JumpStart by Robb Armstrong for February 20, 2016

Really dont see why he should care about his father. he did leave until now after all.

If we are to accept Ray has reformed, then Ray needs to accept that his father has, too.

This was tricky. How do I depict a death in the strip without making JumpStart morose for a day? Well, in an earlier draft, Marcy is quietly saying,“Oh no” into the telephone. It communicated very well that the patient died, but I just felt it was a bit too strong for my younger readers ( and even older readers who just want to enjoy their morning Cheerios without being reminded of the brevity and fragility of human life) So, I removed the word “Oh”, and retained the “NO”, making it bigger and bolder. I created a double meaning with it: Marcy is answering Ray’s question about the dog, AND reacting to sad news. It missed. Ray’s dad did not make it. Cue up " Taps".

@Phatts California@robb armstrong“YOU JUST GAVE IT AWAY, ROBB!!”.

He MEANT to give it away, the fact Ray’s father died.If you read this as a thriller or mystery, that would be unpleasant.As life in pieces, it is very well done. He captured humanity others miss.

So many around us we never realize have depths unimagined.Usually even after they die.Every loss a tragedy.I have a friend who is now showing signs of Alzheimer’s.He pumps diesel fuel.His assets were in the low millions, may still be. He never discussed real estate transactions with me, I just happen to know of a couple over a million dollars each.He discusses his granddaughters mostly.Some days he tells of flying bombers over Eastern Europe in WW2.