know, do you have any holiday-themed Steve, Robin, Party, etc. headcanons?

god you KNOW i do!!! first of all i celebrate christmas and i dont rly know anything about other holidays this time of year so im just gonna... work on the assumption that they all celebrate christmas, but if anyone who doesnt celebrate or celebrates something else wants to reblog and add their own hcs i encourage it!!! okay this is gonna be so scattered but:

steve never really liked christmas very much. it was always just stressful and he hated having to spend time with his family and he always got like the most generic expensive boring gifts from his parents and it just wasn't really fun... the first christmas he really got into it was the christmas he spent with nancy and after they broke up, he was like oh christmas just fucking sucks!! but then...

that next christmas dustin invites him over for christmas eve and he brings a pie that he bought from the grocery store and claudia thanks him a million times and he wishes that he'd baked it himself so he didn't feel so guilty

dustin gives him a little baseball bat ornament and claudia is like "oh i thought you played basketball!" and steve is like "oh uh i do but i like baseball too :)" and he and dustin kinda smile at each other and steve ruffles his hair and they watch rudolph on tv and steve is like oh christmas.... is good......

speaking of dustin he always starts thinking about christmas gifts in like october but somehow ends up with absolutely nothing on december 20th and he has to run around in a panic finding gifts for the party

he drinks hot chocolate like a maniac... he doesnt drink water the entire month of december it's hot chocolate or it's nothing

hes one of those people who will say "come on it's christmas!!!" on like the tenth

lucas is one of those people who will say "no asshole it's december tenth"

lucas loves christmas!! he just thinks that it's a day and not a whole fucking month!!! he thinks anything before like december 15th is too much

the only thing he hates about christmas is that his parents always make him and erica pick out gifts for each other with no help from them... and since erica is an evil genius she always gets lucas the perfect gift just so she can hold it over his head for the entire year when he accidentally gets her a toy she already owns

she literally watches him open his present like >:) and lucas is pissed when it's this extremely specific action figure that he's wanted for a long time but he swears he never even mentioned it to anybody

and then he just sits there feeling like a stupid asshole as she unwraps a random doll that lucas figured she might like since its hair looks kind of sort of vaguely like erica's and she's like "thanks lucas :) i think i have this one already but it's sweet" and his parents are like "hey it's the thought that counts! erica see your brother knows what you like :)" and she's like "yeah :)" and then as soon as their parents aren't looking she sticks her tongue out at lucas and he sticks his out back at her

the sinclairs have such a disgustingly perfect christmas like they bake cookies together and shit it's adorable

speaking of adorable families the byers house is so full of love on christmas

almost all of the ornaments on their tree are handmade little crafts from when will and jonathan were younger and they buy tinsel at the dollar store and just go fucking ham with it their tree always looks like a hobby lobby threw up

growing up joyce would usually try to get them some things they need on christmas and then like one or two special things for each of them and she could never buy the fancy new toys that were in all the ads on tv and in magazines but she knows her boys.... jonathan got his first camera on christmas and it was from a secondhand store and kind of dinged up and definitely old as shit but he loved it..... will always got some new construction paper and crayons or markers so by the end of christmas day joyce would have new drawings to put up on the fridge or a new little ornament that he made for her.....

sometime in november jonathan would always be like "okay will i have a secret mission for you, you need to find out something mom needs that we could give her for christmas!" and will would be like "you have to say your mission should you choose to accept it" and jonathan would say "well i know you're gonna accept the mission" and will's like "jonathannnnn" and jonathan would be like "okay fine your mission should you choose to accept it" and will would be like >:) im a spy >:)

so little baby will would action roll around the house humming the mission impossible theme and peeking around walls at joyce and then after like a week he'd say "i think mom needs a stool she keeps jumping to try and reach stuff high up in the cabinets" and jonathan's like awesome thanks and he finds a cheap folding stool and some chocolates that he can afford with whatever money he has saved up and he has will wrap it because he figures it's like ten times cuter that way and joyce cries when she sees the little christmas card will put with the stool for her

i'm going way more in depth than i need to thvjdjcd but basically the byers house is all love man... so much love ..... they don't use colored lights anymore they only use the solid strands but they still have fun decorating together and will makes paper chains and stuff to hang up and i'm about to make myself cry

so!! this is getting super long fjvndmcmd

nancy is absolute dogshit at buying presents for people she's just terrible at it. she always just asks mike and holly and her parents what they want and buys exactly what they tell her and if they don't tell her anything then she has like a mental breakdown about it and panics and buys like. a flannel pajama gift set from the department store.

when she's dating steve he tells her not to worry about getting him anything which she takes at face value until her mom asks what she's giving steve like three days before christmas and then she starts panicking and she goes to a sporting goods store and just asks the first employee she sees what a teenage boy who plays basketball might like

steve can't tell if he should be like happy or vaguely offended that his girlfriend gave him like shoe deodorizers and a water bottle and socks for a sports team that he doesn't root for... she tried though and thats all he cares about

she and jonathan agree they'll exchange gifts but nothing over like MAX fifteen bucks which is easy she just finds a tape or a record she thinks he'll like and she's set (she spends a full hour in the music store and almost just gets a gift certificate for him but eventually she just says fuck it and picks some random shit she's never heard of and hopes he likes whatever it is)

mike on the other hand is actually like... insanely good at gift giving because he pays close attention to the people he cares about and he just like Knows if lucas or dustin or will is gonna like something

he just doesnt really buy into christmas all that much?? it's cool to get free stuff and eat cookies and all but he thinks people make it into a bigger deal than it should be

holly still believes in santa though so he likes seeing how excited she gets on christmas... it warms his cold tween boy heart.....

the first christmas he gets to spend with el he turns into a fucking christmas enthusiast and he makes her hot chocolate and gives her a tape full of christmas songs and he asks his mom for a bigger gift allowance because he has a GIRLFRIEND now and she's never- uh, THEY'VE never celebrated christmas TOGETHER so it has to be SPECIAL MOM!!!!

karen is like buddy calm down but it's so nice to see him excited about something again that she caves and gives him like forty bucks and tells him not to tell nancy or his dad

el and hopper christmas... i cannot go into detail or i WILL cry but hopper takes her with him to pick out their tree and she's so meticulous about it like examining all of them and he's just standing there in the cold freezing his ass off letting her do her thing because she's so excited that he doesn't have the heart to tell her they're basically all the same and to just hurry up and pick one

he gives her a lot of books... there are so many books under their ugly fucking tree because el picks one thats extremely crooked because she says it seems nice and hopper cant find any of his old decorations so they have to start from scratch...

el enlists the whole party for help finding hopper a present because it has to be the best present of all time!!!! they're like well what does he like and she's like uh tv.... coffee.... gun...... and they're like uh we can get him a coffee mug?

so on christmas morning el presents him with a "BEST DAD" mug full of candy and he hugs her so she won't see that he's fucking crying

she also gives max a drawing she did of max as wonder woman and it isn't very good but max says it's her favorite present she's ever gotten and she keeps it folded up in her nightstand

max has mixed feelings about christmas

i should not have saved her for last this is depressing

fuck her family fuck all of that okay max spends christmas eve with the sinclairs and christmas day with el because her mom and neil don't really feel like celebrating this year and so for the first time in a long time her christmas is full of love and joy and hopper makes them cinnamon rolls for breakfast which el has never had before and it's great

the party usually does a big gift swap and they don't get each other anything too fancy or expensive but it's sweet... they all gather in mike's basement like the day after christmas and eat the leftovers from the wheelers' christmas dinner and give each other comics and action figures and dice

once robin enters the picture she and steve lowkey get smashed on christmas eve together off peppermint schnapps and they play rockin around the christmas tree like ten times and jump around until they get dizzy...

they give each other little things like every other day leading up to christmas so by the end of december they've exchanged gifts like ten times but it isn't their FAULT okay!!! steve just saw these earrings and thought of her so he got them... and robin couldn't just leave that wham! crop top sitting in the store...... and steve couldn't resist the cheap bff necklaces he found while looking for a gift for erica....... and what is robin meant to do, ignore the stuffed kermit doll she saw in a store window?

it's just unrealistic

i like to think that everybody gathers at the byers house for lunch or dinner on christmas eve... they just hang out and exchange presents and make cookies and watch christmas movies and argue over which ones suck and which ones are actually good...... they just spend time together without any fear or danger and it's good

#stranger things #christmas #god this is so long gifmcmdj #em talks #asks #long post #define-lying

[vsullivan]

Lucky 7 | Steve Harrington x Reader – pt. 5

This chapter is a little shorter than the others, sorry about that! I’ll probably start typing up chapter 6 at work and maybe getting it out tonight! Also, I hope you guys don’t mind me essentially rewriting season 3. I hadn’t intended on changing so much, but I guess my mind wanders too much! I promise that it’ll still have the same general outcome though. And again, be prepared for me to never stop mentioning this, but thank you so so so so so so much for reading. Every like, comment, and reblog means the absolute world to me.

Seven usually wasn’t one to seek trouble - but something urged her to follow the girl’s to Billy’s home. There was something in his eyes that made her sick to her stomach. It was like deja vu. She didn’t want to jump to conclusions, but the last time she’d had that same sinking feeling was when she looked into the eyes of Will Byers when he was being controlled by the mind flayer. She didn’t mention these thoughts to the girls, although she had a feeling they were already thinking the same thing.

Chapter 5: Worry Not, My Dear Friend

Seven usually wasn’t one to seek trouble - but something urged her to follow the girl’s to Billy’s home. There was something in his eyes that made her sick to her stomach. It was like deja vu. She didn’t want to jump to conclusions, but the last time she’d had that same sinking feeling was when she looked into the eyes of Will Byers when he was being controlled by the mind flayer. She didn’t mention these thoughts to the girls, although she had a feeling they were already thinking the same thing.

 There wasn’t much discourse on the way to Billy’s home, the three too nervous jinx anything. Once they’d arrived, Max peered into one of the windows. Waving her hand towards Seven and El, who stood awkwardly a few feet away.

 They quickly joined Max on the porch, and Seven stopped to look between the two girls. Without moving her mouth she told individually ‘We need to be careful, if that vision was true - I don’t know how he’d respond to us sneaking into his house.’

 They nodded in agreement, Seven wiping the blood from her nose as she watch El unlock the door from the inside. Silently, they entered, a rush of cold air embracing them as they walked in - nonof them giving it a second thought considering it was normal to have the AC on blast during the summer. However, no one thought to take a look at at thermometer, which if they had, read a daunting 59 degrees - and still declining.

 Gazing around, nothing immediately looked out of place, but they continued their search.

 Seven made sure that the younger girls remained within reaching distance, but she continued her own scan of the room until she’d noticed a picture frame placed on a side-table. Seven didn’t know why she felt the need to walk over to it, nor why she found herself taking it in her hands. It was just a photo of a woman, one with a sweet smile adorning an aging face as she posed for the camera.

 Seven had never really taken the time to look at photographs before. She usually only glances at them when she visits’ others’ home, worrying that it might be creepy if she went through to examine each one. Hopper didn’t have anything like them at his home, so she really didn’t know what kind of etiquette was acquainted with it. But this time, the owner of this home was not present to make any judgements.

 There was an ocean in the background, but the face took up most of the frame. Seven noticed how the woman had such a beautiful pair of baby blue eyes - ones not that different from the pair that had stared her down from within a car two months prior. Was this woman Billy’s mother?

 Seven looked at her again. She found herself bringing the photo closer to her face, focusing on the eyes once more. She didn’t know why she began searching, why on earth she was drawn to this woman’s eyes...

 Suddenly, she felt the rope in her hands. But this was a picture? Feeling an overwhelming sense of curiosity, she tugged herself into the darkness as she would if the woman was standing right in front of her.

 Seven then found herself standing alone, the familiar black abyss surrounding her until a flood of light poured in. However, unlike any other she had seen, the string of light was short - not stretched out to the point where it looked like it went on for infinity.

 When the light spiraled around her, the call of seagulls could be heard, alongside the sound of ocean waves as they crash into the shore.

 The air tasted like salt, the wind blowing Seven’s hair around. She felt a smile on her lips as she faced a camera. After the camera shuttered, she looked past the lense to see a boy, likely a good couple years younger than Eleven.

 He laughed as he swiped the photo from the device, waving it around as he began singing “Perfect, Perfect!” Seven found her smile widening as the woman’s had in this memory, the feeling of adoration and love filled her senses too. Seven loved when she came upon sweet memories as these, it made having to settle herself in a stranger’s body more bearable.

 Then, her lips began moving as the woman started singing her son a lovely tune. Grasping his hand, she took him on a stroll down the beach.

 ‘Love I get so lost, sometimes - days pass and this emptiness fills my heart’ the boy joined in, squeezing his mother’s hand as they started skipping along the shoreline.

 ‘But whichever way I go, I come back to the the place you are...”

 Their voices faded away as the stream of light came to its end. In the blink of an eye, Seven found herself staring at the picture frame again, into the eyes of the same woman who’s memories she just experienced. That song... she’s heard it before.

 Looking around, she saw Max and El looking at her expectantly. They could tell something just happened by the blood dripping from Seven’s nose. She then put the picture back in the same position as she found it, telling the girls she’d fill them in on what just occurred after they get out of there. They nodded reluctantly, following after Seven as she guided them into the other rooms.

 Nothing seemed amiss in Billy’s bedroom, although Seven did have to shush the girls as they both hissed out ‘ewww’ when they saw a poster of a woman in a bright red bikini hanging on his wall.

 After checking out the kitchen, the only space left to search was the bathroom. They remained cautious as they neared said room, Seven popping her head in before letting anyone step inside. Seeing it was clear, she let the girls slide around her and into the room - noticing it was significantly colder in there compared to the rest of the home.

 Eleven and Max gasped simultaneously, igniting Seven’s sense of fight or flight. Quickly, she stepped forward and her eyes followed their gazes to the bathtub. Taking another step, she leaned forward to see what had shaken them-

 The tub was full of ice.

 “This is bad, oh man.” Max started, her hands bunching into her hair as panic began to overtake her. Seven quickly turned, taking Max’s arms from above her head to set them at her sides.

 “It’s okay, this doesn’t mean it’s-it’s” Max made a face. “The Mind Flayer.” She finished Seven’s sentence.

 Seven sighed, her hands leaving the redhead’s forearms before she placed them on her shoulders instead. “We’ll figure it out.” She managed to smile. “It’s not over yet.” Seven added, feeling the tenseness in Max’s shoulders lessen as she reassured her.

 “You’re right,” the younger teen sighed. “But what now?” Seven turned to El, who’d been silent until she finally spoke “I’ll find him.”

 They’d gone to Billy’s living room, setting his tv to static so Eleven could work her magic. Removing the bandana from around her eyes, El stared back at the other girls. “Heather.” The two looked to each other before turning back to El.

 “Who?”

“Do you really think she’s all right?” Steve spoke, his eyes on the road but Seven on his mind. “Who? Seven? Oh yeah, she’s fine.” Dustin quipped, gathering his supplies together and placing them back in his bag. “You should have seen how she held back the Mind Flayer.” He added, still shuffling around in his sear.

 “I didn’t see it either, but Jonathan said her whole head turned real veiny, blood gushing out of both her nose holes while they were forcing that thing out of Will!” Steve grimaced, but Dustin continued with a voice way too cheerful for the words he was spewing out. “She wouldn’t really talk about it, but she said she saw the Mind Flayer, and it was scariest shit she’d ever-“

 “Okay, okay, I get it.” Steve cut him off, not wanting to hear anymore of how his crush had to endure something like that. “Oh, don’t be such a wussy, Steve!”

 “She helped save Will from that weird demon thing, meaning she’s more than capable of getting El through whatever girl stuff going on.” He added, throwing his hands up in the air, irritated at how pessimistic his friend was being.

 “Yeah.” Steve sighed, discontented. “I guess so.” Realizing his older friend’s moodiness wasn’t going away anytime soon, Dustin rolled his eyes, quickly trying to find something to his distract him from Seven.

 “Hey, why don’t we stop by your house for a second?” He said, Steve threw him a questioning look before settling his eyes back on the road. “For what?”

“I don’t know, supplies? We don’t know how long we’ll be at the mall and I don’t have any money to buy Chinese food!” Dustin heard a sigh, watching how his chauffer turned into a residential driveway, using it to back up and get back on the road in the opposite direction they’d been riding previously.

“Fine, fine. But make it quick.”

-         

ALSO I AM SO DUMB AND LOOKED UP SONGS FROM THE 80′S AND KNEW THIS SONG WAS PERFECT BUT BILLY WAS BORN IN 1967 OMFG CAN WE PLEASE PRETEND IM NOT STUPID LOL its too late to change it, i just now realized this AS IM FORMATTING THE TUMBLR POST 

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 6

Tag list: (feel free to let me know if you want me to tag you or take you off!)

@a-girl-who-loves-disney @-thatgirloverthere- @truthdaze @grippleback-galaxy  <33

#steve harrington #steve harrington imagine #steve harrington x reader #steve #steve harrington fanfic #steve harrington fic #steve harrington fanfiction #stranger things #stanger things 3 #stranger things imagine #stranger things imagines #stranger things fanfic #stranger things season 3 #fanfiction #fanfic #stranger things fanfiction #eleven #billy hargrove #jim hopper #hopper #hops #joyce byers #jonathan byers #will byers #lucas sinclair #erica sinclair #nancy wheeler #mike wheeler #dustin henderson #henderson

[robinskalechip]

ultimately - chapter three

masterlist

robin buckley fan fic

a/n: tension build up here we go

warnings: language, blood

not my gif!

chapter three - not everyone, not you

it was the end of robin’s fourth day of school and usually her mind would already be occupied with the thoughts of her school work slowly but surely becoming more intense

but no. today robin had one thing on her mind.

why wasn’t emily at school?

all day robin hadn’t seen her and her mind was occupied by thoughts of curiosity and concern

as she rode her bike to the video store, her mind could only circle back to the same thoughts and fears of what the fate of the girl was and whether or not she was okay

robin knew steve would take her mind off of things, which he did. after being at work for two hours she felt like she had only just gotten there. dustin and lucas were currently sitting on the countertop as they ate candy robin had snuck from the storage room for them. it was a pretty slow night which made robin happy because she was able to fully indulge as she let her mind rest from her imagination.

dustin was showing robin, steve and lucas his latest project. he was trying to make a homeade walkie talkie that could be made using objects found in an average american’s home.

robin and steve were intreged, lucas was thorough in his investigation of the creation and they watched as he was fixing a part of it.

robin was completely focused until she heard the door open and saw her standing there

emily stood in front of the four in a pair of jeans, combat boots, and a bon jovi tee shirt that had a whole in the top, exposing the girls shoulder and part of her bra. she had a cut on her lip that appeared to be swelling as they spoke.

“emi-“

before she could finish her name, emily was running to the counter and began to hide her body behind it as she looked at robin

“don’t look at me, look at each other, i’m not here”

all four of their eyes shot up as emily tried to catch her breathe

“okay. you. hair boy, squat down”

steve lowered his body without hesitation as he looked at the girl extend her hand

he took her hand and shook it as she spoke “i’m emily, i need you to stay out here and if a man comes in looking for me, say you saw me running down the street, okay?”

steve shook his head as she let go and turned her attention to robin, “y’all have a closet or something i can hide in?”

robin looked down as she gestured for the girl to follow her into the large storage closet to which the girl which got into

robin allowed her in and closed the door “what the hell”

the girl was pacing around the small space as she grabbed a bottle of water, taking a drink from it before she spoke “its a really long story”

she reached up to her face and felt her lip, hissing at the pain. robin grabbed the first aid kit “sit down”

emily sat down on the small counter that was next to a small sink as robin opened the kit, searching for supplies. she found the disinfectant wipes and began to open them.

she held emily’s chin as she began to lightly dab at the cut. emily flinched at the pain at first before robin began to calm her down “its okay, its okay, just relax, look” robin grabbed her hand with her free one “squeeze my hand if you feel any pain”

the girl had her eyes closed as robin began to become more aggressive with her cleaning

robin subconsciously had been getting closer to her face as she was cleaning the wound

once emily got used to the pain, she slowly opened her eyes but they never met robin’s, they fixated on her lips

she never once sqeezed robin’s hand. instead she took her hand into both of hers and was fiddling with her fingers, caressing small circles with her thumb

“you wanna tell me what exactly is happening?”

“can’t tell you”

“why not”

“you don’t want to know trust me”

“what did you do? steal a car? kill someone?”

emily chuckled “no”

she paused “look...if i tell anyone in this town anything, they become a target”

robin chuckled “you act like you care. you hate everyone in this town”

“not everyone” her eyes shot up to meet robin’s “not you”

robin paused her aiding to look at the girl

they stared at each other for a little too many mississippis if you know what i mean

their moment was interrupted when they heard the door of the store being swung open

emily hopped down from the table and turned off the light and pressed her ear to the door

“what are you-“

robin was cut off by emily’s hand covering her mouth momentarily

emily shushed her gently while making the motion to go along with it as she moved her hand away from her mouth

robin leaned closer to the door, trying to hear as well

as their bodies became closer and closer together, they heard steve following emily’s instructions as to where to lead him and he did so perfectly with the help of the kids

everything about it was perfect, the “i think i saw her” and the “down the street about ten minutes ago, give or take”

once they heard the sound of the door close, the stood their with their bodies pressed against one another for a few moments longer, just in case he came back

they both jumped as they heard a knock on the door that was quickly followed by steve’s “hey coast is clear now tell me what the hell is going on”

robin opened the door, allowing emily to go underneath her extended arm and walking into the main part of the store, “phone?” she looked directly as robin while saying this, as if she was the only one she could trust

robin quickly pointed to a phone that was sitting on the counter behind dustin

emily approached the phone in a hurry, dialing the numbers as quickly as possible

after a few seconds of the phone ringing, she finally spoke “its me”

they all listened as they stared at the girl

“no it was pablo i think....yeah....no i’m fine....my car is about three block from where i’m at...yeah....don’t do too much...yes i know...he’s the only one i’ve seen...fine i’ll see you then”

she hung the phone up to then look at the audience she had come to acquire “what”

steve was the first to speak or yell “WHAT THE HELL”

“WHAT”

dustin and lucas looked at each other before dustin spoke “care to explain who that man was and why you’re bleeding and who exactly you are?”

“no and it’s what the human body does sometimes when injuries, and hi im emily nice to meet you small humans and hair boy”

lucas jumped in too “hi nice to meet you, WHY was that dude’s leg bleeding”

emily pointed to a basket of fries that were on the countertop “whose are these”

robin rolled her eyes “you can have some”

they all stood silent for a while as emily munched on robin’s fries before she spoke “i might have nipped his leg a bit but its fine, i missed the major artery”

steve whispered to himself “oh my god”

emily then rolled her eyes at all four of them to then start to move towards the door “ughh look i’m gonna tell you three what i told robin. it is safer if you do not know”

robin leaned forward “you probably shouldn’t have said that”

to that, dustin and lucas jumped from the counter

they began to simultaneously ask emily a variety of things

“what” “what do you mean” “is it the russians again”

before they could go any further emily cut them off when she yelled “ok ok ok HEY”

they both became quiet quickly as the looked at her

a black car pulled up outside, causing the girl to immediately make her way to the door

robin began to follow her as she started to leave “emily”

the other girl turned around to face her as she was about to open the door

“talk to me”

robin could tell that the girl wanted to say something, that she wanted to pour everything she had out for robin right then and there..but she couldn’t

robin could see slight tears forming in her eyes

emily caught her breathe and sniffled as she pulled herself together “i need you to trust me”

she looked back at the car that was waiting outside for her before looking at robin one last time

she pushed the door open, robin now watching her get into the car where an older man was watching her and made brief eye contact with robin, causing a chill to be spread throughout her body

she could only think of one thing

i need you to trust me

next chapter

#robin stranger things #stranger things au #stranger things fanfiction #stranger things #robin buckley x you #robin buckley x reader #robin x y/n #robin x you #robin x reader #robin fanfiction #robin buckley #robin

[byler-n-harringrove]

Halloween Night (Byler)

Hello everyone! I am so sorry for not posting for very long, school has just started and it's my final year before uni, so it's ramping up and im finding little time to write between school, work and family? ;( I am so sorry, and I will be doing the best I can to keep up requests and keep this moving! The reuqest is: @aspiringlampturtle  Ok oh my gosh hi ok so do you think you could write a lil one shot where the party is trick-or-treating and byler sneaks off (for whatever reason) and they end up confessing to one another?(maybealittlesmooch)? Uhh bonus points if El has a girlfriend but that's not necessary and also I love your writing also maybe something with Dustin just frikkin eating so many 3musketeers? Anyway love you bye thanks

_______________________________________________

Halloween was always the best time of the year for the group, all the candy they could eat, a sleepover at Mike’s and a sugar coma that would last them the whole weekend. They were lucky this year it fell on a Friday meaning they could gorge out for the whole weekend and start a new campaign Mike had written with a Halloween horror twist.

This year their theme was Star Wars. Mike was going as Han Solo, Will was going as Luke Skywalker, Dustin as Chewbaka and Lucas was going as Darth Vader. The girls, on the other hand, we're going as two different versions of Leia, not knowing what else to wear. It had taken the boys a whole month to nag the redhead to wear a matching costume with her girlfriend, but she has finally caved in when Jane had given her girlfriend her puppy eyes.They are all 17 now, it has been years since all of the worries of the gate, and they were living fairly normal lives.

Something that they didn’t expect was Jane and Max hitting it off, soon coming out with one another and started dating roughly a year ago. They were adorable, Lucas was a bit sad, but when Mike realised that their group didn’t care about sexuality, he decided to tell everyone he was bisexual (which he explained to them that he liked both boys and girls). It came out weirdly, one time they were playing DND,  but it didn’t change them as a friend group.

But what he didn’t tell them was that he was crushing hard on his best friend Will Byers.

But, back to Halloween, because Mike was startled when he heard a knock on the door. That would be his friends. He quickly dashes to the fine before his mother or father could, flinging the door open to see all his friends in their costumes, all handmade of course, with Will standing at the front of the group with a warm smile. That smile was already causing butterflies in his stomach.

“Ready to go and get some full-sized chocolate bars?” Will asks, grinning.

It was the first Halloween that Johnathan hadn’t actually been told to follow Will trick or treating, even if he never truly did, so it was almost a celebration of Wills independence and strength. Mike nodded, leaning down and grabbing his pillowcase which he had left beside the door.

“Let’s go! See you Mum, Dad! We’ll be back soon!” Mike called over his shoulder before shutting the door, the group leaving the front yard and started to hit up the surrounding houses before making their way down the street. Before they left the front lawn, he heard a shrill yellow of his mother reminding him to be back by 9, which he always was without fail so he simply rolled his eyes as they took off down the street together.

_

“I can believe, just like always, we got more 3 Musketeers!” Lucas whined loudly as they left the lawn of another house, a couple streets over from the Wheeler’s residence.  No matter what year and the group's hopes, they always seemed to get the same chocolates from the same houses, but that didn't falter Dustin of course.

The group dumped the chocolates into the curly haired boy's pillow sack, Dustin then fishing out the other chocolates and goodies he had gotten and given them to the others in  fair trade. “You guys just haven't gotten a good palate yet, it comes with my stunning good looks after all” Dustin jokes, wiggling his eyebrows and doing his ‘famous’ growl, causing them all to scoff and wave him off.

Mike and Will were travelling at the back of the pack, something they tended to do together whenever they actually were together (so all the time). Mikes eyes continued to glance over at the brunette boy with the bowl haircut, admiring how the street lights gently glimmered in his mud brown eyes as they walked in stride together. Will had decided to skip wearing a blonde wig, as it made his skin turn to a rash, so they had a brown haired Luke Skywalker walking the streets in their group.

But tonight, tonight felt different for Mike. Something in his gut was telling him that there was something in the air, something that was making him gravitate ever stronger towards his Will, it was a gentle hammering of his heart, he felt that maybe, just maybe, Will felt the same way.

Maybe tonight was the night he could try and admit his feelings to the other male, on the greatest night of the year, standing there in their Star Wars outfits in the night where they didn't have to be themselves and they could be whoever and whatever they wanted. It could remove the stress, remove the pressure of having to be straight, it was a night they could express themselves.

So, in Mike’s gut, he knew tonight was the night and he wasn't going to let the opportunity slip through his fingers so easily without taking a shot.

As the other made more distance from Mike and the Will, the taller and curly haired male wrapped his pencil-like fingers around the others narrow wrist, Will looked up. Slight shock and confusion flashed through the boy's eyes, a small tilt to his head further to the side in confusion.

“Is something wrong Mike?”

Something about the boy’s voice was always able to make Mike quiver, but as he shook his head, a small smile reached the taller boys lips, he tugged at Will’s wrist softly as to pull him towards the park they were just about to pass. It was quiet, it was not very well lit so no one could identify them, and it was somewhere Mike could feel himself comfortable about coming out about his feelings.

“Nothing, just, I need to tell you something. A secret” He explains as their feet hit the woodchip, making soft crunches under the boots of their costumes as they walked towards the swings. Hm, how poetic.

Sitting down, Will took the other swing as if by instinct “Are you okay? Something, something hasn't happened has it? I'm sure you could have told me in front of the others…” Will starts to question in both interest and worry.

The other shakes his head, giving a small shadow. For some reason, he couldn't help but found Will’s concern for his well being quite cute, but he felt like it was a sign, or maybe he was just simply reading into the boy too much and it was just Will being a good friend. “I'm promise I'm not dying or anything Will. Its something, I need to tell you first before I could even think about telling anyone else”

Will simply nodded “Well, my all ears. Your best,best friend, I will always be there for you” He explained, pressing his feet against the ground slightly to causing him to slowly swing on the seat.

Mike felt his eye fall downcast as he also found very hard to swallow at that point. What if this all backfired on him, what if Will didn't want to be friends with him anymore because he felt too awkward about it? Would it rip their friend group apart because of it? No, no he couldn't let these stupid fears get a hold of him! He needed to do it now before… Before someone else was lucky enough to scoop Will up from under his nose.

“Mike?”

It snapped him out of his thoughts immediately, causing Mike to look over at the boy beside him and finally swallow the lump in his throat. Just as always, even in the dim light of the playground, worse than that of the street, but he could still roughly make out the boys slowly sharing facial features, those eyes and that bowel cut he was never seeming to grow out of even in his late teens.

“I love you” He sputtered.

Finally! He was able to get the words of his chest before another worry could enter his mind and force him not to. Mike was staring straight into the other boy's eyes, not breaking eye contact as he was simply too scared to move in case he would startle the other boy before he could even reply.

There was silence for a moment, it hung over them both and Mike felt like he was going to choke on his words if he didn't at least get some type of answer form the other boy because waiting here in suspense was killing his poor little heart.

“I love you too Mike…I just never thought you saw me that way” Came Will’s quiet and small reply, causing Mike to let go of a breath he hadn't realised he was holding while waiting for the other to speak.

Moving forward slowly, as to yet again not try to intimidate or scare Will, Mike found him kneeling in front of Will, who was sitting on the swing and slowly pressed his rather colossal palm against the boy's cheek and slowly curled his fingers around his cheek to accommodate to his jaw and hairline.

Will was smiling, from what Mike could make out, and as he gained enough courage to lean in and finally seal their lips, he knew Will was smiling as he could feel the curving upwards of his lips pressed against his own in the soft, gentle and innocent kiss. It seemed to last more than a few seconds for Mike, but as their lips finally moved away again, the ravenette kept his hand pressed firmly against the others cheek as he let out an airy sigh of relief. Will joined soon after, slinging his arms lazily over the other's shoulders.

“Well, I would love to say “I know” “ Mike stated, trying his best to impersonate Han Solo’s voice which caused another giggle from the other male “But I’m happy I finally got the guts to tell you. After all, best friends, don't like do they?” He didn’t know whether or not to call Will his boyfriend or not.

“Boyfriends don't lie, Mike”

Will said suitably, grinning now, the sparse light bouncing off his pearly whites in the dark night like Mike’s own personal beacon. His own little savour in the waves that was their crazy and hectic life. Nodding, their foreheads gently rested against one another as they fell into a silence, enjoying each other's small embrace and company.

“Will, Mike wh- Found them!” A familiar feminine voice called out, and the boys quickly looked up to see that Jane was standing there a couple meters away from them, soon enough the whole group seamlessly popping up behind her, all eyes kneely trained on the two boys. They both were a bright red (not that anyone could really notice) as their friends started.

“Totally Tubular” Max stated, causing the others to all look at her before the whole group burst out laughing together, moving over to the playground itself and simply all messing around, starting to open their candy. It was a silent acceptance of Mike and Will’s new found relationship, and it meant the world to him.

They sat there together, eating chocolate and lollies sitting on the swings, facing away from the street and shrouded by darkness, fingers interlocked tightly as they smiled, watching their friends and each other.

Yep, Halloween was definitely the best night of the year.

MASTERLIST

#mike x will #will #will x mike #will byers #will x mike fanfic #mike wheeler x will byers #will byers x mike wheeler #mike #mike wheeler #stranger things #stranger things fic #stranger things fanfic #stranger things fandom #stranger things season 2 #byers #Byler #byeler #byler fanfiction #byler fanfic #byler fic #byler moodboard #byeler fanfiction #byeler fic #byeler fanfic #gay #gay boy #soft #Joyce Byers #johnathan byers #nancy wheeler

[dwdelaney-blog]

apr2019

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=1p2j-CCi3_fu7HnEvCHB9Am3hS7GGMnwm

timeline 2019

- intro - several sections - 2019 analysis

- mm sportstalkmans - dm nsa - hart basketball - greco baise vala - we knew it all along - addiction frame mental illness frame - they knew theyd lose - shark smere -  and see generally trump elected on a platform of fucking w/ me - note esp usccb pres named kurtz from louisville - baise leaves for ideas illinois - laffers silly - mark denzler - 2p - topaz - ii - whigs - wide awakes Timeline 2019 - brings new info into old sites - important links b/t pages Focus - "hot coffee" mcds poison - corp liability - chamber ic - cringeworthy - scrp says "treatment" - addiction frame - mental illness - 2019 analysis says they knew theyd lose - what does that mean - given the facts - scso jail etc - xa fop "enablers" and caths * wojcicki - this page links the others together - xa month named sites - esp month where it was suggested I won in court -and see esp 4 mo period without posting to web 2019 - Things to add from recent events - sanctuary cities - denver riggleman bigfoot porn - emoji the movie - roddavis & eric hall - dirt - bmsk - roger stones - trump cabinet perry et al - russian collusion -

Spk Spkattys - spkgop - inginspk - carlson

see generally link to slu spitzer - new guy at usccb - paprocki wojcicki - sheriffs - pence antique mall - fop - roth dragoo - vigilantism - color - shgfootball - xa carlson analysis links kaiser to tx - hurwitz seidl - hotubtom - note esp inginspk ovp - sere & 2019 update haspel rewarded destruction of video in spk - now dci - xa basketball analysis mark few Tx Tx22 - galveston - donna - texas

Updates - perry is dir - agricolae

Fla

Sd

California - sd - oclincs -

Spfld

xa street names - and see generally fox simpsons - ailes - cletus

Spfld is sang cty - big picture - scb - scrp - erve - libri - 33rd - ierc - chamber - cl&e - nabors - riggleman - dustin does porn - scso - spd - sfd 37 - xa political

Political

Scrping - ierc - spfldconsulting - youngrepublicans - scsodefendants - williamsonvicari - dirt - partisanbadgers - ilfopngaoi - teaparty - publicrelations -

Orgs

Orgs includes caths and other nationwide/regional influences involved in the background of the case - following - coordination - communication - recruitment - matls methods etc - and see esp fraternal orgs ie kc and po - fop - this would include gop but im placing that on a separate page

- caths - wal - mcds - wm - guards wackenhut - securitas - fop - labor liuna ibt et al - dod - Im thinking of making this its own page - I think a lot of people involved in this may be deps or reserve - big picture distinction b/t corp/dod and other - chamber

Legal

Big picture legal timeline -

I have to leave spk dec 03/jan 04 - very bad - I just start driving south - complained to faculty at gu - didnt help

Spring and summer in tx - galv area - spring 04 tried complaint at hou pd- went to galv - aug 04 tried to file in galv - no luck - have to go to spfld

Go to spfld - file case - pro se - ifp - Write questions - bring them the people I want to answer them - nothing - complaint at county starts 2005 runs to 2006

I appeal and the page mentions the time and place of the appeals as well as the docs themselves - appls run to about 2008 at ussc

See esp - Docs - consider also voice recorder - see also gmail and saved docs like interrogatories

Legal involves doj and my complaint - I may split these but im keeping this here til I start adding things to the page - importantly - 2006 seems to play a large role in legal situation - complaint filed in 2005 - usattys - goss bails - cofer black also leaves to work for fresh prince - cunningham - cifa - scooter

Political links to the locations and publicrelations and partisanbadgers - spfld is key - scrp - scso jail - scb - ierc - yrs - gopattys - burkhart -

Tx - 2004 ifp - usarec - ororke longies is gwb link - homicidal threats frame - perry - usss copeland - threats also gwb - xa spk link carlson - txgop johnson - sere guy - shark smear -

Spfld

Sites under spfld - scrping - ierc - scsodefendants - spdefendants -note irv moves to ftl - note spfld links to other places ie kevin vann in ft worth - hanson locations - carlyle in spi - chigop - spfldconsulting

This where I would point out that it wasnt til later that scso put me in jail for no reason - I dont remember the year but I think it was after my last legal appeal - paper notes start in tx in 04 - cant remember when page started - start page around time case - maybe later - they put me in jail after the case - if I could remember when they did that it might explain other events in the timeline

4/5

wpp - h/k - omnimedia - Omnicom - Fleischman Hillard - mercury public affairs - terry nelson - duane Gibson - wal - smiley - tlg - Garfield - Wilkinson - copper green - blessing swift - Ackermann - fl - brooks bros - duane the rock was at ftl - xa stone - irv - xa bc 04 - kjell - chigop - pr - wpp - inginspk - dod - Petraeus - petra - optics - troop surge - sere guy - rock man - paprocki - Charles Dutton - bonilla - Carlyle tx - longies - ororke - phone calls - terr frame - homicidal threats frame - perry is cabinet

4/8

Part of the 2019 add to the site is following some people

Starting w/ these 4 people rove cambone perry agag

The rove  stuff is linked at crossroads as reticle crosshairs and 24/7 - the new stuff is american crossroads which is a reference to  ac - operant

4/10

Denver riggleman

Denver eagleman - air force - forced air - hvac - operant cond - ann colder - academies - consent as legal strategy - they knew theyd lose - cringeworthy - ecole - kohls - ipi - baise - denzler - facio - make america - facere usa - xa boulder rock - mu - roddavis - eric hall - wojcicki - ilfopngaoi roth dragoo - rauner kingmaker - greco baise vala - dont piss on my head and tell me its rainin

Resistance to Trump vs. bipartisanship: Starkly different missions drive Virginia congressional hopefuls

Laura Vozzella Washingtonpost.com. (Sept. 21, 2018): Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2018 The Washington Post Listen Full Text: Byline: Laura Vozzella MADISON, Va. -- Democrat Leslie Cockburn vowed to resist President Trump while Republican Denver Riggleman promised "common sense" and bipartisanship as the rivals for the 5th Congressional District seat met for their second debate Thursday. Cockburn, a former "60 Minutes" producer, and Riggleman, a former Air Force intelligence officer and craft distillery owner, are political newcomers vying for the seat being vacated by freshman Rep. Thomas Garrett (R). Garrett announced in May that he is an alcoholic and would abandon his run for a second term so he could focus on recovery and his family. From her opening statement to her closing an hour later, Cockburn invoked Trump as the driving force behind her bid. "I am one of those women who stood up because Donald Trump came into office," she said at the outset. She wrapped up by declaring that "2018 is a blue wave, and it is a wave for women." Unless Democrats retake power, she said, "we are going to lose our democracy because we have people in power who have no respect for institutions." Riggleman took a markedly different tack, contending throughout the hour-long debate that he would bring a willingness to work across the aisle in Washington. Riggleman, who ran unsuccessfully for governor last year, traces his entry into politics to his battles with government bureaucracy and entrenched liquor interests as he opened Silverback Distillery in 2014. He said his goal was to make the system work for ordinary people. "Actually, Leslie and I agree on a few things," he said when the discussion turned to health care, noting that they both believe it is a primary issue. "I don't think we need an Obamacare. I don't think we need a Trumpcare. I think we need a 'Bipartisancare.'" As for Trump, Riggleman said he would support the president's policies when they benefit the district, and oppose them when they don't. He called Trump's tariffs a mixed bag -- benefiting some farmers but hurting others. The candidates appeared before a packed auditorium at Madison County High School, with supporters on each side sporting offbeat T-shirts that sought to make light of campaign controversies. Some Cockburn supporters wore shirts emblazoned with "Semites for Leslie," an attempt to push back on allegations, based on a book she co-authored that was highly critical of Israel, that she is anti-Semitic. Some of her backers also wore shirts that played off the slogan used by Hillary Clinton, the former secretary of state who lost to Trump in 2016: "I'm with Leslie."

Some Riggleman fans wore shirts with an image of Bigfoot plastered on a Virginia map.

                "Riggleman '18," they read. "You have to believe!"

It was a reference to a satirical book that Riggleman wrote -- before running for office -- about the mating habits of Sasquatch. Riggleman and Cockburn are competing to represent a largely rural district that stretches from wealthy Washington exurbs to struggling communities on the North Carolina line. Trump won the 5th by 11 points in 2016, even as Clinton took the state by more than five points. Amid a blue wave the next year, Republican gubernatorial candidate Ed Gillespie won the district by nine points, even though Democrat Ralph Northam won Virginia overall by the same nine-point margin. Independent analysts rate the race as "leans Republican." The debate was moderated by Stephen Farnsworth, a University of Mary Washington political scientist and director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies. Farnsworth would throw out a broad topic and then give each candidate the chance to speak for a few minutes. "What would you do to address education?" he asked at one point. Cockburn responded that if Democrats could flip control of the House, Rep. Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (D-Va.) would become chairman of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and that would improve "the education system." She called for universal pre-kindergarten, saying it would help narrow the achievement gap between low-income children and their more affluent peers. She also called for tuition-free community college. She did not put a price tag on the pre-K or college plan. Riggleman said children who attend underperforming schools should have the right to transfer to a better one, although he didn't explain how that would work. He also said he opposes linking education funding to standardized test scores -- a practice Congress ended three years ago. He said that he wants to offer tax credits to families that home-school their children and that the credit would equal the average per-student cost of education in the local school district. Asked after the debate if that would drain tax revenue used for public education, he said: "It would make the public schools have to be a little bit more competitive, wouldn't it? And really, not a whole lot of people home-school. I think we're talking about a very small slice of the population." Cockburn declined to take questions after the debate. "I'm not going to do an interview right now," she said.

Congressman Denver Riggleman elected to serve on two Financial Services Subcommittees US Official News. (Feb. 4, 2019): Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2019 Plus Media Solutions Listen Full Text: Washington: Office of the MP Denver Riggleman has issued the following news release: Congressman Denver Riggleman (R-VA) was elected to two subcommittees on the House Committee on Financial Services this morning. Congressman Riggleman was named Vice-Ranking Member for the Subcommittee on National Security, International Development, and Monetary Policy and will also serve on the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Financial Institutions. "It is an honor to be selected to serve on these prestigious subcommittees," said Congressman Riggleman. "I will use my position on these committees to fight for 5th district consumers and small businesses. As a small business owner, I understand the burden unnecessary regulation can cause and I plan to help push legislation through that promotes economic freedom." Congressman Riggleman is the only freshman Republican to be named a ranking member on a subcommittee, which puts him in a good position to produce legislation to help the 5th district. The Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Financial Institutions is considered one of the most prestigious subcommittees on the

Financial Services Committee.

Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition) "Congressman Denver Riggleman elected to serve on two Financial Services Subcommittees."

Congressman Denver Riggleman Recommended to House Financial Services CommitteeTargeted News Service. (Jan. 17, 2019):Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2019 Athena Information Solutions Pvt. Ltd.http://targetednews.com/Full Text: WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- Rep. Denver Riggleman, R-Virginia, issued the following news release:

Yesterday, Congressman Denver Riggleman (VA-05) was recommended by the Republican Steering Committee to serve on the House Financial Services Committee, one of only four exclusive Committees in Congress.

"I am honored by this appointment and thankful for the opportunity to serve the 5th district on the House Financial Services Committee," said Congressman Riggleman. "As a small business owner, I learned firsthand the problems that are caused by overreaching government regulation. On this committee, I will fight for the economic freedom of consumers and small businesses across the 5th district."

Ranking Republican Member Patrick McHenry said, "As a business owner, Denver can provide critical input and expertise to the Financial Services Committee. I'm glad to see him, and his fellow freshman members, recommended to join so we can continue to build on the gains we've already achieved for hardworking taxpayers. I thank him for his continued service to our country and look forward to working alongside him in the 116th Congress.

4/11

ICYMI: CHENEY: DEMOCRATS SHOULD STAGE AN INTERVENTION WITH THE SPEAKER States News Service. (Jan. 24, 2019): Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2019 States News Service Listen Full Text: WASHINGTON -- The following information was released by House Republican Conference Chairmen Liz Cheney: Chris Martin Today, House Republican Conference chair

Liz Cheney called on House Democrats to stage an intervention with Speaker Nancy Pelosi over her irrational, destructive actions

and her refusal to negotiate an end to the shutdown: Republican Conference Chair Liz Cheney: "We are here, as you all know, still in shutdown mode, still in a situation where the Democrats won't even talk It is absolutely untenable and unreasonable for them not to even come to the table and I really hope that the Democrats will recognize soon the damage that Speaker Pelosi's doing to their party, that she's doing to this institution, that she's doing to the House of Representatives, and to the United States by absolutely refusing to negotiate, by doing something nobody's ever done before, cancelling the State of the Union appearance of the President. I think it's time for the Democratic party to have an intervention with the Speaker and ask her to do what's right for the nation, what's right for their party, and what's right for this institution. We hope they will come to the table, but we have not seen any indication that they're even willing to be

4 12

Whos extortng who

The excuse theyre using is the addiction frame. They have to claim consent. Thats what they claimed at trial and its why I write this page. They know its not true. they say I consent and wont listen when I say I dont. For years theyve tried to gather evidence to support their claim. All efforts have failed. Instead the evidence has shown the chem and theother actions of the defs arent trying to help

4/13

Its the same argument they lost so badly at trial. All this time - since the trial. I guess there was a trial. Theyve continued to do the same thing that constituted the basis of the original claim. A lot of happened around 2005 - 2006. That fits the legal timeline of my first complaint - as ive talked about - they say I consent - I dont. 953. no means no. For all the effort that is spent watching me - following me everywhere I go. When I say something specifically about whether I consent to their "treatment" - they dont want to hear it. How many pages how many years is it going to take

Apr17

Riggleman denzler

cheney comment re intervention & extortion - addiction frame - issue at trial - cringeworthy - usattys - rove - agag - legal timeline of my complaint - note esp handwritten notes - offered in person - made while in spfld - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - complaints made in writing and brought to cdil office in person - complaints also made at spfld fbi office - I couldnt get anyone to answer my questions - that I sent as interrogatories - I asked for people to investigate my complaint - as early as 2004 - see also complaint at hpd and complaint at spd dia - note esp guys running dia - stone at kopec at kopec stone - link to about schmidt - pbpa5 - links from po to mp - 233 - 183 fw - fuel specialists - denver eagle man - ecole - ipi - lincoln era gop - ierc - wide awakes - link from ing to scrp - austin is adj genl - apptd by - cellinis wife - I cant make this stuff up - 404 chem batt is celleti - cl&e - kcs are - gk karl kemme - how to train your dragon - terr frame - op - sleep deprivation - mrt addictionframe - dirt - nix alums - thompson alums - springfieldconsulting - cellini blessac ift - xa hardy pisano liuna isea 2002 - deposition for dennispmoore collision - hardy caruso steil durako - veseling - xa shgfootball - blagoliuna - schaive anda herr cutt - nethercutt - kaiser carlson - gallatin seidl hurwitz - hotubtom - pesticides - op tyle man - paprocki at ipi - mustache - liuna furman milburn - furman schuh - wojcicki - hendren - sheriffs - ilfopngaoi - roth dragoo - tea party - xa h/k usccb spk - spkattys - spkgop - timeline - james elmer mitchell - swimmers - sharktopus - panther - samuel charles - sharmin at the y - ad - riggle waivering - torriceli - wharton - carnduff - ecks - bw - lrs cis - bw is busted hard - xe - citic - note esp joe cofer hire afterdo job and job at state - he fits timeline - so does the goss bail -

Opioid is a reference to me - op is dod talk for chem - organophosphates - its the same stuff thats in pesticides and insecticides - bobentomology - hotubtom - huizenga servicemaster - chemlawn - xa terminix team nix - team mack - steering comte puts riggle man on financial services - liz gets a job in ldrshp - thats the 2019 analysis - theyre not sorry - are they - they knew I wasnt a terrorist - and they know im not addicted to drugs or alcohol -

Whos extorting who

Congressman Denver Riggleman, Rep. Trone Announce Freshmen Working Group on Addiction US Official News. (Feb. 16, 2019): Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2019 Plus Media Solutions Listen

Full Text:

Washington: Office of the MP Denver Riggleman has issued the following news release: Congressman Denver Riggleman announced today that he would be joining the Freshmen Working Group on Addiction, a bipartisan group working to find and promote policies that will help end the opioid addiction crisis in this country. Started by Democratic Rep. David Trone of Maryland, the group is a place where freshman members have come together in an effort to find workable policies that can help make a difference in the fight against opioid addiction. The group is made up of 36 members of the newly-elected freshman class, including members from both parties and all corners of the nation. "The crisis of opioid addiction affects all people, regardless of race, sex, religion, ethnicity, financial status or political party affiliation. Fighting to end the scourge of opioids isn't a political issue, it's a human issue," said Congressman Riggleman. "I am proud to be in this working group of freshman members who are committed to taking real steps to address this crisis in a bipartisan and actionable way." Congressman David Trone, the group's founder added: "Over a third of the freshman class has joined this bipartisan group that understands the importance of coming together to fight the addiction problem in our country. With 192 deaths every day, my colleagues and I are ready to fight back. I'm looking forward to working with Congressman Riggleman to bring fresh eyes and new ideas to take action against this epidemic." As part of the working group, Members will meet on a regular basis to hear from experts and stakeholders, make site visits to institutions focusing on research and treatment, and promote legislation in order to tackle the epidemic. Current members of the Freshmen Working Group on Addiction include Reps. Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), Tim Burchett (R-TN), Gil Cisneros (D-CA), Ben Cline (R-VA), TJ Cox (D-CA), Angie Craig (D-MN), Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), Jason Crow (D-CO), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Antonio Delgado (D-NY), Lance Gooden (R-TX), Deb Haaland (D-NM), Jahana Hayes (D-C), Katie Hill (D-CA), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ), Susie Lee (D-NV), Mike Levin (D-CA), Ben McAdams (D-UT), Dan Meuser (R-PA), Chris Pappas (D-NH), Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA), Denver Riggleman (R-VA), Max Rose (D-NY), Donna Shalala (D-FL), Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), Bryan Steil (R-WI), Van Taylor (R-TX), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI),

Lori Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition) "Congressman Denver Riggleman, Rep. Trone Announce Freshmen Working Group on Addiction."

US Official News, 16 Feb. 2019. Infotrac Newsstand Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2019 Plus Media Solutions Full Text:

Washington: Office of the MP Denver Riggleman has issued the following news release: Congressman Denver Riggleman announced today that he would be joining the Freshmen Working Group on Addiction, a bipartisan group working to find and promote policies that will help end the opioid addiction crisis in this country. Started by Democratic Rep. David Trone of Maryland, the group is a place where freshman members have come together in an effort to find workable policies that can help make a difference in the fight against opioid addiction. The group is made up of 36 members of the newly-elected freshman class, including members from both parties and all corners of the nation. "The crisis of opioid addiction affects all people, regardless of race, sex, religion, ethnicity, financial status or political party affiliation. Fighting to end the scourge of opioids isn't a political issue, it's a human issue," said Congressman Riggleman. "I am proud to be in this working group of freshman members who are committed to taking real steps to address this crisis in a bipartisan and actionable way." Congressman David Trone, the group's founder added: "Over a third of the freshman class has joined this bipartisan group that understands the importance of coming together to fight the addiction problem in our country. With 192 deaths every day, my colleagues and I are ready to fight back. I'm looking forward to working with Congressman Riggleman to bring fresh eyes and new ideas to take action against this epidemic." As part of the working group, Members will meet on a regular basis to hear from experts and stakeholders, make site visits to institutions focusing on research and treatment, and promote legislation in order to tackle the epidemic. Current members of the Freshmen Working Group on Addiction include Reps. Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), Tim Burchett (R-TN), Gil Cisneros (D-CA), Ben Cline (R-VA), TJ Cox (D-CA), Angie Craig (D-MN), Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), Jason Crow (D-CO), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Antonio Delgado (D-NY), Lance Gooden (R-TX), Deb Haaland (D-NM), Jahana Hayes (D-C), Katie Hill (D-CA), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ), Susie Lee (D-NV), Mike Levin (D-CA), Ben McAdams (D-UT), Dan Meuser (R-PA), Chris Pappas (D-NH), Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA), Denver Riggleman (R-VA), Max Rose (D-NY), Donna Shalala (D-FL), Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), Bryan Steil (R-WI), Van Taylor (R-TX), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Lori Gale Document Number: GALE|A575420634 Copyright and Terms of Use: https://www.gale.com/terms-of-use

4/18

someone stole my tablet last night. I sleep with it next to me, physically touching it. it was in a purple bag with a portable battery and some other stuff. it was cheap and old. the stuff ive been gathering lately is about winston and thompson. in particular the relationship between rove and winston and doj around the time period of usattys - i think thats when my case was. ill have to write without the tablet. things will take longer and the stuff on the table that wasnt backed up is gone. i dont have anything of value, but the tablet, and thats gone now

4/27

ackerman mcqueen - xa ackerman senterfitt - danaloesch - cam & co - NRATV - IGOLD

usatoday - cimperman - you keep it cold in here peg

Wall Street Journal: NRA chief executive says he was pressured to resign by group's president CNN Wire. (Apr. 27, 2019): Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2019 CNN Newsource Sales, Inc.

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/tag/the-cnn-wire/

Listen Full Text: Byline: Kate Sullivan, CNN (CNN) -- The chief executive of the National Rifle Association told the group's board he is being extorted and pressured to resign by the organization's president, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday. Wayne LaPierre, who has been the head of the NRA for decades, wrote in a letter to NRA board members on Thursday that he refused a demand to resign by Oliver North, the recently installed president of the association. LaPierre wrote in the letter,

"the exhortation was simple:

resign or there will be destructive allegations made against me and the NRA." North also sent a letter to the board on Thursday, according to the Journal, in which he said his actions were in the best interest of the NRA and he was forming a crisis committee to look at the organization's finances. North had previously sent a letter to the board's executive committee accusing LaPierre of more than $200,000 in wardrobe purchases that were charged to a vendor, the Journal reports. LaPierre wrote that North called his office to relay that unless he resigned, advertising agency and NRA contractor Ackerman McQueen Inc. was prepared to release a damaging letter to the NRA board, the Journal reports. "I believe the purpose of the letter was to humiliate me, discredit our Association, and raise appearances of impropriety that hurt our members and the Second Amendment," LaPierre wrote. "The letter would contain a devastating account of our financial status, sexual harassment charges against a staff member, accusations of wardrobe expenses and excessive staff travel expenses." The feud between the two high-profile conservatives comes in the middle of the NRA's annual meeting in Indianapolis. The NRA's full 76-member board is set to meet on Monday, and insiders tell the Journal they expect the issue to come to a head then. It is not clear whether North has the support to oust LaPierre, The New York Times reports. The NRA presidency has previously been a ceremonial post, but the Times reports North has asked for it to be a paid position. Contributions to the NRA are lagging, The New York Times reports, and the organization is facing an increasingly well-financed opposition movement in the wake of several mass shootings. The dispute between LaPierre and North originated in part from a dispute between the NRA and Ackerman McQueen Inc., the Journal reports, which resulted in a lawsuit filed earlier this month by the NRA. In the lawsuit, the NRA claimed Ackerman McQueen did not justify its billings with records, according to the Journal. Ackerman McQueen called the lawsuit "frivolous" and "inaccurate," the Journal reports.

Wall Street Journal: NRA chief executive says he was pressured to resign by group's president

REMARKS BY VICE PRESIDENT PENCE AT THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION LEADERSHIP FORUM / INDIANAPOLIS, IN

States News Service. (Apr. 26, 2019):

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2019 States News Service

Listen

Full Text:

WASHINGTON -- The following information was released by the White House:

Lucas Oil Stadium Arena

Indianapolis, Indiana

11:40 A.M. EDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Well, hello, NRA! (Applause.) Thank you, Chris, for that great introduction. Chris and I have been friends for a lot of years. I have great respect for him. But he knows the introduction I prefer is a little bit shorter: I'm a Christian, a conservative, and a Republican, in that order. (Applause.)

And as Vice President of the United States, it's my great honor to be back home again in Indiana with so many freedom-loving Americans at the annual meeting of the National Rifle Association. Welcome to the Hoosier State. (Applause.)

It really is great to be here with so many friends. Chris, and Ollie North, and Wayne LaPierre, and, really, with some outstanding leaders that we respect greatly and admire every day, like Governor Eric Holcomb of Indiana (applause) Governor Matt Bevin of Kentucky, and so many distinguished members of the United States Congress, including the House Minority Whip, the courageous Steve Scalise. (Applause.)

And speaking of friends of mine, it's especially great to be here with another friend, a great champion of freedom who I can tell you personally gets up every day and fights to keep the promises that he made to all the American people. I can't wait to join you to welcome the 45th President of the United States of America, President Donald Trump (applause) back to the Hoosier State.

You know, the President and I stand with the NRA because, like all of you, we stand for freedom. And the right of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms is a freedom that is at the heart of the American story.

Our Founders won our independence with the power of their ideas and with the powder in their muskets. Our pioneers won the West with their daring, their courage, and their Springfields, Winchesters, and Colts.

Our forebears have fought our nation's wars and defended our way of life with the skills they learned on the rifle range, in a deer stand, at the knee of a father, a mother, or a grandparent back home.

And in our own day, there are no greater champions of America's tradition of responsible gun ownership than all of you and the 5 million proud men and women of the NRA. Thank you for your stand. (Applause.)

And I'm here today to tell you: We're with you. President Trump and I are with the NRA today, and tomorrow and always, because the National Rifle Association stands for freedom.

Nowhere is this ongoing struggle for freedom more visible every day than in the struggle to defend the Second Amendment. Firearms in the hands of law-abiding citizens don't threaten our families, they protect our families. (Applause.) And we know that firearms in the hands of law-abiding citizens make our communities more safe, not less safe. (Applause.)

You know, at this podium, nearly two decades ago, Charlton Heston said those famous words, and I quote, "I'll give you my gun when you pry it from my cold, dead hands." (Applause.)

Well, I'll make you a promise: Under this President and this Vice President, no one is taking your guns. (Applause.) Under this President and this administration, the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. (Applause.)

And the truth is, from the first day of this administration, President Trump has been fighting for freedom, and you all know that. And, really, I couldn't be more proud to be Vice President to a President who fights every day not just for freedom but for those who defend it.

I mean, think about it: This President stood with those who defend our freedom when he signed the largest increase in our national defense since the days of Ronald Reagan. (Applause.)

Thanks to the President's leadership, we're once again giving our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and Coast Guard the resources and the support they need to accomplish their mission and come home safe. (Applause.)

And this President has stood with those who defend our freedom her at home, who protect and serve on the Thin Blue Line. And under President Trump's leadership, we're giving all the men and women of law enforcement at every level the resources and the respect that they deserve every single day as they protect our families. (Applause.)

I know there's a lot of law enforcement members who are here today, who have taken time to be at this convention. Why don't you all just show them how much we appreciate the men and women who serve on the Thin Blue Line and protect our families every day? (Applause.) God bless you all.

And this President has stood for freedom in the American economy as well. President Trump has already cut more federal red tape in the last two years than any President in American history. We've unleased American energy. And President Trump signed the largest tax cuts and tax reform in American history. (Applause.) And the results are in: Businesses large and small have created 5.5 million new jobs. More Americans are working than ever before. And it was just reported this morning: The American economy grew by 3.2 percent in the first quarter of 2019. (Applause.)

And beyond our security and our prosperity, this President has also strengthened the very foundation of our freedom. At this point, President Trump has already appointed to our federal courts more principled conservatives in the last two years than any President in American history. And they are all conservatives who will uphold the God-given liberties enshrined in our Constitution like the freedom of speech, the freedom of religion, and the right to keep and bear arms. (Applause.) It's an incredible group.

But despite the fact that this President has faced unprecedented opposition, obstruction, and resistance, I believe that when this President's story is written, when he finishes his term in office, six years from now (applause) I believe history will record: No other President in all the modern era has done so much for so many in so little time. President Donald Trump has delivered. (Applause.)

So, under the President's leadership here at home and around the world, America is winning again. But to keep on winning, I came here today to say that we need you to stay in the fight. Because the truth is, we live in a time when freedom is under assault. And it's not just the freedom that the NRA so nobly defends, but the freedom to live, to work, and to worship God are all being threatened by the radical Left every day. It's true.

And the same people who threaten your right to self-defense want to stifle our economy by raising taxes and increasing regulation. The same people who want to take away your unalienable rights routinely denigrate the faith of millions of Americans and advocate late-term abortion and even infanticide.

But I'll make you a promise: Under this President and this administration, we will stand without apology for the sanctity of human life. (Applause.)

But our freedom is under assault every day in other ways. The same blue states and cities that are trying to bankrupt the NRA have become sanctuaries for illegal immigrants, including dangerous gang members and human traffickers. And the same people who want to restrict the right to keep and bear arms of law-abiding citizens believe the Boston Marathon bomber should be given the right to vote on death row.

AUDIENCE: Booo

THE VICE PRESIDENT: I got news for you, Bernie: Not on our watch! (Applause.)

Violent convicted felons, murderers, and terrorists should never be given the right to vote in prison not now, not ever. (Applause.)

You know, I heard the other day that another Vice President actually said that "we're in a battle for the soul of our nation." And, for once, I agree with him but not for the reason he thinks. We are in a battle. We're in a battle for the soul of America, but it's a battle between liberty and tyranny. As the President has said before, it's a battle between independence and government control. And, ultimately, it's a battle between freedom and socialism.

You know, under the guise of the Green New Deal and Medicare for All, the same Democrats who want to take away your freedom openly advocate a failed economic system that has robbed the liberty and impoverished millions of people around the world.

But let's be clear: It was freedom, not socialism, that gave us the most prosperous economy in the history of the world. (Applause.)

It was freedom, not socialism, that ended slavery, won two world wars, and stands today as a beacon of hope for all the world. (Applause.)

It was freedom, not socialism, that's moving us beyond the prejudices of the past to create a more perfect union and extend the blessings of liberty to every American, regardless of race or creed or color.

And it was freedom, not socialism, that gave us the highest quality of life, the cleanest environment, and improved the health and wellbeing of millions around the world.

You know, what Medicare for All really means is quality healthcare for none. And the only thing green about the so-called Green New Deal is how much green it's going to cost all of us if they ever sign it into law. (Applause.)

You know, Margaret Thatcher probably said it best: "The trouble with socialism is [you] eventually run out of other people's money." (Applause.)

So I say, from my heart, to all of you freedom-loving Americans gathered here: The moment America becomes a socialist country is the moment America ceases to be America. And as President Trump said in his State of the Union Address, so we must say with one voice: "America will never be a socialist country." (Applause.)

So, men and women of the NRA, the stakes have never been higher, but the choice has never been clearer.

It won't be enough just to win the next election; we've got to win the next generation. And this is our challenge. It won't be easy. But it never has been.

Thomas Paine explained, during the American founding, that the battle for freedom is always arduous. As he said, quote, "The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph." And then Thomas Paine added, "What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly" and that "Heaven knows how to put a [proper] price upon its good[s]; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated."

It's really about freedom that we gather here today, and preserving the freedom that's at the heart of America. But as you'll hear in just a few minutes, President Donald Trump and I are ready for the fight. (Applause.) We are ready to stand with all of you and fight to defend and expand freedom for every American. (Applause.)

But we can't do it alone so keep doing your part. Talk to your neighbors and friends and tell them what we've been able to accomplish over the last two years. And tell them about the challenges that we face, and tell them what the opposition offers. I mean, tell them this President and this administration have been fighting for all the liberties you hold dear. Tell them we're setting things right in Washington, D.C. Tell them we're draining the swamp (applause) because we are. (Applause.) And tell them the forgotten men and women of America are forgotten no more, because it's the God's honest truth. (Applause.) Go tell them.

So thank you for the opportunity to be with you today. Thank you for coming here to the Hoosier State and giving me a chance to be home.

You know, it's amazing for me to think about the journey that my wife and I have been on. Five years ago, when I was governor of the state of Indiana, I stood at this podium in that role. And I have to tell you, for this small-town boy from southern Indiana, the grandson of an Irish immigrant, it's hard to describe how humbling it is to have the privilege. So I want to I want to thank you for the honor of serving as your Vice President. And I want to thank you for your support. (Applause.)

And because of your support of this President, his Vice President, and this administration, I'm proud to report America is standing strong again. America is prospering again.

The Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States is secure again. And freedom is winning all across America. (Applause.)

And I know we're going to keep on winning. I know we're going to keep on winning because I have faith faith in this President I serve alongside every day. I mean, I got to tell you, somebody said to me the other day, "Tell the President to keep on going, keep on fighting." And I said to them, "That's not something you got to tell him." (Laughter.)

You know, as we say here in the Hoosier State, all the reverse is stripped out of that pickup truck. It is straight ahead, straight forward. He's bringing the energy, the leadership, and the fight for the American people. And I promise you we're going to do it every day in the next two years. (Applause.)

But I got faith in my friend. I got faith in conservative leaders that you've helped elect all across this country, who have been standing with us for the principles and the ideals that we hold dear.

And lastly, I've got faith in all of you. As I travel across this country, I see Americans every day who are standing with us, encouraging us. I meet them at grocery stores. I meet them on rope lines at airports. I meet them at rallies and in diners. And they're folks just like you and me who always knew that we could be strong again; who knew that we could be prosperous again; who knew that we could be standing tall again. And they're standing with us every step of the way.

And so, for their sake, I just want to encourage all of you: Be confident as we go into the days that lie ahead in the next year and a half. Because I have faith that if we hold the banner of freedom high, if we put into practice those words inscribed on the Liberty Bell to "proclaim liberty throughout all the land [and] unto all the inhabitants thereof," those same Americans will rally to our cause again and we'll keep on winning a great victory for the American people.

And remember, as you leave Indiana and go to your homes, and all of you that are looking on from afar, remember that when we fight for freedom, we do not fight alone because where the spirit of the Lord is, there's freedom. (Applause.) And that means freedom always wins. (Applause.)

So thank you for the honor. Thank you for the honor of addressing you today. Thank you for the stand that you've made and the stand that each one of you take. We're proud to stand with you.

And I truly do believe that with your continued support, with President Donald Trump in the White House for four more years (applause) with freedom-loving leaders serving at every level all across this nation, and with God's help, we'll finish what we've started. We will make America safe again. We will make America more prosperous than ever before. And as I know you'll hear in just a few minutes, we will make America great again.

FULL TRANSCRIPT: PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP’S SPEECH FIRES UP THE NRABY

MICHELE GORMAN

ON 4/28/17 AT 5:45 PM EDT

President Donald Trump delivers his remarks at the National Rifle Association Leadership Forum at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta on April 28. He was the first president to do so in 34 years, when President Ronald Reagan last addressed the gun group in

1983.

JONATHAN ERNST/REUTERS

Below is the full transcript of his Friday remarks from the Georgia World Congress Center​ in Atlanta, per the White House.​

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, Chris, for that kind introduction and for your tremendous work on behalf of our Second Amendment.  Thank you very much.  (Applause.)  I want to also thank Wayne LaPierre for his unflinching leadership in the fight for freedom. Wayne, thank you very much. Great. (Applause.)

I'd also like to congratulate Karen Handel on her incredible fight in Georgia 6.  (Applause.)  The election takes place on June 20th. And, by the way, on primaries, let's not have 11 Republicans running for the same position, okay? (Laughter.) It's too nerve-shattering.  She's totally for the NRA and she's totally for the Second Amendment.  So get out and vote. She's running against someone who's going to raise your taxes to the sky, destroy your healthcare, and he's for open borders—lots of crime, and he's not even able to vote in the district that he's running in. Other than that, I think he's doing a fantastic job, right?  (Laughter.)  So get out and vote for Karen.

Also, my friend—he's become a friend, because there's nobody that does it like Lee Greenwood.  Wow.  (Applause.)  Lee’s anthem is the perfect description of the renewed spirit sweeping across our country.  And it really is, indeed, sweeping across our country.  So, Lee, I know I speak for everyone in this arena when I say, we are all very proud indeed to be an American.  Thank you very much, Lee.  (Applause.)

No one was more proud to be American than the beloved patriot—and you know who I'm talking about—we remember on gatherings like today, your former five-term President, the late Charlton Heston.  How good was Charlton?  (Applause.)  And I remember Charlton, he was out there fighting when maybe a lot of people didn’t want to be fighting.  He was out there for a long time.  He was a great guy.

And it's truly wonderful to be back in Atlanta, and back with my friends at the NRA.  You are my friends, believe me.  (Applause.)  Perhaps some of you remember the last time we were all together.  Remember that?  We had a big crowd then, too.  So we knew something was happening.  But it was in the middle of a historic political year, and in the middle of a truly historic election.  What fun that was—November 8.  Wasn’t that a great evening?  Do you remember that evening?  (Applause.)  Remember that?  (Applause.)

Remember they were saying, "We have breaking news: Donald Trump has won the state of Michigan."  They go, "Michigan?  How did that"—"Donald Trump has won the state of Wisconsin, whoa."  But earlier in the evening, remember, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, all the way up—we ran up the East Coast.  And, you know, the Republicans have a tremendous disadvantage in the Electoral College, you know that.  Tremendous disadvantage.  And to run the whole East Coast, and then you go with Iowa and Ohio, and all of the different states.  It was a great evening, one that a lot people will never forget—a lot of people.  (Applause.)  Not going to forget that evening.

And remember they said, “There is no path to 270.”  For months I was hearing that.  You know, they’re trying to suppress the vote.  So they keep saying it, so people say, you know, I really like Trump, he loves the Second Amendment, he loves the NRA; I love him, but let’s go to the movie because he can’t win.  Because they’re trying to suppress the vote.

But they’d say—I mean, hundreds of times I heard, there is no—there’s no route.  They’d say it, “There is no route to 270.”  And we ended up with 306.  So they were right:  Not 270, 306.  (Applause.)  That was some evening.  Big sports fans said that was the single-most exciting event they’ve ever seen.  That includes Super Bowls and World Series and boxing matches.  That was an exciting evening for all of us, and it meant a lot.

Only one candidate in the General Election came to speak to you, and that candidate is now the President of the United States, standing before you again.  (Applause.)  I have a feeling that in the next election you’re going to be swamped with candidates, but you’re not going to be wasting your time.  You’ll have plenty of those Democrats coming over and you’re going to say, no, sir, no thank you -- no, ma’am.  Perhaps ma’am.  It may be Pocahontas, remember that.  (Laughter and applause.)  And she is not big for the NRA, that I can tell you.

But you came through for me, and I am going to come through for you.  (Applause.)  I was proud to receive the NRA’s earliest endorsement in the history of the organization.  And today, I am also proud to be the first sitting President to address the NRA Leadership Forum since our wonderful Ronald Reagan in 1983.  (Applause.)  And I want to thank each and every one of you not only for your help electing true friends of the Second Amendment, but for everything you do to defend our flag and our freedom.

With your activism, you helped to safeguard the freedoms of our soldiers who have bled and died for us on the battlefields.  And I know we have many veterans in the audience today, and we want to give them a big, big beautiful round of applause.  (Applause.)

And, like I promised, we are doing a really top job already—99 days—but already with the Veterans Administration, people are seeing a big difference.  We are working really hard at the VA, and you’re going to see it, and you’re already seeing it.  And it’s my honor.  I’ve been telling you we’re going to do it, and we’re doing it.  (Applause.)  Thank you.

The NRA protects in our capitols and legislative houses the freedoms that our servicemembers have won for us on those incredible battlefields.  And it’s been a tough fight against those who would go so far as to ban private gun ownership entirely.   But I am here to deliver you good news.  And I can tell you that Wayne and Chris have been fighting with me long and hard to make sure that we were with you today, not somebody else with an empty podium.  Because believe me, the podium would have been empty.  They fought long and hard, and I think you folks cannot thank them enough.  They were with us all the way, right from the beginning.  (Applause.)

But we have news that you’ve been waiting for for a long time:  The eight-year assault on your Second Amendment freedoms has come to a crashing end.  (Applause.)  You have a true friend and champion in the White House.  No longer will federal agencies be coming after law-abiding gun owners.  (Applause.)  No longer will the government be trying to undermine your rights and your freedoms as Americans.  Instead, we will work with you, by your side.  We will work with the NRA to promote responsible gun ownership, to protect our wonderful hunters and their access to the very beautiful outdoors.  You met my son—I can tell you, both sons, they love the outdoors.  Frankly, I think they love the outdoors more than they love, by a long shot, Fifth Avenue.  But that’s okay.  And we want to ensure you of the sacred right of self-defense for all of our citizens.  (Applause.)

When I spoke to this forum last year, our nation was still mourning the loss of a giant, a great defender of the Constitution:  Justice Antonin Scalia.  (Applause.)  I promised that if elected, I would nominate a justice who would be faithful and loyal to the Constitution.  I even went one step further and publicly presented a list of 20 judges from which I would make my selection, and that’s exactly what we did.

And, by the way, I want to thank, really, Heritage.  And I want to thank also all of the people that worked with us.  Where’s Leo?  Is Leo around here?  Where is he?  He’s got to be here.  Where is he?  He has been so good.  And also from Heritage, Jim DeMint.  It’s been amazing.  I mean, those people have been fantastic.  They’ve been real friends.  (Applause.)  The Federalist people—where are they?  Are they around here someplace?  They really helped us out.

I kept my promise, and now, with your help, our brand-new Justice—and he is really something very special—Neil Gorsuch, sits on the bench of the United States Supreme Court.  (Applause.)  For the first time in the modern political era, we have confirmed a new justice in the first 100 days.  (Applause.)  The last time that happened was 136 years ago, in 1881.  Now, we won’t get any credit for this, but don’t worry about it, the credit is in the audience, right?  The credit is in the audience.  (Applause.)  All of those people.  They won’t give us credit, but it’s been a long time, and we’re very honored.

We’ve also taken action to stand up for America’s sportsmen.  On their very last full day in office, the previous administration issued an 11th-hour rule to restrict the use of lead ammunition on certain federal lands.  Have you heard about that, folks?  I’m shocked to hear that.  You’ve all heard about that.  You’ve heard about that.  On his first day as Secretary of the Interior, Ryan Zinke eliminated the previous administration’s ammunition ban.  (Applause.)  He’s going to be great.  Ryan is going to be great.

We’ve also moved very quickly to restore something gun owners care about very, very much.  It’s called the rule of law.  (Applause.)  We have made clear that our administration will always stand with the incredible men and women of law enforcement.  (Applause.)  In fact, countless members of law enforcement are also members of the NRA, because our police know that responsible gun ownership saves lives, and that the right of self-defense is essential to public safety.  Do we all agree with that?  (Applause.)

Our police and sheriffs also know that when you ban guns, only the criminals will be armed.  (Applause.)  For too long, Washington has gone after law-abiding gun owners while making life easier for criminals, drug dealers, traffickers and gang members.  MS-13—you know about MS-13?  It’s not pleasant for them anymore, folks.  It’s not pleasant for them anymore.  That’s a bad group.  (Applause.)  Not pleasant for MS-13.  Get them the hell out of here, right?  Get them out.  (Applause.)

We are protecting the freedoms of law-abiding Americans, and we are going after the criminal gangs and cartels that prey on our innocent citizens.  And we are really going after them.  (Applause.)

As members of the NRA know well, some of the most important decisions a President can make are appointments—and I’ve appointed people who believe in law, order, and justice.  (Applause.)

That is why I have selected as your Attorney General, number one, a really fine person, a really good man, a man who has spent his career fighting crime, supporting the police, and defending the Second Amendment.  For the first time in a long time, you now have a pro-Second-Amendment, tough-on-crime Attorney General, and his name is Jeff Sessions.  (Applause.)

And Attorney General Sessions is putting our priorities into action.  He’s going after the drug dealers who are peddling their poison all over our streets and destroying our youth.  He’s going after the gang members who threaten our children.  And he’s fully enforcing our immigration laws in all 50 states.  And you know what?  It’s about time.  (Applause.)

Heading up the effort to secure America’s borders is a great military general, a man of action:  Homeland Security Director [sic], John Kelly.  (Applause.)

Secretary Kelly, who used to be General Kelly, is following through on my pledge to protect the borders, remove criminal aliens, and stop the drugs from pouring into our country.  We’ve already seen -- listen to this; it never happened before, people can't even believe it.  And, by the way, we will build the wall no matter how low this number gets or how this goes.  Don't even think about it.  Don't even think about it.  (Applause.)

You know, they're trying to use this number against us because we've done so unbelievably at the borders already.  They're trying to use it against us.  But you need that wall to stop the human trafficking, to stop the drugs, to stop the wrong people.  You need the wall.  But listen to this:  We've already seen a 73 percent decrease -- never happened before -- in illegal immigration on the southern border since my election -- 73 percent.  (Applause.)

You see what they're doing, right?  So why do you need a wall?  We need a wall.

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Build the wall!

THE PRESIDENT:  We’ll build the wall.  Don't even think about it.  Don't even think about it.  Don't even think about it.  That's an easy one.  We're going to build the wall.  We need the wall.

I said to General Kelly, how important is it?  He said, very important.  It’s that final element.  We need the wall.  And it’s a wall in certain areas.  Obviously, where you have these massive physical structures you don't need, and we have certain big rivers and all.  But we need a wall, and we're going to get that wall.  (Applause.)

And the world is getting the message.  They know that our border is no longer open to illegal immigration, and that if you try to break in, you’ll be caught and you’ll be returned to your home.  You're not staying any longer.  And if you keep coming back illegally after deportation, you will be arrested, prosecuted, and you will put behind bars.  Otherwise it will never end.  (Applause.)

Let’s also remember that immigration security is national security.  We’ve seen the attacks from 9/11 to Boston to San Bernardino.  Hundreds of individuals from other countries have been charged with terrorism-related offenses in the United States.

We spend billions and billions of dollars on security all over the world, but then we allow radical Islamic terrorists to enter right through our front door.  That's not going to happen anymore.  (Applause.)  It’s time to get tough.  It’s time we finally got smart.  And yes, it’s also time to put America first.  (Applause.)

And perhaps -- I see all of those beautiful red and white hats --- but we will never forget our favorite slogan of them all:  Make America Great Again.  All right?  (Applause.)

Keeping our communities safe and protecting our freedoms also requires the cooperation of our state leaders.  We have some incredible pro-Second Amendment governors here at the NRA conference, including Governor Scott of Florida.  Where is Governor Scott?  Great guy doing a great job.  Governor Bryant of Mississippi.  What a wonderful place.  Governor Bryant is here.  Thank you.  Governor Deal of Georgia.  (Applause.)  And we're also joined by two people that -- well, one I loved right from the beginning; the other one I really liked, didn't like, and now like a lot again.  (Laughter.)  Does that make sense?  Senator David Perdue -- he was from the beginning -- and Senator Ted Cruz -- like, dislike, like.  (Applause.)  Where are they?  Good guys.  Good guys.  Smart cookies.

Each of these leaders knows that public officials must serve under the Constitution, not above it.  We all took an oath to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States -- and that means defending the Second Amendment.  (Applause.)

So let me make a simple promise to every one of the freedom-loving Americans in the audience today:  As your President, I will never, ever infringe on the right of the people to keep and bear arms.  Never ever.  (Applause.)  Freedom is not a gift from government.  Freedom is a gift from God.  (Applause.)

It was this conviction that stirred the heart of a great American patriot on that day, April, 242 years ago. It was the day that Paul Revere spread his Lexington alarm -- the famous warning that "the British are coming, the British are coming." Right?  You've all heard that, right?  The British are coming.

Now we have other people trying to come, but believe me, they're not going to be successful.  That I can tell you.  (Applause.)  Nothing changes, right, folks?  Nothing changes.  They are not going to be successful.  There will be serious hurt on them, not on us.

Next, came the shot heard around the world, and then a rag-tag army of God-fearing farmers, frontiersmen, shopkeepers, merchants that stood up to the most powerful army at that time on Earth.  The most powerful army on Earth.  But we sometimes forget what inspired those everyday farmers and workers in that great war for independence.

Many years after the war, a young man asked Captain Levi Preston, aged 91,

why he’d fought alongside his neighbors at Concord.  Was it the Stamp Act?  Was it the Tea Tax?  Was it a work of philosophy?  "No," the old veteran replied. “Then why?” he was asked.  “Young man,” the Captain said, “what we meant in going for those Redcoats was this:  We always had governed ourselves, and we always meant to" govern ourselves.  (Applause.)

Captain Preston’s words are a reminder of what this organization and my administration are all about:  

the right of a sovereign people to govern their own affairs, and govern them properly.  (Applause.)  

We don’t want any longer to be ruled by the bureaucrats in Washington, or in any other country for that matter.  In America, we are ruled by our citizens.  We are ruled by each and every one of you.

But we can’t be complacent.  These are dangerous times.  These are horrible times for certain obvious reasons.  But we’re going to make them great times again.  Every day, we are up against those who would take away our freedoms, restrict our liberties, and even those who want to abolish the Second Amendment.  We must be vigilant.  And I know you are all up to the task.

Since the first generation of Americans stood strong at Concord, each generation to follow has answered the call to defend freedom in their time.  That is why we are here today:  To defend freedom for our children.  To defend the liberty of all Americans.  And to defend the right of a free and sovereign people to keep and bear arms.

I greatly appreciated your support on November 8th , in what will hopefully be one of the most important and positive elections for the United States of all time.  And to the NRA, I can proudly say I will never, ever let you down. .

NRA - xa name of nratv host - dir - dana loesch - thomas the tank engine - cam & co - lapierre - used the word extortion to describe the discussion between him and north - re ackerman mqueen - AM - whos extorting who - Custom Newspaper:N.R.A. Sues Operator of 'Voice of the N.R.A.'

Inboxx

[email protected] <[email protected]>

2:28 PM (53 minutes ago)

to me

N.R.A. Sues Operator of 'Voice of the N.R.A.' Danny Hakim The New York Times. (Apr. 16, 2019): Business News: pB3(L). Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2019 The New York Times Company

http://www.nytimes.com

Listen Full Text: It's the N.R.A. versus NRATV. The National Rifle Association sued one of its largest and most enduring contractors late last week and raised concerns about the contractor's relationship to the association's own president, Oliver North, in a stunning breach within the normally buttoned-up organization. The suit was filed late Friday by the N.R.A. in Virginia, where it is based, against Ackerman McQueen, the Oklahoma ad firm that operates NRATV, the group's incendiary online media arm. The suit asserts that Ackerman has concealed details from the N.R.A. about how the company is spending the roughly $40 million that it and its affiliates receive annually from the association. The suit creates uncertainty about Mr. North's future at the organization. And it leaves the future of NRATV in doubt, given the new acrimony in the Ackerman relationship. Since Ackerman created NRATV in 2016, it has often been ''perceived by the public as the voice of the N.R.A.,'' according to the rifle association's complaint. It has also taken on an apocalyptic tone, warning of race wars, calling for a march on the Federal Bureau of Investigation and portraying the talking trains in the children's show ''Thomas & Friends'' in Ku Klux Klan hoods. The New York Times reported this year that two prominent N.R.A. board members were among those voicing alarm inside the association that NRATV was often straying beyond gun rights. The Times article also revealed that Ackerman had a previously undisclosed financial relationship with Mr. North. The association is untangling broader problems as well, including a legal fight in New York with the administration of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo over an insurance program the N.R.A. offers to gun owners. The new state attorney general, Letitia James, has also repeatedly threatened to investigate the tax-exempt status of the organization, which was incorporated in New York. Facing this regulatory backdrop, the association began a review of its financial relationships with hundreds of vendors in August to ensure that it was in compliance with best practices. The N.R.A. complaint alleges that Ackerman refused to turn over a number of financial records, including those detailing out-of-pocket expenses ''that lacked meaningful documentation of N.R.A. approvals, receipts or other support.'' The association also wants documents that it says could allay its concern that it was being invoiced for the full salaries of Ackerman employees who also did work for other Ackerman clients. In addition, the complaint alleges that Ackerman has refused to provide data about NRATV's unique visitors and various other performance measures. ''The N.R.A.'s patience has run out,'' the suit says. Ackerman, in a statement, sharply disputed the contentions in the lawsuit, whose filing was earlier reported by The Wall Street Journal. ''During a three-week review, an N.R.A. forensic auditing firm received every single piece of information they [the N.R.A.] requested,'' the statement said. ''Further, the N.R.A. has had consistent access to any and all documents regarding NRATV analytics. Despite the representation set forth in their lawsuit, the N.R.A. had the personnel contract they claim AM withheld last week before they filed their lawsuit.'' The complaint details a peculiar standoff with Ackerman over Mr. North, who took over as president last year. The N.R.A. claims it was aware that Mr. North had a contract to act as the host of a web series for Ackerman, but that Ackerman has refused to provide a copy of the contract for nearly six months. Additionally, Mr. North's counsel told the N.R.A. that ''he could only disclose a copy of the contract'' if Ackerman said he could, the suit says. Subsequently, Ackerman allowed the N.R.A.'s general counsel to view the contract but not keep a copy; the viewing added to N.R.A. concerns that it had not previously received an accurate summary of the document. The association was also concerned that Mr. North's relationship to Ackerman could ''supersede his duties to the N.R.A.'' A standoff persists over additional details about the relationship, according to the complaint. The lawsuit is further complicated by family ties. The N.R.A.'s outside lawyer, William A. Brewer III, is the son-in-law of Angus McQueen, a co-chief executive of Ackerman, and the brother-in-law of Revan McQueen, its chief executive. Ackerman called the relationships an ''irreconcilable conflict of interest'' and said some kind of family dispute ''pervades the Brewer firm's dealings with Ackerman McQueen.'' Travis Carter, a spokesman for Mr. Brewer's law firm, said ''the familial relationship'' had ''no bearing whatsoever on the N.R.A.'s litigation strategy.'' He added, ''Any suggestion to the contrary is contrived and a red herring.'' The suit culminates the fracturing of a more than three-decade relationship between Ackerman and the N.R.A., going back to the shaping of such memorable lines as Charlton Heston's proclaiming that his gun would have to be pried ''from my cold, dead hands.'' Wayne LaPierre, the longtime chief executive of the N.R.A., had previously been a steadfast champion of the Ackerman relationship. ''I think it says something about Wayne's character, even though he's had a long-term working business relationship with a vendor, he's willing to do what is right and necessary for the N.R.A. and its members,'' said Todd Rathner, a board member of the rifle association. Joel Friedman, another board member, said he was dismayed that the documents had not been turned over. ''It leaves you questioning, and you can come up with all these potential different scenarios as to why, but none of them are good,'' he said. ''My mind goes to: Are they overcharging us? That's one,'' he added. ''Two, are there things charged to us that were not part of the contract? Then, No. 3, has there been a misallocation of personnel?''

Look what I read in the times today - its like shooting fish in a barrel - not addicted to anything - not struggling / addiction issues

NRA

Nyt art re tv channel for nra - nratv - under wild skies - kies x2 - kick y - kick & kick - kick me sign - kicks - root 66 - thomas the tank engine - Dana loesch- d' anal - turn - easy - confirmed/ve ri tas - Ve ri tas.

You keep it cold in here peg -

Nypost - frontpage - smoking gun kitty - the ffs and po are upside on this thing - trying to get unstuck - its coming - the truth is coming

You have been given an opportunity to do the right thing - your call

What Is Making N.R.A. Cringe? Its Own Videos: [National Desk] Hakim, Danny. New York Times, Late Edition (East Coast); New York, N.Y. [New York, N.Y]12 Mar 2019: A.1. Publisher logo. Links to publisher website, opened in a new window. Full text Details Hide highlighting Translate Full textTurn on search term navigation The flash point was Thomas the Tank Engine. Last September, the National Rifle Association's famously combative spokeswoman, Dana Loesch, provoked widespread outrage when she took to the gun group's streaming service to mock ethnic diversity on the popular children's program "Thomas & Friends," portraying the show's talking trains in Ku Klux Klan hoods. Now, growing unease over the site's inflammatory rhetoric, and whether it has strayed too far from the N.R.A.'s core gun-rights mission, has put its future in doubt. The site, NRATV, is a central part of the organization's messaging apparatus. Since its creation in 2016, it has adopted an increasingly apocalyptic, hard-right tone, warning of race wars, describing Barack Obama as a "fresh-faced flower-child president," calling for a march on the Federal Bureau of Investigation and comparing journalists to rodents. In recent weeks, in a rare airing of internal debate at the N.R.A., two prominent board members expressed concerns about NRATV to The New York Times. Their statements were released through the N.R.A. itself, amid what was described as an internal review of NRATV and its future. "Since the founding of NRATV, some, including myself and other board members, have questioned the value of it," Marion Hammer, the group's most formidable lobbyist and a key adviser to its chief executive, Wayne LaPierre, said in a statement. "Wayne has told me and others that NRATV is being constantly evaluated -- to make sure it works in the best interest of the organization and provides an appropriate return on investment." The reassessment underscores a debate within the N.R.A. over how broad its activism should be. And it comes as the organization faces a storm of challenges, including a series of mass shootings that has created a new generation of gun-control activists. Congressional investigations into the N.R.A.'s possible Russia ties were energized after Maria Butina, a suspected Russian agent, pleaded guilty in December to using the N.R.A. in a political influence operation. And the organization, incorporated in New York, may have a potent foe in Letitia James, the state's recently elected attorney general, who has vowed to investigate the N.R.A.'s tax-exempt status. As falling membership dues put the N.R.A. under further strain, board members have also expressed concern about the size of payments to the ad firm that produces NRATV, Ackerman McQueen. The firm and its affiliates pocketed $40 million from the N.R.A. in 2017; billings directly to Ackerman have increased nearly 50 percent since 2015. One prominent host, Dan Bongino, left amid cutbacks at NRATV, but he said the site had tried to retain him. Ackerman, a partner to the gun group since the "I'm the N.R.A." campaign of the 1980s, runs the NRATV Twitter account, has done polling work for the organization and revamped its gun safety program for children. It has also been credited with a slick makeover of Mr. LaPierre -- who, in the words of one former N.R.A. lobbyist, previously resembled an "introverted chess champion." Mr. LaPierre's wife, Susan, has worked for an Ackerman subsidiary, and there has come to be a revolving door between the two companies, with many employees having worked by turns for both NRATV and Ackerman. Oliver L. North, the N.R.A. president, has a contract with Ackerman, though the N.R.A. would not disclose its size. As part of the relationship, Mr. North, a former Fox News pundit, hosts media programming and special events, like the show "American Heroes," which recently began airing on NRATV. The N.R.A., a nonprofit, has also directed $18 million since 2010 to a private company jointly owned by executives of Ackerman and the N.R.A., according to records and interviews. "It is clear to me that NRATV is an experiment and Wayne is evaluating the future of the enterprise," Willes K. Lee, a board member who leads the N.R.A. Outreach Committee, said in a statement to The Times. After the Thomas the Tank Engine video, he said, Mr. LaPierre appeared "livid and embarrassed" in a meeting with the outreach group. "He apologized to the entire committee and spent hours listening to our concerns." 'Red Meat for the Hard Right' Ms. Loesch has emerged as NRATV's most visible host, deriding gun-control advocates as "tragedy-dry-humping whores" and vowing to combat the left with what she called the "clenched fist of truth" -- a body part that the comedian John Oliver said was located "a little past the bent elbow of nonsense." In one video, she warned The Times, "We're coming for you"; in another, she threatened to burn a copy of the newspaper. Chuck Holton, an NRATV correspondent, attributed terrorist activity in Europe to "the broader problem of multiculturalism and socialism" and to "gender-bending." He also claimed that left-wing groups, the billionaire George Soros and the Venezuelan government were trying "to influence the 2018 midterms by sending Honduran migrants north in the thousands." Grant Stinchfield, a host, claimed that "all radicalized terrorists are Muslims," overlooking mass shooters like Dylann Roof, who killed nine black churchgoers in Charleston, S.C., in 2015. Such far-ranging commentary has raised questions among some N.R.A. members about the scope of the organization's messaging. "The N.R.A. shouldn't be putting this out," said Jeff Knox, an N.R.A. member who runs the Firearms Coalition, a smaller advocacy organization. "It's not gun rights; it's red meat for the hard right." Mr. Knox's father, Neal, was an N.R.A. board member who played a leading role in an effort to fire Ackerman in the 1990s amid discontent over its growing influence. A faction loyal to Mr. LaPierre ultimately prevailed, leading to a purge of the board and allowing the two organizations to become more deeply intertwined. "Why are we getting so involved in left-right politics instead of sticking close to our issue, the Second Amendment?" the younger Mr. Knox asked. Ackerman declined to comment, but in a recent interview in The Oklahoman, Revan McQueen, the firm's chief executive, said his company's approach was evolving from pure advertising to a "philosophy of branded news." As Ackerman's website puts it, "Every brand must be its own media company." To that end, the firm has created video networks for the Chickasaw Nation and the Integris health care system of Oklahoma, though their content is relatively benign. A recent episode of ChickasawTV, for example, featured a visit to an art gallery. Over on NRATV, a host was calling liberalism "a mental disorder." Beyond NRATV, the N.R.A. backed Ackerman's performance. "When Ackerman McQueen began working with the N.R.A., the association was little more than a fledgling grass-roots operation," Andrew Arulanandam, an N.R.A. spokesman, said in a statement. "The N.R.A. is now the most effective advocacy organization of its kind," he said, adding that the firm had created "a national platform for the N.R.A." and that it was "an important partner." Taxing Questions During the N.R.A. power struggle in the 1990s, a board member filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission, claiming that an N.R.A. contract with an Ackerman subsidiary "was done without any 'request for proposals'; any bidding process; and no competitive bidding." The commission decided in a 6-0 vote not to take action, but criticisms have persisted. "The N.R.A. is willing to play fast and loose with tax regulations," said Marcus S. Owens, a partner at Loeb & Loeb who served for a decade as director of the Exempt Organizations Division of the Internal Revenue Service. Ms. James, the New York attorney general, presents a new threat. Last year, she told Ebony magazine that the N.R.A. held itself "out as a charitable organization" but was actually "a terrorist organization." William A. Brewer III, the N.R.A.'s outside counsel, said Ms. James had given no indication when she was a candidate that "the N.R.A. had done anything improper," adding that she had instead promised "a taxpayer-funded fishing expedition." A number of transactions could draw scrutiny. Since 2010, the N.R.A. has paid $18 million to a company that produces "Under Wild Skies," a hunting show on NRATV. Tyler Schropp, the N.R.A.'s advancement director, came to the organization in 2010 from Ackerman, and had a stake in the production company until at least 2017, but "no longer holds any interest," Mr. Brewer said. Federal rules restrict transactions that confer economic benefits on key executives of tax-exempt organizations. Mr. Brewer described Mr. Schropp's stake as "a minuscule interest" that the N.R.A. found not to be objectionable. Payments related to "Under Wild Skies" emerged only recently in N.R.A. tax filings. Other issues unrelated to Ackerman could also surface. The N.R.A. has transferred more than $100 million since 2012 from an affiliated charity that also lent the N.R.A. $5 million in 2017. Donations to the charity, the N.R.A. Foundation, are tax-deductible, while those to the N.R.A. are not. "If you're doing a program that's charitable, you run it through the charity," said David G. Samuels, a partner at Duval & Stachenfeld who served in the charities bureau of the New York Attorney General's Office, which oversees tax-exempt organizations. Such practices raise "red flags," he said. Like some nonprofits, the N.R.A. has been lucrative for its top executives. Mr. LaPierre's compensation rose from less than $200,000 in the mid-1990s to nearly $1.5 million in 2017. It spiked to more than $5 million in 2015, largely because of a retirement plan payout. A review of public records found that the N.R.A., which has about 550 employees, has disclosed that 41 employees, contractors, vendors or consultants have relevant family relationships to others connected to the organization, including a "niece-in-law" of Mr. LaPierre who was hired as a consultant. "The N.R.A. strives to comply with all applicable regulations," Mr. Brewer said, adding that the organization has a "conflict-of interest-policy" and that "vendor agreements are reviewed and approved" by the board's audit committee when appropriate. With New York regulators circling, it's no surprise that the state's politicians have become fodder for NRATV -- particularly the governor, Andrew M. Cuomo, whose administration is already engaged in a legal fight with the gun group. Recently, the site even targeted Albany, describing it as "Graft City." Whatever happens to NRATV, few expect the N.R.A. to become much less combative. Mr. LaPierre, in a speech this month, described the organization's approach as "full-contact advocacy," adding, "We are going to fight back against anyone who attempts to silence us." Credit: DANNY HAKIM; Susan C. Beachy and Jack Begg contributed research. Photograph Above, Dana Loesch, an N.R.A. spokeswoman, mocked ethnic diversity on "Thomas & Friends" by portraying the show's talking trains in Ku Klux Klan hoods. Left, Wayne LaPierre, the N.R.A. chief executive, was said to be "livid and embarrassed." (PHOTOGRAPH BY TAMIR KALIFA FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES) (A17) Word count: 1721 Copyright New York Times Company Mar 12, 2019 NRA Slipping With Voters, Though Many Have Moved on From Gun Control Bonazzo, John. The New York Observer; New York, N.Y. [New York, N.Y]10 Sep 2018. Eugene Robinson: Don't let the absurd ploy to arm teachers distract you Robinson, Eugene. The Sun; Lowell, Mass. [Lowell, Mass]28 Feb 2018. The NRA's worst nightmare is here Obeidallah, Dean. CNN Commentary; Atlanta [Atlanta]25 Feb 2018. Editorial Exchange: Not afraid of the NRA The Canadian Press; Toronto [Toronto]28 Feb 2018. Common sense about guns and other views: Letters Orlando Sentinel (Online), Orlando: Tribune Interactive, LLC. Mar 23, 2018. Show more related items Subject Lobbyists Congressional investigations Multiculturalism & pluralism Mass murders Firearm laws & regulations Firearms Streaming media Video recordings Nonprofit organizations Location United States--US People Loesch, Dana LaPierre, Wayne Company/organization National Rifle Association--NRA Contact UsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy PolicyCookie Policy Cookie Preferences Accessibility Copyright © 2019 ProQuest LLC.

4/28

fl doesnt have sanc cities - i think this is a legal tactic - xa desantis - ronde santis - james elmer mitchell - glutamic acid as "medicine" - cns stimulant - sleep deprivation - wide awakes - ierc - ac - airc onditioing - hvac - air force - forced air - operant cond - skinner box - 90s - reticle - cross herrs - training your dragon - 404 chem - celletti - cle - link from ierc to scrp - 33rd - adjutant genl - cellini wife picks austin - ierc - see ilfopngaoi - scrping - scsodefendants - etc. - cle - karhliker - karl kemme - kcs - vala is gk - wal - grey et vala - generic - valacopeland - bommarito delay - campo 96 sd - yrs - rove - kjell - blankenship - ipi - lincoln era gop - whigs - toupe - ii - iip - dennispmoore - gene reineke - wpp -

reine - riney - 2 rine - u rine -

swimmers - sharmin is swim coach at y - illini sharktopus - to p - xa toupe - and see panther has a swim team - hart - link to scb - cellini - hart is cellini atty - irv is ftl - addr is next to shof - samuel charles - team mack - team nix - niki haley - silliness - 123 oclock - they knew i wasnt a terrorist - they knew i wasnt addicted to anything - they knew i wasnt an arsonist - they knew i wasnt a pedophile - they werent worried about me committing suicide - theyre not fooling anyone with that nonsense -

they knew theyd lose. before the trial started. they arent being honest.

they arent being honest.

Polarized Florida Senate passes bill to ban ‘sanctuary cities’

Miami Herald27 Apr 2019BY SAMANTHA J. GROSS [email protected] Herald/Times Tallahassee Bureau SCOTT KEELER Tampa Bay Times Florida senators debate bills in the Florida Senate chamber, in this 2017 file photo. After months embroiled in emotional testimony, protests, controversy and national news coverage, Sen. Joe Gruters’ version of a bill to ban “sanctuary cities” in Florida passed 22-18 in was called. The Senate and the House, which passed its version of the bill Wednesday, still need to iron out differences in their proposals, particularly on a tougher stance taken by the House when it comes to penalties. The House’s bill builds in a rule that local government em The state Senate passed a bill Friday that would ban “sanctuary cities” in Florida. The bill would require state and local law enforcement to comply with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement orders to hold people. ployees or elected officials who permit sanctuary-city policies may be suspended or removed from office. The proposal also includes fines of up to $5,000 for each day that a sanctuarycity policy is in place. Identical bills must pass both chambers before hitting the governor’s desk. In this case, differences will have to be negotiated and “bounced back” between the House and Senate until they come to an agreement on a piece of legislation. While the House has tried to pass a similar ban the last four years, it died in the Senate the last time around. But Gov. Ron DeSantis has made “sanctuary cities” a key talking point from the start of his campaign to swearing in, an element Gruters says was key. “That’s why this is moving forward,” Gruters said earlier this week. “It has opened up some doors that weren’t previously available.” The bill creates rules relating to federal immigration enforcement by prohibiting “sanctuary” policies and requiring state and local law enforcement to comply with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Under this bill, local law enforcement would be required to honor federal law enforcement’s request for an “immigration detainer,” meaning a request that another law enforcement agency detain a person based on probable cause to believe that the person is a “removable alien” under federal immigration law. The bill would essentially make the “request” a requirement. Florida is part of a recent trend of states pushing such policies. Arkansas recently banned “sanctuary cities,” and Republicans in Michigan, Montana and North Carolina are pushing similar bans. “I’m just glad to be the catalyst to help this happen,” Gruters told reporters earlier this week. Gruters’ bill passed with an amendment that would give DeSantis the authority to “initiate judicial proceedings in the name of the state” against local or state officials who do not cooperate with enforcing immigration laws. CONTROVERSY THROUGHOUT Since its origin, Gruters’ effort has been embroiled in controversy. In March 27, the News Service of Florida published portions of emails between Gruters and hard-line immigration groups that helped shape portions of the bill and the bill’s staff analysis Then at a press conference in April, he borrowed a Trump tactic of speaking alongside “angel parents” whose children were killed by undocumented immigrants. The Southern Poverty Law Center then posted a Twitter thread noting two speakers at the press conference belonged to anti-immigrant groups. DeSantis — a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump who aired a campaign ad in which he helped his young daughter build a tiny border wall — has also used the examples of people killed by undocumented immigrants to make his point. “We do not want to be in a situation where we have more angel parents,” DeSantis said during a March press conference. “I hope that the Legislature moves quickly this session to pass legislation.” Then in the middle of the bill hearing process, a report by the American Civil Liberties Union showed that federal immigration authorities have asked Miami-Dade to hold at county jails hundreds of people who are listed as U.S. citizens. The group cited data provided in a lawsuit filed by a U.S. citizen, Garland Creedle, who was wrongly held for deportation after spending a night in a Miami-Dade jail in March 2017. Amid the news items on Gruters and the bill, arguments erupted into protests at the Capitol, sit-ins at lawmakers’ district offices and even an ACLU-issued travel warning for travelers and non-citizens to stay away from Florida. The American Business and Immigration Coalition, backed by Miami billionaire and healthcare magnate Mike Fernandez, says the bill will hurt the economy by $3.5 billion in GDP. More than 120 business leaders signed a letter by ABIC urging lawmakers to stop SB 168 and HB 527. Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, the state’s top Democrat, also spoke out against the bill, calling it “divisive rhetoric … pushed by the president.” VIGOROUS FLOOR DEBATE Miami Sen. José Javier Rodríguez has been one of the most outspoken opponents of the bill, and filed nearly three dozen amendments over the past few weeks to address some of his concerns. In a surprising vote Thursday, one of his amendments was adopted — a first for Democrats fighting against the bills in both chambers. The amendment exempts the Department of Children and Families or employees of the department from being compelled to comply with an ICE request. Gruters said he doesn’t think the amendment “makes a difference.” Some of Rodriguez’s other amendments would have built in more protections for other groups like crime witnesses, victims of sex crimes and victims of human trafficking. He said protecting witnesses was key. He made mention of a recent incident in Pembroke Pines, where it was discovered Thursday that a youth pastor is accused of raping a teenager for a year and threatened to report her family’s illegal immigration status if she reported the crime. “Law enforcement is telling us that the incidence of reporting of crimes has gone down. Among immigrants, underreporting of crime is a bigger problem,” Rodriguez said. His amendment failed, but two others with language to protect witnesses passed: One by Sen. Manny Diaz, R-Miami, and one by Sen. Jason Pizzo, DMiami Beach. Sen. Annette Taddeo, another vocal critic of the bill, filed an amendment to exempt people who have temporary protected status or are recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). In a speech on the floor Friday, she said the bill is “mean” and ignores moments in America’s history of turning people away and treating minorities poorly. “Our history of ugly moments when it comes to immigration is something we should learn from,” she said. “I ask you to not make this a moment we will regret ... We are better than this.” Rodriguez said his Republican colleagues don’t have a willingness to move on the bill, citing DeSantis’ support. “The reason he’s in the governor’s office is because he ran an anti-immigrant campaign just like Trump did,” Rodríguez said. “Demonizing immigrants is core to their primary electoral strategy.” Republicans argued on the floor that immigration policy was not for the state to make, and that the bill simply addresses a problem facing Florida. “How do we solve this problem? There is one way,” said Sen. David Simmons, an Altamonte Springs Republican. “We do not have individuals who have committed crimes be given a free pass.” Simmons suggested the Legislature take up proposals in the future that would help immigrants attain legal status, like a bill to allow more work permits or drivers licenses. “None of us condone a system that is out of control,” he said. Sen. Tom Lee, however, was less certain on his vote. He said listening to debate on sanctuary cities bill was like switching between Fox News and MSNBC. He added that he was “really on the fence” about whether the bill would solve the problem. “I’ve never been more confused,” the Thonotosassa Republican and twotime Senate President said. “I felt like we let ideology and. partisanship take over the plain words of a piece of legislation. We couldn’t be more far apart.” Lee said he’s hopeful the language gets tightened up since he thought Gruters made sense in his statements. The bill language, however, was less clear, he said. “In the end, I didn’t have a yellow button so I chose to trust Senator Gruters’ interpretation,” he said. IMMIGRANTS IN GALLERY REACT After the vote was called, immigrant families and advocates left the chamber in tears. Amy-Patricia Morales, an FSU student from Miami, said she has shown up to the Capitol over the past few months to protest the bill in honor of her father, who was deported when she was 9 years old. She said she thinks senators did not do enough to address the trauma families face when someone is deported. “When you’re 9, how do you put it into simple terms? You can’t,” she said. “For me, it’s being 9 and coming home from school to a parent missing.” Nataly Chalco Lopez, a Florida State University student and DACA recipient from Peru, talked about her fears for her undocumented parents. Lopez, who is from Broward County, said her parents will likely never come to visit her at school or even attend her graduation as to avoid driving a far distance without a driver’s license. She said lawmakers see people like her parents as criminals. “They believe that what they’re doing isn’t wrong. They’re in denial of the fact that they are racist,” she said. “They have convinced themselves that the way that they think is correct ... they’re too far gone.” Samantha J. Gross: 850-222-3095, @samanthajgross

swimmers - ron desantis - hefferon - ron howard - opioid - cunningham - top gun - gop - organophosphates - op - ron howard - andy griffith - wpp - reineke - chi h/k - hillen frito lay - maps tracking - terr frame - thompson alums - baise - springfield consulting - hart - cle - dean clute - galv ports - ororkr - cleat - sportstalksmans - peoria caths - celletti - ilfopngaoi - teaparty - casinos - slu - spitzer - usccb - JAMES ELMER MITCHELL - they broke my nose - hit me with cars - dennispmoore - put me in jail - and they still wont fucking stop -

Rep. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) - Interview

Your World with Neil Cavuto (FOX News).

2015.Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2015 CQ-Roll Call, Inc.

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BRENDA BUTTNER, FOX NEWS HOST: I bet this is a hot topic at your Thanksgiving table right now. What to do with ten thousand Syrian refugees to make sure ISIS doesn`t sneak in with them. The president already threatening to veto a bill that would vet them further, something not sitting well with Florida Republican Congressman Ron DeSantis. Congressman, thank you so much for joining us.

You voted with the majority on that bill to further vet, basically, our vetting process for refugees. 47 Democrats voted along with you. Is that a sign that the president is becoming more isolated on thos issue?

REP. RON DESANTIS (R-FL), COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS: Well happy Thanksgiving, Brenda.

BUTTNER: You, too.

DESANTIS: Yeah, I think without question, if you look at the numbers that the president is talking about, 10,000 people, if only one percent of those mean to do us harm or intending to commit terrorist acts, that means you`re bringing in 100 terrorists into the country, and we talked to the FBI director, even before the Paris attack, and he testified in front of Congress that the government cannot vet these people adequately because there isn`t enough information to do it.

So, I think the prudent policy is to err on the side of protecting the American people, and here`s the thing, Brenda. We can help about four or five refugees over in that theater for the cost of bringing one over here. So even if we didn`t have these terrorism concerns, I think there`s an argument our money is probably better spent by sending it over there and having people directed to safe zones.

BUTTNER: What happens if the Senate doesn`t take up this bill? It may not get traction. Minority Leader Harry Reid doesn`t really want to take it up. Then the president plans to veto it. What can you do?

DESANTIS: Well, first of all, I think that it`s likely to get to the president`s desk. He is going veto it and he`s going to have to explain and I think you see his poll numbers are dropping precipitously given how he`s handled this issue. I think he`s like -- 35 percent approve of how he is handling terrorism. So if he vetoes the bill and the public responds negatively to him, I think that`s going to put even more pressure on the Democrats in the Congress to join with us if we put funding prohibitions on the next budget bill that comes down the pike, not allowing the president to spend money to bring any unvetted refugees over to our country, and we could potentially end up with veto-proof majorities. We already got that in the House with our bill. This could potentially get us there in the Senate if the president vetoes a bill and then there`s a public backlash.

BUTTNER: There`s a move afoot in our northern neighbor in Canada to basically say, we won`t take any single men, we`re only taking women and children. But we have a very porous border and does that really stop the terrorists from getting in? Women -- we have seen in Paris -- can be terrorists, too.

DESANTIS: You have to vet everybody. You absolutely do have female suicide bombers. And so the idea that just because it`s a female that you`re not going to vet them, that doesn`t work. So yes, I think we have to be concerned, and not only with the refugee situation. It`s very easy for people to fly into Canada from some of these troubled spots and then they can come across our northern border. So I think it`s absolutely a cause of concern.

BUTTNER: And what do we do about that?

DESANTIS: Well, I think that we have to look at how you can gain entry into our country. The refugees is one. The legal immigration system is another. And then we also have visa waiver and people coming over on visas. I think all that has to be vetted in a way that errs on the side of protecting the American people. If there`s a chance that someone may be inclined to be an enemy of the country, then I think you have to err on the side of caution.

BUTTNER: You know, the argument on the other side is that we, as Americans -- our values are that it`s our obligation to bring in refugees, those who have been in war-torn situations and need help. How do you answer that?

DESANTIS: Well, we actually have been way more generous than pretty much every country in the world combined. But simply because there`s a war, that`s never been necessarily the test. We`ve accepted people who qualified for asylum because they were persecuted, say, like the Christians in Syria are being persecuted because of their faith or their ethnicity, but simply because they`re a war, that doesn`t necessarily mean that everybody gets to come to the United States, and as I mentioned earlier, I think you can help a lot of these people in a more cost-effective way. You can help more of them by administering that aid overseas rather than flying them halfway across the world.

BUTTNER: Right. Now what about the issue of giving state governors the choice whether or not to take the refugees in? That would require basically amending the Refugee Act of 1980. Do you support that?

DESANTIS: I do. Here`s why. State and local law enforcement are the primary protectors of the health, safety, and welfare of the people in the individual states. So they have a significant responsibility to keep their citizens safe, such as at the Mall of America, as you mentioned earlier on the show. So I think that they should absolutely have a voice in whether people are coming into their state that could potentially pose a problem.

BUTTNER: Do you think you might have the votes in Congress to do that?

DESANTIS: I think we could definitely pass it out of the house. Whether we could pass it out of the Senate, I`m not sure. And I would imagine, given the president`s posture on this, that he would threaten to veto such a bill.

BUTTNER: All right. Congressman, thank you very, very much. I hope you have a very happy and safe Thanksgiving.

DESANTIS: Same to you.

[writingguide003-blog]

'I completely lost it': the movie scenes that made our writers weep

New Post has been published on https://writingguideto.com/must-see/i-completely-lost-it-the-movie-scenes-that-made-our-writers-weep-2/

'I completely lost it': the movie scenes that made our writers weep

From Toy Story 2 to Under the Skin, writers pick the cinematic moments that made them cry and explain why. Spoilers ahead

Aunt Lucys trip, Paddington 2

On the face of it, Paddington is a fairly broad kids film franchise about the hijinks of a CGI bear, and so probably shouldnt make a grown human cry hot, salty tears. But that description ignores the fact that Paddington is a really, really well-made kids film franchise about the hijinks of a CGI bear, one that completely gets the pathos of its central character, a little lost immigrant searching for something resembling a family. Both films ably tug at the heartstrings, but the second film got me sniffling as early as 15 minutes in when Paddington imagines giving his only living relative, Aunt Lucy, a tour around London, something that in reality is impossible as shes stuck thousands of miles away in darkest Peru. When at the end of the film spoiler alert Aunt Lucy arrives on the Brown familys doorstep and she and Paddington hug, I completely, unapologetically lost it. Lord knows what surprises Paddington 3 has planned for my tear ducts. GM

When She Loved Me, Toy Story 2

Just before writing this, I put When She Loved Me from Toy Story 2 on YouTube once again, just to check. Yep. Just as always, I choke up, in the same abject, lip-wobbling, head-bowed way. It still has that terrible power.

When She Loved Me is the song written by Randy Newman and sung by the devastated toy cowgirl Jessie and in fact performed, beautifully, on the soundtrack by Canadian singer Sarah McLachlan. The song is Jessies way of telling Woody why she has grimly decided to submit to the airless world of the toy museum, because it is better than the inevitable heartbreak and delusion of loving a fickle human child. She reveals her anguish that her owner, Emily, has fallen out of love with her outgrown her, in fact. As Emily entered the world of adolescence, pop music and boys, Jessie was left under the bed and finally dumped.

When I first saw this scene and misled by the size disparity between toy and owner I thought it was a parable for a childs anxiety over being abandoned by the parent. But now that I am a parent I can see the truth which is completely the opposite way around. It is about the parents fear of being abandoned by the child: the terrible fear, actually the terrible certainty, that the kid one day wont want to play with you. They will grow up and want something else. This song is utterly devastating. It is modern cinemas equivalent of the Vesti La Giubba aria from Pagliacci the tragic clown smiling on the outside but crying on the inside. Im afraid to watch it too often. I dont want to break down over and over again. But I also want to preserve its power over me. PB

Ruths death, Fried Green Tomatoes

In many respects, Fried Green Tomatoes is not a movie for the modern age. It is a story about racism in the deep south told largely by way of eliciting our sympathies for wealthy white characters; it is a story about a lesbian relationship that had to slide its lesbian relationship in unnoticed, by presenting it as a very close friendship fulfilled by food fights, poker games and heads leaning meaningfully on shoulders. But I am deeply fond of this 1991 Sunday afternoon classic. Ive seen it more times than is healthy, and so I know exactly what is coming and when, and yet am still unable to resist the inevitable guttural sobbing that comes with the death scene.

There are plenty of teasers for it, too: Buddy on the train tracks, even Mrs Threadgoode talking about the death of her adult son. Nothing, however, can prepare the viewer for Ruth asking Idgie to tell her the old story about the frozen lake thats now somewhere over in Georgia. It doesnt so much pull on heartstrings as play a full symphony on them, and its devastating. As Sipsey puts it, a lady always knows when to leave. RN

The rooftop dance, Eat Pray Love

While I was repelled by the mere existence of the Eat Pray Love book, I found something strangely charming about its big-screen translation. It was a mixture of glossy food porn, glossy travel porn and glossy Julia Roberts emoting porn (she remains one of the best fake criers in Hollywood) all wrapped up in a rather unique tale of a woman trying to unshackle herself from the men in her life. But while that all provided mostly surface-level enjoyment, one scene cut deeper and the extent to which it cuts surprises me still.

As is often with the case with movie tears, these were tied to a real-world experience that had happened not long before I sat down to watch. I was dumped by a long-term boyfriend without much of an explanation and without any sort of warning. I was heartbroken and seeking some form of closure that was kept cruelly out of reach. I didnt understand why it had happened and it was the not knowing that felt harder than the break-up itself.

In the film, Roberts character has left her flighty husband and remains haunted by the heartbreak shes caused. On a rooftop in Delhi, a vision of him appears and they dance to Neil Youngs heart-grabbing Harvest Moon, the song that was supposed to accompany their first wedding dance. She reminds him that she did love him. He tells her he still loves and misses her. They cry and continue to dance. At the end, she tells him that it wont last forever, nothing does. Its a short scene but it hit me like a bus, it still does now. My tears are for the film but theyre also for something deeper: the sting of loving someone who stopped loving me and the ache of an ending I was never allowed in real life. BL

The thunderstorm, Click

Adam Sandler can make me cry harder than hes ever made me laugh, the true test of a clown. Yes, even in the underappreciated comedy Click about a dad who finds a magical remote control in the Beyond section of Bed Bath & Beyond.

Sandlers workaholic architect fast-forwards through the worst parts of his day the dull weeknight frozen dinners with his family, the repetitive arguments, the gross times everyone gets knocked out by the flu in order to get to his next promotion so he can buy his kids whatever they want. His plan doesnt go well, of course. But whats shocking is how gut-rippingly painful it is to see Sandler hit play on his life only to realize hes skipped past everything that matters. His bodys been present, the bills have been paid, but his emotional engagements been staticky a trade-off too many of us can understand.

In the climax, old man Sandler sobs in a thunderstorm as he arrives at his daughters wedding only to learn shed rather her stepdad walk her down the aisle, and his son has grown up to mimic his job-first, family-second example. I rarely cry at unavoidable tragedies where no ones at fault. My weakness is characters regretting choices they cant rewind. Click isnt Ingmar Bergman Sandler gets a happy ending but I barely saw his relief through the rainstorm on my face. AN

The courtroom, Kramer vs Kramer

By all accounts, Robert Bentons film Kramer vs Kramer skews heavily toward Dustin Hoffmans Ted, whose wife Joanna has left him and their six-year-old son Billy. Billy and Ted make french toast together, or argue about eating ice cream before dinner, or visit the nearby jungle gym. Were it not for Meryl Streep and the trenchant, intuitive way she humanizes a woman who, in the 70s, would have otherwise been made to seem mawkish and unstable Kramer vs Kramer might be just a schmaltzy panegyric on fatherhood.

But leave it to our greatest living actor to turn a film on its head with a single scene. You know the one: Joanna, during the custody hearing, is subjected to a string of sexist questions about her failure as a wife and a mother. When asked why shes seeking custody of Billy, she blinks three times, beginning the monologue Streep herself wrote in an effort to redeem her character, who she initially perceived to be an ogre, a princess, an ass.

Billys only seven years old. He needs me, she says, reciting the word need with a whispery uptick as she glances at her ex. Im not saying he doesnt need his father. But I really believe he needs me more. After catching her breath, she becomes more emphatic: I was his mommy for five and a half years. Since I was about Billys age when my parents got divorced, ergo, too young to understand or even care, Ive always been astonished and, by proxy, moved by how compassionately Streep plumbs the depths of Joannas truth. JN

The beach, Under the Skin

Little focuses the mind more effectively on human distress than the arrival of your own kids; scenes in films which I might once have snoozed through now induce boggle-eyed terror OH MY GOD, DONT LEAVE THAT BABY NEAR THAT COFFEE TABLE, IT HASNT GOT A CORNER PROTECTOR! But nothing has topped at least, not yet the scene in Under the Skin where Scarlett Johansson murders a swimmer and drags him off to eat him.

Its not the murder thats so epically upsetting, though its gruesome enough: Johansson, playing an alien visitor permanently on the lookout for human nutrients, simply bangs him over the head with a large stone as he lies prone and exhausted on the beach. Its what goes on in the background that is so awful. A woman goes into the water to try and rescue her drowning dog, and her male partner instinctively rushes in after her, leaving their toddler alone high on the shore. Johanssons chum the only other adult on this lonely Scottish beach goes to help too.

With the speed of falling dominoes, a nice little day out unravels: the mother and father are swept away to who knows where, and the alien takes her chance to acquire their would-be rescuer as a food source. Meanwhile, the suddenly abandoned kid is shrieking in terror as the night closes in. Another, less astute film-maker, might cap the scene with the alien scooping the kid up and adding him to her dinner menu, but what Glazer contrives is absolutely horrifying. Johansson-alien simply ignores it, and leaves it alone. The film moves on, this incident consigned to the past.

I have to confess I was absolutely blindsided by the scene; mostly, I think, because of the its sheer unexpectedness. I think I was gripped by a kind of internal hysteria: shock, hyperventilation, a feeling the back of my head might explode. (I cant say I actually cried though I may have, but in the confusion I cant really remember.) I certainly had to hold on to the seat to stop myself bolting out of the cinema then and there. I am aware theres a some degree of self-indulgence here: the fact that my daughter was about the same age as the kid in the film undoubtedly super-sensitised my reactions. But everyone has their weak spot; this is very much mine. AP

The birth, Cheaper by the Dozen 2

Cheaper by the Dozen 2, if you havent seen it you probably havent, why would you have? is the sequel to the remake of family comedy Cheaper by the Dozen, and Im sure it was made because Steve Martin, the star of the franchise, needed to pay his mortgage. The main gist of the movie is that Martin and his wife, played by Bonnie Hunt, have 12 children who get into various japes. Its asinine. But during a time in my life when I was making a lot of transatlantic flights, Cheaper By the Dozen 2 was always an option on the British Airways seatback televisions, and one day I found, because of the frequency of my flights, I had watched all of the other films.

What choice did I have? At the climactic scene, where the oldest daughter, played by Piper Perabo, gives birth, and then names the baby after her father because he has shown her that there is no way to be a perfect parent, but a million ways to be a really good one, I cried so much the man sitting next to me regarded me with what appeared to be real concern. There may have not been enough cocktail napkins on the whole plane to dry my tears. Was it the recycled air? Was it the two miniature bottles of white wine? Or was it that a joyful childbirth scene can warm the cockles of even the coldest of hearts? JHE

The accidental reunion, Manchester by the Sea

Weve got a real talent for repression back in Massachusetts. Kenneth Lonergans searing Manchester by the Sea plays out a 15-minute drive from my childhood home and, true to life, the characters all struggle to articulate the perfect storms of emotion raging within them.

When Lee (Casey Affleck) has a chance encounter with his ex-wife Randi (Michelle Williams), the shared history between them is literally unspeakable. They sputter out fragments of sentences that act as a shorthand for vast reservoirs of guilt and self-loathing they cant bear to express, and because they know one another so intimately, they can intuit all the meaning they have to. Theyve both shoved a lot deep down inside just so they can look at themselves in the mirror, and when in the presence of the only other person on the planet who understands what theyve been through, some of it has to come out. Randi does most of the talking, inviting Lee to lunch so they can get some closure, and he ends the conversation by walking away. Shes ready to face her past and be fully present in the new life shes built for herself. Lee, a North Shore boy born and bred, feels more comfortable starting a bar fight as his form of therapy. CB

The hotel, Unrelated

Joanna Hoggs first film, Unrelated, has had something of a second life on account of being the debut of Tom Hiddleston, and set during a Tuscan summer, which means swimming pool, which means toplessness, and lots of it. Its nice to imagine the Loki-lovers streaming this masterpiece of English upper-middle-class excruciation. As its ending shows, specificity is no barrier to emotional oomph.

The story sees a woman in her early 40s, Anna (Kathryn Worth), holidaying with old friends and their teenage children. She finds she prefers the company of the kids, especially the charming Oakley (Hiddleston, then 26, playing eight years younger). The holiday implodes. Anna goes to stay at a grim airport hotel. Her friend visits, crossly wanting to know whats behind her behaviour. Anna explains that, quite recently, she thought she was pregnant but no, in fact, it was an early menopause. Shell never be able to have children. She sobs and bends double on the bed. It is shot in one take, from the middle distance, acted with a banal frankness which feels like eavesdropping.

When I saw it a decade back, it floored me: a twist I hadnt foreseen, a pain I could only imagine. A few years ago, I began consciously avoiding the film, fearful a similar fate awaited me. Now I can safely watch it again or, I thought I could, but Hogg is much too superb and mysterious a film-maker for that. It isnt simply the information which is terrible, it is the dreadful catharsis of its expression, coming after so much obfuscation. The stifle has gone; instead there is the most awful sadness. Buttoning up is often the bravest way. CS

Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/us

[mylovingbouquetearthquakewo-blog]

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How much should i expect to pay for car insurance?

im 20/ male/ new driver/ will be driving a used, regular, good condition, non-sport-car sedan, or something of like/ and in los angeles ca thanks""

In Michigan do you need to keep full coverage on your motorcycle even if it is in storage when you have loan?

You get your full coverage on the motorcycle when you purchase it but winter comes and you have the insurance company reduce it to storage insurance. Can you do that and if you can is the insurance company required to let the title holder know of the insurance coverage change?

Which insurance is better?

Which insurance is better health or life?

Can my car insurance company give my phone number to auto shops?

I was recently in a fender-bender, and as SOON as I made a claim with my insurance company, random auto shops started calling my cell phone (which is my only phone, I don't have a land line) stating they heard I'd been in an accident and basically were telemarketing me into fixing my car at their shop. I have Nationwide insurance, and I'm suspecting it is them who has released my information, as I didn't supply my info with anyone else, other than in the police report! Has anyone else heard of this or had this happen to them? Is there anything I can do about it, other than tell the people not to call me again!?""

Paying car insurance annually?

I want to pay my insurance annually. I read something about rates being subject to change for many reasons. If this happens, will i receive a bill saying i owe more money? or if it goes down do i get money back? Im confused lol. Someone help?""

Penatlies for lasped car insrance?

Im having problems with my bills and my car insurance payment is due. I want have the money until I get paid in the next couple weeks. what should I do, and if my insurance lapse what are the pentalies for reinstating my coverage??

Where can I find affordable health insurance with no waiting period for maternity coverage?

We're residents of Virginia, but use a doctor and hospital in North Carolina, and can't seem to find a thing. Doesn't need to pick it up as a pre-existing condition. Ehealthinsurance.com didn't find a thing for us. Any help is appreciated.""

Next to oil and gas prices are car insurance prices too high anyone agree?

Whats the deal the government wants everyone to participate in paying for auto insurance yet the prices are rediculous what happened to buying a car and registering it thats it? Does the government think about Americans servival aside from gas, food, children, mortgage blah blah blah............. or do people vote for laws blind folded????""

Help solve my High Car Insurance problem...?

Thanks everyone for your valuable opinions. I just purchased an '07 black Toyota Yaris with about 24 k miles. I am a 20 yr old male living in Texas. Well my insurance went sky high from my last vehichle, an old '90 clunker Geo. It went from like 100 and something to like 350! I have Farmers Insurance. What are my options on things to do??? The title of the car is in my name. I pretty much do not have any credit. My mom happened to mention something about changing the title over into her or my grandma's name...and then she could add me as a driver to her insurance. I really don't know, the situation is very confusing. Please help me know my options, I can't afford this! P.S. All insurance companies will charge me about the same givin my age, etc.""

Full coverage insurance for peregnant women?

I live under visa here in the u.s,,, I've heard there is a very good health insurance for peregnant women in Oklahama state coveraging all the health problem for free its website is: www.mysoonercare.org I dont live in Oklahama and I need to know if there is anything like that in other state in the U.S ????""

Can My Insurance pay to get my teeth whitin?

I don't think I spelt whitin correctly but you guys should no what i mean..& how can I find Out if my insurance or medicate pays to whitin my teeth? btw my medicate was the one that paid for my braces~

Can I wait to report damage to insurance company till car payed off?

My car was parked on a busy street in icy conditions and when I returned to it, it had clearly been hit but no one left a note, etc. It will probably be very expensive to fix...although it is only cosmetic damage and it isn't horrible. In fact, from a distance, you don't notice it much. Anyway....my husband passed away recently and my finances have been limited. I have full coverage on the car (It is a 2004 ford escape)....because I am still making payments on it. We have a $1000 deductible, which I cannot afford right now. Besides, my brother-in-law tells me he can spruce up the damage and make it look better..and of course won't charge me much for that. So....here was my plan. Please tell me if I'm doing anything illegal here or just tell me if my plan will work: So...I'm expecting a large enough tax refund that I can pay the car off in March if I choose to do so. Once that is all complete...and before I drop my full coverage to just liability, I was going to report the damage....and go through the process of getting estimate, etc...and then not have the car fixed and just take a check. With that check, I was going to pay off some other bills I'm very behind on (mainly hospital bills). That plan will help me get my finances in order and get out from under debt. But I'm not sure if I'm thinking clearly on this! Someone please tell me if this plan is an option. Thank you!""

""Why do women get cheaper car insurance, that's stupid and totally discriminatory and plain our racist?""

In Europe the European courts have already ruled it unfair. google Cheaper insurance for women ruled unfair Wtf? Women are horrible drivers. I've only been in one accident my entire life of driving and it wasn't my fault, a WOMAN backed into me as I was passing a parking lot. Apparently that wasn't the first time she did that either. One other time a WOMAN almost crashed into me on the free way, she wanted to get into my lane but apparently she didn't see me and just without using a turn signal just decided to turn into my lane and luckily i was paying attention and was able to break soon enough and she probably came within inches of her back side smashing into my side. it caused me to break suddenly which made the car behind me break suddenly and honk his horn, i honked my horn and the lady in front of me was apparently clueless to the world. Anyways the reason if this is true because I don't believe it men might have more accidents is because they're more likely to become drunk. Men drink and drive more, not only that but they probably like to show off more. rates should be higher for people like them, not all men. Gender biases are unconstitutional because that's prejudice. Also it's a total lie that women make less money than men. when i waited tables, the women got all the good tips from men. while i generally just got the minimum tip. not only that but sometimes if i was dealing with another male, sometimes they didn't give me a tip at all especially if they were drunk or some scruffy looking truck driver trying to hit on the other girls. But if one of those hot girls waited on them, they would sometimes give them a tip that was more than the food that they ordered! I think it's all bs. and of course completely racist. Why does america allow this? You know in some countries they don't allow women to drive. MAYBE it's because they're bad drivers!!!""

Car insurance costs more than car!?

So i got a 2001 Acura EL premium with 148k a week ago and i was quoted for $387 a month/4644 a year for a car that i got for $4100. I live in Toronto and i know it costs more for insurance but its ridiculous when it costs more than actual worth of the car. Should i try sell the car or keep it as i need it for school and work?

What car to get for cheapest insurance after crash at 17?

Im 17, 18 on october 1st. I crashed my car in january, claimed for write off and got given 3000, i put that in premium bonds, i ahve that money sat there to but a car with. I want to get a car on my 18th, what car should i get, bearing in mind ive had a crash, then claimed? the cheapest ive seen is 3470 a year for insurance. thanks.""

Trading in car for new one. Insurance?

I am trading my old car in at a garage for a new one. How do I go about re-arranging my car insurance so that it can be taxed and the old one taken off the policy. Do you think I will get a refund for the amount outstanding on my old car? Bit confused.

How to Get Cheap Car Insurance in NJ for Young Drivers?

Last week I bought my first car.But one thing that I didn't do was to check my car insurance premiums.I did it yesterday and I was amazed how expensive is that.I'll have to pay more than $300mo.Is is normal?Why my car insurance is so expensive.First thing they told me was that I need to pay more, because I'm young driver.Yes I'm under 25 years old.I'm from NJ.Can you please tell me how to get cheap car insurance in NJ for young drivers?Also any tips to help me to reduce this price...I'm ok with my car but I feel it won't be possible for me to pay so much for car insurance.I need cheaper insurance plan.""

Best car for gas and insurance for a 16 year old male?

Hi im a 16 year old male and need a older car because apparently there better on insurance? old as in from 1996-2002 what would be my best bet for gas/insurance?

Estimate for car insurance payment for 6 months ..?

i am looking to consolidate, and want to see what i actually spend is right or not --- what should be a reasonable bargain on car insurance ??- i pay 950 for my 05 and 08 car. is that too much .. for 6 months, driver for last 4-5 yrs ?? what do you guys pay .. i know it depends on what all coverage you end up taking, still any ideas would help ..""

Temporary Car Insurance Mercedes E Class 18 Year Old Male?

There is a meet at Goodwood Race Course at the end of the month, I was planning on taking the e class as the weather looks good and its good place to take it, however I'm really struggling to find temporary car insurance to cover me for the day, I can find annual car insurance relatively easily insuring my dad with his no claims and me as a named driver (comes to approx 1100 per annum) but I wont drive the car enough to make use of this insurance. I have looked high and low but none of the companies will insure me until I am 21 for temporary insurance. Any suggestions?""

Can I write off the montly payment for health insurance I pay for my family?

Going to opt out of my employer paid insurance program, and buy private insurance for my family, can I write the entire payment off on my personal taxes?""

Still waiting to hear from car insurance if car is a write off?

its been a week since this guy hit me from behind. he was 100% at fault. how long do i have to wait to find out if my car was a write off? the car is fixable and i need to know how much to fix? want my car back!!!!!

Can you add car insurance after an accident?

i hit my friend tonight but i never added insurance to my truck that i bought two weeks ago. I called the 24 hour insurance support and told them that i had bought the truck tonight and they said i am covered for 3 days but i have to call my agent tomorrow to set up all the coverage and payments. If i call the agent in the morning and tell them i got into an accident will i be covered? i live in IL.

Car insurance in the uk?

Anybody no any good cheap companys in the uk??

Car Insurance and deductible payment?

My car window got smashed in and my windshield got cracked from vandalism. Nothing was stolen. I am taking my car in for inspection today. My question is, if my car deductible is $500, and if the resulting cost of the repair is less than the deductible, do I have to pay the deductible? It just doesn't seem correct to pay $250 each month, and then have to pay on top of that $500 for a repair that we could have saved up to pay for? Does anyone know if we have to pay the deductible if our repair cost is less than the deductible?""

Monthly car insurance?

I need to find the cheapest car insurance for one month of coverage. I am working to get my car re-registered after being salvaged, so I don't have a lot of money to spend on car insurance this month. Since I live in CA and need to drive the car to get inspected, it needs insurance. All of the places I've checked have monthly rates, but I have to put a lot down and I can't afford it. Please advise.""

What medical insurance should I get in California?

I am 27yrs have, single, have no children and need medical insurance. I live in California so I have to have it by the new laws. I have no clue who I should sign up for. I don't care too much about benefits too much right now (deadline is coming up). I just want the lowest priced one I can get right now so I can say I have something. I looked at the Medi-cal website and it said you have to be 65yrs or older or have children so it does not seem like I am eligible even though I am low income. Any clue on what I should get? Thanks.""

When do you have to get your own health insurance? ?

im 17 will soon be turning 18 and will be starting college in the fall . i have a medical card and im under my moms health plan/insurance. but when do i branch off to get my own insurance/plan ??

What is select life insurance?

My insurance agent wants me to update my insurance plan with select life insurance. They explained select life insurance to me, but I want someone who is not trying to sell it to me to explain it to me. So could someone reexplain select life insurance so that I know the pros and cons?""

Is there a way for me to get cheap auto insurance?

I am 16 years old and from st.cloud minnesota. I don't have a car yet but I want to get one from around $3000-$4000. I have to go with State Farm because my parents have it. I am a safe driver and I get good grades. Is there a way to get cheap auto insurance through state farm through any special deals? Thanks

Car Insurance for driving test question?

Okay I'm a bit confused here so here it is: I'm taking my road driving test this January (I'm in TX BTW). One of the requirements is that I provide a car that has insurance. So my question is, does the insurance need to cover me as a driver as well? Or is it OK if the insurance covers the car and it's owner only (my friends' car) and it's only his name as the insured driver . I'm confused since he said I NEED to be covered by the car's insurance, but how can I be covered if I don't have the license yet (Insurance companies will only insure drivers with license) I tried calling the local DMV but you know what happens when you do... you are put on hold for the entire day. So can I just use his car (it is of course insured) or what? Or is this just another way of him saying You're not driving my car bud! haha. Thanks a lot!""

Penatlies for lasped car insrance?

Im having problems with my bills and my car insurance payment is due. I want have the money until I get paid in the next couple weeks. what should I do, and if my insurance lapse what are the pentalies for reinstating my coverage??

Changing insurance from car to van?

I have a multicar policy with admiral at the moment. I have bought a vw van to drive for pleasure, not for work. I am selling one of my cars in the policy and am replacing it with the van. The car insurance runs out in december. What will I do? Will I have to pay more and not get any money back. You can't have vans in the multicar policy!""

""If i have insurance for my car, how much more will it cost to own a motorcycle?""

If i have insurance for my car, how much more will it cost to own a motorcycle?""

Insurance: Average yearly mileage exceeded?

When I brought my car insurance (after being without a car for many years), one of the questions was average yearly mileage , I input 12,000 thinking that that figure was ...show more""

AAA insurance will only pay body shop?

Hi there, My mom was rear ended by an uninsured motorist while driving my car. I have uninsured motorist coverage and AAA estimated the damage to be approximately $1000. I own my car (it's paid off) and I would rather buy the bumper and someone I know replace the bumper, rather than go to the body shop of AAA's choice. AAA does not want to give me a check and is saying they want to pay a body shop to do it. Can they do this? I looked at my policy and it doesn't say anywhere that repair costs are to be paid to a body shop, rather than the car owner or driver. I certainly don't have anything signed that says that and there is nothing in my policy details. Thanks for your help!""

Can I stay on my parents health insurance if I move out?

I am 23 years old and I go to school full time in California. I have a job at a restaurant that does not offer health insurance and my parents would not be contributing financially. If I move out to an apartment, can I stay on my parents health insurance?""

Can car insurance be in both my name and my wifes?

I just sold my car, and am waiting 3 months to buy a new car. My job requires that i have car insurance ( i dont know why since i dont drive for my job) I faxed a copy of my wifes insurance. Can my name be added on to the insurance, or do i need to get seperate insurance?""

How much would a Fiat Grande Punto 1.2L cost in insurance for a 17 year old male driver?

I'm 17 and male and I was wondering how much this car would cost to get it insured, please help.""

Which auto insurance company do you recommend?

I've had the following insurance and was not pleased: -Insure One (real insurance: Access American Casualty)=Cheap but HORRIBLE CLAIM PROCESS -Farmers Insurance Group: Pricey and more hidden fees hence had to switch because I felt like I was paying too much and getting scammed (I tried resolving the issue but rep said there is nothing we can do ). Currently I'm with GEICO and I am paying the same as I was with Farmers (except w/out the random charges), at this point I just want a RELIABLE and CLAIM FRIENDLY INSURANCE, which would you recommend?""

Should I drop my comprehensive insurance to liability only on my car?

My van is from 1999 and it is paid off. The only thing is I am not confident in my driving skills. I have enough money to buy another car though. I have 130,000 miles on the van. I was going to drive it until it falls apart or starts costing me too much money in repairs.""

How much would insurance be on these cars ( average ) 1st time driver ?

saxo vtr vw golf mk2 anybody help need a rough estimate of the insurance as these are my dream cars and wanting to kno the average insurance price, if to high i dont want to get my hopes up""

What is the lowest payment for a car loan?

I want to get a Camaro when im 16. Theyre about 35,000 new. Its a lot but yet not. My parents wont buy me a new car as my first. I understand why, but im not reckless or anything. Also what is the insurance for a 16 year old (great grades) driving a Camaro? I think my family has progressive. Anything cheaper? Loans are very risky I know but the job that I will be getting pays a decent amount every 2 weeks or so. I do good with money, every know and then a girl needs to shop :). My mom usually pays for all that stuff though. I dont know anything about loans and banks. How does it all work? Can you tell me like what I would be about paying each month or week for a Camaro? Dont call me stupid, Im just thinking about it. I want a sports bike instead because then I wouldnt need a loan but I need a car for the winter...""

Cost of insurance for 2nd gen Toyota Mr2?

Would you pay a higher insurance on this car than a normal car? what about a turbo? I got an online insurance quote and it was about $600/year for liability and $1000/year for collision coverage, does this seem like a fair price? I'm almost 19 years old and have a clean drivers record.""

Car insurance for 16 yr old with mustang?

im 16 and just got a 05 mustang, and now im trying to find a cheap insurance company. I want to spend less than $275 a month, does anyone know one?""

Is health insurance worth the money?

I have been with Bupa health insurance for years but have never used them. I'm 21, Do you think I'm to young to need insurance as I will most likely not need any untill I'm in my 40s. Is it a wast of money? Its only 52 a month so not to expensive but I suppose I could spend the money on things I enjoy. What do you think.""

Do i need insurance to be under my name when taking my drivers test?

so im taking my drivers test soon and i need to know if i have to get insurance under my name on the car..my mom does have insurance on the car i will be using but only under her name..so will i have to add my name to the insurance just to take the drivers test? i live in california

Total lost car INSURANCE?

I own a 1997 dodge intrepid std 4 dr sedan 6cyl gasoline 3.3 liter 4 speed in fair conditions cd player no rust with 197,242 miles. My car was was in a hail and tornado damage where the hood has a dent and the driver and passanger side have dent and the trunk. I have full coverage insurance and they telling me that my car was total last i love my car and i spent alot of money fixing it and it drives great no problem. So I was trying to get some help from some one that could tell me how much is my car worth so they wont give me less money and if they offer me less what could I do. I am not trying to bew greedy but i do love my car and spent alot of money on it. I would rather get it fix . PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE HELP ME""

Where can I find the best insurance firms in California?

My son just got out of hospital and am really concerned about the health of my family members - what should I do now? Where can I get the best insurance firms in entire California?

Insurance rate for 17 year old in california?

as my first car i was looking at the evo x mr or the 3g eclipse gt, gts which would be better as my first car and wat would be the insurance cost for either of these cars?""

Car Insurance decrease or increase?

I'm purchasing a 2012 Toyota Aygo within the coming weeks but I cannot be quoted on the insurance as the 2012 registration plates have not yet come up on the database of the insurance company I would like to go with. I have had a quote for 'nearly' the exact car but a 2011 version. Does anybody have a rough idea if the insurance is likely to increase or decrease with it being a 2012 model? Thanks :)

Which has cheaper auto insurance: 2012 Hyundai Elantra GLS or 2012 Honda Civic?

This is regarding all auto insurance companies. Also, why is it that not a lot of Hyundai dealers in the Los Angeles area have the 2012 Elantra in their New Inventory, they only have 2011 in stock :S Does anyone else have this problem also?""

What's the best type of health insurance for a pregnant woman?

Is it PPO, HMO, etc...""

New Car/ Insurance.?

I just got a new car, and my mom needs to put me on her insurance. We are with State Farm, will she just go in and say what car it is? or will I have to go in with her with the car?""

Selling insurance question?

What license/certification does one need to sell and distribute insurance such as home owners, auto, life insurance etc. in the state of Wisconsin. And what schooling if any would someone need to obtain these licenses and or certifications. My grandfather and a friend own a agency that affiliates with another independent agency that allows them access to a large variety of insurers, and they would like me to become apart of business.""

Do you need insurance if you are not going to drive the car?

For example if you had a parked car on the side of the road would you need it to be insured?? Because what would happen if your handbreak snapped and it rolled into another car? Who's insurance would cover it?

Do you know any reasonably priced (if there are any) health insurance companies?

I am retiring, and wife has to purchase her own coverage.""

Penatlies for lasped car insrance?

Im having problems with my bills and my car insurance payment is due. I want have the money until I get paid in the next couple weeks. what should I do, and if my insurance lapse what are the pentalies for reinstating my coverage??

How much cost an insurance in massachusetts?

I am not working and I will need an insurance.

Question regarding rental car insurance in the US?

Even though I don't live in the US I have a valid credit card issued in the US, I will be traveling to the US and renting a car I have asked and been told by the credit card company that using the credit card provides insurance. I have two questions: 1.- Would the insurance be valid even if I don't have a US driver licence? 2.- Would the car rental agency allow me not to purchase the insurance even though again I don't have a US drivers licence?""

Perth; Can I ride a motorcycle without insurance?

And if I am buying motorcycle insurance, how come they ask me how much I want to pay? Please see the link at http://rac.com.au/Insurance/Motor-insurance/Motorcycle-insurance/Motorcycle-insurance-quote.aspx So how much must I pay? I bought my second hand scooter for A$1,000 on bikesales.coml.au""

Using car insurance comparison sites?

Hi, I'm 18 years old and taking my lessons. I've been trying to get a quote on a couple of cars that I would like to buy for when i pass or to get provisionaly insured on, I got a quote as having a full driving licence on a 2000 3door 1.2L for fiesta, I filled in all the relevant information no modification, using for social and commute to one place of work etcetc and its comes up with the cheapest being aroud 7000, this cannot possibly be right can it? Ive checked over the details and used different cars and the same price always comes up.""

""My homeowners insurance dropped me, what am I going to do?""

I had two claims in two years. They won't renew, my policy has expired and I can't find anyone that will cover me. Anyone sell insurance? I had a claim last summer when a limb fell through my camper. The insurance paid out $500. October 2007 I had a pipe burst in my foundation they had to pay out $22,000 that time. Right now I'm uninsured and nervous.""

How to go about getting insurance for my husband?

He's 23 years old. Unemployed. HE needs insurance now, and can't be added to my insurance. For one, we'd have to wait until open enrollment in dec. and two, to be honest, it's too expensive to add him. im talking $300 each check. that's insane. I'm browsing the internet, but i am just so lost on where to look. I've heard of Medicaid, but don't know if he'd qualify, or can't find a website. Please. HELP!!!!!""

Alliance United Insurance?

So I just want to know all of their current plans and prices? For 2 adults and 1 minor for auto insurance.. I live in California.. Thanks!

SR-22 Insurance help?

Got pulled over in the state of Iowa for not having a license, but I did have insurance should I deserve to get SR-22 insurance?""

What is average insurance rate for liability only for a 19 year old female?

in N. C. on a family type car

Unemployment Insurance in California?

I currently receive unemployment insurance. On the check stub it states that my claim expires on 07/2008, although the balance noted on there is less than what I usually receive. I believe its because the 6 month period has ended. My questions is, can I reopen up the claim? Am I still eligible to receive my unemployment insurance until my claim has expired which is 07/2008? I was told that you can claim unemployment insurance for a year, so I don't understand why I only received it for 6 months. I was with my previous employer for 7 years, so it's not like I worked wherever for a short period of time. And I am actively seeking a job, although I have a few expectations so I haven't accepted any offers plus I'm a single mother and I have to work around my parent's schedule cause its way too expensive to leave my daughter at a decent daycare that I can trust. Hopefully someone out there can help me with a few information.""

CAR INSURANCE question?

Ive just been made a fiance manager at work and my car insurance has gone down in price ! Can anybody tell me what kind of jobs make your car insurance reduced in price and why ?

Teen driving auto insurance.?

I am a 16 year old man and i am a week away from being eligible from getting my licence. If I were to get my licence would I need to obtain auto insurance? I would drive my parents car not my own so would I need Insurance or would my rates be deductable explain please thanks for answering.

Cheaper car insurance?

I'm an 18 (almost 19) year old male living in Ontario, Canada, and I'm on my parent's insurance policy. I'm looking into buying my first car. It's not just some old beater, it's a car that I would definitely enjoy driving. It's a 1999 Chevy Cavalier with a bunch of modifications to it. I'm worried about what I will be paying monthly in insurance. The guy I'd be buying it from told me as long as your insurance company doesn't ask for pictures of the car, in order to keep my premium low I should just lie about what's in/on the car. He said tell them you bought it for the black book price without any mods ($1200 - $2100), and state the only addition being a body kit. MY QUESTION IS: Could I get in any trouble if they ever found out about all of the modifications to the car that I didn't list? What would happen?""

""Any idea how much the car tax is on a vauxhall frontera,and is the insurance expensive?

is it much more than running the average car

How much is car insurance?

i'm 18 n i want 2 get a car very soon. i'm paying for my own insurance so i want 2 get an idea of an estimated price. if i get a care made between 1999 n 2005. so if any1 has an idea can u please help me out

Used Car insurance cost?

If i buy a 2010 ford escape used will insurance be any cheaper than if i buy it new, considering im 25 and have a clean driving record""

How can I go on my Grandads insurance without it being illegal?

How can I go on my Grandads insurance without it being illegal? I am 18 and am buying a 1.2 corsa. I need to know the cheapest way to insure it. Even if I have to go on a relatives insurance. I need to know how to go on his insurance without it being illegal 18 minutes ago - 4 days left to answer.

What is the cheapest way to get insured on a Ford Fiesta 1.2 for an 18 year old?

Hey, I just passed my driving test and the trouble is insurance :( I've found the perfect car for me which is a Ford fiesta 1.25 studio, 2006 model which has done 49000 miles and is valued at 3800 pounds. The insurance is nearly triple the amount of the car which is something I simply cannot pay. I was considering coverbox or insure the box but I'm not too sure. I've been researching online for a good few months now and all price comparison websites and insurers' websites seem to be suggesting the same price. So please if you know how to get cheap car insurance for a 18 male who has 0 months no claims, I would appreciate your help :)""

Teen Driving Insurance?

I am wondering how much the type of car will affect the price of car insurance for a 16 year old. Which if the following cars will the insurance cost the most? and the least? 00 BMW 323ci, 04 Mazda 3s, 2001 audi a4 1.8t, 04 acura rsx base, 04 mitsubishi eclipse gs""

PA insurance laws?

Anyone know what the laws are in PA when you buy a car from a private owner? How long do you have to get insurance? I already have it on my car .. and I'm getting this new one and not transferring the insurance until the next day. What are the laws? Is it like inspection that you have 10 days?

Why is my car insurance the same price?

My car insurance is due up next month and I have been shopping around. I've used all the compare sites like go compare and money supermarket and I m basically the exact same price as I was last year. For the same car. I've been driving 8 years nd have 6 years no claims. I'm 25 and female. Every year it used to go down but now I'm being quotes the same and sometimes more?!

About how much does General liability insurance?

Any Independent Contractors out there that could give me an idea about how much it cost, because I have no idea.""

Does anyone have any idea how much insurance would cost for this car?

the car i want is a 1987 pontiac fiero fastback gt with a 5 speed manual transmition and a 2.8 L engine. what would insurance be for a 16 or 17 year old male?

Car insurance questions?

okay im 19 livin in MICHIGAN. My driving record sucks, (2) accidents i got rear ended, (3) speeding tickets a total of 7 points license is restricted till jan, 2012. I want a car but its around 600-900$ a MONTH to insure me, 99 dodge neon to a 2010 mustang gt all the same price a month depends what insurance company. i cant be on my parents insurance because they excluded off their policy. I allso live in a apartment, so is it possible to buy a insurance policy in my moms name with her correct sos number and drivers license number and lie and say she lives with me in my appartment and put me as a secondary driver. but the car ill be fiancing so i need full coverage and the car is in my name . My questions are (A) my mom uses lifelock will she find out that i opened a policy in her name. (B) will the insurance company find out about that my mom doesnt live their or would they find out at all. AND MY MOM LIVES AT A ANOTHER ADDRESS. (C) is it legal to own and fiance a car thatS in my name but insurance is not ill be listed as a seconday driver under my mom . (d) my mom WOULD NOT KNOW IM DOING THIS. I KNOW THATS FRAUD BUT U GOT TO DO WHAT U GOTTA DO how would anyone know what im doing and find out about it""

Where can i find realy cheap car insurance for new drivers?

thier are places that have insurance for new drivers for like 100 or something like that. at the moment car insurance for me is 2000 and thats just a rip off i need cheaper options !

Penatlies for lasped car insrance?

Im having problems with my bills and my car insurance payment is due. I want have the money until I get paid in the next couple weeks. what should I do, and if my insurance lapse what are the pentalies for reinstating my coverage??

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/car-insurance-cover-case-my-friend-crashes-linda-chipman"

[robinskalechip]

home - chapter two

robin buckley x reader

warnings: smoking, mild language

a/n: i really enjoyed writing the first chapter, idk how long this will exactly be but let me know if there’s anything else y’all would like to see. also send me hc requests!

not my gif!

chapter two - homecoming

robin had been an hour into her usual after school shift at the video store. steve was sat next to her at the counter reading a comic book dustin gave him.

“i can’t believe you’re actually reading that” robin joked

“ya know i didnt think i’d like it but this professor dude is actually pretty cool-“

before he could finish his thought, the two pair of eyes were immediately captivated by the chaos coming from the store entrance. dustin ran into the store without even acknowledging steve and robin, but immediately turning back towards the entrance where robin recognized a familiar denium.

the girl was yelling at someone down the street, faint barking could be heard, “I DONT CARE IF YOU SAID HE DOESNT BITE IF I SEE A DOG RUNNING AFTER ME, IM RUNNING NO CHANCES MRS. MENDEZ NO CHANCES!”

she closed the push-pull door aggressively and was still panting, trying to catch her breathe until she locked eyes with the hair himself. the smile robin had been thinking about all day had made a tremendous comeback, causing her to smile without her even noticing.

steve’s voice interrupted robin’s mild fazed moment

“MILANI~~”

“HARRINGTON~~”

“MILANI” steve yelled once more as the two ran to each other, steve immediately lifting the girl up and spinning her in his arms. robin’s heart dropped a little. of course.

“PUT ME DOWN OR I SWEAR TO GOD ILL MESS UP THAT PRECIOUS HAIR OF YOURS IN TWO SECONDS FLAT”

steve dropped the girl out of pure fear

her smile quickly turning to a face of slight anger and annoyance as she yelled at dustin, “nO HORROR MOVIES I DONT FEEL LIKE GETTING YELLED AT BY YOUR MOM”

dustin hurriedly put the film back on the shelf and relocated himself to a different genre.

steve was still smiling like an idiot, “when the hell did you get back? oh oH-“ he moved to the counter and disappeared from the girl’s sight for a few seconds and re-emerged with a lunch container in hand. he showed her the box, still smiling like an idiot and placed the box on the counter. once opened he took out a chupa chup lollipop in the flavor of strawberry and presented it to the girl. she stared at him with a blank expression for a few seconds, robin watching confused but also intrigued. the girl grinned and snatched the candy from steve as she said “i got back last night, here for ma” steve’s expression fell.

“yeah i heard some old ladies talking about your mom the other day, i’m sorry sof”

“i’ll be okay harrington, gives me an excuse to come back go hawkins and see the kids and my oldest friend and his legendary mane”

“oH OH IM SO SORRY! sofia, robin. robin, sofia.”

robin chuckled, “we’ve met dingus but it’s the thought that counts”

robin and sofia smiled at each other, perhaps a little too long because steve cleared his throat to make conversation. he was the only one who felt awkward in that silence. “i heard you were in new york, how are things up there”

sofia broke her eye contact that robin and her had held in order to answer steve’s question. “um yeah i work for a paper, get paid pretty well, eat good pizza, and smoke some decent weed here and there, life is good”

dustin interrupted the conversation by placed two film selections onto the counter. sofia picked both up and handed them back to him, “nu uh. one. its a school night, no double features” dustin looked at the girl with furred brows “you’ve been gone for how long now? i need to catch up on lost time and lost movie dates. it’s bad enough you were going to take mike out instead of me on your first night but you’re also going to limit our time together? are you really going to deprive me of that?” sofia lowered herself slightly so she was closer to his face, “you either get two movies and no snacks or one movie and snacks.” the boy quickly picked up one of the films and rushed to return it back to its place while picking up three packs of candy on his way back to the counter.

robin chuckled once again and looked at dustin, “date?”

steve laughed, eager to explain the context before either dustin or sofia, “yeah so when dustin and the rest of the boys were younger, sof’s family would always hang out with mike’s family, so she was around them a lot. they ALL had a crush on sofia so she would do a movie night with a different kid every week”

dustin looked at sofia with a smile, “but im her favorite though...right?”

“honey you know will was always my main man, besides you have suzie poo”, she said mockingly but in the nicest way possible.

they all laughed as sofia payed for dustin’s findings and then adjusted herself to where her elbows were now resting on the counter top. “what time do you guys get off?”

robin was finishing up bagging the items, “8:30 and then the overnighters come in, same most nights”

sofia contemplated, “that’s a little late for dustin but do you guys want to hang out after as three? or maybe this weekend? i was recently informed that sam was throwing a party down by old lake. i was gonna go, see some old friends”

steve laughed looking at robin who joined sofia in holding herself up via elbows on countertop,making them lose a great amount of the space that had been between them, “well I would love to accompany you to the party, unfortunately robin has to do the overnight due to her inability to have faith in my skills”

“skills?”

robin gave steve a look of annoyance as she explained “we had a bet that if he got a girl’s number before we ran out of airheads that i would do the overnight this weekend, we’re both free after work today though if you wanna get a bite”

sofia smiled at her, ignoring steve who was playfully flexing his muscles unironically , “ok, harrington” steve stopped once robin turned to look at him. sofia continued, “meet me at larry’s after work? and be a gentleman and give the beautiful lady a ride” she pushed her elbows off of the countertop and before turning around to leave, she gave robin a wink and harrington a smile. as she walked out she reached into her pocket and brought a packet of cigarettes to her mouth, grabbing one with her teeth.

with the unlit cigarette still between her teeth, she used her back to open the door as she let dustin go through before saying “nine o clock”

robin and steve watched at the two walked down the street, the girl lighting her cigarette in the process

steve looked at robin, “well, looks like you and i have a date”

next chapter

#robin buckley x reader #robin buckley x you #robin x y/n #robin buckley #robin stranger things #robin x you #robin x reader #stranger things fanfiction #stranger things

[michael-hearteyes-wheeler]

As Strange As it Seems

[1] [2]

Chapter 3: Saddle up, Partner!

Read on (AO3) or (FF.net)

[A/N] So, fun fact, I made three moodboards for this fic, and I wanted to find a way to use each of them. Im calling this phase of the fic ‘Act II’, and this moodboard fits the tone better than the original one. I hope its not too confusing lol! And I hope you enjoy chapter three.

The week that followed, went on much the same as opening day. Hot, humid, big crowds, 'Saddle up, Partner', a lunch break that was really just a mad dash to shove something into your face, and then it was off to the rides with Max.

Mostly it was fine. And getting that first paycheck, that was pretty great too, but by far the best part of everyday was right before closing. When the sky turned pink and orange, and the sounds of laughing crowds faded, leaving only the constant calliope jingles to be heard. By Wednesday Max didn't even have to ask for Lucas to join. He would just hop over the counter and they would cross different things off of her checklist. By Friday they had ridden the Scrambler 8 times, and all of the kiddy rides at least a dozen times each.

Still, he was unsure of what to call their relationship. Were they friends? Was she only spending time with him because no one else would agree? Was he overthinking everything? (Probably, yes to the last one, for sure).

The answer, to at least some of his questions, came in an odd form on the last day of the first week.

Saturday had been essentially a repeat of each day before, the only difference was that there was a live performance of some magician happening in the evening. 'Great Value brand Mind-Freak' as Dustin had referred to him. Which was, all things considered, pretty accurate. But it also meant that most of the rides, as well as the midway would be closing early, and that during the 'pre-show' show, Lucas's lunch break was extended to a full hour. A gift from god himself.

Lucas decided that a milkshake sounded pretty good. But, then again, so did the idea of a bucket of ice getting dumped on his head. He made his was towards the cart he had come to frequent over the last several days.

"Aw hey, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Dustin grinned toothily from behind the food stands sliding glass window. He had his curly mop of hair pulled back in a messy ponytail to help keep off some of the heat. He wore a little paper hat with the fairs logo, and a striped polo that reminded Lucas of something an old timey barber might wear.

"It's my break, I just came to beat the heat." Lucas looked past his friend into the little booth, wear a row of slushie machines sat churning their sweet treats.

"Well come on in then!" Dustin disappeared from his place behind the window, and popped out of a small door a moment later, gesturing for Lucas to follow.

The space inside the cart was small, and what little floor space there was was covering in shipment boxes of food. A giant fan sat on the back wall above a small window, and a cooling breeze pushed its way through the space. There was a bubbling deep fryer for elephant ears, and another one for curly fries. There was a big class cooler with buckets of ice cream inside, and a long counter covered in sprinkles that didn't quite hit their target.

Lucas found a place to sit on top of a couple of sturdier boxes, and Dustin busted around the cart, like a well tuned machine, making them both milkshakes all without breaking conversation.

"I swear, some of these people have to be millionaires. $5 for a large fry!? You have to be kidding me! That's really the only perk though, that I get to eat for free." Dustin handed Lucas his shake before leaning against the counter opposite him.

"At least your job has a perk. I just have to stand there all day and press a button a thousand times." Lucas leaned back against the cool metal walls of the cart. He only then realized how sore his feet were.

"Don't sweat it, you get to close up early and run around while i'm still in here slaving away." Dustin paused to take a sip from his shake. "And besides, I can't think of a pretty good perk that you have."

Lucas furrowed his brows. "And what might that be?"

"You work directly across from Max! I'll bet you anything that the two of you fall in love before the end of the summer." Dustin winked and Lucas groaned.

"First of all, that's ridiculous. Second of all, we both just like rides. It's not like we get to just hang out all day, unless I yelled across the walkway, and that would just be weird."

"Look, ill i'm saying is that on your break you could have gone and chatted up a cool girl, but instead you came and talked to me." Lucas could feel a headache coming on from the amount of eye rolling he was doing. Why had he come here in the first place?

"Alright, Henderson, time for our switch." A voice called gruffy from the back of the cart. The boys turned to look at the woman who was clambering through the cramped space. She was older, with grey blonde hair pulled up into a hair net, and the face of a bulldog. An unlit cigarette dangled from her lips.

"Thanks Susan!" Dustin said as he hurriedly grabbed his things, and motioned for Lucas to follow. Lucas watched Susan give him an uneasy look up and down before turning to the window.

As soon as they were outside, Dustin untucked his polo shirt, and tossed his already finished shake into the trash.

"Thats Susan. She's one tough nut to crack. I used some of my best food puns on her, and nothing! Not even a chuckle!"

"Well yeah, if they were your food puns then im sure not." Lucas joked, elbowing his friend in the ribs as they walked.

"Haha very funny. You wanna go see Will? I think the backstage has AC."

"Hell yeah!"

They backstage did have AC. It hit them both like a wall, stepping into utter paradise. It looked a lot different than it did the first time they had walked through. The cavernous room was filled with people rushing back and forth across its cement floor. People yelling things at one another, people hoisting things up on ropes, and Will himself painting lazily in the corner, looking bored out of his mind, across from a wildly gesticulating Mike.

"Will Byers!" Lucas hollered, cupping his hands around his mouth to make his voice boom through the space. Nearly everyone turned and scowled at him before continuing about their business.

"Oh! Hey guys, what's going on?" Will set down his paintbrush, and wiped his hands on his apron. Mike stopped whatever he had been going on about and turned to wave at them.

"We were hot," Dustin plopped down on the cool ground at Will's feet. "And Susan scares me, so we came here to bother you."

"Well, there isn't anything interesting going on here." Will shrugged. He looked... off. Sad Maybe? Disappointed? Lucas couldn't quite place it. He made a mental note to ask him later. "But you could probably hide out here all day. I'm still not even sure who is in charge back here."

"William, I might just take you up on that." Dustin leaned against a large wooden crate, arms tucked behind his head and legs outstretched.

They all sat and talked for the rest of Lucas's break. It was nice, catching up, and it affirmed what he already knew to be true. That it really was more fun that they had agreed to join him. If it weren't for his friends being there to hang out with, he would probably have just been standing around the Midway like an idiot. That, or be off spending his entire paycheck at the arcade.

"And then, he got off the ride and basically fell over the edge! He was passed out for like five minutes! I thought we were going to have to call the paramedics." Mike was telling them a story about one of their old Middle School bullies, who handled the Tilt-A-Whirl with the grace of a dying whale. They were all howling with laughter. "The best part is that his date didn't even wait for him! She just went home!"

"Serves him right!" Dustin chuckled, wiping a tear from his eye. "God I wish I could have seen that."

"It was pretty great. Definitely blows the Hotdog Incident out of the water." He finger quoted the words and Will smirked up at him.

Just then, Lucas's watch beeped. He sighed, and stood up, dusting his jeans off. "Alright guys, I gotta get back out there. Are you all going to watch the show?"

"Yeah, may as well." Mike shrugged and Dustin nodded. Will looked like he wanted to say something, but he didnt.

"Cool, i'll find you guys later then."

Lucas made his way back through the fairgrounds, passing happy families and rambunctious teenagers, towards the shooting gallery. He made the trek take as long as possible, shuffling his feet slowly across the dirt pathways. By the time he got back to the midway, the crowds had mostly cleared out. People were already flocking to the stage, wanting to find the best places to stand to watch whatever bogus tricks would be performed. Lucas imagined a lot of smoke and mirrors and sequins. As he neared the game booths, he couldn't help but look up as he passed by Max's stand. His heart dropped momentarily when he saw that she wasn't behind the sunbleached counter, and instead some other bored looking teenager stood in her place.

It wasn't until he turned the corner to his own booth that he saw where exactly she had run off too.

Max was sitting on the shooting gallery counter, swinging her tanned legs casually and drinking from a bottle of orange soda that almost matched her hair in color. When she saw Lucas in the corner of her eye, she turned and smirked.

"Your break ended ten minutes ago." She scolded playfully, hopping from the counter.

"Uh yeah I know I... Had to wait in a long line for the bathrooms." Lucas winced at his own lame excuse. Smooth, Sinclair, really smooth. He didn't think that taking his sweet time on the walk back would affect anyone he actually cared about. Not that he cared about Max, no not at all (aside from the fact that he cared a lot).

"Shame on you, Lucas, look at all of these customers just begging to shoot something!" Max gestured out at the completely empty space around the booth mockingly. "You have deprived them of a good time, and now their entire trip is ruined all because of your small bladder."

Lucas felt himself smile as her condescending facade faded into a giggle. "Sorry Miss Mayfield, i'll make sure to keep my bladder in check next time."

Max laughed hard at that, and it was a sound that made Lucas's face feel hot. "See that you do. You wanna make it up to me?"

"Sure, how?"

"Let me kick your ass in a shooting contest." She patted the top of one of the plastic guns.

"You can try, but I hate to break it to you, i'm the best sharp shooter in Roane County." Lucas crossed his arms in defiance. He really was good, if not on his credentials shooting tin cans with his wrist rocket as a kid, then the week of practice he had amassed working here would surely secure his victory.

"We'll see about that, wont we?" Max flipped her hair over her shoulder as she took her place behind the player 2 shotgun. Lucas smiled and followed suit. After they were both in position, Lucas leaned over the counter and pressed the little red start button hidden underneath.

"Saddle up, Partner." Max and Lucas both spoke along with the games droning prerecording, having heard it a million times before. It made them both laugh before they fixed their rifles in their hands. Then, a western themed song played, and it was off to the races.

Little cardboard cutouts of sharp shooters and bandits would flip up with a number telling you how many points each hit was worth. Some moved slowly and were easy to hit, others flipped up for only a few seconds before flipping back down again. However, it's not exactly that simple, because hitting the cowboy, his horse, or a barmaid will deduct points.

Max and Lucas were firing at full speed. Each turning and aiming, the barrel of their guns crossing on a couple of occasion as Lucas went for a 10 point bandit, and Max went for a 15 point burglar.

"Stay on your side, Stalker!" Max hissed, determination and excitement in her voice.

"I will if you-" Bang "Do!" Lucas taunted back.

Lucas felt pretty confident, there weren't many targets he was missing, and he only hit the Cowboy once. It was probably his best game so far. Max was doing pretty well too. Aiming low and high, getting heavily invested and cheering after she caught the big 50 pointer that flashes up only for a split second. They were both laughing and bumping into one another before;

"That's some sharp shooting, buckaroo!" The game signaled that the round was over. Each cutout lowered back into place, and they returned their guns to the stands on the counter. They were both panting slightly, grinning from ear to ear. At least until Lucas looked up at the scoreboard.

Player 1: 445 - Player 2: 560

"Holy shit!" Max cheered, "I totally owned you!" She threw her arms up and spun in a small circle. Lucas's mouth just hung open. "Oh man, like I mean, I knew I was going too, but you weren't even close!" She punched his arm.

"Jeez, someone is really a sore winner." Lucas chastised and Max threw her head back in a loud cackling laugh. The same laugh that she always had when they were whirling together on rides.

"I can't help it!" She giggled, "You are just so fun to beat. Your face gets all confused and then you scrunch your eyebrows together."

Lucas felt his eyebrows, involuntarily, press together.

"Yeah, like that!" She laughed again and flicked his forehead. If it had been anyone else, he probably would have smacked their hand away.

"Yeah yeah yeah, congratulations or whatever, are we even now?" Lucas crossed his arms, watching her dance in place celebratorily.

"Totally even, I mean, i'm still going to gloat about this for the rest of today, and maybe forever, but we are even." She lifted her chin, looking proud.

"Until I find something I can beat you at."

"Is that a threat, Stalker? Video games are kind of the only thing i'm good at, and i'm really good."

Something really honest past through her eyes at this last rib. He realized that he had never heard Max say anything even remotely self-deprecating before. Not even to be funny. It was strange. It felt off.

"Hey, that's not even fair, you are good at lots of things, maybe just... extra good at video games."

Max looked at him puzzled for a moment. She was still smiling, but her eyes peered deeply into his own, shifting back and forth, almost like she was reading him.

"Okay. Maybe just extra good." She grimaced, her mouth turning downward crookedly.

He felt as though he had stepped into some sort of weird, uncomfortable, territory.

"I will find something to beat you at though. One day." He smiled as earnestly as possible, and let himself slouch against the counter, wanting to change the energy of the situation.

"Well," She slouched beside him, her face shifting back to a more normal, playful one, "If that day ever comes, then i'll owe you big time."

"Oh yeah? Like what?"

Her face shifted yet again. She was closer to him now, looking up at him. He could see the small flecks of green that framed her brilliant, blue eyes. How had he never noticed that before? She was looking... Mischievous. Like she had a secret she was just dying to tell.

"I will tell you when and if that day comes, Stalker, but for now, you have made me miss some of my lunch break." She punched his arm, again, and pushed herself off of the counter.

"Hey, you were the one who wanted to play!" He hollered as she began walking back towards the main part of the fair.

She didn't respond, or if she did, he didnt hear it, but his heart buzzed in his ears. That small exchange had told him... well, nothing really. If anything it just gave him more questions. Max was always making him second guess and over think things. Which was, admittedly, really out of character for him. He was always the 'level-headed' friend. The one who said 'No, Dustin, you shouldn't try to eat a burger in one bite.' and 'No, Mike, you shouldn't spend all weekend trapped in the basement, come have fun.' It kind of alarmed him, actually, the fact that she could waltz over to him, flash a smile, and his brain would turn into mush. He sighed, and hopped over the counter back into his station.

The midway closed soon after that. There were just no crowds to try to sell too, and the entire carnival was basically empty save for the Main Stage. Lucas walked off after being relieved for the night, and he met up with Dustin as soon as the food cart closed. Together they found Mike, and then Mike found El and Max. Soon the entire group was on a mission, searching high (and mostly low) for Will. If he was somewhere deeper in the crowd, the thought of finding him would have to be dashed, but he made himself be found in a way that left the entire group reeling.

Will Byers. On stage, dressed in some ridiculous, blue velvet suit, being locked inside of a gaudy box by the magician.

The group was at a loss, silent and in awe, just like the rest of the crowd, but for very different reasons. Will had always been shy. More a behind the scenes sort of personality. It was immediately agreed upon that he had either been bribed, blackmailed, or hypnotized.

Will stepped out from behind a curtain. The Magician introduced him to the crowd as 'The Invisible boy!' He was asked to step inside of a huge rectangular box in the middle of the stage. Everything about Will, the Magician, and the box shimmered in the dusk lighting. Lucas had been right about the sequins, there was no denying that. Will did as he was asked, looking less 'mystified', and more just terrified.

The Magician tapped on the box several times, spinning it around, then spinning it again to show it was a solid structure. Then, he said some sort of magical word gibberish, and swung the door open. Only Will, and his very horrible suit, were gone. In his place was a beautiful and busty woman wearing a swimsuit version of that blue velvet ensemble.

The crowd went nuts, and so did the Party, but again, for very different reasons. Max and Dustin both cupped their hands around their mouths to let out loud and ear piercing applause, before Max grabbed Lucas by the hand, and pulled him towards the backstage area. He could feel the others behind him, but mostly he could just feel Max holding his hand tightly.

They found Will in the dressing room, hanging his suit delicately onto a hanger. He looked green with nausea, and pink with embarrassment all at the same time.

"William Byers!" Dustin gasped.

"Please, please for the love of god, tell me you weren't watching the show." Will groaned somberly.

"Oh, we watched buddy, and you killed it! Who knew royal blue was your color!"

"I didn't kill anything. I just looked like an idiot and walked into a box." Will rolled his eyes.

"You didn't look like an idiot," Mike placed a hand on Will's shoulder. "It was... surprising, but cool. Why did you go out there?"

"I guess the normal assistant for that part never showed up, and i'm the only person small enough to fit through the trap door." He shrugged.

"Trap doors!? Thats awesome! You have to give me a secret tour." Max winked at him and mussed his hair like a mom. That made him smile as he smoothed his hair back into place. Max speaking made Lucas realize that she was still holding his hand tightly. She must have noticed too, because she dropped it, and stuck her hand in her pocket.

"Yeah, sure, maybe. Can we just go? It's going to be crazy getting out of here." Will sometimes did this thing where he would anxiously bounce in place. It was nowhere near the level of twitching and bouncing that Mike often demonstrated, but it was his own version of it. And that's how he looked now, his flush face, and hair bouncing as his eyes flickered to the exit.

It made Lucas remember that sad expression he had worn when they saw him backstage. Was this the reason? Being forced out of his comfort zone? Either way, they all nodded and followed him outside.

"Sure, whatever you say, Invisible boy."

Will just groaned.

The group made their way out into the parking lot. It was basically silent. The only sounds were the 'oo's' and 'aa's' coming from the crowd still inside the gates. It had become a routine for the girls to walk with them to the van, before deciding it was really time to go home, and walking to Max's own car. It was nice, and the conversations they all shared before splitting lasted longer and longer each day.

El was talking about someone who came through the ticket line and had made a big fuss about the price. They all commiserate with her and laughed at her jokes. She was surprisingly really funny, in an understated sort of way. Unlike Dustin, who told a story about some kid who wanted sour apple sherbet and vanilla ice cream, and they all laughed about that too. It felt so... natural. Like they all got along, and the conversation never fell into awkward silence or a dead lull. Not with personalities like Dustin and Max, who bickered over basically everything as if they were old chums. Somewhere the path of the conversation had become skewed to comic's, and it was all downhill from there.

"Dustin, shut up, seriously, if I hear you say one more thing about the MCU im going to kick you." Max rolled her eyes and laughed.

"I'm just saying! It's an objectively better franchise with objectively better narratives!"

"Yeah, I think we all caught that. I even like Marvel movies, and you are making me want to pull my hair out." She flipped her hair back over her shoulder, as if to prove a point, and turned away from him to Lucas. They were sitting on the floor of the van through the open sliding door. "Anyway, Stalker, I have to go before I kill your friend."

"Hey, it's your life, you can kill whoever you want."

"You promise you would still be my friend after?" She put a hand in front of her mouth, as if to keep it a secret, although she still talked loud enough for anyone to hear. Mike chuckled and Dustin sighed.

"Max, if you did something to shut Dustin up? I might be your best friend."

"Alright, it's settled then," She clapped her hands together. "Dustin your days are numbered, El you have been replaced."

"Oh get bent, Maxine." El teased back. El was currently leaning into Mike, who had one arm wrapped around her shoulders, and one arm wrapped around Will's shoulders.

Max popped up from her seat next to Lucas with a smirk, pinching El on the arm. "Let's get out of here, lover girl, I can feel them destroying my last good brain cells." And then she sauntered off, her hair swishing back and forth.

"You know," El began as she stepped out from under Mike's arm, "She only insults people that she likes." And then El was off too, waving goodbye and following her friend to their car.

"Jeez, Dustin, then you must be her favorite." Will said with a grin.

"Hey now, I like Max as much as the next guy, but I think we all know who her favorite is." Dustin gave Lucas a shove as he moved past him into the van.

He didn't respond, not being able to think of a good enough comeback, and he let himself smile. Everyone took their normal seats, and they set off just as the sun dipped below the horizon.

The drive back to Hawkins each day felt as though it was getting faster and faster. Maybe it was because of Will's expertly made playlists, or maybe it was just that they had now made the drive seven times. Either way, it was a nice and fulfilling experience to watch the sky get darker, as the long stretches of farmland faded into quiet suburban neighborhoods.

Before he knew it, Dustin was pulling onto Maple Street, and he and Mike were jumping out of the car.

It was now their first official weekend off of work. The fair was closed on Sundays and Mondays, and the group was looking forward to not doing much of anything. They had talked passively somewhere around Thursday at having a movie night, but if those plans fell through, Lucas probably wouldn't complain. He was looking forward to just sleeping in, and maybe using his paycheck to buy some better shoes for standing in.

When he walked inside, His dad was sitting in the easy chair in the living room watching some History channel documentary. His mom was in the kitchen washing up from supper. He heard the TV go silent and took a seat at the breakfast table in front of a plate of leftovers.

"Hey, son, how was work?" His dad bellowed.

"It was good!" He replied through a mouthful of mashed potatoes.

"Oh! I saved you a plate from din-" His mom turned around from the sink, "Oh well look at you, are you eating enough at work? Do I need to start sending you with a lunch?" His mom was always the type to fus about whether or not he was eating enough. She was a great cook, so the answer was almost always yes.

"Im fine, Ma, dont worry about it."

"Okay, well you just let me know." She turned back to the sink. "Work is going well? You and your friends are having a good time?"

"And what about you girlfriend?" Lucas eyes shot up to where his little sister, Erica, was spying on him from the stairs.

"Shut up, Erica! You- You don't even... That's not!" He stuttered, dropping his fork back onto his plate. "Why do you-"

"You should know by now that I hear everything." Erica walked into the kitchen and stole one of his diner rolls.

"Erica! Leave your brother alone, and I think you have had enough bread today." His mom scolded, ringing her hands on a rag.

"It's not my fault he talks so loud!" She shrugged, and turned to stomp back upstairs. He liked his little sister a lot, but she was probably the nosiest person he had ever met.

"I- I don't have a girlfriend." Lucas crossed his arms, suddenly feeling not hungry at all.

"Mmmhmm." His mom hummed.

"Mom! I don't!"

"That's fine, I didn't say anything. Now you wash up before bed, you smell like a churro." She pinched his check and walked into the living room.

Lucas sighed, but he smiled to himself. He finished his food and washed his plate, and all the while he thought about Max. He realized that she had said they were friends, and that made him want to dance in place the same way she had after beating him at the Shooting Gallery. It was an affirmation to at least one of the dozens of questions he had about her.

That at the very least, they were friends. And that was good enough for him, figuring that was as far as he was ever going to get.

At least for now.

Tagging:  @stranger-things85 @bestcoastisthewestcoast@she-who-the-river-could-not-hold @dustinhendrsn @samchamberlain @paladin-wheeler@peachysteve @summer-in-hawkins @elliehops @midnightmillie @el-hopper @puzzlingsnark@zerodoubleone@lumaxfanfictionarchive @bob-newby-superhero @sweet-sugar-sunsets @caseyk112

#yay chapter three! #this has honestly been so fun that ive just been blowing through it #fun fluff stuff #my writing #lumax #stranger things #stranger things 2 #stranger things fic #stranger things fanfiction #strangerthings #strangerthings fanficion #lucas sinclair #lucas sinclair fanfic #lucas sinclair drabbles #max mayfield #max mayfield fanfiction #max mayfield drabbles #lucas x max #madmax #max x lucas

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'I completely lost it': the movie scenes that made our writers weep

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'I completely lost it': the movie scenes that made our writers weep

From Toy Story 2 to Under the Skin, writers pick the cinematic moments that made them cry and explain why. Spoilers ahead

Aunt Lucys trip, Paddington 2

On the face of it, Paddington is a fairly broad kids film franchise about the hijinks of a CGI bear, and so probably shouldnt make a grown human cry hot, salty tears. But that description ignores the fact that Paddington is a really, really well-made kids film franchise about the hijinks of a CGI bear, one that completely gets the pathos of its central character, a little lost immigrant searching for something resembling a family. Both films ably tug at the heartstrings, but the second film got me sniffling as early as 15 minutes in when Paddington imagines giving his only living relative, Aunt Lucy, a tour around London, something that in reality is impossible as shes stuck thousands of miles away in darkest Peru. When at the end of the film spoiler alert Aunt Lucy arrives on the Brown familys doorstep and she and Paddington hug, I completely, unapologetically lost it. Lord knows what surprises Paddington 3 has planned for my tear ducts. GM

When She Loved Me, Toy Story 2

Just before writing this, I put When She Loved Me from Toy Story 2 on YouTube once again, just to check. Yep. Just as always, I choke up, in the same abject, lip-wobbling, head-bowed way. It still has that terrible power.

When She Loved Me is the song written by Randy Newman and sung by the devastated toy cowgirl Jessie and in fact performed, beautifully, on the soundtrack by Canadian singer Sarah McLachlan. The song is Jessies way of telling Woody why she has grimly decided to submit to the airless world of the toy museum, because it is better than the inevitable heartbreak and delusion of loving a fickle human child. She reveals her anguish that her owner, Emily, has fallen out of love with her outgrown her, in fact. As Emily entered the world of adolescence, pop music and boys, Jessie was left under the bed and finally dumped.

When I first saw this scene and misled by the size disparity between toy and owner I thought it was a parable for a childs anxiety over being abandoned by the parent. But now that I am a parent I can see the truth which is completely the opposite way around. It is about the parents fear of being abandoned by the child: the terrible fear, actually the terrible certainty, that the kid one day wont want to play with you. They will grow up and want something else. This song is utterly devastating. It is modern cinemas equivalent of the Vesti La Giubba aria from Pagliacci the tragic clown smiling on the outside but crying on the inside. Im afraid to watch it too often. I dont want to break down over and over again. But I also want to preserve its power over me. PB

Ruths death, Fried Green Tomatoes

In many respects, Fried Green Tomatoes is not a movie for the modern age. It is a story about racism in the deep south told largely by way of eliciting our sympathies for wealthy white characters; it is a story about a lesbian relationship that had to slide its lesbian relationship in unnoticed, by presenting it as a very close friendship fulfilled by food fights, poker games and heads leaning meaningfully on shoulders. But I am deeply fond of this 1991 Sunday afternoon classic. Ive seen it more times than is healthy, and so I know exactly what is coming and when, and yet am still unable to resist the inevitable guttural sobbing that comes with the death scene.

There are plenty of teasers for it, too: Buddy on the train tracks, even Mrs Threadgoode talking about the death of her adult son. Nothing, however, can prepare the viewer for Ruth asking Idgie to tell her the old story about the frozen lake thats now somewhere over in Georgia. It doesnt so much pull on heartstrings as play a full symphony on them, and its devastating. As Sipsey puts it, a lady always knows when to leave. RN

The rooftop dance, Eat Pray Love

While I was repelled by the mere existence of the Eat Pray Love book, I found something strangely charming about its big-screen translation. It was a mixture of glossy food porn, glossy travel porn and glossy Julia Roberts emoting porn (she remains one of the best fake criers in Hollywood) all wrapped up in a rather unique tale of a woman trying to unshackle herself from the men in her life. But while that all provided mostly surface-level enjoyment, one scene cut deeper and the extent to which it cuts surprises me still.

As is often with the case with movie tears, these were tied to a real-world experience that had happened not long before I sat down to watch. I was dumped by a long-term boyfriend without much of an explanation and without any sort of warning. I was heartbroken and seeking some form of closure that was kept cruelly out of reach. I didnt understand why it had happened and it was the not knowing that felt harder than the break-up itself.

In the film, Roberts character has left her flighty husband and remains haunted by the heartbreak shes caused. On a rooftop in Delhi, a vision of him appears and they dance to Neil Youngs heart-grabbing Harvest Moon, the song that was supposed to accompany their first wedding dance. She reminds him that she did love him. He tells her he still loves and misses her. They cry and continue to dance. At the end, she tells him that it wont last forever, nothing does. Its a short scene but it hit me like a bus, it still does now. My tears are for the film but theyre also for something deeper: the sting of loving someone who stopped loving me and the ache of an ending I was never allowed in real life. BL

The thunderstorm, Click

Adam Sandler can make me cry harder than hes ever made me laugh, the true test of a clown. Yes, even in the underappreciated comedy Click about a dad who finds a magical remote control in the Beyond section of Bed Bath & Beyond.

Sandlers workaholic architect fast-forwards through the worst parts of his day the dull weeknight frozen dinners with his family, the repetitive arguments, the gross times everyone gets knocked out by the flu in order to get to his next promotion so he can buy his kids whatever they want. His plan doesnt go well, of course. But whats shocking is how gut-rippingly painful it is to see Sandler hit play on his life only to realize hes skipped past everything that matters. His bodys been present, the bills have been paid, but his emotional engagements been staticky a trade-off too many of us can understand.

In the climax, old man Sandler sobs in a thunderstorm as he arrives at his daughters wedding only to learn shed rather her stepdad walk her down the aisle, and his son has grown up to mimic his job-first, family-second example. I rarely cry at unavoidable tragedies where no ones at fault. My weakness is characters regretting choices they cant rewind. Click isnt Ingmar Bergman Sandler gets a happy ending but I barely saw his relief through the rainstorm on my face. AN

The courtroom, Kramer vs Kramer

By all accounts, Robert Bentons film Kramer vs Kramer skews heavily toward Dustin Hoffmans Ted, whose wife Joanna has left him and their six-year-old son Billy. Billy and Ted make french toast together, or argue about eating ice cream before dinner, or visit the nearby jungle gym. Were it not for Meryl Streep and the trenchant, intuitive way she humanizes a woman who, in the 70s, would have otherwise been made to seem mawkish and unstable Kramer vs Kramer might be just a schmaltzy panegyric on fatherhood.

But leave it to our greatest living actor to turn a film on its head with a single scene. You know the one: Joanna, during the custody hearing, is subjected to a string of sexist questions about her failure as a wife and a mother. When asked why shes seeking custody of Billy, she blinks three times, beginning the monologue Streep herself wrote in an effort to redeem her character, who she initially perceived to be an ogre, a princess, an ass.

Billys only seven years old. He needs me, she says, reciting the word need with a whispery uptick as she glances at her ex. Im not saying he doesnt need his father. But I really believe he needs me more. After catching her breath, she becomes more emphatic: I was his mommy for five and a half years. Since I was about Billys age when my parents got divorced, ergo, too young to understand or even care, Ive always been astonished and, by proxy, moved by how compassionately Streep plumbs the depths of Joannas truth. JN

The beach, Under the Skin

Little focuses the mind more effectively on human distress than the arrival of your own kids; scenes in films which I might once have snoozed through now induce boggle-eyed terror OH MY GOD, DONT LEAVE THAT BABY NEAR THAT COFFEE TABLE, IT HASNT GOT A CORNER PROTECTOR! But nothing has topped at least, not yet the scene in Under the Skin where Scarlett Johansson murders a swimmer and drags him off to eat him.

Its not the murder thats so epically upsetting, though its gruesome enough: Johansson, playing an alien visitor permanently on the lookout for human nutrients, simply bangs him over the head with a large stone as he lies prone and exhausted on the beach. Its what goes on in the background that is so awful. A woman goes into the water to try and rescue her drowning dog, and her male partner instinctively rushes in after her, leaving their toddler alone high on the shore. Johanssons chum the only other adult on this lonely Scottish beach goes to help too.

With the speed of falling dominoes, a nice little day out unravels: the mother and father are swept away to who knows where, and the alien takes her chance to acquire their would-be rescuer as a food source. Meanwhile, the suddenly abandoned kid is shrieking in terror as the night closes in. Another, less astute film-maker, might cap the scene with the alien scooping the kid up and adding him to her dinner menu, but what Glazer contrives is absolutely horrifying. Johansson-alien simply ignores it, and leaves it alone. The film moves on, this incident consigned to the past.

I have to confess I was absolutely blindsided by the scene; mostly, I think, because of the its sheer unexpectedness. I think I was gripped by a kind of internal hysteria: shock, hyperventilation, a feeling the back of my head might explode. (I cant say I actually cried though I may have, but in the confusion I cant really remember.) I certainly had to hold on to the seat to stop myself bolting out of the cinema then and there. I am aware theres a some degree of self-indulgence here: the fact that my daughter was about the same age as the kid in the film undoubtedly super-sensitised my reactions. But everyone has their weak spot; this is very much mine. AP

The birth, Cheaper by the Dozen 2

Cheaper by the Dozen 2, if you havent seen it you probably havent, why would you have? is the sequel to the remake of family comedy Cheaper by the Dozen, and Im sure it was made because Steve Martin, the star of the franchise, needed to pay his mortgage. The main gist of the movie is that Martin and his wife, played by Bonnie Hunt, have 12 children who get into various japes. Its asinine. But during a time in my life when I was making a lot of transatlantic flights, Cheaper By the Dozen 2 was always an option on the British Airways seatback televisions, and one day I found, because of the frequency of my flights, I had watched all of the other films.

What choice did I have? At the climactic scene, where the oldest daughter, played by Piper Perabo, gives birth, and then names the baby after her father because he has shown her that there is no way to be a perfect parent, but a million ways to be a really good one, I cried so much the man sitting next to me regarded me with what appeared to be real concern. There may have not been enough cocktail napkins on the whole plane to dry my tears. Was it the recycled air? Was it the two miniature bottles of white wine? Or was it that a joyful childbirth scene can warm the cockles of even the coldest of hearts? JHE

The accidental reunion, Manchester by the Sea

Weve got a real talent for repression back in Massachusetts. Kenneth Lonergans searing Manchester by the Sea plays out a 15-minute drive from my childhood home and, true to life, the characters all struggle to articulate the perfect storms of emotion raging within them.

When Lee (Casey Affleck) has a chance encounter with his ex-wife Randi (Michelle Williams), the shared history between them is literally unspeakable. They sputter out fragments of sentences that act as a shorthand for vast reservoirs of guilt and self-loathing they cant bear to express, and because they know one another so intimately, they can intuit all the meaning they have to. Theyve both shoved a lot deep down inside just so they can look at themselves in the mirror, and when in the presence of the only other person on the planet who understands what theyve been through, some of it has to come out. Randi does most of the talking, inviting Lee to lunch so they can get some closure, and he ends the conversation by walking away. Shes ready to face her past and be fully present in the new life shes built for herself. Lee, a North Shore boy born and bred, feels more comfortable starting a bar fight as his form of therapy. CB

The hotel, Unrelated

Joanna Hoggs first film, Unrelated, has had something of a second life on account of being the debut of Tom Hiddleston, and set during a Tuscan summer, which means swimming pool, which means toplessness, and lots of it. Its nice to imagine the Loki-lovers streaming this masterpiece of English upper-middle-class excruciation. As its ending shows, specificity is no barrier to emotional oomph.

The story sees a woman in her early 40s, Anna (Kathryn Worth), holidaying with old friends and their teenage children. She finds she prefers the company of the kids, especially the charming Oakley (Hiddleston, then 26, playing eight years younger). The holiday implodes. Anna goes to stay at a grim airport hotel. Her friend visits, crossly wanting to know whats behind her behaviour. Anna explains that, quite recently, she thought she was pregnant but no, in fact, it was an early menopause. Shell never be able to have children. She sobs and bends double on the bed. It is shot in one take, from the middle distance, acted with a banal frankness which feels like eavesdropping.

When I saw it a decade back, it floored me: a twist I hadnt foreseen, a pain I could only imagine. A few years ago, I began consciously avoiding the film, fearful a similar fate awaited me. Now I can safely watch it again or, I thought I could, but Hogg is much too superb and mysterious a film-maker for that. It isnt simply the information which is terrible, it is the dreadful catharsis of its expression, coming after so much obfuscation. The stifle has gone; instead there is the most awful sadness. Buttoning up is often the bravest way. CS

Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/us