Date: July 24, 2021 06:34 pm Title: Chapter 40
Finally Thorne gets what's coming to him. Besides badgering the witness, which is against protocol, he's also asking questions that were already answered. Another objectionable protocol breach. However what he did was also criminal in that he showed contempt of court. Really glad the judge finally put her foot down and had Thorne and Roy finally removed from the courtroom. In fact as soon as I'm done writing this I'm going to go re-read that part because I liked it so much.
Feels like that was the last big test for Pam. There may be smaller tests to combat in the future, but that was the big one and she passed. She made sure everyone know what kind of monster Roy was even while a scumbag lawyer was trying to twist her words.
Then after all that drama, there's Jim. He just knows she needs peace and quiet after a day like that. To just sit still and be together. Lovely way to end this chapter. Really great job with this one.
Date: July 13, 2021 03:40 pm Title: Chapter 39
I thought this was wonderfully written but was a hard read *because* it was wonderfully written. You make the emotions pop out from the page in the most realistic way. And a very uplifting moment at the end that Pam knows she's beaten him, whatever the outcome.
Date: July 11, 2021 11:39 pm Title: Chapter 39
What a beautiful way to end the chapter!
Date: July 11, 2021 03:55 pm Title: Chapter 39
Murphy could have also raised the objection that Thorne was badgering the witness. Also how many chances is Judge Summers really going to give Thorne? She keeps saying things like "this is your warning," but then he goes right back into his slimy tricks. Thorne crossed the line many times there. Hopefully Summers finally puts her foot down and rakes him and Roy over the coals.
Tons of emotions with Pam here. Going through the highs and lows of everything. Really glad she and Jim had a chance to have a moment before her cross-examination. I really get why she'd be feeling so lost. To have to have everything, her history out there in the open, and for Thorne to try and use it against her like that would be hard for anyone.
However finally she breaks Roy. She's not the same woman she was when she was with him. She's found her courage, she's found true love, she's found herself. She's found a fire in her burning so hot and strong that a creature of darkness like Roy is powerless against it. Loved that moment.
As always I'm really looking forward to the next update.
1 [Report This]Date: July 11, 2021 03:23 pm Title: Chapter 1
Overall story jelly beans accumulated here.
1 [Report This]Date: July 11, 2021 03:22 pm Title: Chapter 39
The holding room scene between Pam and Jim is so evocative. Two exhausted people checking in, staying in touch in the brief moment in a difficult day. It deserves a jelly bean on its own merit.
The layers of filth metaphor and Pam recognizing the filth is all Roy's is so good. The dirt was only clothing she donned while she was with him.
The last four paragraphs are a marvel. Pam finds the courage to face down her abuser. Such a very hard thing to do.
He folded like a cheap suit, and she has every right to feel vindicated, euphoric even. A victory lap around the courtroom wouldn't be amiss in that moment though I doubt the judge would take kindly to it. I don't doubt the judge who has probably seen her fair share of domestic violence cases saw that moment as well and recognized it for the turning point it is. Victim-no-more defeats abuser.
Good onya.
Date: July 11, 2021 02:37 pm Title: Chapter 39
This is a very lovely moment you've created with Jim at the beginning - reminding her that there's a future to look forward to after this painful journey through her past.
Date: July 11, 2021 02:34 pm Title: Chapter 39
Good for Pam.
She handled herself really well.
I’m happy to see that no matter what happens to
Roy she knows she is free of him. I have to say that I’m still not a fan of Pam’s mom, so a part of me wants her to feel major guilt over how she handled the situation with Roy. Yes Roy lied to Pam’s mom, but Helene still should have put her daughter first instead of pushing Pam back to Roy.
I can’t say I’m surprised that Roy thinks of himself as the victim. That’s why he doesn’t see himself as doing anything wrong. It certainly doesn’t help to have a mom like what Roy has. It was good to know that the judge can understand that Pam’s sexual history has nothing to do with the abuse because even she did cheat on Roy, that doesn’t give Roy license to attack Pam.
Please update soon!
Date: July 01, 2021 03:38 pm Title: Chapter 38
Again, it's really interesting seeing all this again from the perspective of a safer, freer Pam, able to reflect on it. Shows a lot of how she's grown.
Date: June 30, 2021 09:20 pm Title: Chapter 38
Oh no! I’m so sorry to read that you lost your notes. I hope you don’t give up on this story though, even if it takes some time to get the ideas back.
Date: June 30, 2021 04:59 pm Title: Chapter 38
A very tense chapter for Pam.
Between the heavy silence of the courtroom,
and Roy having to be guarded by two security officers because of his outbursts, I hope that
it leaves a huge impact on the jury to convict Roy.
Pam was right in that if Roy is let go he’ll make
Pam’s life a living hell and/or another woman.
Date: June 30, 2021 04:06 pm Title: Chapter 38
Very gripping testimony from Pam here. Having to re-live it all and in open court. I think Murphy did an excellent job of painting the picture. Roy was/is a monster who did everything he could to break Pam. Came close too. However she did find the strength to escape. She had Jim to believe her. She's in a much better place now. But I think it's good for Murphy to remind the jury that despite all that, she'll still carry the scars of what's happened for her entire life. He did so as gently as possible.
Now comes the real test. The cross-examination. With Roy there seething and an already sleazy defense lawyer this will be her fire to walk through. However the judge has reminded both Roy and his lawyer on multiple occasions to keep their conduct in line. I don't think the judge is going to let any further outbursts go without very hard ramifications to Roy or his lawyer. She seems very no-nonsense in that way and I love it.
Great job with this one.
Date: June 26, 2021 10:02 am Title: Chapter 37
It's interesting reading this having read The Other Pam, seeing this all described in court as opposed to Pam's memories. Very chilling. And hard for her to think of everyone hearing this.
And of course neither Roy nor his mom could stay still through this. You can't imagine that's helping his case with the jury that he literally can't restrain himself from losing his temper in court.
Date: June 21, 2021 09:51 pm Title: Chapter 37
Wow!!
All the jellybeans
Date: June 21, 2021 05:57 pm Title: Chapter 1
I’m not surprised that there were some heavy emotions in this chapter, since Pam is essentially reliving all of her trauma that she’s tried to suppress - and in front of her abuser, his family, and hers.
I’m really looking forward to Roy’s arrest. I won’t call it a happy ending, because I don’t feel like any of this can end happily, but I hope that him being jailed might bring closure.
Question; will he ever admit to the abuse? I know it wouldn’t really make sense for his case, but I feel like I just need to hear him say it. Maybe in a fit of rage… I don’t know.
Well done as always.
BlindManCassidt
Date: June 21, 2021 05:12 pm Title: Chapter 37
It’s scary how Roy thinks that his
abusive behavior was normal.
With his own parent is making excuses for him,
it’s no wonder Roy doesn’t see it as problem.
At least the jury has see Roy’s bad temper and outbursts.
I also like that Pam is letting the good memories
of being Jim take over the bad one with Roy.
I think it will give her more confidence in
herself, as she continues to testify.
I love how you still managed to add
some humor with Michael and Dwight.
Because even though the subject matter is very heavy, The Office is still a comedy.
Date: June 21, 2021 04:08 pm Title: Chapter 37
Kind of figured this would be a heavy chapter. Pam having to relive those memories would of course be tough. However she is getting through them. Roy doesn't surprise me at all acting like that. In his mind he is justified in anything he did to her. He's wrong of course, but he believes his own lies at this point that nothing can change his mind.
But those who love her are also with her. Jim, her parents, her sister, Jim's family. Really glad she's realized that the good they've brought into her life far outweighs anything that's been done to her. Hold on Pam. You're almost through.
Date: June 21, 2021 03:29 pm Title: Chapter 37
Wow! Great chapter! I can't wait to read the next one!
Date: June 13, 2021 05:33 pm Title: Chapter 36
I’m in tears over Pam and her dad’s conversation. You wrote that so beautifully.
I’m so glad that the chapter ended with Pam finding her courage. But PLEASE don’t make us wait long for the next chapter. I can’t wait to read about Pam’s testimony.
Many jellybeans!!!
Date: June 13, 2021 04:25 pm Title: Chapter 36
The calm before the storm, if you can call it that. Clearly she's not calm and no wonder. However the men who do really love her and support her are there and in her corner. Loved the heart to heart she had with her dad. The kick them in the balls line made me laugh so that was good. Jim's constant support has been great to see as well.
It really feels like it's been the anticipation of this moment that's rally been the biggest thing. Having to face Roy, have everything out there in the open. For so long she hid what he did to her. No more hiding. Facing the truth is always hard.
Really glad that there at the end she seems ready. Time to suck it up, run through the fire, and come out the other side. Nice job with the set up for it all.
Date: June 13, 2021 03:06 pm Title: Chapter 36
Not thrilled with Pam's dad's choices here. There's something I read once which described pain as the center point of a series of circles, and it's the place of folks in each circle to give comfort to those in the smaller circles and accept it from those in the bigger circles. This is a classic example of someone from an outer circle seeking comfort from someone in an inner circle, closer to the pain. It does seem like Pam got something out of it, thank goodness, but come on, Bill. Please don't put that on her, especially at this moment.
Pam and Jim's dialogue was funny - Pete being the offspring of a jackal sounds like a Halpert family joke.
I'm not going to lie to you. I'm *very* nervous for Pam's testimony.
Date: June 04, 2021 12:39 pm Title: Chapter 35
The reference to The Other Pam was artful here, and powerfully done in combination with the story of the other young woman who was in Pam's shoes. The line about her having permanently had her identity taken from her was deeply chilling, and I'm gonna be thinking about it for a while.
Date: June 04, 2021 12:18 am Title: Chapter 35
Yeah, that was about what I expected from Roy's lawyer. Slimy weasel that he is. I really hope the judge reads him the riot act in chambers. His conduct was 100% out of line there.
Good for Jim to hold up so well. Good prep more than likely on the part of Mr. Murphy.
Kind of haunting there at the start too with Pam looking at herself in the mirror. The thought she could have become another face in the paper like that would be sobering. However I think she also knows that she's not a face in the paper. She's surrounded by people who love and support her. Yes it's hard right now, but she'll make it.
Loved Penny telling off Roy's mom.
The image of Pam seeking solace with Jim there at the end was delightful. They're still great together and are the reason they've come so far. Great to see that come out. Great job.
Date: June 01, 2021 10:04 pm Title: Chapter 35
So good!!! Just, everything!
Many, many jellybeans
Date: June 01, 2021 09:50 pm Title: Chapter 35
Jim handled the cross examination very well.
For a while there I couldn’t tell if Roy’s disdain was for him or Roy himself. I’m sure that Roy
was not an easy client to deal with.
Roy’s mon is a giant bitch. It’s no wonder Roy (and his brother)turned out the way he did.
The whole Anderson family is trash.