'The Interchange Off Exit 004' is one of those dramatic introspection/flashback pieces that's a bit too heavy handed on the metaphor and symbolism, but that's kind of the point. The strongest aspect of this piece is the characterization of the main character, Redmond. He's not the expected protag for one of these 'gay-centric dramas', as he's not grappling with his sexuality in a coming out sense, but more so actually living already out, but in the transitionary period in his life if he determines if he wants to leave the comfort of his hometown or not. The piece does a good job of living in the grey, with religious undertones and family drama having an undercurrent of Redmond's lack of a stable grounding and his potential escape being rife with culture clashes and fear of commitment. The sprite work is also really charming, and I love the expressions of the characters. Presentation is also really good with the mix of real life photos, drawn in art, and the soft ambience of highway noise.
However, I find this story is slightly misaligned with all it's symbolism it's putting down. Like, Redmond is physically stuck in the interchange, which is a metaphor for his in-between life stages of staying in hometown or going to college/elsewhere. But, as the story goes on, we find out that Redmond did make that choice to commit by deciding to leave the hometown to go try to be with Jacob (though is always called friend, which I'm not sure what the waiting of the reveal of the name lent to this story). It's just that as this happens extenuating circumstances happen and he callas Jacob to come get him. Jacob doesn't come to his rescue (though never revealed why), and thus Redmond is 'punished' for the choice and just goes back home anyway tail between his legs. Maybe it's trying to convey how Redmond waited too long, just like how he waited too long in the interchange? Or maybe it's about how you can't wait for someone to rescue you, you need to rescue yourself? Also, what was up with the abandoned car, that was there to just wake Redmond up (no driver, that's kind of unexplained)? This story opts for an ambiguous-ending (which I think is starting to be a trend) so it's hard to say if it was satisfying to read through or not. I feel like this would just be a chapter in a larger story with Redmond, and would love to read that. This snapshot of a story, succeeds in it's delivery, I'm just not sure what it's trying to deliver.