I am just so shocked by this chapter. I must say the Ripp/Frances action was completely out of nowhere, though I find it makes sense. Like you said, they were vulnerable, and they were there for one another. Still though, wow.
As for Johnny and Ophelia and Ripp... I really want to see what happens. They all need one another in this weird desperate way, and its so amazing (yet I don't think it could be very healthy) the way you capture this strange relationship the three of them share... This was just really amazing.