Cute chapter, I liked the letter from Little Lucy.

AH! I just LOVE your story, I don't know how many times I've said it and you're probably tired of seeing it so much from me, but I just can't help it! Every time you update this story I get all fangirly! Sorry, but it's true. And I do hope that Maria's and Mike's paths do cross again. It'd be so sweet! Okay, can't wait for the next update and yeah!

Monkee Midgie, I am so glad that you are back! I was wondering when you might be posting another chapter to this wonderful story! I really like how light hearted it was compared to previous chapters. It was good to see Mike, the guys, and Mike's cousins have some fun down time at the lake. They've all needed it! Nice to see that there might be a little romance for Davy and Peter with Lucy and Clara. What's a Monkees tale without a little romance for the guys. Also, so glad to see that Maria and her daughter Lucy seem to be out of danger now that they are in the Witness Protection Program even if it means that Mike and Maria never one another again. That would be sad but at least Mike now knows that he is loved and missed by both, and that he made a difference in thier lives. Again, fabulous chapter. It was definitely worth the wait!

MonkeeMidgie, The previous chapter was posted April 20th and I was starting to worry about you so seeing this latest chapter here on May 17th was quite a relief! I hope everything's okay with you and your loved ones regardless of how happy I am to see this latest chapter. Anyway, onto the review:
Interesting story about the rope swing having started out as being the rope Mike had used for a belt for his jeans as a preteen. Yeah, Davy was right that THAT amount of rope would be more useful to hang Mike himself than just his jeans but Mike had fashioned it to be functional via doubling up on the knots,etc. Seems more practical than the rope belts used by Jethro and Elly May in 'Beverly Hillbillies' but those characters were NOT skinny and didn't really need . Anyway, it was good to see Mike having a laugh back at that time at Clara's trick that had gotten him into a bit of hot water with Aunt Kate [but comparatively TEPID compared to the actual abuse he'd endured]. And, it's good to know that there WAS a time [however brief] that he DID get to be a kid. And after recounting getting sent to bed without supper [except for the milk and sandwich Aunt Kate snuck up], what should show up but a picnic basket via Lucy from Aunt Kate. Cute flirty banter between Davy and Lucy but does Mike truly think Davy would break her heart or does he not think Davy's good enough for Lucy? Hmm. Well, in any case, I don't think Mike's being SERIOUSLY angry or hateful to Davy but just a bit bemused and perhaps a little annoyed that these two have gotten googly eyed. Interesting, though, that he doesn't seem to raise any objections to Clara flirting with Peter but Peter [the character] is a bit more innocent than Davy as this chapter soon shows. Also, funny that Clara herself doesn't want Lucy to go too far with Davy despite liking him and herself being fixed on Peter. Peter remembers a letter without a return address for Mike that he'd gotten right before they left California and hands it to ! It's from Lucy Sandoval and she tells of how she's trying to adjust to a new school and using a new name [which she does NOT reveal in the letter] and how much she [and her mother Maria] miss Mike despite learning to adjust to a new life. I know this was an honest letter from an innocent child but I hope a teacher soon takes Maria under their wing and teaches her how to SPELL soon because life's tough enough for her being handicapped without having others think one's stupid and ignorant due to poor spelling. Regardless, it was a touching letter but even THAT paled compared to the letter her mother Maria has enclosed. Very poignant, indeed, how Maria considers meeting Mike one of the highlights of her life and how good it was for her [and Lucy] to have someone treat them with kindness after enduring so much abuse. Yeah, I'm not surprised that she was glad he got sick because that gave her a chance to try to 'repay' said kindness but I know she didn't literally mean she wanted him to be ILL but just wanted to be able to take care of him. Also, her stressing to Mike that he was NOT 'tangential' even during the times when the 'evil ones' kept trying to convince him otherwise is something he may need to keep in mind in tough times ahead. Finally, it was sad but touching how she confessed that she loved HIM [REALLY loved him] and even if they never could reunite and he made a new life for himself she wanted him to know that that would never change. Yeah, at this point being in Witness Protection would make it tough for her to reunite with Mike and she IS still legally married to the horrific Louis but, maybe she can divorce him on the grounds of extreme cruelty [and I wouldn't be surprised if it turned out there was some adultery on his part]. Perhaps, though, like many in situations similar to hers, her faith has been the ONE constant in her life keeping her going during such tough times that she doesn't believe she can turn her back on it via divorcing Louis as long as he exists and, therefore, could not marry Mike as long as Louis exists. That's a decision she will have to eventually come to grips with and I hope she finds peace and contentment via raising Lucy regardless of how she proceeds [or doesn't] with Louis and Mike. Regardless, that letter is something Mike NEEDS to save and even Davy sensed it by suggesting Mike needs to put it in the guitar case. Glad to see that Davy, Peter and Micky decided to RESPECT Mike's boundaries here by not trying to ask him about the letter or its contents. After ALL Mike's been through, I think he DESERVES to have at least one good thing he can keep entirely to himself.
Onto lighter fare: Lucy's brought swimsuits and Peter's worried about others seeing him change behind the bushes until Davy and Micky suggest he close his eyes so HE will be as invisible as OTHERS are to him. Poor Peter falling for that one! LOL. Funny that Micky decided to [at least temporarily] break the spell between Davy and Lucy by picking Davy up and throwing him in the pond fully clothed THEN jumping in himself from the swing fully clothed [hope the shoes were cloth and rubber and NOT leather so they won't get ruined]. Then they ALL got wet in the pond before Peter was persuaded to open his eyes and drop his clothes to join them in his swim trunks [after twice bumping into a tree trunk]. Wonder if Micky will find a Nesmith girl cousin who fancies him? Oh, well, a good interlude chapter [which, thankfully, was FREE of Uncle Robert and his ghost] and I'm glad to see you're back. Again, I hope all is well with you and yours. KEEP GOING!

Sorry it took me a while to read this...finals week at school and more health issues that are still unresolved, but hopefully soon. I got a chance to read this while getting a nice relaxing pedicure which helped ease some of the stress. Anyway, good chapter. I really like how aunt kate is trying to help take care of him. Hopefully too much drama doesn't take place when he sees the others. Can't wait to read more from you and I hope you're at least feeling ok!

I hope you can forgive the lateness of this review but I had to read this through very carefully and think through everything even MORE carefully before I reviewed this. First of all, I want to acknowledge that I understand that the way Aunt Kate was portrayed on the show gave absolutely NO hint that she could have been anything but a sweet, simple country lady who genuinely had Mike's interests at heart but, of course, on the show there was NO hint that Mike could have anything other than 'average' [i.e. non-abusive] parents. I grant that on the show, Mike seemed less happy-go-lucky than the other Monkees but one could imagine that this may have been because he was smarter than the other characters and KNEW what the odds were re making it in pursuing their calling of music. So, when you introed the monstrously abusive OC's of Robert and Ren into this story, that somewhat jarred in my mind that the REST of Mike's family including Aunt Kate could STILL be sweet, simple country folks who genuinely had Mike's interests at heart. In the Real World, folks who behave as though they're sweet, simple folks in the midst of abusive families are rarely if ever as innocent or naive as they want others to think and often use that guise for their own purposes rather than to do good. OK, I grant that you've created an AU but, let's just say I haven't been unacquainted with ANY of these types in my own experience and since Mike DID react as though other victims I've been acquainted with, that's why I reacted to ALL these characters the way I did.
OK, it's interesting that in telling her own tale of how she and Bette met their respective Nesmith spouses, how the very first impression she gives re Robert was someone whom they ALL knew had mistreated young girls to the point that her OWN late husband [his brother] had seen to it she[Kate] was protected from Robert while he was at war. Also, interesting that she ADMITS that neither she nor her late husband 'spared a thought' re protecting Bette from Robert but actually seemed shocked when Bette ran to her on the verge of giving birth . Nice little aside re Kate having just given birth to Clara whom she seems to acknowledge as likely forever being a bit on the slow side but not without affection.
OK, Interesting how Aunt Kate acknowledged how that Bette HAD given birth to twins but that the firstborn girl had been stillborn so the midwife evidently took her remains away to parts unknown before Bette had Mike. However; at this telling even Aunt Kate's not entirely sure that Bette wasn't lying re claiming to have heard the daughter's crying so Mike and the others have to wonder if the twin sister DID survive. Yeah, the girl may have felt as though she was all alone like Mike did but, if she survived, I hope Mike considers that MAYBE she actually got raised by parents who loved her.
GOOD for Micky to actually ask the question of exactly what Aunt Kate knew re Robert [and when] and how could she have NOT known about his abuses to Mike . Someone NEEDS to call her on it.
Interesting that Mike has overheard this and wants to stop Aunt Kate from going further but Clara insists he let Aunt Kate get it out once and for all. Clara's not so simple as even her mother seems to think. She's RIGHT. I think Aunt Kate is going to tell something closer to the truth than she ever has before but I'm still not sure it's the WHOLE truth. Aunt Kate claims that she heard nasty gossip dissing Bette [ despite she herself having been sent away by her late husband out of Robert's reach], SHE actually bought that the coupling was conceptual instead of questioning it and bought Robert's sisters' spin of Bette just poisoning Mike's mind against him for no reason and that Mike just was a liar like Bette and Mike stayed quiet so she took his lack of self-defense as confirming the slanders against him. Aunt Kate admits that after Bette's death, Mike was always helpful to her and had been to his late mother. Aunt Kate ALSO admits that she SHOULD have listened to Mike [I AGREE!]. Interesting, too that the late Grandma Nesmith DID know that Robert was abusing Mike horribly but Aunt Kate just chalked it off as 'discipline' . Not surprising Grandma Nesmith all she DID raise Robert and Warren and her tale-bearing, slanderous spinster daughters so she had SOME contribution as to how her offspring turned out. Yeah, Grandma DID urge Aunt Kate to help Mike get OUT of that but was it JUST out of concern for Mike or was it that she was afraid he WOULD tell other folks in town the family dirty laundry and why hadn't SHE done anything to attempt to stop the abuse or shield others from her rotten sons? Did Aunt Kate just take Grandma's fessing of Robert's abuse as 'discipline' because she genuinely believed it OR did she prefer NOT to have to consider it having been abuse of the worst kind? Guess which interpretation I'm more likely to be leaning towards. Of course, Mike having JUST had lost his mother in a most horrific manner in front of him was DESPERATE for affection and it's no wonder he even would call Aunt Kate 'Ma' from time to time [and also explains WHY he still is reluctant to get her to tell her own role here]. YES! Aunt Kate is ABSOLUTELY RIGHT that she SHOULD HAVE KNOWN what Mike was going through re the abuse rather than opting to buy the slanders of folks she herself knew were untrustworthy! Interesting touch to have Mike console HER at the end[alas more than one abused child has done this even after enablers have finally admitted their culpability] . As I said, I think this is as CLOSE to the truth as Aunt Kate's going to fess to and she DOES have regrets so this exchange was quite cathartic indeed. EXCELLENT JOB! I mean I imagine that you weren't expecting ANY reviewers to question Aunt Kate's role when you first wrote about Robert and Ren's abuses of Mike and his late mother Bette [interesting you used Mrs. Nesmith's REAL LIFE name here- but thankfully in Real Life she evidently only had to endure Mr. Nesmith's abandonment AND concocted gold from her Liquid Paper invention] and I concede I was harsher than I should have been. HOWEVER; I COMMEND you for having actually taken a one-shot two-dimensional TV character and given her three dimensions re this story. I know this chapter wasn't an easy one for you and I appreciate all you went through in getting what jibed re what the TV viewers believed re Aunt Kate [close] to the forensics of what would have ACTUALLY happened re all these characters had these events and folks occurred in Real Life.
Well, nice to have this VERY angsty exchange broken by Texas Prairie Chicken banter between Mike and Clara as she finally 'allows' Mike to join the others in washing up. Funny how Davy complains about the lack of hot water at the pump [ ironically, in Real Life, Davy had to grow up using an OUTHOUSE in Manchester]. Also, nice touch of Aunt Kate to have heated up some water for MIKE to wash in [and I sincerely mean that]. I like how Peter and the others acknowledge that it's not entirely out of concern for Mike's compromised health she did that . Good that none of the others resent Mike for having gotten the warm water [not even Davy]. HOORAY that Aunt Kate is going to defend him against his miserable aunts whom she acknowledges were SOME of the demons AND is going to be there for him even if it wasn't entirely clear she was on his side in the past [wonder why?]. Yeah, good for Aunt Kate to encourage Mike and the others to eat what sounds like a good ole fashioned 'farmer's breakfast' loaded with protein and carbs but not a fruit or vegetable in sight save for the orange juice LOL [I've had a few of those in my time -YUM!]. Nice touch at the end for them to go to Melody Pond for some R&R before revving up for the REAL demon confrontations. I wonder if any [or all] of the spinster aunts were the one/s who spotted Robert re his bail AFTER he was caught assaulting and trying to kidnap the VERY seriously injured Mike out of the hospital. If so, I hope Mike REALLY verbally tears them new ones.
Also, will Mike and/or us readers learn Maria and [NOT Cousin] Lucy's fates before too long.
What a profoundly cathartic chapter this was and I'm quite impressed how you did all this. THANK YOU! KEEP GOING!

lol, Melody Pond. Nice little addition there. But anyway, I liked this chapter very much, and can't wait to read more!

I really enjoyed your explanation about why Moke sometimes has trouble getting his words out and why a golf cart is needed to get to Aunt Kate's ranch. The golf cart continuity gap has bugged me for over three decades now. Thank you for providing a plausible scenario LOL Can't wait to read more!

I took a little hiatus from reading, but I am back now. Barely alive, Mike sure can dish out some fantastic sarcasm. Love it! Think you did a really nice job building up Mike's past troubles to link with his current ones. I didn't suspect his family was tied to Louis' family like the inspector told Mike. Well done!

I'm sorry you weren't feeling well previously but I hope you're doing better now. Anyway, I'm VERY happy to see another chapter of this saga and am interested to see where it goes. HOORAY! Mike FINALLY is able to check out of the hospital. He'd been there at least three weeks as far as I can tell. I guess that means not only all his injuries but also his walking pneumonia's finally mended but he STILL is stubborn. Funny scene of him fighting the others giving him a blanket to keep from catching cold [again] but, at least this time he actually accepts the help- albeit reluctantly. Some habits die hard, I guess. Nice touch that Mike actually put together WHO Paulo was to him [virtually the only non-abusive and non-manipulative person back in his Texas town besides his late mother and younger sibs]. Anyway, I guess they're too old for fishing now. Funny how, after SO many weeks in the hospital and being seriously ill, Mike CAN'T WAIT to drive the Monkeemobile again but Micky vetoes that idea. Despite Mike's attempted protest, I think that if he himself weren't SURE that it might not be safe to drive so soon he'd have OVERRULED said veto but this time, he wisely lets Micky do the driving.
So they're going to Texas almost straight away! Well, I guess Mike's avoided exorcising the ghosts of his pasts giving him nightmares long enough. A three day drive immediately after leaving the hospital? Well, at least they had plenty of rest stops and motels along the way for Mike to not overdo it. I wonder why they can't drive all the way to the ranch? I guess the roads aren't vehicle safe but funny how Mike tries to make the case for riding horseback but the equestrian Davy points out how much horses can jostle so Mike lets them opt for the golf cart. Good thing they had the golf cart. So they had to tussle with 'bad guys' to keep the ranch safe? That was a rather abrupt paragraph with virtually no explanation. Cousin Clara seems rather . . boisterous but despite her exuberance seems rather harmless and friendly [will she try to hook up with Davy or another Monkee?]Aunt Kate fesses to SOME knowledge of Uncle Robert's abuse and Mike accepts her spin and even still thinks that her keeping close to 'Aunt Flo' [presumably Uncle Robert's wife] was worth him keeping quiet about the worst of it. Sad how dysfunctional families' dynamics and priorities often work. Well, I guess since Uncle Robert's now dead there's no longer the issue of needing Aunt Kate to confront him or at the very least keep it quiet about Mike's injuries but hopefully, she'll actually confront Ren . However; it would have been more likely for her to have done it had she been called on her past inaction instead of being allowed to excuse it away. Well, I've said my piece [and it didn't come from a lack of knowledge re dynamics].
Anyway, it's good Mike's being fed and hopefully it will give him strength to battle the BIGGER monsters haunting him. More importantly, he's got the support of the other Monkees to have his back. Now, will anyone mention what's become of Maria and Lucy Sandoval or are their current whereabouts/fates too sad to mention? Regardless, I'm glad to see this story back and I hope you continue making progress in returning to good health. Take care!

Aw, nice chapter. I can't wait for more, please update soon! :)

So happy Mike finall\y gets to go home! Hope the trip to Texas doesn't wear on him too much. Can't wait for more! :-)

thanks for the update. i was wondering when we'd see more from you! good chapter. hope you're feeling better yourself and maybe chat again soon. :D

I just go so happy when I see that this story is updated! I love it love it love it! Are Maria and Lucy going to ever make an apperance again?

great chapter. sorry it took so long to read, but i really enjoyed it. can't wait for more!