Making Ends Meet on Willow Street

[Rachel-K]

Who are their benefactors on Willow Street? In what ways are they trapped there? Why does Eva have such power over them?

[vivico1]

Elias is one of their benefactors. By telling Eva, he is letting them sell things there from Samuel that he didn't want to sell in his store, it keeps her out of it somewhat. Also, someone has brought two gold bars to them, this is a good backup if they need it. I have an idea who it was too.

Eva, lets face it, she has power over anyone who can not stand up to her constant nagging and gossipping and lying, on and on and on. If they can't or won't fight the bees, Eva has them, she knows their weaknesses. This woman is like Satan himself that way! And she has other ways too. Look what happens to Noah when she gives him the Cockatoo. I thought Meridia might lose him for good to Eva there for awhile but with the bird of hers gone, dead, he is himself again, maybe stronger, for that matter I am wondering if Noah himself, seeing his mother so upset, was actually strong enough himself to be the one that killed the bird! And then he wants nothing to do with Eva.

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rkubie wrote:
Who are their benefactors on Willow Street? In what ways are they trapped there? Why does Eva have such power over them?

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[dhaupt]

Eva would like us to think that she and Elias are the benefactors of Willow Street, but we find out in chapter 30 that it's Gabriel's generosity that is keeping the young family afloat, that along with Elias's frequent visits and gifts, plus the fact that he is the one responsible for the ability to keep their association with Samuel.  And even though Meridia and Daniel are good business people Eva is sabotaging them at every turn either by compromising their inventory or supplementing her own pocket by charging them for the things she makes Patina buy and then denies it. 

Eva has this power over them because she and Elias own both the house and the business. 

Message Edited by dhaupt on 06-15-2009 09:56 AM

Message Edited by dhaupt on 06-15-2009 09:58 AM

[Shadowwolf36]

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dhaupt wrote:

Eva would like us to think that she and Elias are the benefactors of Willow Street, but we find out in chapter 30 that it's Gabriel's generosity that is keeping the young family afloat, that along with Elias's frequent visits and gifts, plus the fact that he is the one responsible for the ability to keep their association with Samuel.  And even though Meridia and Daniel are good business people Eva is sabotaging them at every turn either by compromising their inventory or supplementing her own pocket by charging them for the things she makes Patina buy and then denies it. 

Eva has this power over them because she and Elias own both the house and the business. 

Message Edited by dhaupt on 06-15-2009 09:56 AM

Message Edited by dhaupt on 06-15-2009 09:58 AM

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I don't think Gabriel realized how evil Eva could and would be. In his infinite wisdom to provide for his daughter and her family and somehow protect her, he made demands of promises from Eva and Elias that Eva was just incapable of keeping. She has an evil mind that can come up with the most diabolical of punishments for Meridia (although she just never realized that she was punishing Noah and Daniel as well) such as sending Patina with the bill for all of the meals, linens and what not. I am not sure what Eva expected would happen to them if she succeeded in busting them.....I was thrilled to read that Gabriel was the one who was helping them out. I wonder why he felt the need to be so secretitive about it though. Didn't he realize that Meridia could have really used his emotional attachement as well? 

Message Edited by Shadowwolf36 on 06-15-2009 11:19 AM

[CathyB]

Elias, Samuel, Gabriel and Ravena are the benefactors.

    Elias bestows gifts of food and clothing and comes with love in his heart.

    Samuel goes into partnership with them and they all profit from the sale of the jewelry.

    Gabriel has secretly been giving them money to help them make ends meet.

    Ravena brings food and love. She puts the house in order.

I do not consider Eva a benefactor just because she is married to Elias. She is a detractor in every sens of the word.

Unfortunately they are trapped there because they do not own the house nor do they own the shop. Eva sucks them dry so that they are unable to save enough money to strike out on their own. Just when they think they are making headway, she takes more from them.

[Sassy398]

Eva has power over the benefactors with the help of the bees without the bees, I don't

feel anybody would give her the time of day.  Not so sure who the benefactors are...

we know it's not Daniel's wife for sure.

[vivico1]

Hi Sassy,

I was just wondering, so do you see the bees as something seperate from Eva herself?

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Sassy398 wrote:

Eva has power over the benefactors with the help of the bees without the bees, I don't

feel anybody would give her the time of day. Not so sure who the benefactors are...

we know it's not Daniel's wife for sure.

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[booksJT]

The parents are the benefactors of Willow street. Elias provides them with food and gifts with love. Elias doesn't want Eva to know so he sneaks these things over to them. Gabriel also gives them things that  they need without their knowledge. The (Meridia's) mother also pitches in to the help them out until they can get on their feet. Eva is not even trying to help them out. She wants her son to remain dependent on her handouts.Unfortunately they are stuck because they don't own anything out right. They still have to pay for the shop and the house.

Eva has the power over them because she is bleeding  them dry. As soon as they start to make money she is there with a list of things that need to be bought. This is her way of collecting what is according to her due to Elias for rent. She is always sneaking around watching how they spend their money.

[Deltadawn]

Their benefactors on Willow Street are Gabriel, Ravenna & Elias. Each of these is helping and providing for the young family in their own way.

Eva does not provide any benefits to them. She has power over them because they do not own the house and they feel indebted to her (especially Daniel who is more easily drawn into her web of guilt and deceit).

[emmagrace]

Elias, Ravenna, and Gabriel are the benefactors on Willow Street and because of this they are trapped there. Eva makes sure that the small family depends on them and until they can make it on their own, they are trapped in this small house/business.

They are allowing Eva to control every aspect of their lives and business. She watches every move they make with their business, she tries to stock their jewelry with poor inventory so that they will not make a hearty profit.

[DSaff]

The benefactors of Willow Street are: Ravenna, Gabriel, and Elias. These three bring gifts of food, time, clothing, etc., and are just what the young couple needs. While they know about the help that Ravenna and Elias give, they don't know until later that Gabriel is the one who has been leaving the blue envelopes. I really wish he would tell Meridia that he loves her. He obviously does, or he wouldn't know what they need when they need it.

Meridia and Daniel are trapped by Eva and her antics. They need to put money away for their future, so have to let Eva think she has more control over their finances than she thinks. They also know that she will pull the house away if she feels threatened, so they bide their time. Meanwhile, they fall into her trap and Eva almost succeeds in breaking up their marriage and stealing Noah. Thankfully, that didn't happen and Eva's bad side came back out. When someone has the power of food on the table and a roof over your head, you are more likely to try to appease them than anger them.

[Zeal]

It is often very difficult for a new couple starting out, and many times, they are at the mercy of family members to help make ends meet as the couple figures out their own path in life.  I see Daniel and Merida fitting into this mold.

Eva and Elias are two of the benefactors of Willow Street.  Elias offers "gifts" with love...Eva offers with conditions or alternatives.  It is difficult for Daniel to overlook Eva's needs with the fear of her wrath and loosing the house.  Meridia see through Eva and is willing to do without her "gifts" no matter what the cost.

I was very touched to find that it was Gabriel leaving the gold bars and blue envelopes.  It also broke my heart.  I was willing him to make his love known to Meridia...it would mean so much to her!  Meridia is someone who would embrace this love and forgive all of Gabriel's past mistakes. 

[PiperMurphy]

Did anyone else wonder when Eva left the jar of lotion, and told Meridia to use it, if it was more than just lotion? It could have been just plain lotion and Meridia could have not used it out of stubborness, but Eva does nothing without an ulterior motive. Eva puts a lot of time and effort into trying to make Daniel and Meridia fail. You would think her time could be better spent.

[vivico1]

I don't know, I think a swipe at how Meridia looks, after getting on her about not buying things including some personal care things, is probably a better, and for Eva, a more entertaining blow to Meridia, than putting something in the cream itself.

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PiperMurphy wrote:
Did anyone else wonder when Eva left the jar of lotion, and told Meridia to use it, if it was more than just lotion? It could have been just plain lotion and Meridia could have not used it out of stubborness, but Eva does nothing without an ulterior motive. Eva puts a lot of time and effort into trying to make Daniel and Meridia fail. You would think her time could be better spent.

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[DSaff]

That was the first thought that crossed my mind, Piper. But then, I wondered if Eva was leaving it so that Meridia would owe her something. Kindness with a twist??

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PiperMurphy wrote:
Did anyone else wonder when Eva left the jar of lotion, and told Meridia to use it, if it was more than just lotion? It could have been just plain lotion and Meridia could have not used it out of stubborness, but Eva does nothing without an ulterior motive. Eva puts a lot of time and effort into trying to make Daniel and Meridia fail. You would think her time could be better spent.

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[dhaupt]

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PiperMurphy wrote:
Did anyone else wonder when Eva left the jar of lotion, and told Meridia to use it, if it was more than just lotion? It could have been just plain lotion and Meridia could have not used it out of stubborness, but Eva does nothing without an ulterior motive. Eva puts a lot of time and effort into trying to make Daniel and Meridia fail. You would think her time could be better spent.

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I hoped that Meridia wouldn't use the lotion when Eva left it and was glad she didn't, I wondered if maybe it would harm her in some way. And I like you don't think Eva does anything  without a motive so that made the lotion all the more suspect to me.

[MSaff]

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rkubie wrote:
Who are their benefactors on Willow Street? In what ways are they trapped there? Why does Eva have such power over them?

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   Good Day Everyone,

  To me the obvious benefactors on Willow Street are Elias and Eva.  Meridia and Daniel only benefit because they are away from Eva even for short periods of time, other than that, they are not benefiting.  Elias may profit from the sales of the Jewelry Shop, but I'm not sure that was happening.  I think that Eva was even controlling Elias' profitability by her shroud book keeping techniques.  Once the partnership between Daniel, Meridia and Samuel, and the eventual discovery by Elias, the profits started to multiply.  Prior to that, one set of books was reviewed by Eva on a daily basis, while Meridia took care of the actual books.  This ploy was suggested by Elias as a means of getting back at Eva.  Even with the new additions to the shop, Daniel and Meridia are only slightly prospering.

[gl]

I agree with the earlier posts that parents with the exception of Eva are the benefactors.  I was so glad to learn that Gabriel had secretly been trying to support his daughter.  Ravena's support was clear,  she would come in, take charge, organize and help out. I can almost picture her rolling her sleeves up and putting things away!

Samuel was also such a big help with the capital, connections, and the moral support that the partnership brought to the young couple.

Elias was also such a lovable character with his sneaking gifts to Noah and his parents and the way that he helped them work with Samuel.

Even the friends that Meridia met in the neighborhood helped them spread the word about the shop and keep their spirits up. 

[MSaff]

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MSaff wrote:

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rkubie wrote:
Who are their benefactors on Willow Street? In what ways are they trapped there? Why does Eva have such power over them?

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Oops  I read the question wrong.  Oh by the way I tried to go to edit, but I guess the message was up to long for me to edit, so I'm gong to fix it here. 

  Benefactors to Willow Street, would include Elias, he set and up provided the location for the business.  Gabriel, is definitely a benefactor as he was the moving force which provided Elias and Eva no choice but to provide the property.  Ravenna provides the care and housekeeping which helps Meridia by allow her the flexibility to go from home to business while helping Daniel.  Of course Meridia and Daniel and benefactors in the Willow Street location, through their own efforts to make it work.  

  A later addition to the benefactor list comes in the form of Samuel.  His partnership with Meridia and Daniel provides them the the possibility of moving on up and out of the grasps of Eva.  About the only person involved in the family that is not a benefactor, in my opinion, would be Eva.  She is deceitful and manipulative to the extreme, and only in it for what SHE can get out of it. 

[libralady]

While I do agree that all of the main characters are benefactors in some fashion, I feel that Daniel and Meridia are the main benefactors.  Living in the house on Willow Lane made it possible for them to eventually gain their independence and move to the house on Magnolia.  Had they not been able to live away from Eva and her evil ways, it is hard to say what would have become of them, of their marriage. Living in the Willow Lane house helped Daniel to see Eva for what she really was and what she was really up to.  Meridia and Daniel learned valuable lessons while living in this house.  They learned things that made the move to Magnolia and the success of the business possible.