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A Jericho Fan Fiction Archive
This part left me on pins and needles and definitely wanting more!
I really felt a sense of desperation in both Gail and Eric in this part. Both are sacrificing their lives and taking on caregiver roles for two different reasons I think. Gail because she feels that by taking on April's work she can somehow fix things – give meaning to April's death. Eric, on the other hand, is doing it in a sense to protect Gail. I don't think at this point she realizes that he had an affair with Mary and he wants to maintain this image of a 'happy' family for his mother. Since Gail has come to identify so much with April in this world, Eric realizes that finding out about the affair would crush her and he can't do that to her.
I really felt for Eric having to tell Jake about the bus. The missing kids and what happened to Stacy really pulled at my heart. Poor Heather! It's just like her to go to great lengths to protect her kids even if it hurts her. I'm so worried about how this incident affected her.
Thanks for reading and reviewing Skyrose!
Your assessments of Gail and Eric are correct. Gail's devotion to her patients is her way of coping with all the loss she has sustained and she has built up the idea for herself that she can somehow make up for it all in carrying on April's cause. Eric's also a devoted caregiver, but he focuses on Gail herself. Really, he's trying to hold the family together, himself and Gail in reality as well as the idea of the family they once were, when Johnston and April were alive. This is why he still protects the secret of his affair with Mary - he doesn't want to destroy this somewhat idealized image of their family to which he and Gail cling. It likely would upset Gail a lot to find out, as you're right, she does identify with April so much. And Eric did love Mary, and has had to cut a huge part of himself off basically, as much as he can, so he can uphold 'the family'.
Thanks again!
Part 4 absolutely had me on the edge of my seat, Penny! I was so eagerly anticipating Jake finally getting to see Gail and Eric, but I was also incredibly nervous for him, as well. Considering the gloom that surrounds everyone in Jericho, I knew there was no way that his family would be spared that. The info that Mary passed on about how they run the med center--coupled with the description you gave the med center at the beginning of the chapter--only verified my concerns.
Wow. I hardly know where to start. Like Marzee said, Gail and Eric are still so true to character. Yet it's also clear that the horrors of the last year have taken their toll on the characters. The way you described Gail as wild eyed truly served two purposes. It spoke to her surprise at seeing Jake, but it also unnerved me. Gail has had many expressions on the show, but I don't think we ever saw that--except for perhaps the time she told Jake and Eric to go to Rogue River to get the medicine for Johnston.
Eric seems resigned to this morbid existence, a vast change from what we saw Eric evolve into as a character on the show. The story he told of the school bus--the children who died, the children who were missing, and Heather--absolutely tugged at my heart. In the grand scheme of things, Jake probably never counted that event as one of greatest importance, but his absence had and continues to have a ripple effect on those who were part of the event.
So after reading this (and worrying about Heather), I have to wonder if now that Jake is back, will he have an effect on events? Will he be able to make the situation better for those who have survived but live with the trials brought on daily by events over which they had no control?
Can't wait to find out!
Thanks Sandra!
You ask an excellent question! It should be answered in good time. Jake is definitely drawn to helping the town, but a little unsure about what his place is in this world.
Thanks for taking time to read and review!
Oh, Penny! This part sure has left me with my heart in my throat. I am so worried about Heather! But I'm also worried for and strangely relieved about Gail and Eric. Apparently, after all they've been through, Eric can put some/most of his animosity aside and just be glad that he has one more family member. That is a good thing.
Going back almost to the beginning, I have to tell you I just love how you wrote this part. Despite the changes that were wrought by Jake's absence, Gail is ultimately still Gail.
“I knew you were out there, somewhere. I knew it. All this time.” She beamed at her eldest son, and he couldn't help but grin back.
“Well, here I am. In the flesh.”
She gave him a brief scolding look, then smiled again. “Don't make jokes. Jake, I've dreamed this before. I always woke up and wondered where you were.”
“I know Mom,” he said huskily, afraid his own eyes might soon become as teary as hers.
“Look at you,” she said, her eyes surveying the damage she was imagining he had sustained in the far away place he'd been.
I can just imagine the damage she's looking for. :-(
Another thing I have to mention... I think Gail's and Eric's response to Jake's homecoming is very telling of their troubles since the bombs. They're so worn down they actually seem less surprised to see him now than they did when he came back before the bombs.
The story of the school bus also got to me, and to Jake as well (obviously). Not only is there Heather (can I tell you how worried I am about Heather!!) but there's also the kids that he got to know and care about. Sure, the one boy from Chapter 1 survived, but all the rest. Stacy, and the kids who found him on the road. My stomach is just tied in knots thinking about what happened to them.
As an aside, I wonder if we'll find out what happened to Hawkins, and if he's around. Was he at least able to warn some of them about the rain? I don't think he could fix everything, but he could have mitigated some of the problems that Jericho's suffered -- and maybe he did! Makes me wonder if Jericho could be even worse off!
But back to Heather. I'm glad Gail's looking after her (and that April did before she died), but I am just so worried about her. It sounds like she had a really awful experinece at the hands of the convicts. I hope she doesn't shoot Jake when he tries to deliever soup!
Intriguing chapter to say the least. I'm on pins and needles waiting to find out what happens next!
Thanks Marzee!
You are very perceptive. I'll leave it there, for fear of spoiling the rest of the story. I'll just say, you are right about Hawkins! He did help warn people about the rain.
Thanks for taking time to read and review!