Date: Fri, 8 Nov 2013 13:57:25 -0800 (PST) From: Eric Foster Subject: In Time part 27 Disclaimer: this story contains sexual material. If you are not 18 or over, or this is not legal in your country you should not read any further. This material may offend if you find homosexual acts offensive or homosexual acts between younger boys offensive. All similarities between this story's plot line, characters, names, places, or any other item are purely coincidence. Enjoy. In Time "I'm surprised you're not with Martin today," Caleb said as he walked past the doorway. "He went shopping with his family today. His clothes suddenly shrunk so he needs new ones," Alex replied, laughing slightly. "Yea I know the feeling," Caleb said. Caleb took his phone out of his pocket and placed it on Alex's desk. He looked around the room, and it felt familiar. Some things had changed, a few new posters and a slight rearrangement of the furniture, but it still felt the same. "It's been a while since I was last in here," Caleb commented as he continued to look around the room. "Yea it has," Alex agreed as he let out a sigh of comfort. Caleb then plopped down onto Alex's bed as Alex took a seat in his office chair. Alex kicked his feet up onto his desk and leaned back. "So, you wanted to talk?" "Yea, I did," Caleb said feeling his chest tense up. "I'm all ears," replied Alex as he turned in his office chair to face Caleb who was lying on the bed. Caleb looked at the ceiling, trying to search for a way to start the conversation. Maybe just blatantly saying it would be the best way. "I was kissed by another boy yesterday," came Caleb's voice quietly Suddenly Alex sat up, his eyes wide, his attention perked. "What?" Alex asked, not trusting what he had just heard. "Another boy kissed me yesterday," Caleb said a little louder this time. Alex sat in his chair dumbfounded, searching for some phrase or question that he could latch on to. What Caleb had just told him didn't make any sense, and was out of the blue entirely. Caleb noticed and sat up to look Alex in the eyes. "It wasn't forced. Well, not totally. I didn't expect it, but I didn't mind it either," Caleb stated. "Who?" Alex finally managed to force out of his lungs. "Jack Cheston," Caleb said. "Who's that?" "A freshman at West Telson High," Caleb said as he reclined back on the bed. Alex looked up to the right for a few moments as he tried to recognize the name. "I think I've heard of him a few times from some of the guys on track. But dude, a high schooler?" Alex asked leaning forward slightly, his eyes wide. "He's not much older than me," Caleb retorted quickly. "How old is he?" "15." "He's three years older than you dude," Alex said with emphasis. "I'm almost 13, is it really that big of a deal?" Caleb asked as he sat back up and locked eyes with Alex. "I mean...I don't know dude. It just seems kind of weird," Alex replied as he looked away. The two sat for a few moments in silence as awkwardness seemed to stifle any possibility for conversation. Alex decided to take the initiative. "So are you going to ask him out, or did he ask you out already?" Alex asked, trying to sound supportive. "I don't think either," Caleb said as he let out a little sigh and laid back. "Was he just messing around then?" "I don't think so," Caleb said as he rolled a little to the right. "So why did he kiss you then?" Alex asked, raising his left eye brow and leaning forward a little. "I'm not totally sure," Caleb replied. It was clear from his tone that his uncertainty was genuine. "Well what do you think?" "I think he likes me but is in denial about it," Caleb said, the words flowing slowly from his mouth. "What is he some kind of anti-gay Christian?" Alex asked somewhat sarcastically. "How did you know?" Caleb said as he suddenly sat up and stared at Alex. "Holy shit dude, I was just kidding! Are you serious!?" Caleb looked away momentarily, not having picked up on the sarcasm in Alex's tone. "Well...supposedly he is..." "Caleb, don't get with him!" Alex said plainly as he watched Caleb for a reaction. "My therapist said the same thing," Caleb said as he let his eyes drift to the window. He looked out and watched the lake's waves shimmer against the afternoon sun and the trees sway lightly side to side. Alex let out a sigh and scooted forward with his chair. He was directly in front of Caleb now and placed his hand on his right shoulder. "Caleb, you just got through with that shit with Mr. Stevens. You had to deal with your mom leaving, with a lot of stuff. Do you really think it's a good idea to be with Jack right..." Alex suddenly heard Caleb's phone go off from the table where his TV was. Caleb was about to get up and get it but Alex got there first and picked it up to hand over to Caleb. He briefly looked down at the contact calling. His eyes narrowed slightly as he held up the screen to Caleb. Jack "I don't think you should pick up dude," Alex said as he handed Caleb the phone. Caleb stared at the phone for a moment. He only had a few seconds left to decide if he would take the call or not. He wanted to talk to Jack, he really did want to know what was going on, but then again he knew Alex and his therapist were right. He knew where the results might lead...but then again what was life without risk? Suddenly, the phone clicked off as the call went to voicemail. Alex looked over at Caleb and placed his hand on his shoulder again. "It's best if you just keep moving Caleb," Alex said with a nod. Caleb nodded in response and placed his phone in his pocket. As soon as he let it go, he felt it vibrate against his leg, indicating a new voice mail, but he decided he'd ignore it for now. "So I was thinking we could go play some basketball if you're up for it?" Alex said with a grin. "Sure, but you know I'm going to own you," Caleb said with a sly smile. "In your dreams!" Alex shouted as he ran out of his room and down the stairs with Caleb. Caleb looked down at his watch as he walked out of Alex's house. It was still only 2 in the afternoon, and Alex had to leave for new clothes shopping as well. He'd actually noticed that Alex had gotten taller. It wasn't like he had grown a foot, but he definitely gained an inch or so. He looked up at the sunny sky, wondering where he could go for the rest of his Saturday afternoon. Suddenly, he remembered that he had a new voicemail and quickly pulled out his phone. Caleb dialed in the numbers and waited for the phone to call. "You have...one...new voice mail...first new voice mail." "Hey Caleb...it's Jack...ummm listen I just really wanted to talk about, well what happened yesterday. Maybe we could meet up at the botanical gardens? Anyway just call me if you want to, if you don't I understand. Bye" "For menu options please press four." Caleb quickly hung up and looked down at the ground for a few moments. It didn't make sense, and he wasn't sure if he should meet up with him. He knew the danger, he knew what might happen, and yet some force drew him to Jack. He just seemed...different. He quickly pulled out his phone and found Jack's contact. He waited for the phone to ring and heard him pick up. "Hey Jack..." Caleb looked up through the tree branches and watched the afternoon light stream through the leaves. It really was beautiful and made him feel at peace as the light breeze blew through the gardens. Suddenly, he heard the slight crunch of footsteps on the gravel path. Caleb turned to see Jack walking down the path towards him. He was wearing a t-shirt and some jeans as well as a pair of tennis shoes. Yet despite this ordinary outfit, he seemed so much more vibrant compared to the background. He just gave off an energy. "Hey I'm sorry for calling you out here Caleb, but thanks for it. I've really wanted to talk to you again" Jack said quickly as an uncomfortable smile appeared across his face. He walked to the bench and sat down next to Caleb. "It's fine," Caleb said shyly. "So what did you want to talk about?" "Well...I wanted to talk about yesterday," Jack said as he fidgeted with his hands. He looked down at the rock path beneath and let out a sigh. The birds and wind filled in the silence that followed, until it was broken by Jack's voice. "Caleb, I'm just not like that." "Like what?" "I'm not gay," Jack said flatly "Then why did you kiss me?" Caleb asked quickly. "Caleb...it's because I've been lost for the last couple of years." "What do you mean lost?" "I mean morally lost, and yesterday I was momentarily lost. I wanted to let you know I'm really sorry you had to see that side of me. It was wrong, of me and I hope you'll forgive me for it," Jack said as he locked eyes with Caleb. "I don't need to forgive you dude because I didn't mind it. I really didn't have a problem with it." Jack sighed as he scooted a little closer to Caleb and placed his hand on his shoulder. "Caleb, are you gay?" Jack asked as he looked over at him. "And if I am?" Caleb asked as he shifted his weight uncomfortably. "Caleb, I know the struggle you're going through. I know the feeling of confusion your feeling and I know how tempting it can seem to just go with it. But Caleb, that's not god's plan. God made one man and one woman to..." Suddenly Caleb felt the anger building up inside of him. He had heard this line before from his mom before she left that night. He was suddenly angry that he liked Jack. He was angry that he was hearing this again. He wasn't going to deal with it today. "You're just a walking hypocrite," Caleb said under his breath. "What?" Jack asked as he leaned in a little closer to hear Caleb. Caleb scooted away a little and moved so he was staring straight at Jack. "I said you're a fucking hypocrite!" Caleb shouted as he jumped up off the bench. Jack moved away, surprised by Caleb's sudden outburst of anger. "Caleb dude what are..." "You're the one who kissed me. YOU asked me to hang out, and now you're here lecturing me on some BULLSHIT ABOUT HOW I NEED TO CHANGE!! YOU'RE ACTING LIKE A TOTAL ASSHOLE!! YOU'RE ACTING LIKE MY FUCKING MOM!!" Caleb shouted as he started to break up. He was losing his cool but he couldn't stop; he was far too angry to stop right now. How dare Jack enter into his life and make Caleb like him? How dare he kiss him and then tell him he needed to change? Caleb wondered momentarily if he was angry at Jack, or if maybe he was just angry at himself and venting it on Jack. Jack stood up off the bench, his eyes wide and mouth hanging open. He stood for several moments staring at Caleb. "Caleb...I just want to help you dude. My church can help save you. Christ can save you still; you just have to let him help you," Jack said confidently. Caleb's eyes narrowed as his heart beat fiercely. He took a more aggressive stance as he tried to stare down Jack. In one quick gesture, he held out his right hand and raised his middle finger at Jack. "Fuck you! Fuck your church, AND FUCK YOUR HELP!! IT'S YOUR FUCKING LIE THAT BROKE MY FAMILY APART. IT'S YOUR FUCKING LIES THAT RUNIED EVERYTYHING!! FUCK OFF!!" Caleb screamed as he finally lost control. He quickly turned around and fled down the path, all the while hearing Jack calling out his name. He didn't want to hear it today. He wasn't going to deal with it anymore. It ruined everything once, and he wondered why he'd ever willingly step into it again with Jack. The light that streamed through the trees fled past him as the wind lightly blew the leaves across his path. They glided so perfectly down to the ground, wafting back and forth in the air. It seemed so peaceful, so serene, almost like it was mocking him. The beauty and peace of nature taunted him and his chaotic life that was full of feelings that were as restless as the winds of a hurricane. "Maybe it's too late to step out of it now. Maybe I'm already stuck in it...." Jack sat in front of the computer screen that was giving off a light blue glow. The windows were dark as the nighttime sounds resonated into his room. He felt himself boiling over again with the same turmoil as before, the same pattern. He got up and began to pace back and forth again, wondering why it seemed like he knew the answer.... His phone ringed and he quickly looked down to see the screen showing a text from Jessica. Hey Jack, are we meeting up again for church tomorrow? Jack looked down at the text and let out a small sigh. I don't think I'll be going, I'm not feeling well It's ok I understand. I'm going to bed, love u :) Love you too Jack finished up the last bit of the text and let his finger drift over the screen of the phone. He drifted over to his desk and took the picture of him and a blonde headed boy off the desk and held it for a moment. His eyes locked with the boys again, and the smile resonated in him like it had so many years ago. He quickly removed the frame covering and delicately removed the picture. He flipped it over in his hands and on the back in black pen was scribbled the last message. Love is love Jack felt a chill go down his spine as he re-read the message over and over. He slowly tucked the picture back into its frame and set it down on the desk again. Jack sat back down at his computer and looked at the screen in front of him, and wondered. It seemed like the answer had always been there, but it was kept away from him. He pulled up a blank Google search page. Jack hesitated a few moments, being sure to listen carefully. Everyone else was asleep. He looked back at the screen and slowly, like a person making a house of cards, he typed out the question, one letter at a time. Can you be gay and Christian? "Well, I'll admit, it definitely seems a bit odd" Dr. Webb said as he shuffled through Caleb's logs again. Caleb sat in his usual chair in Dr. Webb's office. "I was just so pissed when he told me I had to change. He was the one who kissed me first!" Caleb said raising his voice. Dr. Webb looked up from the papers, surprised by Caleb's sudden outburst. He quickly noted it down. "I think it's best if you try to avoid Jack in the future" Dr. Webb said as he watched Caleb's nonverbal ques. "I know your right...but I just don't feel like I can" Caleb said as his eyes drifted across the floor. "Why don't you feel like you can?" "I think I like him..." Caleb said, his voice trailing off towards the end. "But he makes you feel vulnerable doesn't he?" Caleb let the idea run through his head for a few moments. "Yea he does" "I think I know why you are feeling so conflicted about this" Dr. Webb said placing his clipboard and notes aside. Caleb looked up with genuine earnest, wondering if he could give him a satisfactory answer. "You remember me saying how it would take a while before you could have a romantic relationship again where you could trust the other person?" "Yea..?" "It's because you have to be willing to be vulnerable in a relationship. In a basic sense you're willing to let them have your heart in a relationship. You have to be willing to trust them enough that you believe they won't hurt you. After your trust was betrayed by Mr. Stevens and it ended the way it did, it's not surprising you would feel unsafe around Jack especially if Jack was only trying to gain your trust to 'change you'." Dr. Webb explained trying his best to get Caleb to understand. Caleb looked up at the ceiling, wondering about what he just heard. It seemed to make sense, and he knew that he didn't feel very trusting of Jack at the moment. But then the same feeling kept overcoming him. He knew that Jack wasn't like Mr. Stevens. He wouldn't do the same horrible things. He might be a risk emotionally, but Caleb wondered if the possible damage would be as bad as Dr. Webb was making it out to be. Dr. Webb watched him the whole time, and he could tell already that Caleb wasn't convinced. He knew that he was seeking attachment, and with Jack presenting himself, he would be willing to risk everything in hopes to satisfy his need. "You're not convinced are you?" Dr. Webb said, startling Caleb out of his trance. Caleb looked over at Dr. Webb and let out a light sigh. "I just...I don't know, I mean is it really so bad? He's not Mr. Stevens, he won't hurt me" Caleb said. "You are right, he's not Mr. Stevens, but the situation is similar enough that I think it's going to bring back memories again. I think this might bring back all the anxiety, stress, and sense of vulnerability you had last time. It might be what shatters you, because I'll be honest Caleb, the fact your living life relatively normally is something unheard of after what you've gone through" Dr. Webb said, watching to see if it got through to Caleb this time. He seemed to be more responsive, and he could recognize that he was considering it at least. He knew that would probably be the best he could get from Caleb. "Just consider it Caleb. I know I can't force you to do anything, but please, for your sake, just keep it in mind" Dr. Webb said wrapping up the conversation. He looked up at the clock. He had gone over a couple of minutes. "Well Caleb until next time, try to have a good week and remember to keep sending in those logs" Dr. Webb said trying his best to encourage Caleb. "I will, bye" Caleb said as he walked out the door. "I said I have to go to class!" He kept walking forward, ignoring the fact she was following him through the halls. "I don't care Jack. Why aren't you talking to me?" Jessica implored. They were starting to gain the attention of other students. "Just leave me alone right now, I'll talk to you later," Jack replied coldly, still not looking back. "You said that last time and blew me off!!" Jessica raised her voice. Now there was a large group of students looking on. "I've just had stuff on my mind ok? Leave me alone," Jack said calmly, but in reality he felt that he was slipping. He sensed the anger rising within him as he tried desperately to suppress a wave of emotions, while Jessica remained insistent in her prodding. "Why won't you tell me!?" Jessica pleaded, raising her voice further. He was done dealing with this. "FUCK OFF! If I said I don't want to talk, I don't want to talk!!" Jack yelled directly at Jessica. He heard a few people gasp and felt the staring eyes of the students who had stopped to witness the scene. Jessica's face contorted, and she looked like she was about to cry. He didn't care though; he was in a faraway place now. Jack turned around and walked off. He just didn't want to think about it. It was Friday afternoon as Jacob and Corey sat in Jacob's den watching television after having finished their homework for the weekend. "So am I spending the night here, or are we spending it at my house?" Corey asked as he scooted closer to Jacob. "I was thinking we could spend the night here. We spent the night at your place last time," Jacob said as he snaked his arm behind Corey. The two let the show drone on for a bit in the background as they enjoyed their moment together. Corey let his eyes drift from the TV over to Jacob. It felt so natural now to be with Jacob this way that he nearly forgot what it had been like when he wasn't there. "So my dad told me he's thinking about retiring early," Jacob stated. Corey looked up at Jacob, surprised at the sudden comment. "Seriously? Why's he thinking about that, isn't he still in his early 40's?" "Yea he is, but he said that he's been thinking about it ever since the bullying incident," Jacob explained as he leaned a little further back into the couch. "I can understand that...do you think he's gonna go through with it?" "Maybe. He's talked about it in the past, but it seems he might be serious about it now," Jacob said as he leaned into Corey more. "What about his income? I mean I know your mom makes a good bit, but to afford a place like this, will you guys be moving?" Corey asked. It was clear from his tone that he was concerned about this new possibility. "I don't think so. I think he's thinking more of a way to have a job where he can stay at home and make income that way." "What kind of job would that be?" "I think he's considering being an author again..." "Again? Your dad was an author?" "He was back before Alex or I was born. Back in his late 20s, he published a few novels that did relatively well, but he said he wasn't really trying back then. I think if he really wanted to make a bestseller he actually has a solid shot at it," Jacob said looking up at the ceiling. "Is your mom ok with it?" "I don't know. I don't think she would mind, but I didn't ask him what mom thought." "Well as long as you don't move I don't think it matters too much," Corey said as he squeezed Jacob a little tighter. "GET A ROOM!!!" Corey and Jacob suddenly twisted around to see Alex and Martin standing in the kitchen, both laughing hysterically. "You two seriously can't respect privacy can you?" Corey said with hint of annoyance in his voice at being interrupted with Jacob. "Eh, guess it's just how we are," Martin said as he walked over with Alex and plopped down on the couch next to Corey. "And could you two at least shower first after you play basketball? You're covered in sweat and you're going to make the couch stink," Jacob said as he scrunched up his nose a bit. "Actually, that's a great idea. Let's get a shower Alex," Martin said with his trademark mischievous smile. "Let's!" Alex said with an equally devious grin. "You two also lack restraint apparently," Corey said with a roll of his eyes. "Like you're one to speak, Mr. Make out in the kitchen," Martin said with his tongue out. "Like I haven't seen you doing worse?" Corey said with a knowing smile. Jacob started laughing since he knew exactly what Corey was referencing. "At least I have the decency to stay in my room," Martin said sticking his tongue out at Corey again. "He's got a point," Alex said with a smile. "We've caught you making out in the bloody den before!!" Corey said defensively. "Oh shit..." Martin said, blushing as he remembered that Corey was right. "I think we need to go and get that shower dude," Alex said as he lightly tugged on Martin's shirt. "Right then," Martin said as he followed Alex up the stairs. "I totally forgot about that," Jacob commented as he remembered back to that night and began to laugh a little. "Seems weird that it all ended up like this," Corey suddenly said. "What'd ya mean?" Jacob said, a little concerned about the sudden comment. "I mean, what were the chances of this? One in a million, a billion? I mean me getting with you, then Martin getting with Alex? I mean what were the chances I wonder..." "Well, whatever the chances were, it happened anyway, so to me they're just numbers, nothing else, at least that's what I think," Jacob said with a smile. "Well, I like the way you think then," Corey said as he leaned in for a light kiss on the cheek. Though I wonder...if the chances were so against it happening then what are the chances of it lasting after we finally arrive "Alan...Alan can I come in son?" A soft knocking came from the other side of Alan's door. "Sure dad," Alan said as he set his laptop down on his bed and sat up. His dad opened the door and walked into the room. "So what's up dad?" Alan asked, not exactly sure why his dad was coming into his room. His dad sat down in Alan's desk chair and looked over at his son. "Alan, you're about to turn 13, and I think it's time we talk about a few things," his dad said with a serious tone. "Like what kind of things?" Alan asked, though he suspected he already knew. "Like relationships and safe sex," his dad replied flatly. Alan immediately felt awkward. Though he already had some idea about the subject thanks to Wyatt, it still felt weird talking about it with his dad. "Son, you need to know about why you have to be safe about this kind of thing. Your mother and I don't want to see you getting an STD or a girl pregnant. I know you're not in a relationship now, but when the time comes, this is stuff you'll need to know," his explained slowly, trying to emphasize the importance of what he was saying. Alan tensed at hearing that. He knew that he actually was in a relationship, and for a moment he forgot his dad was good at reading people. "Son, are you ok?" "What...oh I'm fine." "Are you sure?" his dad asked, unconvinced by Alan's answer. "Umm...well...I'm kind of already in a relationship..." "Really?" his dad asked, shocked that he wasn't aware. "Yea I am." "What's her name, and how come I haven't met her yet?" his dad asked. Alan thought for a moment if he should say he was just kidding. Maybe he should just change the topic, but he only thought for a moment before instinct took over. He had to protect his relationship. He didn't know what his dad would say, so he reacted in an instant, not on logic, but instead on his desire to keep it safe. "Her name's Sarah, and we only got together recently, but I don't know if I'm ready for it yet dad" Alan said, trying to play off the look of innocence. His dad got off his chair and walked over to sit next to Alan on the bed. "Son if you ever need to talk about it, I'm always here for you," his dad said as he lightly wrapped an arm around his son. Alan shifted a little uncomfortably. Not so much because he had lied, but more because of the repercussions. He wondered what Wyatt would think, how he would play this off...it seemed like he was already setting himself up to fail. "Thanks dad," Alan said as his dad got up from where he was sitting. "We still need to talk this over though son," Alan's dad said as he sat down on the desk chair that he had moved to the middle of the room. Alan took in a breath and slowly let out a sigh, knowing he wouldn't be able to escape this conversation. I just wonder, maybe I should've just said it... "Jack are you doing ok?" Jack was startled by the sudden voice and looked over to see his dad staring at him with a concerned look on his face. He looked out of the front of the car, lost in his train of thought. "I guess I'm fine why?" "Jessica's parents called us. They said that you yelled at Jessica in school," Jack's dad said in a more serious and somewhat patronizing tone. "I was in a rush to class, and I told her I couldn't talk then..." Jack was stopped mid-sentence when his dad let out a light sigh. "Jack, just tell me what's been bothering you son?" his dad asked, now in a more sympathetic tone. Jack looked out the window and watched the trees pass by. The leaves would float softly through the air, rushing up towards the sky when a car passed, doing all in their power to escape the clutches of earth and to float into the heavenly sky above. Jack wondered if he was like the leaf. The truth would rush pass him, freeing him for a moment, he could rush away, but then he would sink back down again...maybe he was just waiting for the truth to become inevitable. But was it really the truth? "Son?" "Dad, maybe we can talk a little later on, but I just need to sort out some stuff. I'm sorry, I can't really explain it to you right now," Jack said letting his eyes wander across the dashboard. His dad looked back over to his son, sensing the stress and the pain, but clueless as to how to fix it. He knew Jack would have to sort this out on his own. "Just know I'm here to talk," his dad said as he reached over and gave his son a single pat on the shoulder. "Thanks Dad," Jack replied. In the window he saw the leaves rush by yet again. How fast would he have to accelerate to escape? At what point would life catch up to him....at what point would he stop lying to himself? It hadn't been long, but it was all he needed to see his world begin to shatter before him yet again...how long until it shattered entirely this time, and how long until he could rebuild? "Red, yellow, brown, orange, they're just all beautiful during this time, aren't they Jack?" the boy said as he gazed up into the sky. The leaves descended slowly from their flight paths and began to land lightly on the ground beneath. The green hill overlooking the park below, which was blanketed by a plethora of colorful trees, almost felt like another planet entirely. "Yea, it really is beautiful Nickolas," Jack said softly as he watched the leaves with his companion. "Next fall we need to be sure to do this again. It's just... well, its special," Nickolas said, his blonde hair reflecting the sunlight, matching the colors of the yellow golden leaves. Jack looked over at the boy, his eyes locking with him, and for a moment it seemed as if life was perfect. Jack again descended into reality and watched the cars speed along through his neighborhood. Again he watched the leaves fall...freedom? Authors Note: Well hello everyone again. Sorry it's been forever since last time I updated this story, or any of my stories for that matter. I took a break for a while because my school semester began to take up more time so I had to put this on the back burner. Thankfully though I've got a pocket of time on my hands now without exams or intense homework levels so I worked on the story. So what do you guys thinks going to happen with Alan? What about Jack, and who's Nickolas? Also what about Caleb and his emotions, can he pull through, or is he going to pull away further from Jack? So if you have any questions, comments, suggestions, or even stories of your own you want to share just send me an email at EFoster447@yahoo.com I always love to hear from you guys and have appreciated all the feedback you've given me. It gives me encouragement to write and keep turning out the stories. So again I need to thank my editor Mike Archer for revising this part as he always has in the past. So again thank you guys so much for sticking with me and reading on. I hope you continue to enjoy the story.