Stone Soup by Jan Eliot for November 03, 2014

Nice way to end the night! ;)

What a good guy… keep him close, Val!

@ trekman58 Yes, Joan’s husband walked out on Joan and Max years ago (although Max never aged). He was a freeloading hippie type. He came back once or twice and was sent packing. Val’s husband died. I don’t recall knowing how or why. But there was a week of strips of Val and the girls going to the cemetery with Phil. Phil let Val and the girls go back to the car and he told Val’s husband, “you have a very nice family, sir”. Can’t recall exact other words but to the effect, “I hope to take care of them as well as you have”. It was such a touching week.

P.S. Jan, I know you’re reading…Keep this relationship going forward. I hate when Phil disappears for a month. (Or more)!

That is low Phil getting to that woman’s heart through her kids. Thanks for the tip; does it work with pets too?

Thanks, Miss Rosanne, I have always wondered about Val and Joan’s husbands. I am finally glad to get the story. I agree with pelican 47. I think Phil would be good for the girls plus it would take some of the burden off Val for parenting.

Wow, I had no idea Wally was a step dad. I’ve only read SS for a few years. Thanks for the history, Rosanne.

Good point Phil.

The question of marriage has been brought but twice already at least – always by the family (Joan and Evie in particular). In both times Val and Phil discussed it and decided against it, but the second time Phil asked Val to “go steady”.

Everyone else felt a little bit disappointed, except for Holly, who was thrilled. ;) And the steady couple, of course.

In earlier strips, both Val & Phil have expressed their disinterest in and unreadiness to get married. Despite the kids liking him, they may not be ready to have a stepfather (which has also been implied in one of Holly’s visits to the cemetery), and that must be taken into consideration by any considerate parent. Personally, I like seeing them like this and don’t need them to be rushed. Sometimes, this is all that’s needed. Evie’s was rushed enough, IMO.