#Law For CA Foundation

[deeyaacademia]

welcome.

hello, i’m deeya.

i have started this studyblr to document my academic journey to become a chartered accountant one day. i hope you support me, and we build a lovely community xx

i’m seventeen years old and i graduated from high school a few months ago. i have decided to pursue chartered accountancy along with bcom or bcom hons (still not sure).

college will start in fall, and currently i’ll spend my summer working to complete ca foundation.

fav shows: anne with an e, derry girls, suits, supernatural, vampire diaries, brooklyn 99, bojack horseman, stranger things, umbrella academy, gravity falls, and so many more.

fav movies: dead poets society (comfort movie), little women, any 2000s bollywood, any coming-of-age film and anything marvel and star wars!!

fav artists: hozier, lorde, lana del rey, taylor swift, ethel cain, mitski and the cranberries. (i’ll listen to anything, i swear)

fav books: the secret history, the picture of dorian gray, all rick riordan books, the hunger games, a good girl’s guide to murder, the bell jar, harry potter series, the shadowhunter chronicles.

fav writers/poets: dostoyvesky, sylvia plath!!(i love her), oscar wilde, jane austen, mary shelley, and franz kafka.

other fun facts:

i am a big reader, well used to be, but i now i don’t have enough time for it (shameful i know)

i am also an aspiring writer! i am currently working on two novels and i even have an writersgram (shush i’m not disclosing it yet)

i love stories about history, greek mythology, hindu mythology and everything about those.

i speak three languages but i want to learn atleast seven.

i had a huge dark academia phase, and i seriously love greek and latin so much.

i love fangirling over everything & have like 1089211 obsessions that i go crazy about.

i have so many random hobbies i can’t even mention them all (knitting, baking, art, gardening…)

i want to make a short film all by myself and i’m learning more about filmatography.

i am a literature, classics, history girl at my core but i don’t know why i have chosen to study finance, law, business and accounts instead??

my dream is to move out of my hometown (probably to london, it’s my fave city) and buy a little house and have 11 cats.

that’s already too much info about me, i’d love to befriend all of you in the comments, feel free to strike a conversation about anything xx

with love,

deeya.

[ultimateca]

CA Foundation Business Laws: Complete Guide to Prepare for May 2025

Business Laws is a critical subject in the CA Foundation syllabus and often sets the tone for a student's confidence in law-related papers throughout the CA journey. For the May 2025 attempt, cracking Business Laws isn't just about reading bare acts—it's about understanding the logic behind legal provisions and applying them effectively in exams. With the right study strategy and resources like UltimateCA’s expert-led CA coaching classes, even beginners can master this subject with clarity and confidence.

Understanding the Business Laws Paper

The Business Laws paper tests your conceptual clarity, understanding of key acts, and ability to apply law to practical scenarios. The syllabus includes the Indian Contract Act, Sale of Goods Act, Partnership Act, LLP Act, and Companies Act—each carrying significant weightage. While some students find legal language overwhelming, with the right guidance from CA Foundation Classes and a smart revision approach, these laws can become easy to grasp.

Importance of Conceptual Clarity

The foundation of success in business law is conceptual clarity.  Instead of rote learning, try to understand the "why" behind each legal provision. For instance, rather than just memorizing what makes a contract valid, understand why mutual consent, lawful object, and consideration matter in real-world contracts. That’s where CA Online Classes from UltimateCA stand out—they explain every clause in a practical and relatable way that ensures long-term retention.

Smart Study Plan for Effective Preparation

A smart study plan involves daily study sessions, active recall, and consistent revision. Start by dividing your syllabus into logical segments—one Act at a time. Dedicate time to reading the theory, followed by solving MCQs and writing case-based answers. Make short notes during your first reading and revisit them during revision days. UltimateCA’s CA Foundation Classes provide concise yet comprehensive coverage with law charts, summaries, and previous year questions that are highly effective for last-minute review.

Regular Practice of MCQs and Case Studies

The objective nature of the Business Laws paper means multiple-choice questions play a vital role in your final score. Practice at least 30-40 MCQs every day from each chapter. Understand the reasoning behind the right response rather than merely speculating.Case-based MCQs are also becoming more common, testing your understanding of legal applications. The CA Inter Online Classes offered by UltimateCA include MCQ practice sessions that mirror the ICAI exam pattern, ensuring students are well-prepared.

Revise Using Summary Charts & Mind Maps

Law is a subject that needs multiple revisions. Summary charts, flashcards, and mind maps are excellent tools to revise large portions of the syllabus quickly. UltimateCA’s CA coaching classes offer digital mind maps and law flowcharts that help in quick memory recall and improve your writing in the exam. Keep these resources handy while revising so you can recall key sections and case laws faster.

Time Management in Exam Hall

One of the most common mistakes students make is spending too much time on theory questions and rushing through MCQs. During your mock tests, practice completing the paper within the time limit. Set up specific time slots, such as two hours for the descriptive portion and forty minutes for multiple-choice. This habit will train your brain to perform under pressure. CA Online Classes from UltimateCA provide timed test series and evaluated answer sheets to help students improve speed and accuracy.

Stay Updated with ICAI Notifications

ICAI may update the syllabus, introduce amendments, or issue guidelines close to the exam. Stay connected with your coaching platform and regularly check the official ICAI website. UltimateCA makes it easier by providing instant updates within the course platform, so students don't miss anything crucial.

How UltimateCA Helps You Stay Ahead

UltimateCA’s CA Foundation Classes are specifically designed keeping exam orientation and student needs in mind. Whether you're attending live sessions or watching recorded lectures, the teaching style focuses on conceptual clarity, consistent revision, and problem-solving skills. The platform also provides 24/7 doubt resolution, weekly mentorship sessions, and topic-wise MCQ practice to strengthen every student’s foundation.

The goal of UltimateCA is to train your mind to think like a chartered accountant, not only to impart knowledge. From foundational subjects to CA Inter Online Classes, each course is built to prepare students for ICAI’s evolving exam patterns and real-world application.

Final Thoughts

Business Laws doesn’t have to be intimidating. With a clear approach, the correct materials, and coaching from experienced faculty members, you can surely pass the CA Foundation May 2025 examinations. Start early, stay consistent, and make your preparation smarter, not harder. And if you're looking for the best platform to guide you through it, UltimateCA’s CA coaching classes are your go-to solution.

[tipustudybytech]

How to Master CA Foundation Law: Your Path to Success with Studybytech and Parag Gupta Sir

Introduction:

Embarking on the journey to become a Chartered Accountant (CA) is both exciting and challenging. Among the foundational subjects crucial for success in this prestigious profession, CA Foundation Law stands out as a cornerstone. Aspirants seeking comprehensive and effective guidance in mastering CA Foundation Law can find their ultimate support through Studybytech, led by India's top educator, Parag Gupta Sir. In this blog, we delve into the significance of CA Foundation Law, the exemplary teaching provided by Parag Gupta Sir, and how Studybytech's resources can catapult your success in this crucial subject.

Understanding the Importance of CA Foundation Law:

CA Foundation Law holds paramount importance in the journey towards becoming a CA. This subject serves as the bedrock for understanding the legal framework governing businesses and finance, essential knowledge for any aspiring chartered accountant. From contract laws to corporate governance, a thorough grasp of legal principles is indispensable for navigating the complex landscape of finance and commerce.

Why Choose Studybytech with Parag Gupta Sir?

In the realm of CA education, Parag Gupta Sir stands as a beacon of excellence, renowned for his unparalleled teaching methodologies and in-depth subject knowledge. As India's top educator, his expertise in CA Foundation Law is unmatched, making him the go-to mentor for countless CA aspirants. Under his guidance, students not only grasp the intricacies of the subject but also develop a strong conceptual foundation crucial for success in the CA exams.

Studybytech, in collaboration with Parag Gupta Sir, offers a comprehensive learning platform tailored to the needs of CA Foundation Law students. With a wealth of meticulously curated study materials, video lectures, and mock tests, Studybytech equips learners with the tools necessary to excel in this challenging subject. Moreover, the user-friendly interface and interactive learning modules ensure an engaging and effective learning experience for students of all levels.

Key Features of Studybytech's CA Foundation Law Course:

1. Expert Guidance from Parag Gupta Sir: 

Benefit from the unparalleled expertise of India's top CA educator, Parag Gupta Sir, as he simplifies complex legal concepts and provides invaluable insights to help you ace your exams.

2. Comprehensive Study Materials: 

Access a vast repository of study materials, including concise notes, case studies, and practice questions, meticulously crafted to cover every aspect of CA Foundation Law syllabus.

3. Engaging Video Lectures: 

Dive deep into the intricacies of CA Foundation Law through high-quality video lectures, delivered by Parag Gupta Sir himself, ensuring conceptual clarity and retention.

4. Mock Tests and Assessments: 

Gauge your progress and identify areas for improvement with regular mock tests and assessments designed to simulate the exam environment and boost your confidence.

5. Personalized Mentorship: 

Receive personalized guidance and support from experienced mentors, who provide individualized attention to address your queries and concerns, ensuring a smooth learning journey.

Unlocking Success with Studybytech and Parag Gupta Sir:

Mastering CA Foundation Law is no longer an insurmountable challenge, thanks to the unparalleled resources offered by Studybytech and the expert guidance of Parag Gupta Sir. By enrolling in Studybytech's CA Foundation Law course, you gain access to a treasure trove of knowledge and expertise that will propel you towards success in your CA journey.

Whether you're a novice aspiring to crack the CA exams or a seasoned student seeking to strengthen your foundation in law, Studybytech's comprehensive course is your ultimate companion in achieving your academic goals. With Parag Gupta Sir's unrivaled mentorship and Studybytech's cutting-edge learning platform, you can embark on your CA journey with confidence, knowing that success is within your reach.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, mastering CA Foundation Law is a crucial milestone in the journey towards becoming a Chartered Accountant. With Studybytech's comprehensive resources and Parag Gupta Sir's expert guidance, students can unlock their full potential and ace this challenging subject with ease. Don't let CA Foundation Law intimidate you; embrace the opportunity to learn and grow with Studybytech and Parag Gupta Sir by your side. Your success in the CA exams awaits!

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[avjacademy]

CA Foundation Icai Exam

Important ICAI Exam Guildelines for CA Students| Dos & Donts that Every Student must know

For doubts contact :- CA Sanchit Grover #Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/sanchit.gro...

Watch All the Lectures of CA FOUNDATION for free : https://bit.ly/3vdv6ss

Join our telegram Channel for free notes,voice clips, charts at: Inter- https://t.me/InterKnowledge

Foundation- CA Foundation Knowledge Portal https://t.me/foundationknowledge

If the above links are not working, kindly search "CA Foundation Knowledge portal" or "CA Inter Knowledge Portal" on telegram app and you will find our channel About AVJ AVJ Academy is Delhi Based CA Foundation Classes, CA Intermediate Classes And CA Final Classes Provider To Its ICAI Exams Students. AVJ Academy coaching classes is not only for their delhi based students, but also for remote student through pen-drive classes. For more info and ordering of pen drive classes Contact: AVJ Academy 9310824912 For more videos and updates subscribe to the channel

[vakilkarosblog]

What is the scope of Section 8 company?

Introduction: A Section 8 microfinance company registration, also known as a not-for-profit or non-profit organization, is governed by Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013, in India. These entities are established with the primary objective of promoting social welfare, charitable activities, and other nonprofit objectives. In this context, let's delve into the scope of Section 8 companies, particularly focusing on its application in the realm of microfinance.

Understanding Section 8 Company: Section 8 companies are unique entities that operate for the betterment of society without pursuing profits for their members. These companies can be formed with the intention of promoting commerce, art, science, sports, education, research, social welfare, religion, charity, protection of the environment, or any other similar objectives.

What is the Scope of Section 8 Company:

Promoting Microfinance:

Section 8 companies can play a crucial role in the microfinance sector. By registering as a Section 8 Microfinance Company, organizations can focus on providing financial services to economically disadvantaged individuals and communities, fostering financial inclusion and empowerment.

Charitable and Welfare Activities:

The scope of Section 8 companies extends to various charitable and welfare activities. Microfinance companies falling under this category can channel their efforts towards uplifting underprivileged sections of society by providing affordable financial services, training, and support.

Community Development:

Section 8 companies have the flexibility to engage in community development projects. Microfinance companies, operating under this section, can contribute to the economic development of communities by offering microloans, financial literacy programs, and entrepreneurship support.

Educational Initiatives:

Section 8 companies can focus on educational initiatives. In the context of microfinance, this could involve creating programs that educate individuals on financial management, entrepreneurship, and sustainable business practices, thereby empowering them to break the cycle of poverty.

Capacity Building:

Microfinance companies registered under Section 8 can engage in capacity-building activities. This might include training programs, skill development initiatives, and the creation of self-help groups to enhance the financial capabilities of individuals within the targeted communities.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the scope of Section 8 microfinance company registration is expansive, offering a legal framework for organizations to contribute meaningfully to social causes. When applied to microfinance, Section 8 companies can serve as powerful instruments for financial inclusion and community development. Understanding the scope and potential impact of Section 8 companies is essential for those seeking to make a positive difference in society through microfinance initiatives.

[viperbunnies]

"Nothing good ever comes out when I start hoping... but maybe just a little bit."

[Thank you to @.unfinished-projects-galore , @.ai-kan1 and @.stestylius-arts for the assets! Thank you as well to @jovieinramshackle for giving me the inspo to finally start on this, and to @crystallizsch , @angelwishess and @twstgo whose oc intros I took inspo for the layout 🫶]

An outlier from the school, due to his situation he was home-schooled for the majority of his first year. They have decided to accompany the Ramshackle prefect in their daily endeavors, serving as a guide and as a companion in the worn-down dorm.

BASIC INFO.

NAME: Oswald "Oz" Damarys BIRTHNAME: ???? ??????? ALIAS: Oz, Ozzie, Flashlight Fish (Floyd), Monsieur Porcelaine (Rook) Shortie-senpai (Yuudai) AGE: 17 BIRTHDATE: August 26 HEIGHT: 154 cm SPECIES: Half-human half beastmen GENDER: Demi-boy (Uses they/he and masc titles) ORIENTATION: Demisexual ALIGNMENT: Lawful Neutral MBTI: ISFP Voice claim: Here! (Stc)

LIKES: Stargazy pie, Seafood in general, Acrobatics, Crochet, Art in general, Reading, Fairytales, Music boxes, Classical Music, Card games, Mystery books, Sightseeing, DISLIKES:Wishmaking, Shooting stars, Crowded places, Performing, Being observed, People touching his birthmark, His "Luck", Basketballs

Unique Magic Your Next Line is! [ Flash Forward ] — "An indisputable future is what I see... Your Next Line is!" Oswald is able to take a peek into someone's future as long as they keep contact with his pearly white eye. It can be anything from 5 seconds from now or a day later - This visions manifests like rolls of film - Lately It appears his unique magic is going haywire, showing him visions without the need of eye contact. (They aren't pleasant visions)

TRAITS +  Easy-going; Flexible; Warm; Appreciative =  Tolerant; Perceptive; Witty; Impartial -  Overworker; Indecisive; Reliant; Worrisome

BRIEF OVERVIEW (STC)

Oz is a man of many tricks; he was raised to entertain the audience, which is why he is great at lightening up the mood of the room. The many tricks he can do reminds others of a puppy trained on how to play dead, or shake hands. Despite that, Oz actually struggles in actually expressing the his true feelings— used to being the brunt of many jokes growing up, he believes that he is simply a puppet used for the entertainment of others. He sees himself as a hollow doll with no real personality, only meant for display. He is confused about who his truly is, used to what others want to see and not what he wants to show. Slowly, he is realizing that he is merely human, and that he should live for his own sake. (Old info from my notes)

TIDBITS

Random Facts - Part-beastmen, specifically a rabbit beastmen but he lacks actual features aside for his tail that was cauterized off when he was younger - He doesn't look the part but he also likes getting into shenanigans, sometimes instigating Yuu and Adeuce with the pranks they do (No one really believes the trio when they say it was Oz's idea) - He's double jointed which is helpful with his Acrobatic hobby. - Love language is gift giving, and has a tendency to make crochets for other people. They're typically things that remind them of the other. - Has a lot of birthmarks on his face, but he started to cover them with foundation after Floyd made fun of it. - Has a terrible sense of direction so he gets lost easily, but he'd like to travel around the world someday. - He has terrible luck, and while he doesn't believe in superstitions he began to be wary about them. Doesn't want to get knocked out unconscious by a basketball whenever he passes by the gym. - Doesn't really mind being called Oswald, but he associated that to whenever he'd get scolded... so Oz is his more go to nickname.

TYPING QUIRK: - His friend got him into using Kaomojis, he likes the ones with bunny ears. - Likes sending voice messages to get his point across. - Usually types in sentence cases, (although when he isn't feeling well he types in lower cases) SPEAKING QUIRK: - Uses a lot of onomatopoeia to describe unknown things. - Speaks firmly when he feels strong emotions. - Sometimes bites his tongue when he rambles, or not focused. BEHAVIOURAL QUIRKS: - Nose has a tendency to twitch when he’s interested, or irritated. - He also unconsciously thumps his foot when he’s annoyed.

RELATIONSHIPS (WIP)

(Might put a brief overview on their more notable relationships in the future!) Note: - Main Oc x Canon is with Jamil (ignore that pink on silver and jade) - Divus is his foster parent

PNGS BELOW:

p∀ƎH ⅄W NI פNIH┴ƎWOS SI ƎɹƎH┴

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Writing Notes: Ancient Greece (1000 B.C.–1 A.D.)

TIMELINE

Geometric period, ca. 900–700 B.C.

Archaic period, ca. 700–480 B.C.

"Age of Tyrants," Athens, ca. 650–510 B.C.

Classical period, ca. 480–323 B.C.

Age of Perikles, Athens, ca. 440–429 B.C.

Rise to power of Macedonia, 359–323

Hellenistic period, ca. 323–31 B.C.

Roman rule, Greek mainland, 146 B.C.–330 A.D.

OVERVIEW. Following a period of sporadic incursions and large movements of people, demographic and economic changes in the 8th century B.C. lead to overseas colonization, spreading Greek language and culture across the Mediterranean and Black seas. Communities throughout the Greek world evolve into city-states, laying the foundations for democracy. Literature, science, and the arts flourish for several centuries, and new genres of artistic and intellectual expression evolve.

KEY EVENTS.

ca. 776 B.C. The Olympic games are founded. Held once every four years, the games honor Olympian Zeus. A list of victors from this year to 217 A.D., drawn up by the historian Julius Africanus, has been preserved for us by Eusebius. The earliest games are held in one day and consist of running and wrestling. In the seventh century B.C., they are reorganized to include chariot races and single horse races.

ca. 750 B.C. According to tradition, the blind bard Homer composes the Iliad and the Odyssey.

750 B.C. The Greeks begin to venture overseas and establish colonies in southern Italy and Sicily. Greeks from the island of Euboea (northwest of Attica) establish the first known of such colonies at Pithekousai on the island of Ischia in the Bay of Naples. Many of the colonies in southern Italy and Sicily eventually become city-states in their own right. Greek-style temples are built at Agrigentum (ca. 430 B.C.), Selinus (sixth–fifth century B.C.), Segesta (fifth century B.C.), Syracusae, and other sites.

743 B.C. The Corinthians establish a colony at Syracusae (modern Syracuse) in Sicily. Within a century, the colony increases so rapidly in power and wealth that it is able to found three subcolonies at Akrai, Kasmenai, and Camarina. Syracuse eventually rivals Athens as the largest and most beautiful city in the Greek world.

ca. 650 B.C. The earliest Greek lyric poets are active in Greece. Archilochos, an iambic and elegiac poet of Paros, is regarded as a great innovator in meter and language. Tyrtaeus, an elegiac poet from Sparta, exhorts the Spartans to fight in the Second Messenian War.

ca. 610 B.C. The poetess Sappho flourishes on Lesbos. Her poems are personal, reflecting her reverence for Aphrodite and the Muses and her affection for her friends.

ca. 594–593 B.C. The Athenian archon Solon replaces the Draconian law code and lays the foundation for democracy in Athens. By canceling all debts, he releases the peasants from serfdom and redeems those sold into slavery. He also introduces coinage to Athens and a corresponding system of weights and measures, and grants citizenship to immigrant artisans, all in an attempt to stimulate trade and industry.

mid-6th century B.C. The theater at Syracuse is constructed. Enlarged under Hieron II, it is one of the largest known Greek theaters in the ancient world, and the largest in Sicily.

ca. 525 B.C. The red-figure pottery technique is pioneered in Athens. This technique is the direct opposite of black-figure since the background of a vessel is painted with a black slip and the figures and other details are left in reserve as the color of the clay. Contour lines and some interior details may be added with a dilute slip.

508–507 B.C. The Athenian statesman Kleisthenes furthers efforts made by Solon and establishes a democratic constitution at Athens.

490 B.C., 480/479 B.C. The Greeks repel two attempts by the Persians to conquer Greece.

477 B.C. The Delian League is founded after the end of the Persian Wars.

449–432 B.C. The Greek architects Iktinos and Kallikrates design and build the Parthenon, the temple of Athena Parthenos on the Akropolis at Athens. The temple is the principal element in Perikles’ building programs overseen by the sculptor Pheidias. The Parthenon incorporates the Doric and Ionic orders and is made predominantly of Pentelic marble. It houses Pheidias’ gold and ivory cult statue of the Parthenos.

ca. 420–410 B.C. After the Temple of Athena Nike on the Akropolis is completed, a parapet is begun around the bastion. It is carved with processions of Nikai bringing offerings to Athena. They are clothed in near-transparent garments that cling to their bodies like wet linen or silk.

404 B.C. Lysander, an admiral of the Spartan navy, installs the Thirty Tyrants, a pro-Spartan government, in Athens. They are overthrown the following year.

ca. 403 B.C. Dionysius of Syracuse founds Tauromenium (modern Taormina) in Sicily. Its theater, the largest in Sicily after the one at Syracuse, is famous for its remarkable scenic setting.

399 B.C. Sokrates, an Athenian who devotes himself to inquiry into righteous conduct by cross-questioning, is brought to trial on the charge of corrupting youth. He is condemned to death and drinks the deadly hemlock.

380s B.C. Plato founds the Academy at Athens.

338 B.C. Philip II of Macedon establishes the Corinthian League, which provides the framework for Macedonian domination of Greece until it is dissolved in 322 B.C.

335 B.C. Aristotle founds the Lyceum in Athens.

323 B.C. Alexander the Great, king of Macedon, dies. Having defeated the Persian king and won a great empire, he extends Greek influence to the east as far as the Indus Valley and Afghanistan.

214–205 B.C. Rome successfully faces Philip V of Macedon in the First Macedonian War.

200–196 B.C. Rome enters the Second Macedonian War, which ends with the victory of Flamininus at Cynoscephalae.

172–168/167 B.C. Perseus of Macedon challenges Rome and thereby brings about the Third Macedonian War. He is defeated by Lucius Aemilius Paulus at Pydna, and Macedon is divided into four republics.

146 B.C. Under the consul Mummius Achaicus, the Romans sack Corinth and dissolve the Achaean Confederacy. From this time onward, Greece is ruled by Rome.

86 B.C. The Roman general Sulla sacks Athens.

48 B.C. At the Battle of Pharsalus in northern Greece, Pompey is defeated by Julius Caesar.

43–42 B.C. Antony, Octavian, and Lepidus form a triumvirate and defeat the Republicans led by Cassius and Brutus at Philippi in eastern Macedon.

32–31 B.C. Octavian (later Augustus) defeats Marc Antony and Cleopatra of Egypt at the Battle of Actium.

Source ⚜ More: Notes & References ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

[baronessvonglitter]

Cherry, Cherry 🍒 Chapter 19 🍒

"Hungry Heart"

Joel Miller x f!Reader

Word count: 6,022

Summary: Going to Jackson for a wedding seems like just a friend doing a favor for a friend, but old acquaintances and new attitudes don't always make for a great combination.

WARNINGS: 18+ Only! Mature and Explicit, age gap (reader is 39, Joel is 56), takes place June - December 2023, mention of eating food/drinking alcohol, mention of divorce, language, No Smut, mention of infidelity, post-divorce strife, Ellie is kind of a delinquent (will be discussed in next chapter), brief glimpse of lumberjack!Joel, forced proximity, mutual pining (mostly on Joel's side), Joel tries to be an authority figure and Ellie ain't having it

Author's Note: thank you to everyone who's stuck around to read this and been very patient with me! my birthday was last week so there was a lot going on, otherwise I would have had this out earlier. So.. we've got these two together again, but the reunion isn't exactly a happy one..

Series Masterlist

June 2023 San Francisco, CA

It's not until you're seated in a booth at the trendy new sushi bar downtown that you begin to doubt your agreement to meet Sarah while she's in town for a work conference. You'd said yes initially, then waffled about it in the coming weeks, and now you're drinking sake to fortify yourself. Your therapist told you it's a bad idea to mix alcohol with reacquaintances, but you're already refilling the ochoko when you look up for a moment and spy Sarah approaching you through the crowded restaurant.

You've never thought about what she might look like. A part of you imagined that you'd be sitting down to dinner with the same kid from twenty years ago. But Sarah has grown up, in her thirties, a successful attorney. And, from what you gathered by spying on Joel's Facebook account years ago, she's also a mother.

"Thank you for meeting me," she says, embracing you the way women always embrace each other, something you never got used to because of you lack of female friends. She smells like expensive perfume, the kind you spray on yourself at Sephora just for fun, and is dressed in a white maxi dress with blue floral print. She looks amazing, and you silently berate yourself for wearing black distressed jeans, a Rolling Stones tee and your lucky red Converse.

"You're all grown up," you remark, a hint of sadness in your tone.

"You look beautiful," she says in return. "You don't even look like twenty years have passed."

Little does she know you spent forty dollars on a concealer to hide your undereye circles, and were talked into spending another twenty on something called a lip oil that makes your lips sticky and tastes like cheap pineapple, which you wiped away on the restaurant napkin as soon as you sat down.

Settling down to small talk, you neglect to look at your menus, annoying the waitress who stops by to take your order three times and ultimately just comes by to refill your drinks.

Sarah lives out east in Boulder, Colorado, practicing law alongside her fiance Theo. They have a son together, ten year old Finn.

"Theo proposed when I got pregnant," Sarah says. "But I wanted us to build a foundation first, construct our little family. And when the time was right, I proposed to him."

She shows off pictures of Finn, sharing the funny and cute anecdotes that parents do, and when she asks about Ellie you do the same: Ellie in the hospital, just hours old, wearing a tiny knitted pink and blue hat as she glowered at the camera; Ellie at four, playing T-ball, one of just two girls on an all-boys team; Ellie at ten winning the school spelling bee.

Being an Army wife gave you the opportunity to see the world, experience things you otherwise wouldn't. Japan, Germany, Italy.. you were happy that Ellie got to experience them too.

But even that couldn't save your marriage to Justin.

There were infidelities on both sides, and when you found out about his, it was almost a relief to discover he was not Nice Justin, just a man who had affairs. In the midst of your own liaisons, you felt vindicated, though the fun wore off easier than it had in your youth.

Filing for divorce was only difficult considering Ellie. Justin didn't fight it, handing over full custody. It was the only part of the process that broke your heart. Now you were just repeating a history of broken families. Once the divorce was finalized it was like throwing up after being nauseous for so long, just good to get it out of your system.

("I kept my married name, just to piss off the new wife," you tell Sarah, who snickers in response. "That's understandable.")

Settling in San Francisco where you like the neighborhood and the schools, life seems easier.

"Ninth grade history," you answer when Sarah asks what you teach. "I introduce Romeo & Juliet to kids who are the same age as those characters."

And now, with the niceties out of the way, there's nothing left to talk about but the past.

You've been dreading it.

"I never apologized for what I did," she says.

You nod, inviting her to continue.

"You probably know this by now, but I was the one who called your mom."

Of course you knew it all along, but hearing it is a different thing.

She got her number from your phone when you weren't around. And, unable to get the picture of you and her dad out of her mind, she dialed it one day and explained to your mom what she saw.

"Why?" you ask.

She averts her eyes a brief moment. "Deep down I always knew there was something going on with you and my dad.. the day of my party when I walked in on you, it was a rude awakening. It's one thing to know something is going on, and another thing to witness it. And later, when you left, I realized I'd taken it too far."

Sarah goes quiet and so do you, despite the chatter in the busy restaurant.

You ask, "Did Joel ever find out it was you?"

She nods. "I told him later.. after he started seeing that awful girl you were friends with."

That part of your life, the bubble of jealousy and despair in which you made your home, seems so long ago. "Hailey," you remind her.

"Yeah.. she didn't last very long. Dad broke things off when he caught her stealing from him.. and when that happened I realized he was just better off with you. But.. by then it was too late."

By then you were already apart. The damage had been done.

"Was he angry at you for what you did?"

Sarah shrugs. "It was a silent kind of angry. You know how he is. We avoided each other for weeks until it became impossible. And by then.. you were gone."

You take a moment to reflect on your memories of Joel. "How is he?"

She smiles, as if she knew or even hoped you'd ask about him. "He's good. He's in Jackson now. Wyoming. Tommy's there with his new wife.."

You shift uncomfortably in your seat. "And, uh.. your stepmom?"

She looks blank for a moment. "You mean Tess? No, they divorced a few years ago. She was nice, it just didn't work out."

You don't know whether to feel sorrow or relief at this fact, but for once you decide to be petty and let the relief take over, hoping he went through a fraction of the pain you endured.

Sarah toys with her salmon roll. "I'm sorry," she says, nodding to herself as if giving herself strength to do it. She looks you in the eye and you catch a glimpse of the girl she used to be. "I'm sorry. For starting everything."

So many times you've imagined what it would be like if you hadn't been found out by anyone else. Would you still have stayed in Austin? Would you and Joel have had more time together?

"It's in the past, right?" You manage a smile, happy that this is out in the open. A part of you feels like a weight is lifted. Things may not have happened the way you wanted, but now you can reconcile the things you can't control anymore.

"This is probably the wrong time to say this," Sarah continues, "but I'd like to invite you and Ellie to my wedding this December, in Jackson. You won't have to worry about airfare or hotels. Theo and I will cover your ticket and.. well, everyone's staying at my dad's. He has a huge house in town, enough for close family. I'd really love it if you would come."

"Justin, you're really fucking me over, do you know that?" you try to speak as quietly as you can into the phone while laying out outfits for the Jackson trip. "Ellie's going to be brokenhearted. You told her you'd have her the entire two weeks."

On the other line Justin sighs, the new, younger Mrs. Williams can be heard in the background. "I promised Svetlana first. We really need this time together," he whispers as well, likely not trying to instigate another argument with his wife.

You have some choice words for Svetlana, but are interrupted when Ellie quietly walks into the room, well aware that the discussion is about her. "I'll call you back."

"Let me guess.." Ellie sits on the edge of the bed. "I'm not going with Dad for Christmas.."

There's no point in lying to her. She's a sharp kid. "I'm sorry you had to hear that, kiddo. He and your stepmother are taking an extended honeymoon in Malta," you tell her gently.

"You mean Slutlana?"

"What? Ellie, that's rude. Don't say that." You pause. "Don't say that to her face, at least."

She's quiet, and at times like this you regret that she's essentially living the life you lived at fourteen, always wondering when Dad would come back, if he even wanted to spend time with his own child.

"So.. I'm going with you?"

You nod. "Thank god your probation is over. It'd be nice if you paid Marlene a visit, or at least called her," I said, speaking of the parole officer assigned to Ellie after a particular incident. "We should send her some Tiff's Treats or something, she deserves a gift after putting up with your delinquent self." You playfully toss a tee shirt at her.

"Can I say bye to Riley?" she asks, hope evident in her eyes.

"No," you're adamant on this one thing, as lax as you were before the trespassing situation.

"Mom, my probation's over. I'm not gonna get in trouble just for talking to her."

"I don't care. I'm not going by the judge's rules, I'm going by mine." You pause. "You'll just have to come with me to Wyoming."

Sarah had gone to the trouble of sending a beautifully embossed wedding invitation, done in traditional cream and gold, with photos of the two of them as children, as teens, and one gorgeously done couples photo. Theo's cute, and Sarah seems happy with him.

"Boring," Ellie says in response to the wedding festivities. "Why would anyone want to get married?"

You decide not to give her a response. At her age you didn't understand the fuss about weddings either.

Forgoing Sarah's offer of paying for your flight, you rent a Chevrolet Suburban for the drive over.

"You do realize we'll be driving for over fourteen hours, right?" Ellie says, helping you put the suitcases and bags in the roomy luggage hold.

"Yep. I checked it out on Google Maps."

"What happens if you get tired?"

"We'll drive during the day and find a rest stop or a motel at night," you shrug.

"You know.. I could take over the drive sometimes," she offers.

"Okay, kiddo. Why not?"

She brightens. "Really?"

"Absolutely fucking not." With a smile you open the passenger door and she hops in, grumbling,

Only so much music can suffice a long ride, and somewhere outside of Reno, Ellie busts out a dog-eared copy of a book Justin had given her as a gag won the spelling bee.

"Oh no, Ellie, for god's sake, not the puns," you whine dramatically.

"Yes, the puns," she grins. "How else am I supposed to spend my time on this boring-ass road trip?"

"Brace yourself. We've only been on the road less than four hours."

She groans, slumping forward in her seat, revived shortly when she decides to recite every single pun in that damn book, and when you give her that Mom look, she simply grins and tells you, "That's what you get for turning down a plane ticket."

Three days later you arrive. Jackson Hole is picturesque, especially in winter, as it it was just made to be the snowy backdrop on a postcard or a highlight on Instagram.

You turn down the main thoroughfare of the town, a light dusting of snow already falling from the heavens as you peer out the window, frowning in concentration as you try to familiarize yourself with the location. Ellie's buzzing in your ear like a mosquito, singing along to something on the radio. You turn the volume down. "Quiet down, I can't see."

She nearly bursts at the seam with withheld laughter. "You want me to quiet down... because you can't see?" she teases.

"Ellie!" you groan. "We're already late for lunch with the family."

Promising yourself you'll settle in a hotel after what you hope will be a painless reunification with Sarah and the rest of the Millers, you find your destination and drive up a perfectly paved driveway. Joel's house, a craftsman-style facade done in red brick and accented with carved gable peaks, looks exactly like a house Joel would own.

Parking close enough on the curved driveway without blocking in any other cars, you take a moment to rest, stretching your neck and shoulders.

"Should've let me drive," Ellie says from her seat as you both start to disembark.

There's a smart remark on your lips but when you turn to her you're distracted by a figure at the side of the house.

Someone's chopping wood, splitting logs with precision, though not necessarily speed. He's wearing just a white tee shirt, jeans, boots. You let your eyes linger on his physique. Who is that? you wonder.

As if he can hear your thoughts or sense your presence, the figure turns and wipes the sweat off his brow.

You know him in an instant.

Joel.

Your heart feels like it's going into arrhythmia.

"Come on, Ellie," you hurry her up the walk and to the front steps.

"The bags--"

"Fuck the bags." You press the doorbell nervously, willing Sarah or anyone to open quickly.

"You made it!" Sarah practically mauls you as she greets you, giving both you and Ellie a hug.

You're swept inside where it's nice and cozy, the air scented with pine and gingerbread. Christmas garlands are strung over every doorway, along the staircase railing, the windows, and the fireplace.

"Was my dad out there? I told him he needs to start getting ready. I don't want him coming to the luncheon all sweaty," Sarah says.

"What? No. I didn't see anything.. anyone," you stutter.

"I'm happy you're here, because we're actually going to have lunch at the Tipsy Bison instead. It's Tommy's bar, you probably passed it on the way up here."

"Oh, uh.." you're distracted by Ellie precariously sloshing a winter themed snow globe, the thought of Joel is still spinning around in your sleep-deprived brain, and Sarah is still talking to you like you don't look completely zoned out and anxious.

To make things worse, Joel comes in, carrying most of yours and Ellie's luggage. His white tee sticks to his sweaty skin, his face pink with exertion and dewy with sweat, his hair dark with more gray now than ever, and on his beard too. His eyes, those dark depths you've lost yourself in so many times, peer into yours, and for a moment you forget to breathe.

"You left the trunk open," he murmurs, as if it's a quiet admonition, a secret he doesn't want to tell.

"Oh.. thank you. You didn't have to do that." Your nervous glance at him gives your blushing away because you see his face redden as well.

"Dad, can you believe she has a kid now?" Sarah says excitedly.

There's a jolt of fear when you realize father and daughter are going to be in the same room, and neither of them knows it.

"Uh, Ellie, this is Joel Miller. He's, uh, Sarah's dad, and I used to babysit Sarah.. a long time ago.." Being put on the spot, you falter your words.

"Put 'er there, Joel," Ellie says, holding out her hand for him to shake, which Joel does, the start of a tiny smirk on his lips.

"We all lived in Austin together, with your Aunt Sofia. I mean, we didn't live together but we were neighbors," you babble, feeling even more blush creep up your neck. "Way before you were born, kiddo."

Meanwhile Sarah's eyes dart from Ellie to Joel to you, and back again, slower each time, as if she's piecing the puzzle together. Her eyes linger on Ellie, her expression unreadable before settling on you. You quickly glance away.

"Let me take that from you," you motion to the luggage Joel's carrying.

"Nah, I got it. I'll show ya to y'all's rooms." He hefts the suitcases and bags like they're nothing and heads upstairs. You have no choice but to follow him, sneaking a little glance at how his great his ass looks in his jeans.

"Nice place you got here, Joel," Ellie remarks, eyes skyward, surveying the landing at the top of the stairs.

"Thank you," he says quietly. "Do you always address your elders by their given names?"

"Ellie," you whisper harshly. "Mind your manners."

"Damn, sorry," she mutters back.

"Sorry, Joel. She's--"

"Hey, why do you get to call him Joel?"

"Because I'm an adult," you say under your breath.

"He's older than you. Like, a lot. Like, Grandpa Bob's age."

"Stop it," you say through clenched teeth as Joel clears his throat.

"I can put y'all next door to each other--"

"I call this one!" Ellie claims the first door on the left, grabbing her bags and leaving Joel to lead you a little further down the hall.

"'M afraid this one is right across the hall from mine," he mumbles, leading you inside the comfortably decorated bedroom to set your things down.

"Thank you," you murmur, heart thrumming in your chest. This is the first time you've been alone with him in fifteen years. "You.. have a really beautiful home here, Joel."

He looks around, eyes darting anywhere but yours. "Thank you, that means a lot. Built it myself-- well, with Tommy's help."

"Really?" It's hard to pretend you're not impressed. "Must've been a lot of hard work."

"Yeah, it was. But she's sturdy." Joel gives a sturdy pat to the wall, and you can't help looking at his hand, the way his thick fingers splay out against the dark green wallpaper. Those are fingers that used to find their way inside you, curving just so in order for you to come quickly while his lips and tongue worked in tandem to--

Ellie's voice comes from the other room. "Wow! You guys have cable? Do you have HBO?"

"No Euphoria!" you shout back, scoffing when she quiets again.

There are too many questions on the tip of your tongue, too many things you want to say but not when you're so nervous that your hands are shaking. Staying quiet is easier. More awkward, but easier.

The room fills with unspoken words and missed chances as the two of you shift uneasily, not knowing where to start, not knowing if you should start.

"Didn't know ya had a daughter," he grumbles. "Not 'til Sarah told me."

"Yeah. Ellie's.. precocious."

A ghost of a smile graces Joel's lips as he looks at you and for a moment in time you feel eighteen again.

"How old is she?" he asks.

"She turned fourteen this past spring." God, please don't let him do the math, please don't let him do the math.

Instead he gives a low whistle, wears a teasing smile. "You look good for bein' the mom of a teenager. You still look beauti-- still look the same," he finishes.

You're thirty nine now and in possession of all the complexities that come with your age. There's more gray in your hair than you care to admit (which Ellie tells you not to dye because it "looks cool"), and there are a few more pounds on your person and a few more lines on your face than you're happy with, but his compliment warms you nonetheless.

"You look.. good.. too." Jesus, how did this man age like fine wine? If anything, the past two decades only served to make him hotter. It's unfair.

He takes a step forward, his face determined, lips pursed like he's still calculating his decision. "I.. I wanted to say--"

This time Sarah comes up, dressed for the cold, putting on her gray gloves. "Dad, get in the shower already," she scolds him. "I'm taking her and Ellie to the Tipsy Bison. We'll see you there."

Joel's eyes set on you. "I don't mind takin' them."

You open your mouth to speak, even though you have no idea how to respond. "Honestly, I'll drive me and my daughter. And we can get a room in town."

"No way, Jose." Sarah loops your arm through hers. "You're staying with us and that's final. So, will you let me drive you, or do you want to wait for my dad?"

Waiting for Joel.. it seems you've spent the majority of your youth waiting for him.

"Can we go with Sarah?" Ellie asks, solving the problem for you.

In truth you would have liked a moment to rest, to sleep, to puzzle over the strangeness of the day so far. You're almost a thousand miles from the home you've made after your divorce, under the same roof as the man who changed your life in ways good and bad, harboring a secret from him and his family. Not to mention Ellie's ignorance of her origins.

Sarah herds you and Ellie into the Tipsy Bison, a spacious bar establishment on Main Street, part of the scenery you must have driven by without noticing upon driving into town. Inside is the typical decor you'd expect: neon lights advertising every brand of beer and alcohol you can imagine, taxidermy mounts of bears, bucks, and elk. Pool tables are at the far left, dartboards to the right, a couple of foosball tables as well. There's a stage beyond the pool tables, ready for a band or DJ, a makeshift dance floor in front of it, and colored lights remain still overhead, their brightness dulled and stilled by the daytime.

There's a homey, cozy feeling as you glance around. The bar spreads along the far side beyond a range of tables and booths, boasting a wide variety of booze. Working behind the bar is a face you haven't seen in awhile: Tommy.

He comes out to greet you, his smile and bright and joyful as you've always known him to be, and part of you feels guilty that the last time you were together you'd been drunk, making out next to his truck, after meeting in a bar just like this one.

"Hey you!" He envelops you in a tight hug, and you start to feel better. Bygones are certainly bygones in his case.

"Tommy, it's good to see you again," you smile, pulling away to get a good look at him. "You've hardly aged. What's with you Millers, are you all vampires or something?" You cast a playful look at Sarah, who's bringing her fiance and her son to meet you.

Tommy shrugs, a playful grin on his lips. "You're more than welcome to join our Legion of the Undead," he jokes.

You're introduced to Theo, Sarah's husband-to-be, who's on the quiet side, a contradiction to Sarah who's chattering away about him, and Finn, who's an exact replica of his dad, eyeing you and Ellie with a shy smile.

Ellie manages to find a friend in him as you and the others get to catching up. You're introduced to Maria, Tommy's wife, the roundness of her baby bump just barely showing. She oversees the caterers as they start setting up for lunch. Tommy and Sarah talk about you like you're a part of the family instead of someone who knew them for a summer and changed things forever, even in some small way.

"Sarah tells me this is your place now," you speak to Tommy, who's behind the bar and pouring you a drink.

"Sure is," he says, sliding the drink across the bar to you. "Don't know anyone who orders a gin and tonic in the middle of winter," he says, teasing you.

"I'm eccentric," you smirk, taking a sip of the crisp, slightly bitter drink.

"Should be you behind this bar, Cherry," he winks.

"Oh god, no one's called me that in forever," you groan, doing a quick check on Ellie to find her attempting to play pool with Finn.

"How's business?" you ask him.

"Good, good," he nods. "Just glad to be settin' down some roots, buildin' somethin' for when the baby comes."

"Congratulations," you smile. "You and Maria seem like a good fit."

"Well.. y'know.. can't fuck around forever," he chuckles, then he spots someone at the entrance.

"Hey, brother!" Tommy raises his hand in greeting and you stay still, wishing you could sink down into the ground or better yet, become invisible completely.

The old-fashioned jukebox ends a Fleetwood Mac song and drifts into "Hungry Heart" by Bruce Springsteen starts, the catchy, melancholic combo of piano, drums, bass, guitar and saxophone wafting throughout the bar. You keep your eyes on your drink, willing for all of this to be just a dream, some intrusive thought you've put incredible detail into, prolonging your grief over lost love.

But there he is, a barstool between you, giving you your space while ready to jump up at a moment's notice if you want him closer. Your casual glance gives you away when you stare too long at him, clad in a green flannel shirt, his gray tee peeking beneath. You could swear it's the same flannel shirt you wore at the cabin, in the days when you were younger and carefree, before bad things happened to separate you.

Joel catches your look, lips twitching into a smile as his hands wrap around a glass of whiskey.

"So, what took you away from Boston?" you ask, putting your lips to your drink so you're not tempted to ask too much. It's an attempt to break the awkward silence.

"Lot of things," he mutters, staring into the amber liquid. "But mostly I followed Tommy out here."

"I was in Boston with him for awhile." Tommy shakes his head. "Hated it. I'll never set foot on the East Coast again if I can help it. I came out here, met Maria, started a family."

"And Sarah was already out here, buildin' a life. Just made sense for us all to be together again."

You look at both of them, glad the conversation isn't just between you and Joel. "The house is amazing. Joel told me you both built it."

The look of pride on their faces is endearing.

"We did, and mine too, across the street from his," Tommy adds.

"What happened to the contracting business?"

"We expanded it," Joel answers, a twinkle in his eye though his expression remains serious. "Made a nice chunk of change. Got branches in Oklahoma, Arkansas, even as far as Georgia."

That would explain the six-bedroom house, the fancy week-long wedding rituals that Sarah has joyfully swept you up in, and the catered lunches. The Millers have become quite financially well-off.

You listen to the brothers talk about some of the adventures they've been on, the good and the bad that has passed and ultimately brought them here, with you, once again.

The lunch spread is impressive: Texas style barbecue of ribs, brisket, and chicken; side dishes of beans, potato salad, grilled corn on the cob, macaroni and cheese, and mouthwatering desserts of pumpkin and pecan pies, cheesecake, banana pudding, and peach cobbler.

You haven't realized how hungry you are until you realize you have to remember to force yourself to eat slower, accidentally spilling a little barbecue sauce on your shirt. Embarrassed, you wipe it away, glancing at Ellie and finding her doing the same thing, just shoveling forkfuls of food in her mouth.

"Easy there," Joel's voice booms from across the table. "No one's gonna take it from ya," he playfully chides.

You were so absorbed in your lunch that you didn't realize he was right across from you. "Ellie," you scold her quietly. "Slow down."

"This is slow for me," she answers.

"Mind your mama," Joel says gruffly, his tone is authoritative.

She looks up at him, in annoyance and surprise. "You don't tell me what to do."

"And you don't talk back like that." Joel's voice gets a little more strict.

"Joel, stop," you intercede, your voice just as terse. The chatter around the table has dimmed but it's obvious everyone has their focus on you three.

"The kid obviously needs some fuckin' manners."

You scoff. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"

His eyes lock with yours, dark and cold. "I see where she gets it from. I guess that's what happens when a dad ain't around to teach some respect."

"Fuck this," Ellie mutters, pushing back from the table and throwing down her napkin, quick to get up and leave.

Your face is flaming red with both anger and embarrassment as your gaze burns through Joel's. "There's something wrong with you. Seriously," you mutter before getting up to go after her.

Joel goes after you. Sarah goes after Joel.

"Ellie!" you call out, watching her walk off in the direction of the house.

"I'll get her," Sarah volunteers, gently touching your arm. And then you hear her speak to Joel under her breath, something like "You're ruining it," before she hurries up to catch Ellie.

It's you and Joel now.

"Babygirl," he starts, his voice low.

"Babygirl?? Fuck you!"

Joel goes pale, obviously not expecting that. "I deserve that. I deserve for you to hate me."

"Hate you? No, you deserve worse than for me to hate you! How dare you yell at Ellie like that? I never once saw you treat Sarah that way."

"She never acted like that," he huffs.

"Do us both a favor and just stay away from us for the rest of the week. I'll see about getting a motel tonight, just.. fucking leave us alone."

He mutters Christ, and reaches for you, pulls you to the side of the building. "I'm sorry, all right?"

"Yeah? Tell her that." You could easily leave. He's not restraining you, but you stay. "Is that all you have to apologize for?"

He looks guilty. "No, of course not. I've been trying to talk to you since you got here--"

"Fifteen goddamn years and I don't hear anything from you? And now you.. what, you expect me to fall into your arms like I'm a stupid fucking teenager again? Go to hell! Nothing is that simple anymore!"

You hadn't meant for all your rage to come spilling out, it was just supposed to be about Ellie, but now that you're face to face with him, you can't help wanting to rage at him. Joel backs away from you, his eyes on the ground, hands on his hips, jaw set.

"Longer than that, actually," you softly correct yourself. "San Antonio.. you fucking left me. On my birthday."

He steps forward, not ready to back down. "I went to jail for you. On my birthday."

"I didn't ask you to do that! I didn't ask for anything but for you to love me! And you stopped!"

"No, I didn't," he whispers, arms hanging at his side even though they itch to reach out for you, hold you, make it better again.

"Don't say that," you warn him, backing away. "Don't insult my intelligence, Joel. You don't know what I went through after you left me. My heart was broken for years!"

"You were just a kid. I.. I thought I was doin' right by lettin' you go."

"I wasn't better because of you breaking up with me. I got worse! So much worse!" You don't dwell a lot on the past, specifically the college years that are now mostly a blur of hookups and hangovers, but now it all comes rushing back. Joel was your safety net and he took all that away from you once you started to freefall.

"Bullshit. You got married," he says bitterly.

"I did that so I could feel normal again. I tried to save myself. But it didn't matter in the end because he didn't love me either. Though I have to say, my divorce hurt a hell of a lot less than your abandonment."

Joel starts to look his age. The lines in his face deepen with worry and regret as he absorbs your words, mulling over everything that has happened. "I'm sorry--"

"Besides, you got married too! So please don't play like you're such a saint. You hardly look the part." Your anger has warmed you, given some spice to your blood so that you don't even feel the cold anymore. You roll your sleeves to your elbows, fists curled, adrenaline pumping as you finally tell him everything that's been locked away inside your heart.

"I don't accept your apology," you grunt, adding, "And don't ever yell at our daughter like that ever again!" You storm off, wishing you'd brought your jacket but it would mean having to walk past Joel, back into the restaurant and out again, and you're already walking away. It seems one of you is always walking away from the other.

It's snowing again when you find Sarah and Ellie, further down in front of a storefront, steaming cups of hot chocolate in their hands. Both are smiling, chatting, seemingly getting along. You know you should reprimand Ellie, tell her to apologize to Joel, but how can you be a hypocrite that way when you won't even talk to him yourself? All you can think about is leaving, going straight to the motel and picking up your things at Joel's later.

Sarah talks you into staying, warning of bad weather coming in soon. She apologizes for Joel, and you apologize for airing your grievances so publicly.

"Just don't do it at the rehearsal dinner tomorrow," she smirks. "Then I'll have to leave your ass out in the snow."

That evening you and Ellie keep to your rooms. You use your phone for distraction when your attention span keeps drifting from your novel, but even technology isn't the answer. There's only so much Merge Mansion you can play, and not even True Detective can hold your attention for long. You decide to rewatch Narcos (for the plot, you tell yourself) when Ellie knocks on your door.

"What's up, kiddo?" You press pause and scoot over on the bed, offering her to get comfy next to you.

"Have you seen the news?"

You're on Do Not Disturb and haven't gotten any of your usual notifications.

"There's a blizzard coming tonight. Sarah says sometimes the main roads get snowed in and we won't be able to get out."

Oh Sarah Miller, the purveyor of bad news. "She told me something like that. How long do they expect conditions to last?" You're already checking your phone.

"Could be days, maybe even up to a week," Ellie shrugs.

"Great," you mutter. "So we're stuck here even after the wedding?" It's the day after tomorrow.

"Please don't make us go to the motel. Sarah's really cool and really nice. And I even like Theo and Finn.. even Joel isn't so bad so long as he stops talking to me like a dad."

That night, as the blizzard blows in, turning everything outside completely white, Joel tosses in his sleep in his room across the hall from yours. It's not the howling winds keeping him awake; he's lived here long enough to get used to such natural disasters.

There's something you said to him, earlier outside the bar. It was an explosive moment, with words exchanged like bullets. But in the midst of it all he took away that one sentence: don't ever yell at our daughter like that ever again.

Our daughter?

dividers by @saradika 👑

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[justinspoliticalcorner]

Carter Sherman at The Guardian:

In the year Roe v Wade was overturned, at least 200 people in the US were prosecuted for conduct relating to their pregnancies – the highest number of cases in a single year ever recorded, according to a new report released on Tuesday. The report, compiled by the advocacy group Pregnancy Justice, is the first comprehensive accounting of pregnancy-related criminal charges between June 2022 and June 2023, but researchers warn that it is still probably an undercount.

[...] The vast majority of prosecutions documented in the report do not involve abortions. However, five cases mention allegations of an abortion, an attempted abortion, or “researching or exploring the possibility of an abortion”, according to the report. Only one was charged under a statute meant to criminalize abortions. The rest involved a bevy of other laws, such as a statute that bans the “abuse of a corpse”. Four of those cases took place in states that ban abortion or are hostile to the procedure. More than 200 of the 210 recorded prosecutions involve allegations of substance use during pregnancy. In almost 200 of the cases, prosecutors charged people using statutes that criminalize child abuse, neglect, or endangerment – charges that treat an embryo or fetus as a person, complete with rights and protections that may compete with that of the person carrying them. More than 100 prosecutions recorded by Pregnancy Justice took place in Alabama, a state whose supreme court recently ruled that embryos were “extrauterine children”.

Most of the cases also involved statutes under which prosecutors do not need to prove that any harm was done to a fetus or infant. Rather, prosecutors must show that a defendant posed some “risk” to the pregnancy – which could lead to criminalization of behavior that is not actually dangerous, advocates say. “It’s ultimately, a lot of the time, based on someone’s perceptions of risky behavior, however they might define it, and it’s often based on stereotypes or outdated notions,” said Zenovia Earle, media and communications director for Pregnancy Justice. People have faced criminal consequences over their pregnancies even before Roe fell. [...]

Pregnancy Justice found that more than half of the cases involved information obtained in a medical setting. In a separate 2023 study of the criminalization of self-managed abortion between 2000 and 2020, the reproductive justice group If/When/How found that in 45% of cases, it was healthcare providers or social workers who had tipped off police to a suspected self-managed abortion.

“This is a significant phenomenon, and now we have people all over the country hiding real healthcare needs and not reaching out for help. That’s the effect of this,” Bach said. “I would like a society in which people who need care, seek care. But if this is what’s going to happen, then it is totally rational to not seek care.” For Pregnancy Justice, the link between prosecutions and the medical establishment raises questions about the post-Roe surveillance of pregnancy – in particular, how the CDC, which already tracks nationwide information about abortion, could expand its reach. Project 2025, a playbook of policies for a future conservative administration drafted by the influential thinktank the Heritage Foundation, suggests that the CDC force every state to report the number of abortions it performs, as well as abortion complications, miscarriages, stillbirths and “treatments that incidentally result in the death of a child (such as chemotherapy)”. Bach and Earle declined to discuss the Project 2025 proposal, citing Pregnancy Justice’s nonprofit status.

Pregnancy Justice issues a study that more than 200 pregnancy-related prosecutions happened in the first year (June 2022-June 2023) after the Dobbs case that overturned Roe.

See Also:

SHERO: Charged With a Crime or Left to Die

[definitive-receipt]

About the court case:

you are aware that all of the screenshots from discord and other social media sites that are commonly used as evidence against Viv wouldn't be accepted as evidence in a court of law, right?

Screenshots are only admissible evidence in court if they pass authentication requirements; which means you have to have records of when, how, by whom, and on what type of device and operating system it was captured. You also have to prove it wasn't altered in any way and include the metadata of the screenshot. Primarily because it's very easy to alter or falsify digital screenshots.

If you're unable to provide any of that, the court will just throw it out. In fact in most cases screenshots are thrown out by default when presented as evidence. There's tons of legal precedence for it:

Moroccanoli v. Marc Anthony Cosmetics: facebook screenshots were thrown out because they couldn't be authenticated.

United States v. Vayner: A print out of a website was rejected as evidence and that decision was upheld by an appeals court TWICE.

Edwards v. Junior State of America Foundation: the court rejected an attempt by a plantiff to provide screenshots of deleted facebook evidence instead of native files, citing best evidence rule.

Unless you can prove without a shadow of a doubt that all the screenshots of Viv's wrongdoings are 100% authentic with proper metadata to back it up, no court will accept it.

Kendraws has proven that their messages are real and not faked. If you noticed from the last ask I said I would prefer an *ex-employee that has been through the firsthand experience with viv. Also also, spindlehorse is handled through discord and that is where her 'official' business goes through which is shady and weird! Even if messages can be edited/deleted if someone archives the original server the way it is to reveal what goes on behind the scenes then that would be substantial proof bringing an entire laptop/printed receipts over 'yes your honor these are her messages, timestamps, double verified over the original server the way it is and messages before editing'. Im not discussing just screenshots here, obviously, but there can be email confirmations and overall messages from discord because it's been proven that that's what sp1ndlehorse uses.

I think this is a unique case study over the fact that, again, sp1ndlehorse uses and is primarily on discord to pay and communicate with their artists it is not an official licensed business. I'm aware that sometimes internet drama isn't taken seriously but If some ex-artists rally up enough people to actually speak out about this sort of mistreatment and mispay there CAN potentially be a genuine case about this sort of issue at hand. If multiple artists have to come out to say 'she doesn't pay her artists can anyone do something about this? I was paid 20 per shot, someone else was paid 30, and another one of us was only paid 15 per background art'. I think the time is ripe enough to try and make a case here even if multiple artists have quit and only worked on one episode, due to the toxic nature behind the scenes which is kept on the downlow something needs to happen! Not to mention, thinking about it shes been scamming/not fulfilling her patreon for a while to my knowledge her patreon could also be taken down or someone could get her over that as well considering shes funded fully through youtube, Prime, and A24 soooo dont see a reason for her to still keep up an over 5 year old patreon that.... I'll take a court case about tax fraud at this point, mismanagement, or improper crediting ANYTHING.

https://passionfru.it/hazbin-hotel-spindlehorse-studio-46812/

There have been artists that have stated about mispay and mistreatment multiple times. Huge red flags and very weird behavior all around about pay despite trying to cover it up as 'freelance pay fluctuates' there's obviously favoritism within the 'studio' about this sort of thing.

Believe what you want to believe but face the facts knowing artists are mistreated, miscredited, and outright silenced because nobody wants to believe the actual people that work on this and animate it but would rather take Adam Neylan/V1vs word over them because 'Oh they can't be that bad'.

I'm tired of the excuses, and again, I'm not pursuing a legal case I just want justice for the artists and for sp1ndlehorse to maybe learn their place or outright get sued from mismanagement :/

[deeyaacademia]

june 07, 2024. | 03/100 days of productivity.

my legs have been so dead because of the gym I HATE IT SO MUCH but i will have to push through and will not stop (please send help)

i've been trying to eat healthy, sleep enough, find time for reading and working on my novel and maintain my jounal and i'm feeling so burnt out. i can hardly keep up with the ca classes and catching up on the backlog that i have zero time for any hobbies and if you know anything about me, is that I LOVE MY HOBBIES SO MUCH!!

yes, well that is making me upset but i just need to manage my time better and focus on one thing at a time (it's very hard).

never mind, today was okay-ish as i did all my classes, went to the gym (in pain) and even watched two old lectures of accounts and made notes for law!! YES FINALLY GETTING BACK ON TRACK.

hopefully i'll start stats from tomorrow because i've been hearing it's quite hard and i'm scared to begin 😭

also, i am watching bojack horseman currently and i've never felt so seen in my life. he is me, i am him. i also love diane <3

with love,

deeya.

[ultimateca]

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[getcardedtarot]

Manifestation PAC

Hello, lovelies! Today I have a PAC to help you on your manifestation journey.

If you would like to tip me or book a personal reading you can do so at my shop. My 10 card spread is currently reduced from $12 to $5.

My readings are for entertainment. Your choices are your own.

What can I do to accelerate the wish I’m manifesting?  Page of Cups

Remain open to new ideas. Embrace inspiration, even if it comes from unexpected places. Stay consistent with your manifestation, don’t falter. What you want will come to you, you just need to continue working towards it. 

How to avoid holding myself back?  Queen of Pentacles

Don’t let yourself become sour if your desires aren’t manifesting quickly. Things come when they are meant to. Be especially careful of becoming jealous of others. Remain positive in order to attract more positivity to you. Remember the law of attraction. Keep an abundant mindset to attract abundance. 

What can I do to be more aligned with opportunities coming my way?  Two of Pentacles

Be flexible. Opportunities may not come from where or who you expect. Try to be adaptable and ready to pounce on opportunities when they present themselves. Make space for this new balance in your life. Don’t let yourself become overwhelmed by your manifestation or by the responsibilities in your life. Give them equal space. 

What can I do to create space for my manifestation?  Seven of Pentacles

Put in effort. Work consistently in your life and in your manifesting. The most effective manifestation comes not only from wanting and mentally attracting, but by working towards it every day. Stay motivated, your work will be rewarded!

What can I do to accelerate the wish I’m manifesting?  Queen of Cups

Be kind and understanding with yourself. Don’t get frustrated with yourself if things aren’t happening as quickly, as easily, or in the way you thought they would. You are attracting your desires, and they will come to you when the time is right. Getting frustrated will only delay the process. Stay positive to attract positive outcomes quicker. 

How to avoid holding myself back?  Seven of Swords

Don’t try to sabotage others to get ahead. Be honest in your word and deed. Resourcefulness is good, but trickery is not. Protect yourself and your energy without stooping low. Lowering your energy will only attract negativity. 

What can I do to be more aligned with opportunities coming my way?  Ten of Cups

Positivity is the name of the game. Find happiness within yourself where you are, and positivity and abundance will flow to you. Try to find joy with your loved ones, don’t let yourself become isolated. And who knows? Maybe networking will open new opportunities for you.

What can I do to create space for my manifestation?  Ten of Pentacles

Keep your end goal in mind as often as possible. Remember why you’re putting in the work. You’re building the foundation for your abundance. Think of how your loved ones will fit into your reality. Planning ahead for where people/things you love will fit in will help when the time comes.

What can I do to accelerate the wish I’m manifesting?  Two of Cups

Find a balance in your life. Nothing should overtake anything else. Once you have achieved this balance, your desires will find harmony with the other aspects of your life. This will be imperative to usher in your wishes. 

How to avoid holding myself back?  Six of Pentacles

Avoid relying on others for your desires. Manifesting desires is not something someone else can give you. Be wary of anyone who tries to tell you otherwise. If someone offers to help you, or an opportunity should arise, check that there are no strings attached. 

What can I do to be more aligned with opportunities coming my way?  Three of Pentacles

Collaborate with like-minded people. Consult with others who are interested in manifestation. Look also at those who have achieved what you desire. What made them successful? How can you apply that to achieve your own success?

What can I do to create space for my manifestation?  Four of Wands

Make sure that your life is stable enough to handle what you’re attracting. Welcome your desires in, make sure that there is a welcoming environment. Be that inside yourself, or in your immediate space. Cheerfully look forward to your desires coming to you.

[antiochianorthodoxcumberlandmd]

Daily Scripture Readings and Lives of the Saints for Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Fast Day (Wine and Oil Allowed)

Feasts and Saints celebrated today:

Constantine and Helen, Equal-to-the Apostles

Pachomios the Righteous New Martyr

Readings for today:

John 10:9-16

Acts of the Apostles 26:1, 12-20

John 10:1-9

Constantine and Helen, Equal-to-the Apostles

Reading from the Synaxarion:

This great and renowned sovereign of the Christians was the son of Constantius Chlorus (the ruler of the westernmost parts of the Roman empire), and of the blessed Helen. He was born in 272, in (according to some authorities) Naissus of Dardania, a city on the Hellespont. In 306, when his father died, he was proclaimed successor to his throne. In 312, on learning that Maxentius and Maximinus had joined forces against him, he marched into Italy, where, while at the head of his troops, he saw in the sky after midday, beneath the sun, a radiant pillar in the form of a cross with the words: "By this shalt thou conquer." The following night, our Lord Jesus Christ appeared to him in a dream and declared to him the power of the Cross and its significance. When he arose in the morning, he immediately ordered that a labarum be made (which is a banner or standard of victory over the enemy) in the form of a cross, and he inscribed on it the Name of Jesus Christ. On the 28th Of October, he at tacked and mightily conquered Maxentius, who drowned in the Tiber River while fleeing. The following day, Constantine entered Rome in triumph and was proclaimed Emperor of the West by the Senate, while Licinius, his brother-in-law, ruled in the East. But out of malice, Licinius later persecuted the Christians. Constantine fought him once and again, and utterly destroyed him in 324, and in this manner he became monarch over the West and the East. Under him and because of him all the persecutions against the Church ceased. Christianity triumphed and idolatry was overthrown. In 325 he gathered the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea, which he himself personally addressed. In 324, in the ancient city of Byzantium, he laid the foundations of the new capital of his realm, and solemnly inaugurated it on May 11, 330, naming it after himself, Constantinople. Since the throne of the imperial rule was transferred thither from Rome, it was named New Rome, the inhabitants of its domain were ca lled Romans, and it was considered the continuation of the Roman Empire. Falling ill near Nicomedia, he requested to receive divine Baptism, according to Eusebius (The Life of Constantine. Book IV, 61-62), and also according to Socrates and Sozomen; and when he had been deemed worthy of the Holy Mysteries, he reposed in 337, on May 21 or 22, the day of Pentecost, having lived sixty-five years, of which he ruled for thirty-one years. His remains were transferred to Constantinople and were deposed in the Church of the Holy Apostles, which had been built by him (see Homily XXVI on Second Corinthians by Saint John Chrysostom).

As for his holy mother Helen, after her son had made the Faith of Christ triumphant throughout the Roman Empire, she undertook a journey to Jerusalem and found the Holy Cross on which our Lord was crucified (see Sept. 13 and 14). After this, Saint Helen, in her zeal to glorify Christ, erected churches in Jerusalem at the sites of the Crucifixion and Resurrection, in Bethlehem at the cave where our Saviour was born, another on the Mount of Olives whence He ascended into Heaven, and many others throughout the Holy Land, Cyprus, and elsewhere. She was proclaimed Augusta, her image was stamped upon golden coins, and two cities were named Helenopolis after her in Bithynia and in Palestine. Having been thus glorified for her piety, she departed to the Lord being about eighty years of age, according to some in the year 330, according to others, in 336.

Apolytikion of Constantine and Helen in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone

He beheld the image of Your Cross in the Heavens and, as Paul, he too did not receive the call from men. Your Apostle among Kings placed the care of the Royal City in Your hands. Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O only Loving Lord, keep it ever in peace.

Kontakion of Constantine and Helen in the Third Tone

Today, Constantine with his mother Helen present the Cross, the most precious wood. It shames unbelievers. It is a weapon of faithful kings against their adversaries. A great sign has come forth for us which is awesome in battle.

The content on this page is under copyright and is used by permission. All rights reserved. These works may not be further reproduced, in print or on other websites or in any other form, without the prior written authorization of the copyright holder:

Reading (c) Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA

Apolytikion of Constantine and Helen (c) Narthex Press

Kontakion of Constantine and Helen (c) Narthex Press

Prayer Before Reading Scripture

Shine within our hearts, loving Master, the pure light of Your divine knowledge and open the eyes of our minds that we may comprehend the message of Your Gospel. Instill in us also reverence for Your blessed commandments, so that having conquered all sinful desires, we may pursue a spiritual life, thinking and doing all those things that are pleasing to You. For You, Christ our God, are the light of our souls and bodies, and to You we give glory together with Your Father who is without beginning and Your all holy, good, and life giving Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Orthros Gospel Reading

The Reading is from John 10:9-16

The Lord said, "I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hireling and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hireling and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd."

Epistle Reading

The Reading is from Acts of the Apostles 26:1, 12-20

IN THOSE DAYS, King Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission to speak for yourself." Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense: "I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining round me and those who journeyed with me. And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It hurts you to kick against the goads.' And I said, 'Who are you, Lord?' And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand upon your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you to serve and bear witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from the people and from the Gentiles-to whom I send you to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, tha t they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' "Wherefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those at Damascus, then at Jerusalem and throughout all the country of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God and perform deeds worthy of their repentance."

Gospel Reading

The Reading is from the Gospel According to John 10:1-9

The Lord said to the Jews who had come to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber; but he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens; the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers." This figure Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not heed them. I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture."

[rdiasrohini]

Top B.Com Colleges Near You – A Step Towards a Successful Career

A Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) course is a compiled framework which provides students with foundational knowledge for business management, accounting, finance, and other related sectors. Choosing the proper college is important since it considerably impacts professional skills development and future employment opportunities.  Locating a nearby college offers you numerous additional benefits, such as improved time management, reduced travel costs, and the chance to acquire additional useful skills.

Importance of a B.Com Degree

The B.Com program is designed to equip students with essential knowledge and skills in various commerce-related disciplines, including:

Financial Accounting and Taxation

Business Law and Corporate Governance

Banking and Financial Management

Economics and Business Analytics

Given the dynamic nature of the global economy, a B.Com degree provides a competitive edge by preparing graduates for diverse career paths and higher education opportunities such as MBA, CA, CS, and CFA.

When looking for a B.Com college near you, consider these factors.

When evaluating B.Com colleges near you, consider the following aspects:

Accreditation & Recognition: The institution must be affiliated with a reputable university and recognised by governing bodies like NAAC, SRFC, and others.

Curriculum & Specializations: The college should follow a structured and disciplined curriculum framed by the university, including every important subject, activity, project, etc.

Faculty & Infrastructure: Faculty changes the meaning of every college and course, and infrastructure plays a part. Faculty experience provides excellent support and knowledge in the respective fields.

Internship & Industry Exposure: Practical training through internships, seminars, and workshops bridges the gap between theory and practice.

Placement & Career Support: Colleges with strong placement records and corporate tie-ups offer better employment opportunities.

Career Prospects After B.Com

Graduates of B.Com programs have access to industrial roles in financial management and banking. Some prominent roles include:

Chartered Accountant (CA)

Financial Analyst

Investment Banker

Business Consultant

Tax Advisor

Entrepreneurship & Venture Development

Choosing the right college is the biggest and most important decision for any student, the college allows students to find a pathway which leads towards the success of their life. BCOM colleges near you can facilitate you in many ways.

If you’re looking for a college in Rohini, the best college near you undoubtedly is RDIAS- Rukimini Devi Institute of Advanced Studies, within walking distance from the Pitampura and Rohini West metro stations, along with best location college offers the best faculty support and guidance for the students.

[hurlumerlu]

Not Me Tarot

The other day @amysgiantbees asked me which Tarot card my wife and I had assigned to each Not Me characters, in reference to this post about all of them being The Fool, but I felt the need to explain our reasonings so here's a separate post (cause it got long).

A few notes : - we’re basing our choices on the Marseilles Tarot, which is slightly different from the Rider-Waite one (especially with cards like The Empress or The Lovers) - even then, it’s more Marseilles Tarot through seven layers of interpretations we built together for fun over the years than anything else - we also didn’t necessarily always assign cards based on their meaning: sometimes it was just about making the symbols rhyme. - we argued a lot, and in some cases neither of us could remember who got the last word. that's why sometimes a card has several characters Ok that's enough disclaimers. Let's go:

0. The Fool: White.

Freedom, Pursuing your own path, Stubborness? As established, they’re all The Fool. In the end, though, it is also a card of beginings, and the one that can best be used to signify a protagonist: we settled on White pretty quickly.

1. The Magician: White or Todd.

We both see The Magician as a trickster figure but that was still our first disagreement! I was arguing for White or Yok (youth, change brought forth with words). She sees the Magicien as a self-interested card (in french, he’s called The Pebbler : he’s trying to sell you something), so her vote was for Todd. In the end we eliminated Yok because he’s an actively straightforward character while The Magician is a liar. So White for the positive meanings of the card (beginings once again, ressourcefulness, transformation), and Todd for the card in reverse (selfishness, dishonesty).

2. The High Priestess: the twin’s mother.

Patience & Power. A woman who took the time to build her throne on strong foundations. Also a card of wisdom, motherhood and intuition, all things she appeals to when she tries to bring White back into the fold. And now I feel like I slandered that card and need to apologize.

3. The Empress: Namo.

Intelligence, Creativity, Communication. Namo is both an artist and an intelectual, someone people turn to for advice and whose judgement they respect. I’d say she’s an Empress-to-be at the begining of the show, and fully becomes one at the end.

4. The Emperor: the twin’s father.

I’ll be honnest here, our reasoning is mostly that we’ve never vibed with The Emperor. But still : authority and stability, the establishment card. Can symbolize tyrany and a narrow mind in reverse. We rest our case. (another really good pick would be the unamed man who pressures Dan into betraying the gang, but he is more a symbol than an actual character, so we went with the twin's dad)

5. The Hierophant: Gumpa.

We didn’t need to think for that one, just said Gumpa at the exact same time. Wise teacher, spiritual guide, represented by a (slightly) older man? Yeah.

6. The Lovers: Dan.

Hear us out, we feel strongly about this one. In the Marseilles Tarot, The Lovers shows a man hesitating between two women: a rich, older one and a beautiful, poorer one. He has a choice to make, and cannot seem to make it. The card doesn’t actually imply one path is better than the other, but in the context of the show we have on one side the establishment and the safety of working for it ; and on the other the uncertainity but beauty of rebellion, with Dan stuck between the two until the very end. That’s right folks, Yok is a sexy medieval minx.

7. The Chariot: Black & White.

Look, that card is just Plato’s Chariot Allegory. A black horse and a white horse, pulling in two different directions – but if you manage to give them the same goal they move forward… hmm, I wonder what we could make this about.

8. Justice: Nuch.

The law is just the law. It’s only the gate to justice. But the law itself isn’t justice. What you are fighting for, I respect that. (I understand why people would want to give this card to Black or Gram, but it is still a lawful card, and anyway Nuch deserves it)

9. The Hermit: Sean.

Yeah, we know the hermit is only a card of solitude and isolation in reverse, and that it is also supposed to be a calm, measured card. But we just couldn’t let go of how alienated Sean is. More of an exile than a hermit, cast out of society as he is, but you get the idea. Petition to change the name of the card just so that it can work. Plus it’s a nod to the fact that he’s also a thinker and a seeker, and it is arguably a card for deep internal turmoils being slowly but surely untangled. (if you want to go with the traditional meanings of the card, Gumpa would probably be your best pick)

10. Wheel of Fortune: ToddBlack or GramBlackGene or Yok’s mother.

The night we talked about it, the wife had a lovely reasoning for Yok’s mother as the Wheel of Fortune, partially based on the constant instability of poverty. Unfortunately I couldn’t remember it and when I asked her she just said "I did????" so. Take my word for it, it was very convincing. Otherwise I offer ToddBlack for their Ironic Coma Role-Reversal, or GramBlackGene for the symbolism of three people chasing after each other, each pairing always on shaky grounds but put the three of them together and it works

11. The Strength: Eugene.

A discreetly resilient character, who comes to terms with her situation in a strong, calm and accepting manner. While most Not Me characters are changed by others, Gene isn't so much transformed as she comes into herself, and this journey of self-actualization is mostly solitary and internal (in fact, other characters tend to hinder it). When dancing, she exudes inner discipline and self-posession. A quiet, internal sort of strength. (if we wanted to go the "taming with patience" interpretation of the card, White or Yok would be good picks)

12. The Hanged Man: Black.

Willing sacrifices and temporary impairements to attain knowledge and wisdom. It suits both twins, as they both left their cushy life behind (and are the only characters attuned to something otherwordly, with their psychic bond). Black’s coma, however – a moment of suspension, out of which he comes seemingly stronger, more determined and bringing with him a new truth (Todd’s a bad guy) – made for too good an analogy not to give him the card.

13. Death: Seanwhite.

Another card of change! This one sparked serious debates. Black, White or Sean ? In the end we chose Seanwhite : both dealing with loss, both transforming each other, both encouraging each other to move forward. Their stated goal, at the end, of wanting to change society together, pairs very well with the Death card. Tabula Rasa.

14. Temperance: Gram.

Gram cares about fairness and balance, and plays the role of mediator and peacekeeper quite a bit in the gang. I mean, he even tried to play bridge between Black and Gene for a while! The very laid-back way he acts around White-as-Black kinda makes me think of him as a mitigating agent in the alchemy of the group. We kinda feel like he had that middle ground role in the Nuch-Gram-Black trifecta too, as he advocates for following the law a lot less than Nuch, but for violence a lot less than Black. Also while he certainly feels a lot and very strongly, he tends to try to appeal to logic and reason more than raw passion. Pretty sure he’s the only one of the boys we never see actively fight another member of the gang, too. Gram doesn’t mind upsetting the status quo, but he does seem to care about maintaining a certain equilibrium.

15. The Devil: Todd or Tawi.

I say Todd, she says Tawi: it does not matter, as those are the same guy at different times of his life. Clever, manipulative and a connoisseur of the human soul, The Devil is motivated primarily by material goods. It’s the card of earthly pleasures in excess, which can be linked to Todd & Tawi's economic status, the fact that Tawi moves drugs, and Todd’s not very buttoned button-downs. Someone talented should make a Tawi & Todd fanvid set to Sympathy For The Devil.

16. The Tower : Tawi or Yok.

She says Tawi, for a "pride before the fall" reading of the card (and because the protestors keep meeting in front of Tawi’s tower). I say Yok, because I love this card I feel like brutal changes, the unexpected, quests for authenticity, and redeeming destruction are all things he vibes with. But it’s also the card of harsh disillusionments, and boy does a certain scene comes to mind.

17. The Star: Yok’s mom.

Creativity & love of beauty: the star is tradionally the artists’ card, so giving it to Namo or Yok would make a lot of sense. It’s also, however, a card of peace, acceptance and serenity, all things Yok’s mom seems to value. It’s a very loving card, too, and as the nurturer and probably first appreciator of her son’s artistic sensibilities, doesn’t she fit the love of beauty meaning too? Reversed, the card is also supposed to anounce bad luck, and Yok's mom loses her job (and almost her son) twice in one show.

18. The Moon: Sean or Dan.

The card of the subconcious, of fears born from the past, of withdrawal into oneself. Two characters, flashing back to the same scene again and again. Guilt on one hand, Nightmares on the other. It’s almost like these two are foils or something.

19. The Sun: The Gang! (Gumpa included)

I don’t feel like I have to explain this one, honestly. Only possible response. Just rewatch the scene of Sean, Yok and Gram piling on top of each other after the rooftop race, and you’ll get what I mean.

20. The Judgement: Seanwhite or Dan.

New beginings, realizations, renewal: like with Death, this is what Sean and White are to each other. But it’s also Dan when he finally quit the force. We know which options most people would prefer, but we wanted to put the two out there. (the meanings of the card in reverse, stagnation and mental blocks, also suit the three characters when we meet them)

21. The World: The protestors stopping the van.

Not me, not you, but everyone.