For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for August 18, 2020

well, that was a fine talk… just how well it go between Michael and Martha when they talk with one another?

The colorist strikes again. Martha is now a ginger. Yep, Mike’s eloquence intimidated Martha. As I figured – who writes so well at that age? The word choices. The grammar. I feel Martha. Bur she should have written back with a short note. It was not a writing contest.

3 steps to maintaining a relationship:

1. Communication.

2. Talk to each other.

3. See 1 & 2.

I know I don’t.

Gordon certainly has communicated the problem to Martha, so that wasn’t a bad idea, getting him to talk to her. Prevents a fight, since Gordon is a disinterested party.

“I never went out with anyone else.” That is the kind of thing you say when you were thinking about going out with someone else.

What a lovely pink top

I love “I wasn’t allowed to call” harkens back to when long distance cost money for each call. When we’d call Grandma we’d each get one minute.

They are too young in the first place.

Stupid communication is better than no communication at all!

It is NOT as I have foreseen. Apologies to Jan C. – you were right, Jan, you were right…

Lynn’s Comments:

This was the first time I let readers know that Michael was going to be a writer. It was the first time I knew as well!

Minor spoiler.

There’s a hint in there as to Michael’s future career. Looks like Lynn was planning ahead.

Gordon is a wise man.

Not always easy being a kid.. I feel for both of them.

No excuse. A card with 3 words “I miss you” would have done the trick.

I guess it was stupid of her not to write.

Adolescence is hard.

Why didn’t he tell you? Why should he? Martha, you are very selfish and self-centered.

Too much teen angst

I’m pretty sure for a nominal fee you can download generic love letters, G to XXX. You need only personalize with Search > Find-Replace In your Word Processor.

No problem. Just squeal with joy and run on over and hug him. Guys are pretty easy as a rule. A smile and a hug can fix most things, except maybe a dent in the car.

Gordon you summed it up.

“I wasn’t allowed to call”…. Don’t all these kids have smartphones? And calling long distance is pretty much free. What gives? ……… Oh, right. This strip originally aired in 1952…

Lots of reasons for not doing things. Each is a missed opportunity.

Sometimes I think the only thing that differentiates me as a kid from me as an adult is the ability now (most times) to wait to see why someone did something than assume their intention. Then I remember, my paycheck is better than my allowance so that helps too.

The relationship is definitely on the skids-Gordo it is up to you to be a good go between.

Cripes! If you can have a conversation, you can write a letter. It isn’t rocket science.

Gordon nailed it.

Excuses, she’s got a million of them. Truth is she doesn’t care enough to make a minimum effort.

Gordon’s a good friend to both of them. Hopefully, they can talk to one another directly now.

Lame excuse, chica!

For someone who was nervous about talking to a girl, Gordo is doing a pretty good job.

Nothing is so simple that it cannot be misunderstood.

So neither of you live far away from each other….