Okay, I told Carol I'd try posting the next chapter myself tomorrow, so I'd like to get caught up on replying to feedback before then. My apologies if this doesn't make much sense. Not as much sleep as I'd like last night - even considering what the new norm for sleep is...
Michael - I don't think Maddie is eager to take crap from Clark. It's just that she sincerely believes he's a good guy and thus he must have a good, legitimate reason for his behavior. Basically she's putting up with real Clark as in her head, he's better than that. She's just waiting him to step up and act like the person she knows he is.
Sadly, back before I got married, I did this for a long while with a guy, who like Clark, really was better than he was acting. Until a mutual friend told me I needed to start behaving like I was dating the guy I was actually dating - and he wasn't acting like the guy we both knew he really was, so I needed to stop treating him as if he was. So, basically, I can see easily someone acting like this.
As for Lois - I'm not sure what she would do if she was in Maddie's place. But as you said, considering her behavior towards Paul, maybe she would act just like Maddie. Maybe even better - she may not even confront Clark!
Thanks, Amber!
Elizabeth - Interesting question about Lois. Lois goes through several changes throughout this story as she tries to figure out who she really is. I would say that yes - this Lois has lost her edge. But it's not gone for good.
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Lois would long since have dumped him or investigated him. Probably both.
