Great story. Looking forward to more.

Just curious, when kids are in this situation, how is it that they turn to "stepping up" versus not committing suicide? It seems horrific growing up in these conditions. Does he stick with it because it's all he knows so suicide is off the table? Is his need to take care of Liz stronger?

At first, I was disappointed that this was a series of one shots; vignettes. Part way through this chapter, I was actually glad you went the way you did. Here would be way too much sadness if it was an actual story. The way you've chosen to write it, there's still happiness and hope mixed in with the sadness.

Poor Jess. He tried.

And we learn so much from the responses we get back when we try so very hard. This is very real, but I don't understand how a mother, even one such as Liz cares so much for horrible and mean boyfriends and drugs and liquor rather than her own child. On to chapter 3.

What a horrible and demeaning cycle here. In spite of it all, Jess seems a genius or at least a near genius. But his fear (and it is real!) constantly holds him back: one step forward and three backward, learning to trust no one. Very hurtful! Thanks. On to chapter 2 now. Keep writing!

Powerful stuff, really interesting chapters. A good glimpse at how we might get the Jess that arrived in Stars Hollow. I actually thought that one helpful thing Luke could have done for Jess was to actually address his schooling. Jess could have tested out of high school, and likely been taking college classes while with Luke if someone had merely paid attention.

Interesting explanation for the magic tricks Jess knew. It was completely incongruous with the "bad" boy image people wanted to paint him with on the show.

Tough lesson to learn at an early age, and not what the teacher had in mind at all. I like this.

This is so sad! I think I actually teared up at Chapter 2, which NEVER happens to me... Poor Jess. It's ripping my heart out, but it's also so well-written and well-characterized. So... more please? :-)

Little Jess learned a "tough" lesson when he tried spoken words with his mother. And with Liz, especially in the "condition" she was in, spoken words were NOT BETTER than written words. A hard lesson. Thanks - a great first writing.

Oh poor Jess!

This is truly heartbreaking.

Thanks for the shout-out and for posting this story. I love the story, and would definitely enjoy reading more. After all, I don't think Jess puts much value into the spoken word until his early twenties.

The teacher is also interesting, probably one of Jess' better ones and yet completely underestimating him at the same time.