For better: still a chance

I should point out, among all the foreshadowing, that there are at least a few indications that Lynn Johnston might have something in mind for Liz Patterson other than a relapse into Anthony.

• Long ago foreshadowing – when Elly first met Paul (she had driven Liz to Mtig, then pulled over beside the road to nap, where a couple of constables found her and took her to their station to nap in more comfort) she made a comment about her daughter “still looking for Mr. Right”. Dramatic pan out to show Paul’s door, with the nameplate reading “Constable Wright”.
• And a bit more: when Liz left Mtig, the locals gave her a name translating to “Snow Goose” – because, they said, they knew she would return. I’m not convinced a measly holiday visit counts.
• Liz was once involved with a rotter who cheated on her; she seems to have been better about choosing decent men since. I can imagine Paul having fallen in love, against his will, with someone else, and having trouble figuring out how to tell Liz. It’s hard, in that case, to imagine him trading virtual kisses with Liz only a couple of weeks ago, or pursuing a transfer to be closer to her.
• It’s possible that what Johnston is actually doing is not so much heavy-handed foreshadowing of a reuinion with Anthony as trying to keep us guessing by raising the romantic tension in a variety of areas. That would fit with yesterday and today’s strips involving the reappearance of Warren, who’s been having as many non-platonic thoughts about Liz as Anthony has had.

I don’t hate Anthony as much as some people do; I just think he doesn’t have much to offer Liz except need and stability. What I do hate is the idea that growing up has to involve settling down and the end of adventure. It’s OK for Liz’s brother Michael: he lives inside his head enough that parenthood (or metaparenthood: the enormous concept of being a father rather than the daily diapers or even the daily smiles) and the worlds of his writing are plenty of adventure for him. Liz and April are more externally focused. Also, between her verbal, creative big brother and her talented, opinionated younger sister, Liz still needs more of an identity of her own than “lovely young woman” (how Johnston – and her alter ego Elly – have several times referred to her). Being a teacher is part of that, because it’s Liz’s Proper Job, not just something she ended up with. Her time in Mtigwaki was another building block; I did hope she’d settle there like her friend Viv. As part of all that, she needs to choose a partner who really is a choice, not just a default option.