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Interesting to see the real Therese coming out.
Trying to think kindly, perhaps she equates love with presents, and that might come from the way her mother and dad parented her.
Or simply the way she chooses to live her life without being in contact with her child.
On the other side, well, the words shallow and non-maternal come to mind.
The second isn't a crime, there are women who simply don't want to be mothers.
I feel bad for Liz who is going to have to try and repair and the damage by showing Frannie what a "real" mom is, whether step, birth or adoptive, and love this very bright little girl.

Mary Louise S, Iowa

While I enjoy FBFW immensely, I was disturbed by the appearance of Therese.
I can believe that some parents--mother or father want nothing to do with their children. This is an all too real fact in our culture today.
I hope Francie understands just what a selfish person her birth mother is. Therese put her own needs and desires ahead of her child. It would have been better if she terminated those rights rather than drag them out by sending gifts..the damage has been done. I don't think Anthony would purposely not tell Francie about her mother. I think we are underestimating the character of Anthony. He has to be strong to raise a child alone. I used playpens when my kids were little and they played in a fenced in yard too.
Elizabeth is an intelligent woman. She has known Anthony longer than Therese ever did.
Lynn is a genious with her strip--I hold her in the same esteem as Charles Schultz.
Lynn,
Please keep up the fabulous work you do. This strip is spot on for the world today.
Thank you for writing such a realistic strip.

Julie, Decatur IN

***CRACK***
That's the sound of my heart breaking for little Francie. It's a very accurate portrayal of real life. Thanks!!

Jen, Kansas

I wish we could get a more nuanced portrait of Therese in this strip. Do you have to make Therese the evil mommy who never visits Francie, sends her expensive toys and tells her to "settle down, Francoise" when her daughter is excited to see her? It's like you're deliberately making Therese look bad just so Elizabeth and Anthony look like saints, which they really don't. Anthony was whining to Liz about how he didn't have a home seconds after someone had just tried to rape Elizabeth and hegging her to wait for him. There's no way he put everything he should have into his marriage, so the break-up wasn't all Therese's fault. He also shouldn't have pressured her to have a child she wasn't ready to have. I just feel sorry for the 3-year-old that she's stuck with three such adults in her life.

Francie looks just like her mother. It may spoil your planned storyline if you let Francie have a mother who loves her, but that's what I want to see.

Andrea J, Minot, North Dakota

Let me get this straight: when Mike ignored his kids for months on end because he was too busy typing in the attic, when he ran into the attic to save his manuscript from the fire rather than make sure his wife and children got out safely, he was just devoted to his craft. When Therese gets swamped by work and doesn't see Francoise for "a long time" (and how long is "a long time"? To a 2-year-old, it could be a week!), she's eeeeeeeeevil. Is this a male/female double standard, or your typical "when a Patterson does it, it's wonderful; when anyone else does it, it's horrible" hypocrisy?

Elizabeth RP, Ann Arbor MI

Wow! This "mall meeting" storyline is really something!

Wesley M, Minneapolis MN

After reading Fri Dec 14th's strip, wow!!
I can't wait to see the full reaction of Therese and her daughter with Liz. I've seen this story before in real life in my inlaws family and I am curious on seeing your side.
Now I know why I've read FBoFW for almost 30 yrs and you amaze and inspire me.
I used to read the strip only in the paper but now it's bookmarked on my computer and I have to read the strip before I go to work in the morning.
Thank You!

Bill L, Red Deer AB

I wish Liz would find some occupation that did not involve children - such as teaching or trying to become a step-mother - as she doesn't enjoy them.

She's a school teacher, but all she's done for the school year is complain about a handful of students and grade papers. She doesn't go to any parent-teacher meetings, or help out at any after school activities such as concerts, plays, games, or clubs. She doesn't help with student fund raising or have field trips. When school is out, she just goes home, wherever that is.

When she lived "up north", she didn't seem very close to the children there. (Unfortunately, she didn't understand what appropriate boundaries were with Jesse, as she had him at her place without others being around, and visited him by himself in his bedroom.) She have the emotional ties to stay during the summer or winter holidays. And when she left, she apparently didn't care enough to keep in contact with her former students, else she would have learned about the harmonica soon after she left. So much for her promises to write. And she dragged her feet about visiting - she could have been up there two days after her school let out. And as for "always returning", I don't see it happening.

The whole time she was living in the same house as Merrie and Robin, we never saw or read about her playing with them, reading to them, or babysitting. It seems that the only time she was in the same room with her, that the "sun" was in her eyes. When she was home on vacations, she never went to see them. And as for the younger times, did she ever play with April, without picking on her or trying to ignore her?

When she was dating Paul, they didn't discuss having children in their future. Warren had one strip where he was led to believe that Liz cared about kids. (She looked at the photos of his younger relatives that he carried in his wallet - Liz didn't carry any such pictures with her.)

And as for Francoise, Liz has been around her for months, but the child seems to be nothing more to Liz than an object of pity at best, a bit of a nuisance at worse, and, in general, an obstacle to her and Anthony getting together.

To paraphrase Bill Cosby: There are those who love children, and those who just want to be around people shorter than themselves.

Liz is firmly in the second camp.

B.B., Oregon

Hi Lynn --

First of all, let me say that I really enjoy this 'hybrid' formula of FBorFW. I'm sure your syndicate management prays to your framed image on a little candle-lit altar every morning! You and The Team are truly a Power in the world of comic strips; into the history books you will go!

As to Francine in today's strip: I can't wait! Be well, Team! You have Lynn at the helm!

Steve K, Florida

I, too, wondered if the "No" from Therese was for her daughter running toward her, or the woman (Liz) running behind her.

The various comments from other readers show the intense feelings toward the strip. No other comic can do that... that illustrates how strong Lynn's characters are to all of us.

I admit... I didn't expect to see Therese again. I have a feeling, though, that all the fuss about Francie not liking Liz is because she's afraid another woman will hurt her or her daddy (Anthony). And now we'll see Therese in action with Liz.

Jim I, Bloomington IN

Maybe I'm just a helpless romantic but I'm thrilled to see Liz and Anthony back and think they are great together. I feel like Anthony is doing a wonderful job of easing Elizabeth into his daughter's life. He's making sure that Liz doesn't spend the night and isn't showing anger or frustration towards Francine for her confusion and hesitation over welcoming a new woman into the home.
Even if Therese has been shown to be jealous and often angry, I really feel for her in this strip. After all this time she's finally seeing her daughter and Liz is there!
I can't wait to see what happens next!

Jennifer S, Toronto

I don't think Anthony is a bad parent. He has a good job, and has provided Frannie with a nice and loving home. You do not see anyone trolloping in and out of his bedroom, you don't see him at wild parties, and he has always seemed to have Frannie's best interest at hand.

So he is in love with Elizabeth, and I believe that in the long run, should this all work out, he will become an even better parent. I also have faith in Elizabeth being a great stepmom.

As for Therese, sometimes, relationships just don't work out, especially in today's society. I am sorry that Therese wasn't mother material, but at least she had the good sense to let Anthony raise her then to do something horrible as we tend to sometimes read in the real world.

Mrs. Johnston, I really enjoy your comic strips, and will continue to read them as long as you write them. I think you are a most talented writer/cartoonist, and your strip has always been my favorite. I hope you have the merriest of Christmas!

Tracy B, Denham Springs LA

I knew that Elizabeth and Therese would run into each other, and, have dreaded that moment. I found my wonderful husband too late to have kids of my own, he, a half-time dad with a 6 year old. His daughter and I did well together, so I thought, until a trip to meet his mother and family. His mother and I bonded and love each other, and she shed the reality that his daughter had no respect for me. Not really understanding exactly what she meant, the truth of that statement has hit home, now with a 14 year old terrorist living in the family. Although we have been reasonable, practical, and loving with her, she chooses to attempt control of the family with abusive behavior and terrorizing our side of the family. Steeped in self and victim role so like her mother, counselors have not been of any assistance. I dread/can't wait to see if Elizabeth becomes a step parent, and, how that unfolds given Francie's intelligent and controlling attitude (soooo much like my step-daughter when she was young). This generation of young ones is being done a terrible turn by being given so much attention and status without having to earn it. It reflects poorly in them as individuals. And, secondly, I can understand Liz's choice to move home closer to family. It is my biggest regret not having family close at hand after having followed my dreams which landed me far away.In my younger age, it did not seem important to have my family close. So, Lynn, I would never dream to tell you how this storyline should be going! It is beautifully written, heartaches and all. Perhaps it is my daily "family", imperfections and all.
warmth and appreciation-

Carolyn, Wisconsin

I feel sorrier for Francie at this point than I do for Liz and Anthony, who is handling this situation badly. I didn't like his emotional blackmail last week -- Santa Claus won't give you any presents if you make Liz cry! Why should she have to like Daddy's new girlfriend? Let her mom come back into the picture and be a real mom. I don't think we ever got Therese's side of the story. Anthony doesn't strike me as that great a prize.
It would be refreshing if Liz came to her senses and took up with Warren again.

Andrea J, Minot ND