Tragic Love Friday: Now with visual aids

Last week, when I made note of the fact that I planned on creating an organizational flow chart of the various relationships taking place in TLF, I had no idea it would inspire one of my loyal, Mac-savvy readers to do the same. Behold the glory.

At his request, I didn't question David about the length of time it took him to create this wonderously concise, definitely-not-work-related masterpiece. Instead, I simply thanked him for his efforts and died a little inside, because I knew my own attempts to visually bring this story to life wouldn't fully capture the tragic detail that his clearly does. In fact, the project was so overwhelming for me that the only way I could wrap my head around it was to break it up into two separate diagrams, which themselves are only redeemed by off-the-cuff, slightly morbid freehand art.

 

Much love, Mary Katherine. See you at tha crossroads. David, God bless him, is probably biding his time in purgatory for the actions of his philandering penis.

In this first bit of creative expression, you'll immediately notice the absence of both Michael and Cassie, the characters who overall received the least amount of air time in part one, mainly because it was easier to focus on those who actually produced significant offspring (Lucas and Leigh are really just eye candy) than try and represent each family circle as it changed throughout the story.

Wait, it gets better:

Aren't you impressed with my ability to subtly convey the vulnerability and depravity that is prison gang rape? Not only that, but I also worked in the My So-Called Life version of Kyle! Yeah, I'm pretty proud of myself, too.

Since I stayed up until almost two o'clock in the morning working in Photoshop to make these charts happen, and since it's seven-thirty and I'm up already, just so I can have TLF posted before I dash off to work for what I already know will be a half-day because holy crap, I am so tired, let's cut to the chase and find out what's in store for our dear, underemployed, emotionally naive Kayla.

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CHAPTER FIVE - KAYLA

After a few days, my family settled into a comfortable routine. Everybody did their own thing [did their own sister] until about six, and we all ate dinner together. My job as an assembly-line worker was going well, and Cassie was a cashier at the local grocery store. The best thing, though, was that Katherine came home with Kyle almost every day after school; they also talked on the phone. I was in contact with her, and my children were great friends. I was happy. Except for one thing: I couldn't get Michael out of my mind.

I had no idea he would turn into such a good-looking man! [What else did you expect? He's Dean Cain, for cryin' out loud!] It took my breath away when I thought about it. Otherwise, he was the same person he was when we were younger. Sweet, patient... [The man who saw my water break in a prison cell...] I couldn't explain it.

He was hurting. I could make that out with our two brief encounters. This child problem with Jenna was tearing him apart, and his marriage wasn't benefitting, either.

I wanted to see him again. I needed to, for reasons that I didn't try to understand. [So I'm guessing you could've benefitted from a few more years in therapy, then.]

One day I did, quite by chance. It was on a Saturday afternoon at the grocery store, and at first he didn't see me. I was unsure if I should approach him, but I needn't have worried. Michael turned around and spotted me. His face broke into a smile and he waved. I took that as a cue and came over. "Hi, Michael," I said. "How are things with you?"

"OK, I guess," he replied. "It's good to see you, Kay."

"Same here."

We both stood awkwardly, trying to make conversation.

"How are things with your wife?" I asked. "Better, I hope." [Said with her fingers crossed behind her back.]

"A little." He ran his fingers through his hair. "I'd rather not talk about it. Hey, do you have any plans for the day?"

"No. Why?"

"I feel like I have to get out today, or I'll go crazy. Are you up to it?"

"Yeah, sure," I answered, trying not to sound excited.

"I thought that tonight we could see a movie, and then just take it from there."

[So really you don't want to do anything during daytime hours. "Tonight" is not daytime, Michael! But I think we can all agree that Michael the Sequel isn't fit to shine his own part-one shoes. All ass, no class.]

"Perfect." I held back a smile, but only an idiot could miss the added sparkle that I knew could be found in my eyes. [Kayla, have you met Michael Spencer?] "Why don't you pick me up around six?"

"Great. See you then." Michael started to leave, but then turned back to me. "Thanks, Kay. I really need a friend tonight."

"Well, you've got one." I hurried away; I'd be with him in a few hours!

[This exchange is so wrong for countless reasons. First of all, Michael just made a date with another woman in a public place, in broad daylight. Second, he's taken his marital problems and used them as a platform from which to garner sympathy from a single woman, which he eventually used to FINAGLE A DATE. Third, Kayla is well aware of her own history with Jenna, a woman she eventually came to trust and respect enough to raise her first biological child; now she wants to make a fool out of her by going after her husband, "for reasons she isn't trying to understand"?

These people are despicable, and I love them for it.]

I finished my shopping and went home. Kyle was there with Katherine. She was sitting on the windowsill, smiling softly, not moving. Kyle sat on the floor in front of her with a sketchpad. She started to talk, but my son shushed her. "You'll ruin the pose if you move! Hi, Mom."

"Hi, kids. Kyle, how long has Katherine been in that pose?"

"For about an hour," he replied, gazing at her face. "I think it's really coming along."

The way he looked at her momentarily gave me a chill. [AS IT DAMN WELL SHOULD, WOMAN, PUT A STOP TO THIS INCESTUOUS TRAIN WRECK RIGHT NOW.] "Really? Let me see." I reached for the pad, but Kyle held it to his chest.

"No! It's--not finished," he cried, and wouldn't meet my eyes.

[How much you wanna bet he's got sketches of his favorite sexual positions in there?]

I bit my lip. "OK. Well, I'm going to my room for a while."

I closed my door and sat on the edge of my bed. "They're just friends; good friends," I reminded myself, and shook my head as if to clear it.

I heard a knock, and Cassie came through the door.

"Hey, Kay, I just wanted to see what you had planned for dinner.... Is anything wrong? You look funny."

I laughed nervously. " I FEEL funny. Oh, Cas!" I jumped up and grabbed her hands. "I...I have a - date!"

My friend smiled. "That's great! Who is he?"

I bit my lip and turned my back to her. "With Mi - Katherine's dad."

[Smooth cover, Kay.]

Cassie's face lost all its warmth. "Katherine's dad is married to Jenna! You're going out with Michael!"

[Gasp! Close up. Fade to commercial.]

I grew serious and sat on the bed again. "I know.... It's not REALLY a date, Cassie. He just needs someone to talk to tonight."

"Maybe." Cassie's voice turned soft. "What do you want to come out of this night?"

I sighed. "I miss men, Cas. I haven't had a date in ages, and I don't think I've been in love since I was with David. And then, after the rape...I was devastated. Too scared to let a man touch me." I gazed into Cassie's eyes earnestly. "Michael's a good man. Hasn't changed at all."

[Well, except for the married-with-children thing.]

"No, Kayla."

"Things will be fine. I'm an adult and can take care of myself."

"I don't think so. You're getting in over your head. Any fool just has to look at your face to know that you don't plan on talking the night away!"

She had hurt me. "Thank you for understanding how important tonight is for me," I retorted angerily. "Dont slam the door on your way out."

She had her hand on the knob, then turned to me. "I'm not trying to hurt you. Look at yourself! Ask yourself why you're so eager to be with a married man, who happens to be Katherine's dad & Jenna's husband? It's not normal, or OK."

When she left, I bowed my head and cried. Then I fell asleep.

[Mad props to Cassie for telling it like it is. Who knew the nutjob would go on to become the town sage?]

[Also, because I love to analyze the lives of fictional characters, I wonder if Kayla's desire to be with Michael stems from the part of her that wants to reconnect with Katherine. Maybe in her own sick way, she feels like this will bring the two of them closer together. Or maybe she's just horny as hell and enjoys a good challenge. Who's to say?]

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Hang on until next week, kiddies, because gasp! The date!

Also, as an FYI, we're currently on page 48 in the first of three part-two notebooks, which means there's another ninety-eight pages to go before...well, I don't know. The end of TLF? The start of a prequel, as Pink Herring has cleverly suggested? What do you think? Would TLF be a lost cause without the charm of lil' Frema? Would this be a unique opportunity to bring on guest writers and get new perspectives on the characters? Or should we just let them ride off into the sunset and (try to) move on with our lives?

Tell me your thoughts. I really want to know.

P.S. I created a TypePad links list to provide easy access to each diagram (it's the third item in the sidebar here), but for some reason the links are bad. Can anybody tell me what I'm doing wrong? 

P.P.S. Fixed! Thanks, KaitKait!

Comments

[VirginiaGal]

I think Frema's comments on Kay(la) really just say it all.

Oh the possibilities of this date - Kayla (who gets pregnant at the drop of a sperm) and Michael start to get down and dirty until she comes to her senses (or he does, but the drama of her telling him who she really is is so much more compelling) and puts an end to it. But not before that one rogue sperm sneaks its way in and voila! another love child and the complete and utter detruction of Katherine's world as she knows it.

[kaitkait]

A chance to de-lurkify and comment -- and a useful comment, to boot!
The address you are using has a slight error in the middle of the link:

The portion that reads:
/.shared.html?

should be:
.shared/image.html?

Hope this works, and hello! I'm a loyal reader, discovered you through Amalah, and I've read your entire archives. In less than a week. Should I be embarrassed by that?

[Molly]

If I knew Michael in real life, I would slap him. I can't wait to see how he explains to his wife that he is taking another woman out to a movie that evening so that he can blow off steam about their troubled marraige. Affair by the book, baby. But then again, this is TLF, where anything can and will happen!

I love the idea of a prequel!

[Katie]

My favorite parts were
1) when Michael asked for the date (I totally wasn't expecting that; I thought he'd figured out the marriage-confidentiality thing when he said "I'd rather not talk about it") and
2) "They're just friends; good friends," I reminded myself. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA I bet he was sketching her naked.

I don't know if TLF could be as awesome without Lil' Frema. . . I don't know!

[Silly Hily]

Molly said "blow." Huh-huh-huh-huh.

Your commentary on this one was hilary-ous. (You like that?)

Last week I totally meant to jump up and down yelling "Kayla and Michael are gonna do it! Kayla and Michael are gonna do it!"

You know those little imaginary people that sit on character's shoulders, one is a devil and one an angel? I guess angel Cassie kicked the shit out of devil Cassie because she's like, normal now. Who would have thought?

I don't even want to think about TLF ending so, whatever you do, just PLEASE don't let it end.

Last, David's diagram thing rocks!

[David McNelis]

Yeah, definitely drawing her naked. Definitely. Frema, I love your chart, with the pictures, little hearts and the fantastic photoshop freehand!

Kay is so gonna end up boinking Michael. But then at least Michael will be able to honestly say to Katherine, "Yeah, well I porked your mom!" and not be lying in the least. Won't he be happy to get that off his chest. :)

[Pink Herring]

Man, I really wish that I had something better than a birthday tribute to my cat up on the day that you link to me.

PREQUEL!!

I think Michael is actually a look-alike, the real Michael is locked away on an island being tortured for unclear reasons, just like Hope's husband on DOOL. That's why he doesn't recognize Kay(la). Honestly, no one can be that stupid!

[Elizabeth]

Love the diagram. (a big WOOT! for David.)
Love the commentary. (as usual.)
LOVE LOVE LOVE the idea of a prequel. Or a sequel. Whatever the hell it's called...JUST GIVE ME MORE!!!

[Rachel]

What an ass! Who in the hell makes are freakin date with another woman, in a grocery store, when they are MARRIED!? I am no longer a fan of Michaels! And, yeah, mad props to Crazy Cassie for telling it like it is!!!

I like all the ideas for a continuance of TLF! A prequel, another sequel, guest writers!

Awesome diagram from David too!

[Isabel]

I love the org. charts and am not lying when I say I printed out David's and hung it in my cubicle. Dude, I need all the help I can get.

Okay so Michael goes to the grocery store in the middle of the day with no intentions except to get some milk (or whatever) and walks out with a date for later that night with a women he knew in high school, but can't seem to recognize her? Oh, and he also is raising her daughter, who is getting ready to let HER OWN BROTHER deflower her. (Or at least draw nekked sketches of her in his kitchen.)

He won't talk about his marriage problems with this "stranger", but he'll go see a movie with her? Dude, if I went to a movie with a guy, my husband would kill me. Rightfully so, I might add.

I love how Kay is all "I miss men" and that's her excuse for going with Michael. Okay, you miss men, I understand. So find a man. You know, ONE THAT ISN'T MARRIED. There has to be a nice single guy at the plant she works at. This is Iowa for crying out loud.

And also, when Cassie's the voice of reason, we know we got a problem.

(I think a prequel with guest writers is a great idea. Of course I can not be one of the guest writers. But I bet Pink Herring could do a great job.)

[mjd]

I love the diagram-flow-charts. They are so scientific, and we all know that science is a such wonderful thing. As your readers realize, TLF provides such a fine education.

[daddy d]

Great charts. Both kinds are good relational tools for story tell. Good Job.

[Sant]

1st on the agenda-- Who called it last week?? ME. Totally me. Michael and Kayla... I don't know which one to be more annoyed with for the trip they are about to take down adultery lane (okay Michael, because he's the married one, but Kayla too because she should totally not go there... but I'm more than certain she will. Oh but she will).

2nd-- Had the movie Titanic been out at the time this was written, there would have been emergency SOS flares being shot into the air in Kayla's living room where young Kyle was sketching naked, necklace-wearing Rose, er, I mean Katherine. That was the scene I got-- heart of the ocean, Katherine throws him a dime for his work. You know how the story goes. Hopefully no school security guard chases them through the boiler room at school, because, well, we all know what happens next....

I'm all for a prequal-- the only thing I have to object to (since we were asked for our honest opinions) is for guest writers. I'm sure other people would have great ideas, but it reminds me of the Anne of Green Gables books, and how when someone else got ahold of it, they took it to places like Anne giving away Green Gables-- that shit wouldn't fly if the original author was still alive, btw). Once somebody writes something crazy, you can't undo that shit. So yes, I say, Frema, nobody knows this cast of characters like you do, and it's your story, so I would love to see you write more about them. This is your baby. Well, so to speak;)

[Isabel]

Sant brings up some good points and reminds me of the Gone With the Wind crap that wasn't written by Mrs. Mitchell. Maybe the guest writers aren't such a good idea.

And dude, I'm sure Lil' Frema will have loads of time to write a prequel in between changing diapers and what not.

[Lindsey]

Holy crap those are the best charts ever. David has a lot of time on his hands I see. My favorite part though is in yours. I just LOVE how prison gang rape has taken on a life of its own. I just feel like that was a young, angsty Frema-esque thing to do and I must say, I'm impressed.

In the grocery store scene I kept wanting Kayla to think "I hate to see you leave, but I love to watch you go..." That's all I could think of...for reasons I can't understand.

[Brooke]

I need a new update before I leave for 8 days on vacation and then I will have no Frema :o(

[Brooke]

I need a new update before I leave for 8 days on vacation and then I will have no Frema :o(

[Sissy]

I like how you did the diagram and pictures sister! Nice visual organization for all the drama . :)

[Carrisa]

quit puking and post on your blog already! we miss you.

[Anth]

Whew. I just finished reading the archives. I stopped by recently, on a TLF, and saw some kind of story - "What the?" - decided to look into it, and was quickly sucked into the most fantastic story of true love, teen pregnancy, and retarded murder schemes EVER.

My comments for this installment:

1) Michael is as dumb as a rock. "Thanks I really need a friend" oh give me a break. I can't even handle this. You just made a date with your wife's attempted MURDERER, you twit.

2) Why is Cassie acting so...normal? It's disturbing.

3) Kyle is dirrrrr-tay.

[M]

OMG! I read a referral to this blog on another blog and started reading TLF today at work. I TOOK MY LAPTOP HOME so I could keep reading it and pawned my child off on my sick (it's just a headache - I'm not that horrible) husband so I could keep reading! He's making me back away from the computer now so we can watch the BB8 finale, but what a great story!!! Please keep back issues on your blog for a long time and maybe link to them from your front page? There may already be a link that I missed, but I read old posts until I found something that talked about Kayla, which took me to a TLF, which I then searched using. Anyways - work of genius this is!! Thanks for the entertainment! I'll pick up tomorrow where I stopped reading tonight...