Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for April 04, 2013

Has he choked?

Making a decision based on jealousy of someone else’s happiness is bad. Bad bad bad.

Loose Lips – Sink Ships

Loweezy, you got some ‘splainin’ to do!

Can’t wait to hear THIS explanation!

How many of us called THIS? Yay, us!

Okay, okay, I get it. It was Dirk who inspired her to propose. For a second there I thought she meant she was proposing to Dirk. XD

Ack! Not what I hoped to read tonight, I must say…….

Saw that one coming, now for a baby maybe!!!!!!

Right thing for the wrong reason?

And….Boom goes the dynamite.

Went to Tarzan first, then to Alley Oop. Almost afraid to open Luann this morning.-Toni’s being honest. That’s good. But the possibility of misunderstanding is not so good. Now we’ll find out what Brad is made of.

I think she saw that if Dirk was ready to make a commitment and looked good at it, than she is ready to do it….. and she feels confidant about that decision

Well Here it COMES.

The REAL Moment of TRUTH.

Remember Brad: NOTHING You did for Toni up to THIS point, moved Her toward marriage.

It took a “Chance” meeting with Her Abusive Cro-Mag Ex to DO it. Remember THAT, Son and Remember it WELL.

Oh, Barkeep? WHISKEY over Here for the “Happy” Groom to be!

And MAKE it a DOUBLE…..,

Off topic but I didn’t realize Toni had a tattoo – http://www.gocomics.com/luann/2009/07/20. That’s going to look nice in a formal dress.

What Toni means of course is that she saw dirk’s life get better after marriage. However – Toni could have waited a while with that comment. We’ll see if Brad can wade through a little &%#* to get to Paradise.

Ruh-roh… she uttered the “D” word. This cannot end well…

MAYBE it helped her realize she wanted to move forward as well. HE obviously had, and she was holding herself back!

I called it yesterday!

Ut-oh…Now, this may ruin it all.

She could have gone 60+ years without ever saying that. I thought only guys were that stupid.

Brad, I was afraid that Dirk would still want to damage our relationship, or worse – us. I didn’t want to put both of us through that again. But now I’m convinced he’s really changed and out of our lives for good so I can say what I’ve wanted to say for an awfully long time…

Well played, Mr. Evans…

Note that it was dirk that INSPIRED her.

We’ll see some sort of confession that Toni felt insecure after Dirk and she split. Then after seeing him domesticated, she realized that the problems between she and Dirk were his problem, not hers.

“Living in the footsteps of another man”. Been there, done that. Again I say – this cannot end well…

Knew it! I said that yesterday. Time to quit d*cking around and progress forward, Toni.

oh CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not NOW!!!!

…Toni, thou art an idiot.

Just do it Brad.

Like so many of you I saw the possibility of this happening, but, I thought Toni would be smart enough to make something up

Tomorrow: Brad mistakenly takes it as “You still love Dirk and I’m just 2nd choice” (She could have said “I finally feel comfortable with letting my heart choose, over my fears”… but NO!!!)

Advice to Brad….. Looooong engagement.

honesty is the best policy!

Ah crap. Dont screw it up Brad dammit!

But at least shes being honest. Honesty and trust are 2 key things to a successful marriage/relationship

I think it WAS really something like that, but men never wait for a detailed explanation and sometimes jump to the wrong conclusion. My man did not even like that I posted/printed his photo in a swimsuit @38 next to my X @29 to show him that he still looked 100% better.

This may be the beginning of the end. Nice knowing you Toni.

Ok, get on with it. Let her have her say. Let’s keep thisup front. All hearts open.

Seeing Dirk with his new wife and baby made Toni realize that she was over him a long time ago and was really in love with Brad. It’s better that she waited to make her decision because too many people end up marrying someone even though they’re not truly in love with him/ her. Hopefully, Brad won’t jump to the conclusion that she still cares for Dirk.

Where is that little tear now when he needs one?

Hopefully, Brad won’t jump to the conclusion that she still cares for Dirk.

^^Of COURSE he will :s

The only save that I would accept would be something like this:

“Seeing Dirk made me realize — he is finally becoming what you have always been.”

He who should not be mentioned.

No, Brad, not “Girk”; Dirk! Slow down, boy, and let her explain….

Wow. Brad didn’t say something stupid to mess it up. Toni did.

Run Brad Run!! I called it yesterday . . . it is not so much Brad but the idea of marriage itself that has captured Toni. Seeing Dirk awakened her and Brad happened to be the unlucky sod she was with at the time of her awakening. I said it once and I’ll say it again . . . . she ain’t pretty she just looks that way.

Interesting that any would think any feelings toward Dirk the former jerk would be feelings of jealousy.That assumes Toni’s a very small minded woman. Brad is naturally feeling threatened since he wants the momemt to be about just the two of them and a third is mentioned. He’ll be happier when she explains her reasoning about how Dirk inspired a good thing at last.

Well. I am very interested to see what happens next.

1 day in 4 actual days. (so far) I hate soap opera’s By the time this all plays out I will dead & 6 feet under at 80 & I am 53.

Her intensions may not be based on her love for Brad but a kind of competition with Dirk.

Honesty is the best policy.The opening line is an attention grabber.Now let’s hear her explanation.

Waitaminite now, everybody….. think about it… even if Dirk somehow prompted her to give this marriage thing some consideration, that doesn’t necessarily mean that she would just calmly say it in that way… this was meant to cause us to do more of the “speculate/anticipate” thing…. build up for the payoff, either way… but just one strip after yesterday, everybody’s rockin the other way it seems, like it’s the Titanic… uh, sorry…. but anyway, if we don’t want Brad to jump to conclusions, let’s follow our own advice and see… sometimes, when someone says what Toni says, it’s a little bit of setup to help the other person (in this case, Brad) to see how they have come to a new beginning, a new perspective…. that seems to be what she COULD be doing, and appreciating how they both have done a “360”.

Now, maybe it might turn out to be different, but maybe not. But it seems we should hear it out, first. I’ve come to learn that you have to let someone get their words out and listen (“swift about hearing, slow about speaking, slow about wrath”, according to James 1:19[not trying to highjack the thread, but I’m just saying, the Bible has counsel on this])

To sum up, it’s kinda like the camp that wants to send flowers for congrats (which includes me), is celebrating after yesterday, and now it’s the whole other way in today’s strip, with the camp which wants to send flowers of condolences jumping up and down…. the moment yesterday JUST happened…. Brad’s reaction may be one of…. “this guy AGAIN?” and he has reason to react that way. But let’s see, fir it’s tst where she’s taking this… (it seems kind of early in the week for this arc, and kind of early considering yesterday, in the moment for Toni to ruin something just by not thinking through…) she may be relatively young, and may have her own set of issues to deal with (don’t we all?), but I don’t think she’s so stupid so as to just destroy everything so quickly…. but again, it’s a comic strip, and we all are in the audience… it’s the whole speculate/anticipate thing… let’s just wait for the big payoff, that’s how it’s done in the movies/TV/music and comics….. the moment of thrill, misunderstandings, emotion baring, sometimes wrapped up all in one, that it takes some time to sort out, and keeps us involved, and coming back to see what’s happening next…. This turkey ain’t done, yet… Let it cook first, and then we’ll see how it tastes…..

Should have known Evans would throw a wrench into the works. Sometimes I get sooooooo weary of strips that let their characters get THIS close to happiness then just make them miserable again.

SO NOW THE CAT IS OUT OF THE BAG!!!! THE TRUTH COMES OUT OF TONI LIKE ONE OF THOSE LAUGHS THAT CAN"T BE SURPRESSED!!!!

Toni neeeds no lessons in how to mess With Brad’s heart. Her emotional tie to Dirk is, unfortunately for Brad (AND Toni) permanent.

It’s probably a lot lighter than the pessimists give it.

All she did was to realize that one of the worst people she knew had turned his entire existence around and was even married and very happy to be so.

Dirk was a good example of commitment and not being afraid of life.

Toni was the exact opposite and Dirk’s successful remaking of himself rubbed her nose in it and gave her a rude awakening.

“kd1sq said, 1 minute ago

It’s probably a lot lighter than the pessimists give it."

Agreed, the pessimists are short stroking it. That comment will in all probablity turn into a very well thought out explaination. It’ll be interesting to hear what actually changed her mind. It bet it won’t be a stupid reason either.

Well, of course….

This should be good. I’m looking forward to hearing what she has to say. The only question is, will Brad let her say it?

Be very careful with what you say next, Toni Louise Daytona! You do not want to turn a fairytale evening into a nightmare. Think very deeply, but very quickly about the next words that will come out of your mouth.

I’m hoping her explanation will be.

Brad, I’ve loved you almost from the first time we met. I could not accept your proposals of marriage. Because I would always feel guilty if Dirk inflicted physical harm on you if we married. Now that I have seen Dirk and know that he has moved on with his life. That weight has been lifted and I now can accept your proposal with a clear mind. Please understand that I was reluctant to commit to marriage previously, because I would not want to be the reason to have harm come to you.

Well, Brad did ask. Now we get to see how he handles it.

PS: I think that the first hint we had that Dirk had changed was with the incident where the bookcase had fallen on Nancy. If he was still his nasty self. He could have said tough, shrugged his shoulders and walked out of the house.

She saw Dirk had moved on with his life and decided it was time to move on with hers.

Some things are better left unsaid. That was one of them.

So Toni is about to reveal a plan- get Dirk to adopt Shannon so she and Brad can live out their dreams. Things like extra long shifts at the fire station and occasional absurdist theatre. Lets face it, they’re not ready for Shannon (and few would be).

And…DUN DUN DUUUUUN

I KNEW IT. Toni didn’t do this because she WANTS TO but because she saw Dirk.Brad, say no till later.

Ok, I eas wrong about the April Fool joke, but there is still time for Brad to get ugly.

After yesterday, do NOT screw this up.

DANG IT TONI!!! Consider the moment officially ruined.

Yeah – I was afraid of that. I don’t foresee good from this.

Ah-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e!!!!!!!

How’s this for a short Toni answer?

“When I ran into Dirk, I realized that I was still allowing him to control my life. He was still keeping me from being happy.

When I saw that he had moved on, I knew it was time that I did the same.”

meh…. just spiking the comments count. I knew somebody would do something stupid.

And the runner up is…….

i just think there is nothing like seeing your ex being happy to give one pause. sometimes when you see someone else moving on with their life it give you the spur to move on with yours. it’s also surprising like when you meet someone you knew say in high school who was a total jerk to you but now runs a soup kitchen and always pleasant when you run into them.

Agreed… but remember, he has his strips done 6 weeks ahead of time, so there’s no way he could accurately gauge the response to any given arc or single strip. But if he has any sense and has been following the reactions over the long-term, he would be able to figure out that it would be ‘suicide’ to break these two up. They aren’t the title characters, but this ‘BraToni’ theme has taken on a life of its own. It’s just as big a reason for many of us to follow the strip as Luann herself is, and for some readers— perhaps it IS the main reason for following along. To kill this relationship would be to kill off probably half the readership (in my guess)

Here’s a perspective from someone who has been in multiple abusive relationships, starting with parents… and in one now with no way to leave. When one is abused, especially long term, one does not trust their own judgment, even if others see it as spot on. The abused individual has trouble trusting others, even if there has never been ANY indication that the other person would become abusive. There is always the feeling of waiting for the other shoe to drop. ‘Hmmm, so when is THIS person going to turn on me and start abusing me like almost everyone else has?’ Sometimes, even counseling cannot help the victim of repeated abuse from multiple people (parents, spouse, romantic partners, teachers, etc.). It sounds hard to believe, but there are people who are just targets, and community punching bags. I was abused by both parents… physical, emotionally, sexually. I was abused by multiple romantic partners. I was abused by 2 spouses— an ex, and now my current (though he doesn’t hit me like others did, he is controlling and emotionally cold and cruel. Part of his control is financial, meaning he keeps me monetarily dependent, as in if my car breaks down, he won’t help me fix it. Then he won’t help me with bus fare to get to a job so I wind up getting fired and have no more income of my own in order to be able to afford to leave). I’ve sabotaged some good, healthy relationships in my fear that irt was all a facade and the abuse would start again— ‘hey, almost everyone else has abused me, so why should I expect anything different now?’ Then it becomes a self-perpetuating cycle. Now, if I ever DO manage to get out of this relationship, I will probably NEVER pursue another one. Why bother? I’ll just end up sabotaging that one out of fear, or else he’ll just be another abuser like the rest of them....I wonder if that’s what’s going on with Toni, a form of PTSD that causes her to sabotage, but through wbat she sees as being honest, but subconsciously it’s a defense mechanism.

Crack in the picture already.Not a good portent.

ah… wrong thing to say.

well people think about this we have dirk the completely possessive guy who almost destroyed toni and himself over his own jealousy and insecurities so for toni who thinks nothing good can come out of a committed relationship like marriage because everything can change after that she sees her abuser who has completely changed is a caring father and even has let go of controlling everything and that the right woman for him did it some he trusts she trusts brad more times than not to take care of sharon and has proven he cares for toni more then anything else she has probably been thinking about it for a long time but seeing the positive changes it brings was probably the final nail in the coffin for her to commit to this degree

Uh-oh..bad move. I believe that she never really got Dirk out of her system, but seeing him with a wife and child finally made her realize that she had to let go and move on. She should have told Brad that her love for him has deepened, that his patience, kindness, goodness was what convinced her they needed to marry. That they were meant for each other. But no, she had to open her mouth and tell him it was Dirk.

Of course, it’s a smart move on Mr. Evans part. A rough patch adds interest to the story. How will it end…that is the question.

I hope the next frame is good. If this thing falls apart now……

At least she admits it

Oh boy, can’t you just leave well enough alone??

Totally stupid response so far, but let’s see how she manages to save it tomorrow. Or doesn’t.

Seeing Dirk was what PRECIPITATED her final decision. (If you ever studied Chemistry you will know what that means.) Her remark to Luann about the right woman for the right man shows that she realized that she was not right for Dirk. She already knew he was not right for her, but this further insight allowed her to finally let go. Seeing the baby probably was another precipitating factor. Recall her remark to Brad inn connection to Shannon about needing to pass the “fatherhood test.” Commitment is a serious business and half the couples who marry don’t stay married. It is great that Brad has had the patience to wait till Toni was ready.

I don’t think it was based on jealousy. It was based on the realization that life moves quickly and Toni was not seeing the big picture. Dirk’s situation caused her to see what she had in Brad and gave her the impetus to jump to a new level in her life. In other words, she grew up!

Brad nearly chokes on a dinner roll when Toni confirms her proposal..Brad spits wine back into his glass when Toni chose to reveal the Dirk connection..God help them both if Brad’s in the middle of a sneeze when Toni drops her next bombshell!

Who is Karen?

In keeping with the glacier-like pace of things that actually happen in this strip, I fully expect Brad to back off and need some time to process this revelation.

Guess she saw how happy they were and wanted the same…at least, let’s hope that’s the case.

Oh god, please no. Can we be more predictable?

This will be a good thing

Dang it, I was afraid of that. :(

go back to Toni & Luann, after Toni seen Dirk. The rght woman can make a difference. Toni’s expression is that she can do it. Hope she doesn’t blow it. Wait and see.

Dirk the Jerk!

Uh-oh. I think Brad is going to have some second thoughts.

Lots of reasons to get married..this is just one of them.Cheers,RE

Who didn’t see that coming?

Indeed.

and they say men are insensitive

I sure hope Brad doesn’t get hurt – but it doesn’t look good at the present moment!

Yep, I called that one the other day.

Well first of all this is a woman speaking so the logic will escape any male reading this.Second this is Greg Evans writing and he being a male will have a male logic behind a woman’s thinking.So as you can plainly see confusion will reign and only TJ will actually have the answer.Of course LuAnn will have something interesting to throw into the mix.YaHoo . . . Go Greg . . . . . Nice writing.

Am I mistaken or are Brad and Toni the only ones allowed to age in this strip?

They will get married and adopt Shannon. Brad knows a good thing when he holds it in his arms. If Dirk meant that much to her she would be with the new Dirk. He has moved on and now she will too. Everybody Happy?

Nah I think Dirk was her inspiration to take the marital plunge because if a spooge like him could reap the benefits of wedded bliss why not her and Brad.

say wha?

I think she saw that Dirk had changed and do good and that she doesn’t have to be afraid of commitment anymore. It wasn’t a big scary thing that was going to change Brad into a scuzzy.

Can’t wait to see how Brad and Luann’s Mom reacts to their engagement! LOL!

Some of you are waaayyy over thinking, over analyzing this.

And now they are un-engaged.

Watch your temper, Brad.

Now ain’t that a kick in the head?

I’ll bet a considerable amount of money that this story will turn out to be a fantasy or dream of Brad’s and not really happening in the strip’s “reality.”`Any takers?

Dirk this, Dirk that, Dirk always makes me feel like….
Toni may have just hit Brad in the most painful place a woman can strike a man – his ego. Again. Hopefully she can get the words out before Brad can’t hear them anymore.

As much as I hate to say it, I think we’ve analyzed the snot out of this arc. Time to just saddle up, and see where the trail leads.

Try as I might, I cannot like Toni Daytona. She’s not a good person at all. She was involved with Dirk in the first place. She made a mistake, fair enough. But with abusers, there are warning signs. She should have dumped him LONG before his assault on Brad. He was chasing them in a car, for God’s sake.

After his attack on Brad, Toni vowed that she was through with Dirk for good. We saw how good she kept that promise. Not only did she let him hang around, but she actually STOPPED Brad from calling the police on Dirk for violating his restraining order. She’s a firefighter. A public servant, and she’s telling someone NOT to enforce their restraining order???

Then, for the longest time in their relationship, she refused to let Brad even TALK about marriage. Now, all of a sudden SHE proposes to HIM. I see, so we only talk about marriage when Her Royal Highness wants to talk about it.

She’s a controlling, selfish manipulator. A witch with a capital B. Brad, RUN! FAST!

Everyone, including moi, thought Brad might blow it but aye carumba. There be foul weather ahead.

First chance I’ve had to comment, been vacationing.

My wife and I learned a lot with her breaking up with a previous boyfriend to date and marry me. She realized I was the one for her, same as Toni realizes Brad’s the one for her. It’s worked for us for almost 39 years.

A while back, Brad gave up on Toni, she had Dirk hanging around. When Brad moved into his rental house, it was Toni that came back to him. Same with her visits (leaving her glove behind to come back later to get it).

I don’t think Toni ever said she loved Dirk, but she’s said it numerous times to Brad. My wife did the same thing.

I think Toni is ready to move on with her life, but that includes sharing it with Brad. Dirk is past history, and she’s over him.

Notice Toni’s wearing a blue sweater, that’s Brad’s favorite color (remember the underwear?).

Go forward, Brad and Toni!

Oops! I honestly didn’t think there would be any nasty developments in this arc. I’m soooo naive. Later, haters!

Here’s an idea…it’s still April Fool’s day IC.

What if she says it was Dirk…and next panel is ‘April Fools!’ ;)

really? in the most romantic moment of all…this is what you choose to disclose?

How about, “When I saw Dirk with his family I realized how much I have changed. I am no longer the scared, angry, abused girl that felt she needed him. I am now a mature, confident woman who is ready to take on life with the man I love.”

The timing is unfortunate, but she may be aware that the other alternative is to have it suggested by TJ, and have Brad silently stew about the ideas it puts into his head without her input.

Dun dun DUUUNNN!

Nothing says romance like mentioning your ex-boyfriend shortly after getting engaged. “Dirk” would be the number one thing for Toni not to say at this time.^^Ex-actly

Everything will come out in the end…

I would have kept it to myself, but she’s probably safer having him think of it while he’s with her, so his imagination doesn’t run wild.

….And, so…. we wait…. for Midnight…..

What time does the new days strip go up? I didn’t see it at 12:30 last night and assumed it updates later…

when’s Toni going to start making wedding plans????!!!…I can’t wait to see that the caterer the dress the church the reception hall and Brad picking out rings the wedding ring hope it’s pretty

No, no, no.

Was I the only poster who never faded from the idea that Toni still liked Dirk and just didn’t want to look like she was a weak abused girl and now she can get around that one and it is too late she is pretending Brad is Dirk. Great- wow TJ’s going to have a lot of ammunition.Donny Wallace… SHUT UP!

Oh, yeah, forgot to mention this earlier, but Brad did “kind of open the door”, when he said: “I don’t know what inspired you….” it’s like an unwitting lead in… it’s funny how some convos take that turn. But still, it could be that she’s about to reveal that she got enlightened by rececnt events, and she could be trying to answer Brad’s seemingly “half-rhetorical” question/declaration with some some supportive “well, funny thing, but…” of course, we must learn that once in a while, a pleasant surprise CAN come from the most unexpected places, Toni may be realizing that herself… Brad’s reaction is what seems to be expected, but time proves all…..

Is anyone surprised about this?

Is anyone surprised about this? We all saw it coming.

Yeah…I thought so. This could either go good or bad.

don’t spew it out on her, brad! you’ll ruin everything!

Way to ruin the mood, Toni. Hahaha!