What Would You Have Done In Their Shoes?
It seemed that the only solution was for each family member to openly confront their feelings. As difficult as it seemed, directly communicating their feelings slowly but surely relieved the weight on each brother’s shoulders. Their vulnerabilities drew them closer to one another, as well as to their father. After much time had elapsed, the brothers sympathized with one another as well as Stu. They understood that Stu was terrified of bringing the conflict out into the open, even though it was inevitable.
Dad eventually tracked down Heather and made her return the purchases she had made with the stolen money. Somehow, they were still married. Neither of them could contribute towards a divorce. They never again shared a bed. They barely saw each other on a regular basis. What they had could barely be called a marriage. It took Tommy, Dill, and Matt, along with help from the other step brothers and Stu, to accumulate enough money to begin payments for a new house for Diane and her boyfriend. Diane was beside herself at their generosity, especially after confronting such an intense trauma. The family’s next goal was to save up money so Stu could get the divorce he desperately needed.
And that concludes the shifting, precarious narrative of this blended family. Tommy and Dill refused to sit on the sidelines as more and more revelations came out about the people they had presumed to know all about. What the twins knew about Stu and Diane consistently fell by the wayside as they uncovered more and more information about their parents. After reeling from the abuse that Heather inflicted, the twins wanted to stand up for their family. Stu seemed powerless to do so, so Tommy and Dill took control of the family narrative and took swift action with Matt. Did they make the right choices? What else could they have done in their situation? What else would you have done in their shoes? While the climax resulted in a fractured family unit, they were able to slowly yet surely come back together with a newfound sense of understanding. Diane got the house she deserved. Stu will eventually get the sense of freedom and security that will come from his divorce. Heather’s fate remains a mystery. She may have moved onto another unwitting victim. But if the determined actions of the brothers are any indication, they will work hard to create the positive, encouraging future that their family rightfully deserves.
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