Page 21. The next morning.
I almost forgot to mention my new project that got announced last week! I’m writing and drawing a graphic novel that’ll be published through Iron Circus Comics! If you enjoy stories about gay friendships (and I have a feeling you do) and are intrigued by the Venn diagram of restaurant drama and delicious insect cuisine, then keep an eye open for Meal.
So I know it’s a stretch, and that the facial hair shaving probably was just a coincidence of timing, and that Al has probably just been fighting a respiratory illness, but…
Given Sulla’s gender, and the strong undertone of gender policing in the recent fight, and the fact that Al’s symptoms happen to match a pulmonary embolism (I.e. blood clot, which could be caused by estrogen treatment)…
It just intrigues me that the comment threads have been SO focused on toxic masculinity (certainly a factor) and internalized homophobia, and virtually nobody has been talking about whether Al has been trying to find the courage to tell Brendan he is transitioning…
And Brendan, even if this wasn’t about to go down the way it is, the demo should really be on the back burner behind some real conversation.
Al has autoimmune disease, his white blood cells are attacking his organs which is why he’s vomiting up blood.
It was mentioned during chapter 3 iirc.
He has Goodpasture syndrome
Aaaaaah… I don’t know how I missed that. Apologies.
Also, when Brendan and Al discuss Sulla, Brendan asks if Al ever thought about transitioning or being a woman, and Al’s horrified. Which could be a gut reaction to being ‘outed’ and not a true thing, but I think Al’s response was sincere and he was working through a bunch of other stuff and never really felt trans at all, in any way he examined.
And the saddest part of it is that, according to the articles I have read about this illness, it is curable as long as it is taken in charge early enough… If only Al had seen a doctor, he could have got the appropriate treatment.
Al’s misplaced pride/or fear is literally killing him !!
As far as I understand various articles, it is not curable, but at least treatable. And even that is difficult enough, there is no guarantee, even hardly a possibiliy for a symptom-free life.
Anyway, we all better get a tissue for the coming pages.
Oh God, Brendan FINDS him. :(
Stop ratcheting up the tragedy, Blue! My emotions!
Oh my god, that is HORRIFYING. No wonder Bredan spends years trying to figure out how to bring Al back – this all ends in the worst, and most traumatic, way possible.
You know that moment in a film where it focuses on a woman’s face and she screams in horror in reaction to something, but it’s blocked out by dramatic music and her hands are all up in front of her open screaming mouth and they fall slightly as she continues screaming? That’s me right now.
In other news, I am happy for twice weekly updates! I think. I mean. (gestures to recent pages) Ouch is now ouch x2.
Egads, Brendan so looks like Bert when he’s angry…and he can stay angry overnight and into the next day apparently. He had to check himself from calling Al a ‘coward’ again.
I do believe if Al had not died of autoimmune disease, Brendan would have quickly nagged him to death.
Damn, even though I already know how this ends, I can’t wait to see how it ends. Blue, you do drama right.
I have a whole seat but I’M JUST USING THE EDGE
Pity you had to buy the whole thing, really.
I simultaneously can’t wait for the next page, and am in dread of what Brendan discovers.
PS. I wish this comment section was through Disqus, it would make commenting easier.
The moisture on the plants is due to show us it’s morning, right? Or that it’s rained and time has passed?