Page 21 Bra or bust!
skyangel on May 27, 2024
My memories of Linda's mother are very vague as most of the time I was playing with Linda while she was in another room. I always felt slightly intimated by her as she could be quite sharp at odd moments like the time she told me I should stop saying ‘blimey!’ because it was actually a Biblical reference for asking God to ‘blind me!’
But she was always very welcoming and very rarely ever asked what me and Linda were up to despite my fondness for our dressing up games. She never ever said anything to my mother either.
On a sad note though I found out many years later that she had disowned her own daughter for having a child out of wedlock and being abandoned by the father later on in her life, long after I had lost touch with her and married myself. It haunts me though that I couldn't have been there for the girl who was always so supportive to me.
DarkVisor at 8:51AM, May 28, 2024
Sad about losing touch with your friend :(
skyangel at 1:42PM, May 28, 2024
It was. This was pre-internet and I did try when Friends Reunited was around but she wasn't on there at that time.
DarkVisor at 8:51AM, May 28, 2024
At least Mama Linda told _Nick_ to talk to his mother, and didn't have that chat herself :)
skyangel at 1:36PM, May 28, 2024
Haha Yes, that's probably why Nick thought he could get Linda to ask her on his behalf so he could hang up if she grabbed the phone!
Othosmops at 4:27AM, May 28, 2024
Linda's mother probably tried to display Christian behavior in everything. What a misunderstanding!
skyangel at 1:33PM, May 28, 2024
I think that sums her up nicely. She was probably far more religious than I realised at the time. She certainly wasn't a Bible basher but I'm pretty sure they went to church every Sunday and it's possible Linda's pregnancy embarrassed her enough to act like that.
UnderTheBlackHat at 2:56PM, May 27, 2024
Or perhaps a better title: Bra, no bust. Sorry we couldn't resist. On another note, once again we're a tad unsure as to the ages being portrayed. For some reason, we believed Nick to be still somewhat younger, pre-teen. With Linda of course being the same age group. But the conversation we're seeing seems to indicate that she is older, at least early teens so then must be Nick? We don't know about the UK, but in the US we had 'training bras' and those were worn before one actually had anything that actually needed support. Then, as one filled out, you started going through the appropriate sizes, just as you did with all your other clothing. Sometimes, hearing about 'old friends' can be so heartbreaking and it is truly sad that Linda had such a harsh life. Especially since yes, she was supportive of you and would have possibly made a wonderful companion and confidante for the part of your life where you were still only 'becoming' yourself.
skyangel at 1:24PM, May 28, 2024
UBH: My memory is unfortunately very vague when it comes to trying to pin down the ages and dates events happened so I do apologise for that. I was only thinking the other day that maybe some pages should be jumbled around in a different order as the timeline feels inaccurate I think this was my first around my first or second year at secondary school so about 11-12 years old. I feel quite sure my voice broke at 13(next page)... I'm sure we must have had training bras too as I've seen ads in comics of the time for 'my first bra'. Linda's mum was I think the sort of person to tell her daughter she did not need a bra yet and possibly saw it as frivolous to buy her one until she really needed it.
tommym at 2:53PM, May 27, 2024
Dear Sky, Panel 4 So funny, I did not expect soft responding from mum. Look on Lindas face? She must have received surprise answer? Western electric phone with long enough cord so as to take to another room or stair in order to speak in private. Linda, in one call goes from happy to puzzled!? tommym
skyangel at 11:32AM, May 28, 2024
Tommym: Haha yea, in our house dad tacked the cable leading to the phone right up to it but some people left enough slack to allow for more mobility.
Ironscarf at 2:28PM, May 27, 2024
Terrific page with a perfect final panel payoff. I'm always impressed by how much you convey with such subtle, unassuming scenes. A very sad outcome in the comments - life is punctuated by so many if onlys and too late now moments.
skyangel at 11:28AM, May 28, 2024
Thank you! It's kind of nice at times to centre a conversation just around one person, it certainly makes for an easier page to draw!