For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for August 22, 2023

Her: ………………………. (speechless…)………………………….

No. Michal you “Shouldn’t” have!

1962 Jaguar XKE is a nice-looking car. The gearshift knob from one is a great gift for a teenager in love with cars. However, it is an odd gift for a 5-year-old and and even odder gift to give to someone who will have no appreciation whatsoever for it. Now, if Michael had given this gift to Gordon, that would make perfect sense. I am going to imagine Gordon’s reaction because you know Rhetta’s is going to be “I thought you were going to give me a promise ring.”

Not sure that was what she was expecting, but they have a close relationship and it might make more of an impression than some jewelry.

Well, thoughts of a ring, locket or bracelet crashed. All she can do is smile weakly and say " thanks" and NOT preface it with “gee”.

Right now she’s thinking “Michael and Gordon are definitely a couple”.

Back in 1962 that’s the very car I daydreamed about. Of course it never happened, not even close, but somehow I’m generally happy and contented nevertheless. :-)

I have to share this one. Michael knows what girls like

I guess you have to accept it in the spirit in which it’s given. It’s something valuable to him even if it’s about as romantic as a pair of old socks. I would just keep it for him and give it back someday since it’ll mean more to him than it does to her.

Oh the roads that could be taken!

I’d be SO disappointed….it’s almost like a trick to make a girl think it’s jewelry…even a cheapie necklace. This “gift” reminds me of what a 10 year old might give the girl next door he likes.

Good for shifting the relationship into park.

If a gearshift knob is a sign of ‘his love and affection’ and I were Rhetta, I’d worry ! ! !

It’s a mass-produced piece of molded plastic, but somehow I believe him when he says it has personal meaning to him. We’re a pretty fúcked up species, huh?

When she’s 50 and looking back, she will remember that as the best gift she ever got. Takes maturity to appreciate the significance.

Now put it around your neck.

Won’t you wear my gear shift nob around your neck.

To tell the world I’m yours by heck.

The relationship of Michael and Rhetta is dead-da.

Something he has treasured since he was a little child has significance. Even if it isn’t the 18 carat ring some of you feel was warranted.

That attitude is the same as a friend of mines’ EX who never understood when he he built her a nice display case for her sports trophies, (she was a competition swimmer) matching the style of her bedroom. He MADE it for HER.

That gift from Michael is his treasure, which he is giving her. It SHOULD mean a lot.

Not a romantic, but the fact that he gave her something that means a great deal to him, says a lot about his affection for her. But times change things.

What a nob.

Sadly, Michael is really, really going to miss that gearshift knob.

He really has great taste in cars, one of the all time greatest classic automobiles. How does a five year old figure that out?

Atta boy

How Romantic!

“Where will I wear it?”

An early step in developing the “give of one’s self” approach to life and relationships. Not always a bad thing. Youthful and maybe a silly item by some standards but it is something that means the world to Michael and he is gifting/entrusting Rhetta with it. That’s a big psych move for some folks, esp a younger person fairly new at life interactions.

It’s the thought that counts.

If he was smart, he’d have given her the stoopid bear.

Well — it’s certainly personal!

Michael is showing that he holds on to things that he likes. Your move, Rhetta.

Mike, you are one smooth smoothie.

Umm…..Ooooooookaaaaaaay. Although I would get it if they shared a live for classic cars.

Well, boys place value on things girls just can’t appreciate….

That’s my kid

My father’s boss had an XKE back in ‘62. That was some fine machine, although I don’t remember the shift knob.

Given that Lynn usually changes the years whenever a date is mentioned in dialogue (even though everything around it remains dated) I wonder if this was originally the gear shift from a 1933 car?

Hope Rhetta returns it to him in a few years because he valued it and did not need to give it to her.

Now Rhetta will forever remember Michael as a knob who once gave her a knob.

My kind of guy….

It’s probably worth some money now Rhetta. Old car parts are hard to find.

Rhetta does not qualify as a ‘classic’!

If the 5-year-old boy snatched the Jaguar gearshift knob, just imagine the poor Jaguar car owner out looking to replace it! Because you just can’t put any old gearshift knob on a Jaguar E-type car! That’s sacrilegious.

I don’t care what anyone says that is a gesture of true love

You shouldn’t have done that, Michael Patterson. I don’t mean you shouldn’t have, I mean YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE.

Missed it by “that much.”

Oookaaay! Probably not the best gift, though it obviously means a lot to him.

Now that means a lot to him. Whether it is important to her determines if she is a keeper or not…..

Michael has good taste… In cars, not gifts

It means a lot to him; but I am guessing that it is not something “special” to her. He did not get in touch with his feminine side.

This isn’t a token of love; it’s a placeholder.

Eeeek!! Not THAT!!! (gasp!)

Fellas, you need to still grow up. Don’t hurry. The fringe of childhood and adulthood is the most exciting part and should be long enough.

Nothing says love quite like a gearshift knob.

The nastiness of some of the comments is sad.