Trace ur the best Congratulations on ur graduation.I can´t believe how humilated u felt the way Chuck treated you and worst ur employer didnt do anything what?Jeff, he did not intervene on behalf of his employee. Jeff should have dropped the client.

Trace, there are actually employers out there that would kill to have your talent on board and NOT let you get physically assaulted and humiliated on national TV. It doesn't matter what you're getting paid, trust me, there is no price tag on dignity and integrity. If you stay with this self-absorbed lunatic, he'll ruin you, one way or the other and you may find it harder to find placement within a reputable company that designs homes that will give you the respect, encouragement, and profits you deserve because of your association with him. You stay with that time bomb and he will set you back years and damage your career. Who lets some drunken redneck grope all over their female employee and then slap another employee in the face, then, giggles??? RUN, RUN FAST AND RUN FAR!! It's not like you would have to explain why you left your last job on your resume, I mean, pretty much all of America was watching your boss offer you up as a sacrifice to make a deal.

I just love Trace. I love Jeff too - but could not be MORE disappointed in him that he did not intervene on behalf of his employee. Not only should that client be dropped but he should have been arrested. Shame on you Jeff - You missed the mark on this one.

OH Trace, .....oh how i just wanted to jump through that screen and kick that guys a!!. ..You know i love this show but just turned off on how jeff and the rest of the table just sat there like a bunch of fooools. Yea it was a shock but c'mon . I don't matter where your from...that guy deserved a beat down..Trace get your own thing going your young you can do it!!!
But if you do stay...dont put up with that! and if anyone mess's with ya i got your back.lol

Awww Trace! Bless your little heart...or uh, cheek! I wanted to jump through the screen and B*%$# slap that hick that hit you! I am from Tennessee and I can assure you that not all of us in the south are hicks and I am so sorry that anyone, regardless of where they are from felt the need to slap your sweet little face. Shame on him! I love ya and can't wait til next season!

p.s.-Your shorts are adorable! Don't listen to anyone that says otherwise!

Trace -- hope it never happens again (the slap I mean), but if it does you should reach over and slap Jeff in the face ....

I love you! You are quiet but you have the best facial expressions...love you on the show

Trace, I applaud you. I finally got to watch this particular episode and was shocked beyond words. If that was me, I think I would have been arrested. I could never allow anyone to touch me without retaliating. You inspire me to restrain myself in hostile situations. Keep up the good work.

Trace you are so adorable. I feel your pain for that insult done to you. But even more so I have a great respect for your talent and dedication. Keep up the good work. Too bad I'm not 20 years younger because I'd do my best to wine and dine you. Take care.

Trace seems like a very classy young man, mature beyond his years. The slapping incident was WAY over the top and except for Jenni's tact, basically handled the wrong way. Jeff's quite lucky. Good luck to you Trace.

Trace, you are a class act and the restrainst you showed amazing. Please don't think Chuck's behavior is typical in any way....it is not. I worked with clients for 20 years and never had one grab my breast or get physical with me. I have had a few make inappropriate remarks and on those occassions a serious expression and eye to eye contact never failed me in getting an immediate apology. Chuck's an a-hole and his apology was a day late and this was one time Jeff should have absolutely stood up and taken Chuck to task verbally. You need boundaries with clients and if you allow one to physically acost your employees that is just wrong.

Trace-If I was there by your side I would have taken that MF'er to the ground.
Glad you're doing okay.

I'm so sorry you got slapped by Chuck. I think he is homophobic.

Trace, just wanted you to know what a true gentleman you are in how you handled the Chuck situation. I wish I could say the same for your boss. I just know that nothing but success awaits you. I wish I could give you a big hug...... but respect that you would hate that.

Hey Trace, glad you taking this as classy and well as you are. You have the potential for such great talent. I do hope you don't deepen your roots with Mr Lewis. Your potential is MUCH greater. The abusive act i saw on the show tonight really angered me. Not only as one gay man to another,but for someone to be acting like that weather they are under the influence or not, is completely unacceptable. And when Mr Lewis did nothing? That took the cake. Well i do hope i see you with your own reality show in the future, ill certainly keep an eye out for you. I wont, however, be watching/recording Flipping Out, as i just dont have the desire to watch you and Jenny and the others deal with Mr Lewis' ongoing abuse.
I wish you the best of luck.
Sincerely,
Jon, Tucson AZ

That was very disturbing to watch, and Chuck is a dangerous man. Bravo should never have aired the actions of that bullying jerk. Jeff is no better, bullying his staff, and didn't intervene in any way. You are too talented to put up with that disrespect.

Trace...
You are new to the workplace so maybe you just don't know, but the slap incident was not ok no matter how many times the client apologized to you.
Jeff should have dropped the client IMMEDIATELY.
I hope for your sake other job offers come in.
Find a new position, unless the TV show aspect makes it worth it to you to be treated that way.
In the end, do you want to be known as the young man who got slapped on a reality TV show, or do you want to be a respected designer.

Hi Trace, Just wondering if that client that hit you is Gay. I mean did he think he was flirting with you or what? I know there are things that happened that we don't get to see and you guys drinking certainly makes it cloudy but WOW. I would of handled it sooooo differently. I love your demeanor though, you are so laid back. You and the rest of the cast complement each other very well.

Chuck I felt so bad for you after what happened and your boss' inability to "man up". I know you simply want to keep this job that you hope to learn so much from but your boss should not have put you in the position of continuing to work with that animal. If you ever own your own business at some point in your life, I hope that you know that this is not the way a boss should behave when employees are disrespected and abused.

Dear Trace,
I was horrified as I watched the "slap" episode the night it aired. I watched the episode again online.

What stands out the most in my mind is how you kept your dignity throughout the situation. You exercised such poise, control, and cool that you blew everyone else away.

That shows true maturity and character. BRAVO!

S. Norton

Congratulations, Trace!!

By this time you already have a number months of full time employment at JLD under your belt and I hope that you're enjoying each day there. I hope Jeff is allowing you to spread your wings and use your talents to contribute fully to each of your client's projects and the JLD 'brand'.

You're such a bright, witty, and talented young man and I wish you many years of success in all of your endeavors. Continue to stand up for yourself (as we saw with Chuck) and don't let anyone - including Jeff - force you to compromise your principles.

Go -- Trace -- Go!!!

You and Zoila are the one with your head on straight at JLD. I would have knocked Chuck the eff out if you worked for me. What he did to you and Jenni was BEYOND! I lost so much respect for Jeff. He should still give you two weeks off PAID for a graduation gift. I really would have sued him for hazard pay. Inexcusable. A drunk mouth speaks a sober mind. Stay away from Chuck.

I could not imagine that Jeff just sat there. He gets angry at people and shouts at them for small, stupid stuff, and when he actually should have gotten angry, and taken a stand, he just sat there. WTH????

Trace,
Congrats on your graduation! Shame on Jeff for not handling the situation with Chuck. What Chuck did to you was "assault" and he should have been sanctioned for it and actually could have been arrested. Jeff needs to make ammends for this and even though JLD has been a huge career move for you I question if the end justifies the means. I'm sorry you suffered that humiliation and I do understand why you were afraid to address it with your "boss". I hope in the future you will have the strength to not allow yourself to be physically abused by anyone.

Hi Trace:
I love that you're hanging in there. I'm sure you'll have so many opportunities at JLD that you wouldn't get if you got sucked into a corporate swamp like so many other grads. I know you'll be a huge success...

Trace, What was different about that day with Chuck? CAMERAS. And maybe cross-inebriation. You should have stood up and walked out; no one could have faulted you. I'm glad that the man apologized off-camera, but, damn, his apology should take the form of a Porsche.

Hi Trace;
Congrats on your Graduation! You deserve all the success that is coming your way! I think it takes a special person like yourself to let the situation with
Chuck just "blow over". Good for you. Just concentrate on your future, because it's going to be a bright one! Looking forward to seeing you in up coming episodes. Take care and Good luck!!! Tawney

Dear Trace,

I was utterly appalled that you were physically abused in
front of your boss and he did absolutely nothing. When I
was a young woman working the front desk of one of the
top resorts in the country I had a drunken, VP of a
major corporation screaming abuse at me when my boss
came in. I tried to calm the customer down, the difference
was my boss didn't just sit there, he threw this guy off the
resort escorted him off the premises and informed the CEO
that if he didn't like it that the whole group could go. The
CEO agreed with my boss. You don't need abusive clients or
weakling boss.

Trace .... you are a class act !!
I am glad to hear Chuck has been remorseful over the incident and applaud you for how you've handled the situation - I wish all good things for you in the future ..... Aloha

Trace, congratulations! We're seeing a lot more of you this season. My very favorite episode ever on FO was the one where you visited Barb and her dancing stuffed dogs. You rock.

First, congrat's to you. Secondly, while others might say bravo for turning the other cheek, I say no one should be humilated the way Chuck humilated you. He may be a rich client, but I believe you should have stood up for yourself and Jeff should have canceled him for what he did to both you and Jenni. If I were her I would have done exactly what she said she would do and if Jeff fired me so be it. Your both talented people and dont" need the likes of Chuck.

trace...get a lawyer!

Congrats Trace! It was great to see you graduate- and to see your mom and brother there as well! You handled yourself extremely well in the slap situation and I am impressed with you rising above and continuing to work with Chuck. You should be proud of yourself!

Trace, you are so much fun to watch on the show, though watching the incident with Chuck was no fun!! Glad to hear things are going well for you now that you are full time. You obviously fit in very well at JLD!