1 [Report This]Date: October 29, 2020 02:58 pm Title: Love in payphones is doomed to be short-lived
Again, an interesting twist, and a really karmic one - Roy's failure to set a date for the wedding ends up screwing up his grand plans. And also, wow, Roy. Yes, you're clearly an insensitive clod, but it's kind of astonishing you didn't even see the *possibility* of her not wanting to go along with that plan coming.
It's nice to see some fight in Pam - and especially some fight in Pam that embraces complexity, she's not changing in a heartbeat, and her slap freaks her out as much as it empowers her - and also get a sense from her of why she stayed in this relationship so long.
Definitely struck by Pam's wildly divergent sense of what Jim's neighborhood is like, and charmed by her recognition that he doesn't really feel at home where he lives anymore than she does.
Also, props on finding room for multiple Princess Bride references.
Author's Response:
A little note about Roy. Of course, he's dense, but in this case, there is something different. This Roy was raised in such a traditional and patriarchal society that he wasn't able to think that a woman could have an opinion different from his. Probably, I didn't stress that moment enough :(
I think this chapter is my favorite here. It was so much fun to write (and add all these references and observations).
1 [Report This]Date: August 04, 2020 08:08 pm Title: Love in payphones is doomed to be short-lived
Finally able to sit and read this in one go and just had to pause and tell you that this phrase:
She had heard once that the person could see their life right before the death; she wondered if that was right about the relationships.
Is one of my most favorite things to have read in any story, period. It really love it.
Author's Response: Thank you so much for your kind words! I really appreciate them!
1 [Report This]Date: May 13, 2020 11:25 pm Title: Love in payphones is doomed to be short-lived
“Apparently, all this time, Pam was drinking from the mug with the chipped edge as well.” This whole metaphor is perfection. I love it so much. Roy is definitely the equivalent of chipped china when the good stuff is right there, within reach.
Kelly being obsessed with Eurovision in this world made me smile despite all the heavy emotion swelling in this chapter.
“She also failed to bring back the time when butterflies in her stomach had turned into apathetic chrysalises and they — into caterpillars, wriggling in dread.” I love, love, love this. This is such beautifully written description of Pam’s feelings for Roy.
“She could live with Roy's anger, but wouldn’t be able to stand Jim's disappointment.” Damn, that hurts. For Pam to feel that way is utterly heart wrenching. I can totally see her thinking that though.
This chapter was all kinds of wonderful. I can’t wait to see independent Pam.
Author's Response:
Thank you so much, Jenna! I'm excited that you liked these lines :)
I can't understand and explain the popularity of Eurovision, but it had to be last weekend, and many of my friends gushed about it so much... even if they aren't into music and show-business. So Kelly, for sure, wouldn't miss that!
1 [Report This]Date: May 13, 2020 07:11 pm Title: Love in payphones is doomed to be short-lived
I like that she's listened to her friend's advice and is making the changes in her life that she wants, even if they are indirect, like botching her Visa application or direct, like handing back that ring and slapping Roy out of her life!
Heartbreaking that Roy wasn't understanding, comforting or willing to wait for Pam... and she was just looking for any scrap of love he had to offer her. Any reason to stay. I'm glad it propelled her to make those big changes.
Like Jim, I'm also wondering what her next step will be!
Thanks for writing!
Author's Response:
Thank you for reading and reviewing!
I felt a little heartbroken when I was writing that part about Pam's decision, but... eventually, it turns out well for her :)
1 [Report This]Date: May 13, 2020 04:45 pm Title: Love in payphones is doomed to be short-lived
Quick pause in my reading or I'll forget to comment on this. "Rodents of unusual size," and "as you wish?" Lots of Princess Bride quotes on the archive right now and I am 100% here for that. Ok, back to reading.
Ok so starting off this chapter still on the heavy side. Roy the jerk is on fine display here. I mean you paint the picture here very clearly that Roy is only in the relationship with Pam for what he can get out of it. He's in no way interested in putting in any actual effort to make her happy or even find out what would make her happy. Sorry to tell you Roy, but in general making decisions for someone else usually doesn't end up well. Now of course he's paying for that with Pam leaving him. He still seems really pissed off though and I wonder how that's going to pan out.
Good for Pam to get that bit of backbone though. Really good to see her emerge from the fog of that relationship and realize it doesn't hold anything for her. Of course now she has to deal with the fear of the unknown. That anxiety is also very palpable.
Jim is of course doing what he's best at. Taking care of Pam. Good to see him just being there for her. Hopefully now that she's clear of the fog bank of her failed relationship, she'll be able to see more what it right in front of her.
Still a heavy chapter, but not as much as last time. There's a ton of pressure to be sure, but there's clearly a corner that's been turned. Great to see.
Author's Response:
Thank you very much for your review! I really enjoy reading it. I like to add some moments from the movies (books, shows, etc.) I like into my stories (if it fits the storyline, of course), and I'm happy when these moments are noticed.
Thank you for reading, and I hope you'll enjoy the continuation as well.
1 [Report This]Date: May 13, 2020 02:07 pm Title: Love in payphones is doomed to be short-lived
Wow, that's one way to really remove Roy from the picture, just straight up exile him! I really liked Pam's take on that confrontation, just waiting for any sign that Roy was as invested in the relationship as she was... And getting nothing.
Well done, looking forward to how Pam copes with her newfound independence.
Author's Response:
Thank you so much! I spent a lot of time thinking about what could be the reason for Pam to left Roy without Jim's confession and ended up with this. Glad it turned out well :)
Hope you'll find an answer in the next chapter (or two)!
1 [Report This]Date: May 13, 2020 11:52 am Title: Love in payphones is doomed to be short-lived
Well that was a good turn of events. Time for some independent Pam. Can’t wait to read how her relationship with Jim develops
Author's Response:
Thank you for reviewing! The development might be slow a little... but it will progress :)
1 [Report This]Date: May 13, 2020 11:27 am Title: Love in payphones is doomed to be short-lived
Aww. Good for Pam. She definitely needs to stay away from Roy long enough for him to get out of the country though...for all our sakes, including hers.
Author's Response:
Oh, yeah... I don't like Roy in this story, so... she needs.
Thank you for commenting!