Chapter 10, Page 10 A trim doesn't count

Yeah, apparently a parent cutting your hair doesn't count as getting a hair cut. Whatever.

Sorry for the delay, I will try to get this sequence uploaded before the weekend.

Chapter 10, Page 9 Anticipating birthday

Well, as I write this I will be 27 in about 11 minutes.

That still seems old to me. Maybe because it doesn't seem that long ago when 20 sounded ancient.

Anyway, this is actually going to be Mary's first sleepover. That is, the first time she's been to a sleepover that wasn't at her own house. You might remember that she did have a couple, ah, friends over night once before.

Chapter 10, Page 8 Big girl?

Oh, and in case the reason for this conversation isn't clear (it will be on the next update, but anyway), my birthday is next Monday. Can't believe I'm turning 27. That's *old!* It was kinda weird realizing I was old enough to drink and that was years ago! oO

Chapter 10, Page 7 Be careful with your gaming

Yeah, it is dangerous to get obsessed with RPGs, or video games, or fantasy novels, or chocolate sprinkles, or... It's dangerous to get obsessed with anything. Obsession is a bad thing, some people get a little focused on certain things people can get obsessed with, though.

For understandable reasons. It's especially concerning if you're dealing with a kid with a tendency toward obsession. But at least Mom's giving them a chance.

Chapter 10, Page 6 Ask your mom

So sorry for the lack of consistent updates! I wonder if I still have any readers. School has been intense this semester, so I've been focusing more on that. Of course, I have tried to relax, which is where my new video games come in. (Ike rules!) Also been trying to get the apartment in some semblance of order, which is starting to look less like an exercise in futility now.

Anyway, I finally get around to Mary asking to play 'The Game.' Yeah, I doubt Wizards of the Coast would bother suing me if I used the actual name, but we very rarely called it AD&D, anyway. It was 'The Game,' a highly mutated version of the commercially available system using rules from a couple different editions (at least) with some parts made up out of whole cloth.

Fun times.

Chapter 10, Page 5 The lyrics are...

Of course, it would probably help if Mary actually knew the worlds besides some bits around the refrain.

Well, then there are the songs she does know all the words to that involved drunkenness, murder, philandering... And these are songs her parents listen to!

And she's still pretty oblivious. Probably helps that the oldies tended to be a bit more subtle than some more current songs.

Chapter 10, Page 4 Taking advantage

Children may not be aware that their parents are ill, but they will know how to get away with stuff.