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Half Sisters - Episode 70: Groundwork (Patreon)

Published:
2026-02-09 07:02:10
Edited:
2026-02-09 07:12:32
Imported:
2026-02
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Content

At the Ferris mansion, dinner is served and futures are planned. But not everything that looks like good news feels like good news — and sometimes the person you love most is the one who complicates things the hardest.

Meanwhile, Nikki's doing what Nikki does best... pretending everything is fine.

This episode is about people trying to figure out how to move forward when the ground keeps shifting underneath them.

Can't wait to hear your thoughts.

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Comments

Gemma

Mrs Ferris and Mrs Palmer, two very wise and intuitive women. Both Sandy and Nikki, as tough as the challenges they have faced and are dealing with , are both very fortunate to have these two ‘mothers’ and mentors in their lives. Sandy is certainly so much wiser than Nikki, and it seems she will follow Mrs Ferris advice. Nikki, however, certainly exhibits all signs of traumatised young person. What a great visual you provided through her body language and seeing the ‘fetal like position,’ on the couch,. This is often seen in traumatised women, one that reveals underlying anxiety and desire to soothe and protect herself from the heightened sense of emotional fragility and vulnerability. she is experiencing. This was so heart breaking to see. Also seeing a short lived, fleeting fantasy image Nikki has of Zach’s face. I love the ways you capture momentarily experiences, a brief reprieve through this pleasurable memory, then pow, it is cruelly snatched away from her as it is linked and hijacked by flashbacks of Davis’s face and associated sense of shamefulness around these feeling arising within. I’m not sure how you will get Nikki to open up and get the help she so sorely needs. She is a hard egg to crack. Her denial and resistance to opening up has been a long standing psychological defence strategy she has developed in her childhood prior to her first contact with Davis and or second dawn. Another great chapter. I love and can’t say enough about the great detail and depth of this story and the characters you have created.

Nolwenn (edited)

Comment edits

2026-09-14 23:00 Woh... it will be long to wait until next episode in mars. This episode seems really too short but you did a great job on it.
2026-02-09 08:17

Crewchick

Wise advice from Mrs. Ferris. Sandy wanting time and space to figure herself out is not unreasonable. Josh had good intentions and motivation, but really should have shared his plans with Sandy rather than just sprung them on her as a done deal. If he had, maybe they could have come to another arrangement. Perhaps he comes to Texas but attends a different school with in an hour or two drive? Close enough to see each other on the weekends or even in the middle of the week if they really want. But far enough to allow Sandy some space. Plus, Josh may find he too needs some space, dealing with college and law school. They say the first year of law school produces a high number of divorces among those who arrive at law school married. Mary Palmer, still Mom of the Year. Poor Nikki. Still in denial, still trying to deal with this all on her own without anyone else's help, and trying to get through it all on determination and will power alone. It is good, Snowfall is there for her, but eventually Nikki needs to sit down and have a very long talk with her Mom. She also really needs some major counseling, but with Xu and Hutchinson, not wanting their secrets revealed, plus Nikki's Dad likely thinks psychology and cognitive therapy are BS, plus old Nick likely still thinks it is as well, it is very unlikely Nikki will set foot in a therapist's office until Xu and Hutchinson are dealt with and Nikki comes a little further out yet from her father's shadow.

Ellen Mellor

Fantastic as ever. They're both really going through the emotional wringer right now, aren't they? It's lucky they have such caring, supportive moms (although I'm not sure 'supportive' is quite the right word for Mrs Ferris. 'Coercive' perhaps?) Sandy is getting the full 'welcome to womanhood' experience from Josh, isn't she? He just makes major, life-changing decisions for both of them without even thinking about talking to her first. Like almost all 'Rom-com' romantic gestures, it's sexist, borderline creepy and a serious red flag. She needs to kick him to the curb as soon as possible. Meanwhile, in a twist that surprised absolutely no one, Nikki has PTSD! It makes complete sense and, I suspect that the reason it hasn't reared it's ugly head quite so blatantly in Jack & Jill is because there is not as yet any 'post' to the trauma. I hope she finds someone to talk to, other than Sandy, because her mom is right. She needs real help. The artwork is beautiful as always. I laughed at the scene change from Sandy's story to Nikki's. That first panel really needed a caption saying 'Meanwhile, back at the ranch.' The final image of Nikki on Snowflake was perfect. The dynamism and the emotion and the strength. I could almost see the movement and the flow of the horse's muscles as he galloped along. Also, wearing that t-shirt means Nikki isn't escaping the accusation of being a lesbian trans girl any time soon. Seriously, what's next? An ironic Blahaj? Finally (at last!), I'm curious as to how this lines up with the events of J&J. Presumably there's' going to be some sort of fallout in these pages from there. I do hope Mr Hutchinson escapes, just so Nikki's Mom can blow his brains across half the state.

Alyson Greaves

Nick “Healthy Coping Mechanisms” Palmer

Maggie Heels

Ohhh Nikki... you still have kilometers of thick concrete wall to crush before you'll finally be able to evolve ❣️❣️❣️ And Sandy please remember... communication with your "second half" is eternally crucial, when you talk, you can work on things... no talk no nothing ❣️❣️❣️

Kris Greg

I loved this episode too! Sandy deserved some time to be herself without Nikki. It's nice seeing her grow as a woman. Nikki's PTSD is becoming a major issue, & that makes perfect sense. I can't wait for the next episode.

Robertlouis

Oh Josh. He thinks he’s giving Sandy a lovely surprise, something she really wants, when the reality is that, without any prior consultation, he’s shutting down her freedom just as she’s preparing to flex her muscles properly for the very first time as true self. On the surface, Sandy presents as a sunny and confident girl, but there’s an undercurrent of anxiety and concern about her trans status which she knows she has to work through to establish herself as the person she wants to become, and Josh’s mere presence might, in a contradictory way, stymie her efforts to do so. Also, while she probably does love him, and he does love her, it’s the first time for both of them, and while a fairy tale would have them riding off into the sunset, this is Half Sisters, and cold reality has to intrude. Too much proximity will stifle any relationship built on such immature foundations. Meanwhile, back at the ranch…🤣 Nikki’s steadfast refusal to confront, discuss or even acknowledge the previous night’s traumatic events demonstrates yet again her automatic defence response to every negative experience. And yes, it is definitely PTSD, as she is so easily triggered by small things into reliving the horrific events on the island. Heaven knows how her mother is going to introduce her to the therapy that she so desperately needs. She remains wilfully deaf to every offer and every entreaty; the only positive is her defiance and absolute refusal to concede defeat. On a girly note, despite the self referencing to Nick, she still took care to sort her hair before leaving the house, and it was Zach’s face that she saw after her stimulation in the shower, so ….

Robertlouis

Just thinking a little more about Sandy’s dilemma regarding Josh, and hoping that it gets resolved in her favour, it strikes me that when the girls get to college, things could go one of two ways. The first is that their mutual dependency makes them even stronger as a unit, with Nikki hopefully drawing on Sandy’s relative strength, confidence and wisdom. The second is that if Josh does hang around, things will become so stressful for Sandy that she will become wholly preoccupied in dealing with her own situation, leaving Nikki to struggle in isolation. I really hope it’s the former!

ender8343

What running away from issues isn't a healthy coping mechanism?

Pet Jeffery

What a wonderful start to the week! Amid all the emails I delete without reading, one that I actually wanted to read! A new episode of Half Sisters! Storm clouds gather over both Sandy and Nikki. At least Sandy knows what's wrong. Whether she can tell Josh is another matter. Nikki is in deep denial. The panel with Davis' ugly face came a real wrench. He's not really there but, in a sense, he never really went away. I'm having a very Emory time just now, bingeing on Jack and Jill on my tablet and reading The Catch on my KIndle Scribe. Last night, I read the whole of J&J Phase 5. It includes what I assume to be Nikki's first appearance (I recognised her instantly). That was bittersweet, delighted to see a beloved character, but saddened to see her in that place. And now, in Half Sisters, Nikki is drawn back into those times and unable to deal with it. I really hope that, amid her other problem, Sandy will be able to support to Nikki.

Alyson Greaves

Depends on how fast you can go. Which, since Nikki has a horse, should not be a problem.

Crystal Peaches

Hopefully when they are at College Nikki will find tha Sandy really is a true sister. She is running from her trauma and speaking from experience you can only do that for a certain amount of time. It’s terrific stuff and I am hoping that when she is away at college her gradual acceptance of who she truly is ( whoever that is) will strengthen and she will start to find joy rather than be traumatised by it. You show the struggle so beautifully and deeply. Xxx

Joe

Nikki’s getting closer and closer to her bi-realization. Just has to weed through her trauma first

SingularCurve

Yea, Sandy needs to find herself and its good to see that she knows it. Nikki, Nikki, Nikki, thats not how it works. Running never does anything but make you tired. Mama has the right idea of therapy, but therapy only works on the willing, and it will be HARD.

Thomas Tolliver

I thought the anime girl on the t-shirt was a weird little meta character trying to peek up from the bottom of the frame. 😂😅

Emory Ahlberg

Thanks, Gemma! It's fun to write two mothers who love their children so fiercely but express it in such radically different ways. Mrs. Ferris operates with surgical, psychological precision, while Mrs. Palmer is all raw instinct and shotgun shells. ANd poor Nikki... she can’t even have a moment of peace or pleasure without it being instantly corrupted by the memory of her abuse. It’s not just dysphoria but also profound PTSD where femininity itself has been weaponized against her. Nikki built those walls to survive her father long before she ever met Davis, so tearing them down is going to take a lot more than a nice horse ride or a heart-to-heart.

Emory Ahlberg

Thank you, Nolwenn! But we have another episode coming out this weekend, Nolwenn! 💖 And I think sometimes these transitional episodes feel shorter because they’re less about moving the plot pieces across the board and more about setting the emotional temperature for the chaos coming next.

Emory Ahlberg

Thank you, Diana! Josh definitely suffers from a bit of "Main Character Energy" where he thinks a grand romantic gesture automatically overrides practical logistics. He sees his transfer as the ultimate proof of commitment, completely missing that Sandy is desperate to build an identity that exists independently of him. You’re right about Nikki’s isolation being her biggest enemy right now. In a normal world, therapy would be the first step, but in Hutchinson's Texas, wouldn't a therapist be just a liability or a loose end? She needs to figure out something because right now her only "solution" is repression and horsepower haha

Emory Ahlberg

Thank you, Maggie! I think Nikki’s emotional walls are reinforced concrete at this point lol. It’s going to take some heavy machinery - or a total collapse - to get through them. You're right about Sandy! Staying silent to protect Josh’s feelings is the one thing that will actually destroy what they have.

Emory Ahlberg

LOL - Nick definitely wrote the book on unhealthy coping mechanisms - which he then refused to read because reading is gay. But right now for Nikki stillness feels like death. If she stops moving, the memories catch up. So she runs.

Alyson Greaves

“If you read too much, they cut off your balls. And I don’t need any more people trying to cut off my balls.”

Emory Ahlberg

Thank you, Ellen! 💕 Mrs. Ferris really operates in a grey area - but she is trying to be better and I think largely succeeding... so far! With Josh, I view it less as malice and more as him being the protagonist of his own movie, completely forgetting Sandy is the lead in hers. It IS stifling. Yeah, I've been peppering in Nikki's anxiety / PTSD throughout the series so far, but now it has really come to a head with the kiss. LOL, I really should have had the 'back at the ranch' subtitle! Damn! This episode is roughly two weeks before the current J&J episodes. 😊💕

Emory Ahlberg

Thank you, Kris! 💕 Sandy is growing into herself beautifully, but growth requires space, and that is currently in short supply with Josh moving into her dorm before she even unpacks. Nikki’s PTSD is absolutely the driving force right now. I've had Nikki experience panic attacks a few times in the series so far, but things are now at a breaking point because she just kept "keept it to together." That isn't working now. If she doesn't get this under control, it's going to distort everything moving forward.

Emory Ahlberg

Thanks, Robert! Josh sees his arrival as a grand romantic gesture, but for Sandy, it feels like the walls closing in just as she stepped outside. She needs to discover who Sandy is in a vacuum, not who Sandy is relative to Josh. If she spends all her energy managing his expectations and their relationship, she won't have the bandwidth to anchor Nikki, and that is a dangerous prospect for both of them.

Emory Ahlberg

Thank you, Robert! Yeah, Josh’s intentions are good, but his timing is poison. Sometimes a grand romantic gesture can become a cage when the recipient is trying to build wings! Sandy is currently defining herself by who she isn't, and having her past follow her to campus makes it nearly impossible to figure out who she actually is. I really think Nikki’s defiance acts as both her superpower and her kryptonite. That shower scene showed the internal war since her body and heart are starting to accept things that her brain refuses to process. She is fighting a war on two fronts - Hutchinson outside and herself inside - and eventually, something has to give.

Emory Ahlberg

"I've seen them do it, too. Jill was reading a lot of history books. She kept requesting more. And look what happened to her! I was there! I saw it all!"

Crewchick

Emory, you just triggered a thought. An unlikely branch or contingency in your writing of this, I am sure. But Hutchinson's plan depends on everything working out as planned. Likewise, Nikki is to some degree an egotist and perfectionist. Even though she hates being a girl, she was determined to nail the date, because Nick Palmer is the star QB who never half asses shit or fails. Also, Nick/Nikki does not want her story getting out who she is and have it ruin HIS reputation. But what if he/she does fail? What if Nikki loses it? What if Nikki crumbles so hard, we are talking rubber room hard, that she becomes damaged good. Completely radioactive at a Christian school like St. Christopher's in a small Bible thumping town in the heart of Texas? The former star stud that is now a gelding, prancing around campus like a mare, who totally lost it in a public breakdown of epic proportion. Now of course I don't want any harm to come to Nikki. I don't want her secret out or her reputation and life destroyed. But for argument’s sake, if that happen (leaving out any connection to Hutchinson - Nikki is not that crazy), what could Hutchinson really do? Nikki would no longer be suitable for being the beard and arm candy Hutchinson intended for Zach. He would need to keep Zach as far away from that dumpster fire as possible. And since this all happen in public, disappearing Nikki would be difficult. She is not Janice hidden away on Hutchinson's home. She is living in public. Hutchinson even gave her a valid license by changing her original license. No matter who Hutchinson paid to do it, there will always be digital ghosts, fingerprints and breadcrumbs to be found. Then there is the reality that in a small Texas town, a HS star QB is almost royalty, even long after their glory days. And one who transitions into a woman, that would be epic infamy that townies would remember like the Kennedy assassination. Including where they were when they heard the news. Everyone would notice Nikki being disappeard from a mental hospital. And at that point, with everyone thinking Nikki is crazy, who would even believe her if she did mention Hutchinson? Could Hutchinson follow through on his threats against Nikki's Dad? Possibly, but the action looses its leverage when there is no way of reforming Nikki to fulfill Hutchinson's original purpose and intent. Hutchinson though is an extremely vindictive bastard, so he might do it anyway. But Mr. Palmer pretty much made his bed the minute he agreed to let Nick be taken to Clinic 12. And as cold as this sounds, no one should feel sorry if he now has to sleep in that bed. He could threaten Mary Palmer, but she is pretty damn tough and does not intimidate easily. She also knows how to use a shot gun and does not appear scared in the least to use it. Plus, if the destruction of Clinic 12 and possibly Second Dawn is a little over two weeks away, Hutchinson may return more vulnerable than he has been in a long time. Then there is Mrs. Ferris' past history with both Mary and Hutchinson, I suspect she would intervene to protect Mary and even Nikki. Also with Mrs. Ferris' help once attention died down, Sandy and Nikki could go back to Boston, or just about any other place outside Texas and be roommate at almost any other college. Both Nikki and Sandy could truly re-invent themselves. I know this seems farfetched, and would require Nikki to swallow a lot of pride and accept a lot of humiliation in her hometown. Plus, it would be a shitload of trauma for Nikki to process and reprocess all at once when she is already suffering from PTSD. But it relates to the idea that once you take everything away from a person, you also remove your control over that person. Another way, a person with nothing to lose has everything to gain. Nikki is swimming in the ocean and swimming against a riptide with all her might. The odds are against swimmers swimming a against a riptide. The current is far strong and the swimmer gets exhausted and drowns. In that situation you try and swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current, or you ride the current until you are at a place where you can swim parallel to the shore and out of the current, then back to shore. If Nikki can't fight the current, then maybe riding it for a while is the safer, if scarier option. Again, this is all just spitballing on unlikely but possible courses of action for Nikki. I don't think this course of action would take the story in any direction you would want to go, but I would be curious about your thoughts on the plausibility of it given the state of the character and the situation at present.

Emory Ahlberg

Sandy has the benefit of a little distance from her initial trauma, whereas Nikki is still essentially in the splash zone. I think of Nikki as a pressure cooker with the valve stuck.

Emory Ahlberg

Yep. Nikki’s attraction to Zach is like a high-speed train heading for a bridge that hasn’t been built yet. Her brain uses the trauma as a shield to avoid admitting what she felt during that kiss. Yikes!

Emory Ahlberg

I really hope for that sisterhood too. Sandy is the only person on the planet who actually knows the specific frequency of Nikki’s pain. College is supposed to be about reinvention, but for these two, it’s also about recovery

Emory Ahlberg

Thank you, Pet! Seeing her in that environment hopefully made her current struggle feel so much more desperate. Sandy is going to have to be incredibly patient. She’s dealing with her own Josh-shaped storm while trying to pull Nikki out of the flood.

stacy C

Good chapter but pic 17 is the stuff of nightmares hehe x

mdaily

As a person who lives with substantial C-PTSD, I have learned that it is important to live in the moment that you are in Right Now as opposed to what did happen then and what they said would happen if you defied. One must learn to live in this moment, not those moments. Leave the threats and lies behind. When poor Nikki is doing this, she is doing much better, as she was almost glowing there for a sec at the end of her date. This moment, sadly, is a direct link to her source of trauma, Davis's sadism, taunts and predictions. It happens again in the shower. The act of adjusting is itself an instant trigger.