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• 28.1 I felt a bit nervous about Lawrence at first, but quickly warmed. I'm not sure I can completely know if something is wise at the beginning (so instincts and wanting to do best by someone kicks in) , so perhaps I can only judge properly at the end of a situation and I thought the same here for Casey and Pamela. Regardless of the ending, I don't think there was anything to regret as Lawrence had a benevolent love and had a family for a while and what child doesn't find comfort in that? 28.2 Hardest decision - falling in love again. 29 and 30 -I'm still thinking.... (NT) -- Tracy, 20:06:33 09/18/07 Tue

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• Sorry, I remembered that I had a couple of questions to ask about the previous chapters .Page 237, Lawrence (Flip) suggestively rubs the inside of Casey's wrist which was not received well by Casey. Was this a sexual gesture? It didn't occur to me until I read that Flip also fluttered his eyelashes. Next question: At the end of Chapter 27 (page 252) Casey and Pamela are talking about being haunted by the living. Would "his pain" be Robin and "her fears" be Love?? I hope it's OK I plunked this here but the thread below is probably finished. (NT) -- Denise, 20:06:36 09/18/07 Tue
  • Yes, it was a sexual gesture. He was testing Casey, if Casey had responded differently Lawrence would know he couldn't trust him, but because Casey responded as he did, Lawrence knew he COULD trust him in that respect. He's used to dealing in that way with people, so it's not out of the norm for him to do this when meeting someone new. It's Casey's pain around Robin and Pamela's fears for Casey regarding his life in Belfast. (NT) -- celtgirl, 21:20:50 09/18/07 Tue
    • I think of the inside of the wrist as a place that suicidal people use to meet their needs, but it didn't make sense that little Lawrence would threaten Casey that way. The fluttering eyelashes were the clue to think otherwise, but it didn't dawn on me on the first or second read. I guess I'm a little slow, is all! (NT) -- Denise, 11:37:44 09/19/07 Wed

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• (28-1) Tracy is right. At least Lawrence knew love, even if it was for a short time. In today's day and age, you can't accept a street child into your home without a ton of paperwork. Personally, I doubt I'd be so noble. I'm at a point in my life when I'm looking forward to vacations and time for DH and I to have fun - childless. Greedy and selfish I know but I'm being realistic. One of the little guys I worked with last year was a foster child and desperately wanted me to adopt him, but I couldn't go there. I applaud Elaine for adopting Tati and starting many aspects of life all over again! (NT) -- Denise, 20:20:06 09/18/07 Tue

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• (29-1) Casey has the knowledge, history, and leadership skills to run the orgainzation, but I don't want him to do that! I want him safe at home with his wife and future children! Does destiny have to mean putting yourself in harm's way all the time? (29-2) Based on how chapter 20 ended, I don't think he's forgotten. Robin seems to hold onto a grudge even if his heart tells him to let it go. (30-1) The only new house, new camper, new boat ritual we have is to "christen" it properly! (NT) -- Denise, 20:31:27 09/18/07 Tue
  • Why Denise, we seem to have adopted the very same ritual! (NT) -- Elaine, 20:43:44 09/18/07 Tue
    • We're a pair of horny old broads, and proud of it! (NT) -- Denise, 21:03:06 09/18/07 Tue

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• Ch 28-1) I would have a lot of trouble allowing a street kid to move in with me. Just don't think I could do it. 2) I don't recall my hardest decision to be honest I think back in 1997 when I left Chester cause our relationship had gone all to pieces I think. At the time it was the right decision because it led us on to fixing it.. Ch 29 1) I think Casey should just stay out of it. He has so much more now, a wife, a home, a reason, so why throw all that away to go blow up things? I just don't get it. 2) Robin was full of anger, at least I thought, so no he had probly not decided against revenge. Ch 30) nope, not a ritual person much when it comes to things. I do make it a point to do a few fun things, like dance, or,,,,,,, well you know,,,,,, just everywhere. (NT) -- bug, 06:10:00 09/19/07 Wed

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• Chapt. 28 Q1) I don't know if it was "wise", but it was the right thing to do. Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't choose to do so, at least not in my current situation. First, with three young boys at home I wouldn't want to expose them to possible harm. And second, I really don't have the energy right now to deal with anyone who has this level of problems. I like to think that I would help him find help, although I'm not sure that Lawrence would have taken any help or advice. (NT) -- Carla, 06:12:46 09/19/07 Wed

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• Chap 29) Q1. I think we make our own destiny to a certain extent, so I don't think Casey was avoiding his, just trying to change what may have looked to others as a predestined path. The IRA may have needed him inside with his abilities for leadership and organization, but Pat, Pamela -- and now Lawrence -- needed him outside the IRA and I think their need is most important right now. Q2) I think Robin is so damaged he can never truly give up his need for revenge, whether it's revenge on himself or Casey. I felt so bad for the man, but at the same time I still felt he was ultimately bad news for himself and anybody around him. Q3) Unless some very radical social, political and religious changes take place on both sides of the border, I really can't see the two parts of Ireland being reunited. The Republic is enjoying prosperity right now and probably isn't too keen on having the poorer North brought into the fold, not to mention wanting to bring in the social and religious divide that -- Carla, 06:24:43 09/19/07 Wed
  • Economically speaking the North is probably on par with the South right now and the economy in the South is on a gradual slowdown. I think what would really hamper the two countries rejoining is the one million Protestants. :) (NT) -- celtgirl, 08:05:07 09/19/07 Wed
    • See, you learn something new everyday! Especially around here. (NT) -- Carla, 09:39:06 09/19/07 Wed

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• Chapter 30 Unfortunately, we have no rituals as lovely as this one. We have certain things without which various celebrations would not be complete -- like crackers at Christmas dinner, scalloped potatoes and ham for Easter dinner and the setting out of carrots, cookies and milk for Santa and the reindeer on Christmas Eve. (NT) -- Carla, 06:27:11 09/19/07 Wed
  • Could you explain the origins of crackers with Christmas dinner? Awfully proud of you for providing Santa with some betacarotene on his busiest night of the year, btw. (NT) -- Elaine, 06:42:26 09/19/07 Wed
    • Here's a good explanation of the Christmas crackers (which are not crackers as in Premium Plus or Ritz) Click Here Oh, and the betacarotene is for the reindeers, Santa gets the cookies and milk :) (NT) -- Carla, 14:39:12 09/19/07 Wed
      • Doh! Of course, I've only seen them in catalogs, but now I get it. Jeeze, do I take long enough or what?? The only ritual we have here is me replacing the empty toilet paper roll. (NT) -- Elaine, 14:51:35 09/19/07 Wed
        • Gee, Elaine, we have that in common as well! (not as exciting as the last similarity) How can three grown men not be able to figure out this simple task?? (NT) -- Denise, 15:24:09 09/19/07 Wed

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• 28.1) Wise, I don't know they knew the risk though. Not sure how much time has passed between their first meeting Lawrence to moving day...but they've obviously come to know him a bit since he's been bunking with them for some time. He's been following the rules and curfews. I don't know what I'd do, it really would have to depend on the situation..but I'm not sure I'm selfless enough. 28.2) There are 2 that come to mind immediately. The first, no I'm not glad I had to make the decision period. Would I make the same choice again? Again it depends, with hindsight I'd like to think there would have been no decision to make. The second, yes I'm glad I made it and I would make the same one again if I had to. (NT) -- Marilyn, 10:25:05 09/19/07 Wed

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• Chapter 30 was my favorite of all of Mermaids. Did anyone else cry here? It was just so touching for me..... (NT) -- JaneH, 19:01:50 09/19/07 Wed
  • (I think that was the chapter - I've loaned out my copy ;-) (NT) -- JaneH, 19:03:52 09/19/07 Wed
    • Yes. I really needed that chapter to help me come down off the heavy stuff that had taken place in Part 1. Suddenly, Pamela and Casey seemed settled. (NT) -- Elaine, 19:17:55 09/19/07 Wed