Comment from Rachelle Allen

Excellent

Wow! Very intense. Sure, the mom "means well," but we all know what the road to hell is paved with, right? You showed the strength Julia has inside, and how Brian can help stoke that with his loyalty and love. Nicely done. xoxo

 Comment Written 15-Sep-2024

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reply by the author on 16-Sep-2024

Thanks, Rachelle. This was an important step for Julia and will serve to give her the confidence she needs to develop as a violinist and a person her own way without the constant negative feedback from her mother. I'm sure there will be regrets on both their parts, but for now anyway, it is liberating. We may deal with this again down the road.

Comment from Karen Cherry Threadgill

Excellent

That was incredibly brave of her. It seemed that Julia wasn't fighting for herself but for him though. But it gave her the strength to do it, Kudos for her. For a month I white knuckled it. I wasn't human for a while. As hard as I had it, I can't even think how hard it is for someone addicted in their brain too.
Karen

 Comment Written 15-Sep-2024

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reply by the author on 15-Sep-2024

Yes, when Mother attacked her man, that was the last straw. Independence time. She'll find another source for the money.

Comment from Pearl Edwards

Excellent

-Dr Schmidtz is a bully and a detestable character, so you did well with that Jim. Unfortunately there are mothers and fathers like that. I hope her husband also found his voice. A good barracking read, Jim.
cheers,
valda

 Comment Written 13-Sep-2024

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reply by the author on 14-Sep-2024

I may have taught you about "druthers," but you have just taught me about "barracking." I've never heard that word before. That's a good word to use for this scene between Julia and her mother.

Comment from jmdg1954

Excellent

Difficult chapter to write as you had to work your way through the ups and downs of the situation as well as believable arguing.

Check this sentence. To me, "get the hell gone" didn't read well (could be me)...
You stay here for the next few days, and then get the hell gone.


Phew, let's see where this now goes...

Cheers,
John

 Comment Written 09-Sep-2024

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reply by the author on 09-Sep-2024

Yes, it took a few rewrites to get it to say what I wanted it to say. It was a tough one to write. I think I agree with you about that line, and I think I'll just change it to "get the hell out." That's usually how it's said. Thanks for that.

reply by jmdg1954 on 09-Sep-2024

Yup. That works better.

Comment from T B Botts

Excellent

Hello Jim,
oh boy, mom's done it now! How unlike a mother, to want to want to have such control over her daughter as to threaten to withhold financial aid. You would think that Julia's accomplishments would bring her great pride, but I guess she's so caught up in controlling her daughter's life that there is no room for that. Well done Jim.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom

 Comment Written 08-Sep-2024

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reply by the author on 09-Sep-2024

Thanks, Tom. Yep, she seems to be a narcissist and a control freak--a bad combination. Julia will be better off without her, although I won't rule out a possible reconciliation someday.

Comment from Dolly'sPoems

Excellent

It is hard for some Mothers to let go of the control over their daughters and in the end they will rebel and reject this manipulation. Your story has moved on now Jim and Julie is standing up for herself here, another fine chapter, love Dolly x

 Comment Written 08-Sep-2024

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reply by the author on 08-Sep-2024

Thanks very much, Dolly. Narcissists like her mother seem to be blind as to how they affect their daughters. Sad to say, but Julia really needed this break which was bound to happen sooner or later now that she has a supportive man in her life. They are crucial supports for each other, and we will see more of this in Part 2.

Comment from Wendy G

Exceptional

How very sad that it had to come to that - but Julia needed to be free from her mother's financial control, and from her nasty bullying, both of which were emotionally destructive - and the bullying, emotional abuse and nastiness were the reason Julia turned to drugs in the first place. Together Brian and Julia will figure out a way. Well written.
Wendy

 Comment Written 08-Sep-2024

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reply by the author on 08-Sep-2024

I wonder if it ever crossed her mother's mind that she herself may have been the cause of Julia's drug use? I'm guessing no. The mother is definitely a narcissist lacking in self-awareness. From Julia's point of view, good riddance.

Thanks for this perceptive review and those 6 stars, Wendy.

Comment from tfawcus

Excellent

An unpleasant lady to say the least, but well drawn. I have known others like her, especially in the field of music. Two of my son's contemporaries were driven into catastrophic mental health issues under similar circumstances.

 Comment Written 07-Sep-2024

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reply by the author on 08-Sep-2024

Thanks, Tony. That is such a shame. I don't know why parents can't see the effect they are having on their kids before it's too late.

Comment from Carol Hillebrenner

Excellent

Brian seems to be doing well for himself and has an excellent support system. Julia did what had to be done and now also has her own support system without her mother's nagging and threats. Has her father died as she does not expect any support from him either?

 Comment Written 07-Sep-2024

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reply by the author on 08-Sep-2024

No, her father is alive back in North Carolina. She still has a relationship with him, and he will probably provide some support, but his income is not all that high, so it may not be much. Juilliard will probably provide the bulk.

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

Whew! That was a tough one. I didn't know why Julia's mother didn't stay with her friend - the one Julia stayed with during the audition for Julliard. It's clear that this liberation from that domineering mother will help Julia grow as a person. Hopefully, her father will get some freedom, too.
I really like that Brian makes sacrifices for Julia - it really shows his commitment. The question is how that will re-emerge when he gets addicted again.

 Comment Written 07-Sep-2024

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reply by the author on 07-Sep-2024

It would have been better for all if she had stayed with the friend, but Julia lives within walking distance of Lincoln Center where the NY Philharmonic plays, while her friend lives in Brooklyn--a 30-40 minute commute using public transportation. I guess she couldn't pass up the proximity.

Yes, I think her dad is probably the most pleased about the situation!