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I've been holding this in for quite a while.....Elizabeth deserves a romantic guy that sweeps her off her feet. I thought Anthony was the guy for her until I heard that crappy proposal! Elizabeth doesn't even seem excited about getting married. Sounds like a boring arrangement to me. Come on! Spice it up a bit. Say I love you not I care for you.

Kathy, Rochester NY

Warren take a hint buddy, time to move on. YOU can do better than Elizabeth. Your a pilot! You crave adventure!! Not a hum-drum touchy feely life.

Elizabeth never gave you a chance, which is for the better. She has become boring and dull.

Fly!Warren Fly away!

Rusty H, Seattle

I'm happy to see Elizabeth back in the strip. Warren? Well, he's another story. He seems to be stalking her and she really shouldn't allow him in her apartment. She offered him coffee, and that encouraged him to stay. I would have thanked him for assisting her with the packages and led him to the door. Also, I think Elizabeth gave 'way too much info to Warren, Anthony's last name, the name of his daughter. Stuff he doesn't need to know.
But thank you for bringing back this story. I have been reading the strip for who-knows-how-many-years (A very long time)....so thank you again. The Pattersons are almost "real" to me.

Geri C, NYC

Why do so many seem to think that Therese is blameless in her seperation and divorce from Anthony? She hit the first lick on the wedge right from her wedding day. If she really loved Anthony, she would have done everything possible to make him happy and comfortable. Instead, she started throwing jealous barbs at Liz from the reception line on through the marriage--and you can be sure they didn't happen only when the sight of Liz was a reminder. It's hard to believe that Francois was an attempt to please Anthony. More likely, she was an accident. A loving mother does not walk away and leave her child, although this was probably one of Therese's few unselfish acts. Who was the partner who walked out and moved in with a new partner? True, Anthony was divorced in mind, but Therese was acting out the unfaithfulness. Neither was satisfied in a marriage that never should have been.

Nancy, Ohio

A troubling thought...Even if alimony isn't an issue, isn't Therese obliged to make monthly "Child Support" payments to Anthony? If these are based on her income, they could be quite substantial.... And they'll end once the marriage becomes official. Could this be Anthony's reason for "taking things slow"???

Anna M, Winnipeg

Oh brother. Liz sounds like she's an old maid. There is no excitement in her voice... she sounds like she's old, frail and settling for another man after she's been widowed. So uninspiring. This isn't an arranged marriage for heaven's sake.

Katie, Chesapeake VA

Having Elizabeth tell Warren that the feelings he had for her are not and were not mutual is a good sign that indicates that she's mature enough to make Anthony's life better. It would have been better if she'd had this conversation years ago but he never gave her the chance. It would also have been better for everyone if she'd had a similar conversation with Constable Paul before she left Mtigwaki instead of setting herself up to look foolish the following January. If Anthony had had no rivals, his presence would be more welcome because he'd have had the opportunity to explain himself better. It's tough watching a person you've grown to care about marry a featureless cipher so his telling us who and what he is would be better for all parties.

Paul J, St. John NB

Is it my imagination, or are we yet to hear Liz say that she is "in love" with Anthony? In today's column, she tells Warren that "they have cared for each other for a long time" and that "it was a friendship that grew into a whole lot more." Huh? No wonder Warren is still hanging around.

Denise C, Detroit

Elizabeth still won't say that she is in love with Anthony. I'm not completely sure she should be getting married to this man. I'm hoping with Warren back in the picture she'll realize that she can have more. As I see it these last two strips were based on Elizabeth throwing her engagement in Warrens face. Notice she didn't say Warren I'm engaged and in love with someone else!!! No no, just more about the friendship that turned into commitment. blah blah blah. What is Elizebeth hiding? Why won't she say that she loves Anthony? I'm hoping this is the big break for Elizabeth's new beginning!

Ashley L, Nazareth PA

Well at least Liz's hair is in a ponytail, not that French roll thing today!!!
I am a year older than Liz (my 28th birthday is on Friday), and I mostly wear my hair down, but also in a variety of ways (ponytail, long braid, even braided pigtails!!).
It makes the comic seem more "real" when you vary the characters' hair once in a while!!

Heidi, Sudbury ON

I enjoyed your dental strips very much. My future daughter-in-law is a dentist and I have been sharing these with her. Thanks so much for the enjoyment. We're looking forward to more of the same sense of humour.

Ruth L, Titusville NB

I love it that you have Liz as a mature young woman instead of a flighty "oh, I'm so in love!" woman/child. Today she talks about her feeling for Anthony growing into "much more." What a great way to put long lasting love! Sparks fizzle out. Fires that are well tended last a long, long time.

Michelle, Cincinnatti

Why did Liz even let Warren
in? She even gives him coffee??? NO Way! At least she told him she's "taken".

I know today's Tuesday, but
if Monday's strip hasn't made people realize what a sleeze (as I think someone yesterday wrote)-ball Warren really is, then I don't want to know what kind of guys are in their life right now!

Yes, Liz--PLEASE (as someone else here suggested!) Please, Please call the cops next time Warren shows up w/out an invitation, and by all means, even if you do this because you think he deserves a story or explination, (which he doesn't!), DON'T invite him in for coffee!!!

Yikes! Show some common sense Liz--I usually like your character in the strip, but lately, I dunno....

(I know you must have SOME common sense, you've proven to be an awfully good teacher!) :-)

Meg, Maine

So, Liz still can't say the "L" word. "It grew into a lot more"....not It grew into LOVE. I think that says a lot.

I don't see where Warren is such a bad guy (except for the last time he appeared, which was so out of character). So he had a job that kept him away. The fact that he took his job seriously and didn't blow it off for Liz shows just how responsible he actually is. What if he were in the military? Would she have run the minute he was deployed?

I think what she is going to find, if she marries Anthony, is that he will be so afraid that she's going to leave, that he won't let her have her own life. I hope she realizes that there is a difference between loving someone and being IN LOVE with someone. Two very different things.

Angela, Indiana

So, is Elizabeth EVER going to say she loves Anthony or will the euphemisms continue to fill the dialogue? Just wondering.

Jean, New York

Over the last few weeks the story has jumped around. I am glad John had his turn and now we can get back to other storylines.

I don't know what will be around the next corner but I am along for the ride.

S S, Sunrise Florida

I certainly hope that Warren is not going be a obstacle for Elizabeth and her fiance. I have waited too long to see Elizabeth get married.

Kimberly R, Sierra Vista AZ

Concerning Sunday's strip, why does Elly think she has to slave all day long -- on Mother's Day, no less! -- in order to kick back a little? You're retired, Elly: take a day for me-time without the martyrdom and guilt, will you? It's not "laziness"; it's called leisure. The earth won't crash into the sun if you neglect the vaccuming for one day.

And where are John and April, anyway? Are they hiding because they're afraid of what might happen if they offer to help, but put the groceries away "wrong?"

Wendy B, Avon CT

Are the Pattersons even capable any more of talking to other people without a mug in hand?

Brenda K, Peterborough ON

It's a pity there isn't a Callously Stringing Guys Along event in the Summer Olympics. Liz has real gold medal potential. Particularly if it came in a biathlon with Freestyle Self-Righteousness.

Edward T, St. Paul MN

Never began, huh? Then why blow raspberries at the phone when Warren's job kept him away? Why play him against Paul, back when Liz at least had a personality? Why not tell him you're not interested the last time he dropped by in the middle of the night? Why not be honest with him before he quit his job to be with you?

Oh, wait. That's not Elizabeth "beg Paul for a transfer to Mtigwaki then suddenly flee back to Milborough the moment he gets it" Patterson's way, is it?

Chris P, Boston MA

HA! Warren gets what he deserves. He's never around when his companionship would have been welcome, and his roving eye wouldn't allow him to settle for just one girl anyway! I'm glad you did today's strip, I was hoping he would find out the hard way. >:-D

Dianne H, Langley BC

Before I read today's Coffee Talk, I would like to speculate about whether Elizabeth's flashing her ring at Warren will give him an unsubtle hint that he is out of her life. Or, will that action make him even more determined to have her as his own?

Wesley M, Minneapolis

Oh, Anthony! How heroic of you! To buy a ring that you picked out on a lunch break with darling Elizabeth, just so she can shield herself from immature men! How CLEVER!
That's not how a ring is supposed to be used for, boy. It's for love, commitment, and it means that you'd do anything for your sweetheart. It means that you'll always be sweet to her, no matter what.
It DOESN'T mean, "Oh boy! I'm taken! Well, gee, now I can protect myself from all those big bad men trying to take me from my wimpy husband!"
Elizabeth? Learn something. Don't just pretend that your ring is some toy. It isn't.
It's promise.
p.s. Hey, Anthony and Elizabeth! Be sure not to trip over your flowing capes when setting such a darling example to the next generation of your children!
p.p.s. And Warren isn't the villian. At least...he shouldn't be the one villian.

Mimi, West Virginia

I laughed at Warren's reaction to Liz's engagement ring. I can only hope he takes it seriously, because I once had a guy hitting on me (I was out with some friends) and he wasn't fazed at all by the ring on my finger. I hope that Warren has better sense than those guys did!

Karen, Virginia

I do not think Liz should marry Anthony because she does not seem to really love him. She seems to be in love with being in love. Anthony never really pursued her before he was married and Liz was interested in her career. They parted ways. If Anthony had really loved her he should have waited and let her know how he felt. Liz seemed to have really love Paul and got her heart broken. Warren I don't think was ever really a serious interest. He might have become one if he had pursued but he didn't so... bye Warren. I think Liz has not truly fallen in love. I would like to see some new man walk into the picture and see Liz fall deeply in love.

Janie, Charleston SC

Elizabeth has led a sheltered life with close family and friends who care for her always around. She is a trusting adult with a strong will and good judgment. She will be able to work things out right.

Linda, Mobile Alabama

Looking at Warren's casual pose and reading his words as she seemed oblivious to what Elizabeth was trying to say, it was priceless to see his reaction to the engagement ring. The look of shock on Warren's face truly illustrated that pictures do speak louder the words. I'm happy that Elizabeth stood by her final decision as she makes it 'crystal' clear for Warren.
I know there are many fans of Warren and the adventure and excitement he represents but I remember reading Elizabeth's sorrow and loneliness as he broke date after date. Anthony may seem dull in comparison but he also represents the partner you can count on to be there. I feel Anthony IS the better choice.

Elizabeth H, Guelph ON

I don't really see the stalker thing like some of these folks here seem to think is happening with the men in Liz's life. However, it would be awesome if Paul jumped out of the bushes to surprise Liz and they got back together. But I'll take Warren showing up unexpectedly over Anthony any day of the week.

Christie, Georgia

Liz doesn't even look like herself in the last panel of the May 12 strip. She has this flat wide-eyed look that strongly resembles Dee. Give Liz back her usual look! Don't let the Engagement Ring of Possession turn her into a Bridezilla Zombie!

Seriously, she really doesn't look like the same character. And while you are at it, can you make Elly's nose normal size like it is in the old strips? She looks like a clown with the gigantic nose in present-day strips, and you can see the obvious contrast when the old strips run.

Joy Z, Virginia

You tell him, Elizabeth! Maybe the sight of that ring will scare Warren off for good. Why did Liz ever date him in the first place!!!????!!! He is SO inconsiderate! I'm glad she finally came to her senses and is staying with Anthony.He's kind, considerate, and best of all, NOT WARREN.

Jessie, Trenton ON

I don't dislike Anthony, even if I think he is 45 instead of 25 (or so). Every girl has her bad boy stage and Liz has moved past hers as Warren is learning. I just wish someone more vibrant than Anthony came into her life. She will have a perfectly respectable life with Anthony. But a pretty dull one as well. Ah if only someone with the good looks of Paul and a dash of adventurous spirit like Warren had come along...

Sigh.

Nikki, New Jersey

Warren should get a life. Liz needs to tell him off once and for all. After that dirty trick he played on her regarding Paul. A real friend would have told her the truth and helped her throught the hurt. Instead he let the bomb drop. He is pitiful and lucky that Liz is a nice person.

Theresa, Chicago IL

I love this strip!! Way to go Liz, can't wait for the next chapter! Wedding bells if I were a betting woman. Thanks Lynn, for the fun of checking in with the Pattersons daily! Keep it up!

Janice H, Tyler Texas

Well, well!! I do really really hope that Warren presence makes Liz rethink that engagement. I mean she accepts his offer of help with the groceries which automatically invites him in, but then flashes the ring. Warren has always been good to Liz - he has always been up front about his job - he let her see for herself what Paul was up to rather than tell her - he has always been truthful with her. Liz never told him how much it bothered her that his job didn't allow him to be around so much until the scene where he showed up so distraught. Liz has to learn how to be upfront and communicate her feelings. Oh, but now she has "the ring" to communicate for her. I truly she sits down and has an open, honest dialogue with Warren, and I hope she really listens to his view of things. She might learn something about herself in the process.

Marsha, Reno NV

Well, I've always liked Warren. The last time he was in the strip was completely out of character and not at all like the Warren we've seen, perhaps to set the stage to get Anthony and Elizabeth going. Regardless, even as convenient Anthony and Elizabeth seem to be for each other, it still doesn't seem as real to me as if Warren and Elizabeth manage to figure it out.

Tina, Washington State