Thank you to everybody who read or reviewed the last conversation. You are all absolutely fabulous.
Chapter 48: The importance of families of choice
August 1, 2010, 7:08 PM. EDT
"Despite Marc's mom showing up, I think this went well," Monique said as she sat in the kitchen finishing off her piece of cake. Fresh berries and cream, which was her personal favorite. "At least Marc allowed me to arrange for a restraining order now."
"Marc's mom showed up because Calista sent her a text message," Austin told her, surprising Monique.
"How do you even know that?" Monique asked curiously.
"Apparently, she didn't realize I was Justin's boyfriend. Actually, she thought I was dating Antonella instead and still thought it would be OK to talk shit about her coworkers in front of me." Idiot.
"Did she tell you why she screwed Marc over?" Monique asked.
"She thinks Marc's job should've been hers." Monique had to laugh at that.
"If she's too stupid to know not to say things like that in front of the boyfriend of the boss's almost adopted daughter, then she doesn't actually belong in a leadership position," Hilda said from beside her. Monique completely agreed.
"I am so done with petty jealousy. Especially when it's wrong because you need a certain level of devious to work at Meade, and she doesn't have it." Monique already knows she will be scheduling an emergency meeting with HR tomorrow.
"OK, I think this party is over at this point. Antonella and Austin, please pack up the leftover food. Austin, since you are a growing boy and we're staying at a hotel with a small fridge, you can take any of the leftovers you want." This is true, but Justin sent her a few screenshots, and she's definitely going to make sure Austin is well fed. She will also arrange for some cooking lessons. If he does have to become emancipated, he needs to be able to survive on his own.
"I do not turn down free food." Austin smiled.
"Although shouldn't we packed some of the stuff for Marc and Cliff? Cooking with a four-month-old can be hard." Hilda suggested.
"Wilhelmina is giving them six months of free dinner delivered from the restaurant. So they are covered." Monique explained.
"OK, but I am taking all of the chicken bites with the Mole sauce." That caused Austin to pout.
"Austin should have it." Monique grabbed her phone and started to pull up the messages from Justin.
"Hey, my dad is moving soon. I would like to enjoy as much of this as I can," Hilda said. Monique just passed Hilda her phone.
"Let the kid have it." Mr. Suarez said while walking into the room.
"You're right," Hilda said out loud while typing on Monique's phone. 'I'll find out the real story behind all the peanut butter and jelly when I drive Austin home.'
"I promise I will make you a batch of the sauce before I leave. You'll have plenty for the freezer." Hilda smiled at her father's offer.
"And cinnamon buns," Hilda added.
"Of course. I'll even come over to teach you the recipes."
"Can I come? My mom was always busy with work, and the stepdad refuses to teach me anything."
"Sure. I've already been teaching Justin for years how to cook. It's an important life skill to have." This made Monique realized she should probably have Gio invite Austin over for cooking lessons once Mr. Suarez is in LA and they have a kitchen again. Giving her husband his dream kitchen is the major point of the renovations. She's losing 1/3 of her formal living room, but it's worth it.
"OK, I will let you four work it out amongst yourselfs. Although maybe save some cake for Cliff and Marc since they never got a slice. Where are they?" They both disappeared almost immediately after the gifts were opened. Cliff mumbled something about yelling at Amanda for the sex toys.
"Justin's old room. Probably talking about the kiss." Antonella supplied. "I dropped the baby off there when grandma left."
"OK, fingers crossed they're making out up there. At a minimum, I hope they are talking about their feelings and not ignoring this." She wants her new ship to work out. Although she's a little more passive now that they have a daughter together. They're tied to each other for the next 18 years, so they have time. She just hopes they get their shit together before Jade starts college.
"Actually, I was just up there talking to Marc and Cliff. They've agreed to take the house. They're already upstairs talking about Marc's design plan." Although buying a house together is a good start and Monique will take it.
"You're selling the house to Marc?" Hilda asked, shocked. Even Monique was a little bewildered at the possibility of Marc leaving Manhattan. Although that explains his recent request for telework. As well as his examination of the playground ruins in the back. She expects a full infant playground back there as soon as possible.
"Actually, they're going to rent the house. Things may not work out in California, and I want to come back if need be." Monique saw Hilda visibly exhale.
"OK, that's good. I'm going to go help get the decorations out of the living room. Austin, we're going to leave in 30 minutes. I am your ride home." Hilda said quickly.
"OK," Austin told her as Hilda quickly left the room.
"OK, that was interesting," Monique mumbled under her breath. "This means we don't need to pack everything up, so we can possibly be on the road in 30 minutes as well. Antonella, are you going to ride home with your brother or me and Wilhelmina?" She asked the teenager.
"I think I know better than to be in a vehicle for an hour with you and Wilhelmina," Antonella remarked.
"I taught you well." She smirked at her sister-in-law. "Does anyone know where Wilhelmina is?" Monique would like to talk to her about one of the presents.
"I saw her walk out onto the porch on my way here. She just received a phone call." Austin explain.
"OK, I'm gonna check on Wilhelmina as you guys clean up in here."
"I have food storage bags." She heard Mr. Suarez say just as she started to make her way to the front of the house. She's kind of surprised Marc is going to rent this place, but she is sure that he'll be able to make this their home.
Just as Monique was about to turn the front door knob, she heard Wilhelmina yelling on the other side.
"I did not make that up just to get back at you for deporting Connor. The world doesn't revolve around you." Monique was 99% sure Wilhelmina was yelling at her father.
"I don't know why you're vindictive ex never told you that Renee wasn't actually your daughter." Oh, this is definitely not good. Monique should've expected it, considering the statement that the senator's office put out yesterday accusing Mode of making things up to hurt his reelection chances. However, public posturing and private conversations are two different things.
"No, her name is Renee, not Rhonda. Renee is the name I gave her after 22 hours of labor in Honduras. It's the one thing I wanted, and you and the monster changed it to Rhonda. I'm just glad she eventually changed it back."
Monique wishes she could hear the other half of the conversation, but it probably wasn't very good. There was a reason why her mom dumped his ass spectacularly during their engagement.
"If you don't believe me, then get a DNA test. But I didn't lie. I was raped by my step-uncle, and nobody believed me back then. You don't even believe me now. But the truth is out there, and that's my truth. So fuck you. I am so sorry your daughter turned out to be such a disappointment. Better luck with the grandkids and the great-grandkids. Marc is already wonderful, and Jade will be the best." Wilhelmina screamed.
At that point, Monique heard the sound of a phone being thrown against the wall. Monique quickly got away from the door because she knew Wilhelmina would be walking through it again any second.
"Hey, I was just looking for you. Hilda and my husband are taking the decorations down, as you can see, and the kids are putting up the food in the kitchen. I think we might be able to leave soonish." She told Wilhelmina, and the woman looked relieved to be leaving soon.
"I think we're going to have to take half the presents in our vehicle," Wilhelmina said, looking over the ridiculously large pile of presents. A good portion of them came from her mother, albeit probably under Mercedes's name. She loved buying stuff. Britney probably had most of the same things delivered to her new apartment.
"Actually, we can just leave things here. Marc has successfully convinced Cliff that moving to Queens is a good idea, and they are renting the house from Mr. Suarez." Wilhelmina looked visibly appalled.
"I would find it more believable if it was the other way around. Marc living in Queens is ridiculous. I taught him better than that."
"It's a nice place with a backyard, and apparently Marc is already upstairs talking about remodeling ideas," Monique explained.
"He better be planning to at least turn one of the bedrooms into a walk-in closet," Wilhelmina remarked.
"That's a given."
Xxx
15 minutes later
Willie: Really, you're renting a house in Queens? I thought I taught you so much better. At a minimum, the entire place will have to be repainted. I hope your landlord will be OK with that.
Marc: That was part of the lease agreement. I'm not an idiot. How do you even know? I just told Inacio we were taking the house less than half an hour ago. Did he tell you?
Willie: No, Monique told me, and who knows how she knew. You should've discussed this with me first. I told you I would help with the down payment. Or you could just take over the penthouse when I moved to Australia next year. I'm not sure if I want to put it on the market right now.
Marc: It's a beautiful place, though. I'm sure you'll get top dollar. I like the idea of raising Jade in a house.
Willie: A house with Cliff?
Marc: I'm not going to confirm or deny that. You're going to yell at me on the entire ride home. Which you shouldn't do because that will just wake up Jade.
Marc: I have to finish feeding Jade before we leave, though. She's fussy right now.
Willie: No, because I'm going back with Monique.
Marc: Why? This is more matchmaking stuff? Because Cliff and I did talk about the kiss and we are OK. He was just trying to show my mom that we are actually a family, even though it's a little complicated right now.
Willie: We have some things to talk about regarding the restaurant. I want to do an after-party for the Black-And-White Ball. It could even be another fundraiser.
Marc: It's strange to think that you two are business partners. Also, I'm going to have to get a babysitter. Jody will be in jail by that point.
Willie: As she should be.
Willie: My working relationship with Monique and Gio has been going well so far. I am enjoying my retirement as a restaurateur.
Marc: I'm glad.
Willie: However, I am open to babysitting. Although not the night of the ball because I'll be working, but next weekend I'm available.
Marc: I'll ask Tamika if she's willing. Tamika already said she didn't want to go to the ball anyway because that would mean getting a date. She finds the men of New York just as distasteful as DC. As for next week, Jody has Jade. It's the second to last overnight before Jody starts serving time. If I had my choice, I much prefer Jade with you. Besides, I'll be busy decorating a dinner party.
Willie: Next weekend then. You and Cliff are desperately in need of some adult time, and I need to spend some time with my granddaughter.
Marc: Which is a word I never thought you would type in relation to yourself.
Willie: Granddaughter by adoption. It's less sorted this way.
Marc: This is Cliff. Jade just got extra fussy and needed her daddy, so we switched. I will be happy to take you up on babysitting in two weeks. There's a film festival I want to go to in Tribeca, and I'm dragging Marc with me.
Willie: Good. I would say something else, but I don't put threats in writing.
Marc: I will remember that. I'll take good care of your kid and your grandkid.
Xxx
"It's just us," Monique said once they finally arrived at her car. It took an hour to get the Suarez house presentable. Wilhelmina actually had to clean up wrapping paper. But at least it kept her mind off of what the Senator said to her earlier. He didn't even call her when she almost died. Yet he does now because the Renée truth is out there. Worst of all, he still doesn't believe her, meaning her rapist was right. Fuck him.
"Antonella went home with Gio, and Hilda is driving Austin home. I think she's doing it just so she has an opportunity to yell at his stepdad." Monique explained, which just made Wilhelmina wish she had someone like that around when she was younger.
"He deserves it," Wilhelmina remarked as she got in the car. "It's fine. You are almost tolerable." Wilhelmina said as Monique turned on the car and pulled out of the parking space carefully.
"Besides, I want to talk to you about hosting an after-party at the restaurant for the Black-And-White Ball." This wasn't a lie because she really did want to hold an after-party event.
"With you at the restaurant instead of sourdough girl, I can stay a bit more hands-off and concentrate on restructuring Meade. If you, Gio, and the managers think it's a good idea, I will go along with it. I'm sure mom will buy a few tables. She's already planning to buy at least three at the Black-And-White Ball. One of which will definitely occupy Victoria." Monique spat that out like a curse.
"I'll let your mom handle her." Wilhelmina did not have the energy or the desire to play those games anymore. It's why she's enjoying the restaurant. Yes, there was some scheming involved in making Ross the new it place of New York. However, it was nowhere near as cutthroat as Mode.
"I've always liked Vivian. She is the only person my father has been with that I've actually liked." Vivian actually believed Mercedes when she told her about her molestation.
"She liked you too. Vivian still likes you. She even defended you during my Player rants. She said it was good for me to be at Player, and if I was really unhappy with it, I could always join Mercedes at the company." Monique said, annoyed.
"It was good for you. If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't be though youngest EIC of Mode in the history of the magazine and copresident of Meade publications."
"I don't know. It feels like cheating now that I own the company or at least part of it. It makes me feel like I bought my way in." Monique confessed.
"You didn't. It's not like you're Daniel. The only headstart you ever had was your mom getting you that initial internship at that bridal magazine. But if you weren't good at what you did, you never would've gotten to where you were now." Wilhelmina said honestly. Despite their personal differences, Wilhelmina always admired Monique's work ethic.
"Daniel is very good at his job." Monique defended.
"He is now, but not when he got here. I have stories about his first few weeks at Mode that would make you cry. Thankfully he got better." Despite having just hours to redo it, Daniel's first issue of Mode UK was actually good, and subscriptions are up 5%.
"And you're the reason he got there?" Monique asked.
"I like to think I played a part in it." She wouldn't let Daniel coast.
"You know he wanted to know if it would be OK to call you. I told him to send congratulations on the restaurant being successful flowers instead."
"Which I got this morning. It was actually a nice bouquet." And she did not trash them.
"He's trying. People believe you. Not everybody's the senator." Wilhelmina suspected that Monique heard part of her conversation with her father, but now she knew for sure.
"I know you heard my conversation with my father."
"Not his part of the conversation. You were a little loud, and I heard you throw your phone against the wall." Obviously, the lack of soundproofing will have to be fixed before Marc moves in.
"It's just a little cracked. I'll get a replacement tomorrow. I need a new one anyway. Suzuki's replacement called me earlier." Wilhelmina wasn't dealing with that little child who was already trying to do the senator's bidding.
"You don't have to break your phone to get a new number." Monique sighed.
"Iris is an idiot. But she's cute, and that's why she was chosen. At least that's what Byron said." Wilhelmina turned her head to glare at Monique. "OK, Byron said a few other things, but I'm not repeating it. I thought Mode politics were awful, but it's so much worse there on Fashion TV."
"I don't want to talk about what the senator said," Wilhelmina told her bluntly.
"OK, I can live with that but am I allowed to call him an asshole."
"Always."
"I know it may not mean much, but I believe you. You did nothing wrong. You were put in a shitty situation, and you did the best you could. Although if I ever run into your father or your former stepmom, I might need the lawyers to help me avoid an assault charge." Knowing Monique the way that she did, Wilhelmina saw that was a distinct possibility.
"Now, that is not a possibility; I wouldn't have mind you being my stepsister." It helps that there are no longer in the same industry.
"The only downside it would involve your father, and he was awful. Although, I'm getting along with you better than Mercedes right now. She didn't come to the baby shower today because she says I'm using Marc to make up for the fact I can't have kids. She did send a present, though. I think she did that because mom made her."
"Are you?" Wilhelmina asked, knowing full well Monique could not have biological children.
"OK, I will admit that changing Jade's diapers has helped me make peace that I will be missing that part of parenthood. Hopefully, that part of grandmotherhood won't come for another decade. Antonella's ex is also on my list of people I really want to punch." Wilhelmina smirked at that.
"That will be hard because he's been arrested."
"Do I even want to know? My mom was involved, wasn't she?"
"I prefer not to answer any of those questions. Although Vivian did use the details of what she did to scare Mrs. Weiner away." Monique went to calm Marc, but Wilhelmina was out there when Vivian put the fear of Wyndham West into mommy Weiner.
"I hope she stays away. Marc does not need that."
"Although what happened outside work out well for the conspiracy. One of the reasons why I'm riding home with you is because of the kiss. Hopefully, there will be a repeat without me being in the car."
"I knew there was another reason for you riding home with me."
"I also want to know what card you put in your purse and refused to give to Hilda. Was it from your sister?" She's been curious about that.
"Mercedes sent the rocking horse. I hid that card because I wanted to talk to you first. The person who gave the purple baby blanket was Nico." Wilhelmina wasn't expecting Monique to say that name. She knew that Nico contacted Marc when she was in the hospital, but she knew few details. "Although Marc now thinks it came from Amanda and Amanda is going to go along with it because I told her to."
"How did that even get here?" Wilhelmina asked, concerned.
"It was one of the presents that arrived at the Mode offices, and I guess Antonella just assumed it was more stuff from the Europe contingent. However, when I saw the card, I felt it was better to just give it to you first." Monique explained.
"What did Nico say?" Wilhelmina asked, concerned.
"It was actually kind of nice. Nico thanked Marc for taking care of her when she was in high school and said he'll do a good job with Jade." That was better than Wilhelmina expected.
"She said that he would be a better parent than me?" Wilhelmina asked.
"Yes." Monique gave her a sad smile.
"Marc will be." He already proved that by deciding to move to Queens and choosing to parent with his ex-boyfriend.
Xxx
Austin really wishes that he wasn't riding back to Manhattan with his boyfriend's mom. At a minimum, he wishes it was still a decent time to text message London. Texting Antonella wasn't the same. Although she was highly bemused by several people thinking that he was her boyfriend.
Too bad it wasn't Saturday because then he would have no trouble texting Justin at 3 AM his time if he didn't have to be up for work at 6 AM. His boyfriend needed his beauty sleep. Which will lead to Austin staying up to at least giving him a good morning message before going to sleep himself.
Austin knows this is a great opportunity for his boyfriend, but he hates being so far away. He starting to truly despise the time difference. Fortunately, Justin will be back in a few weeks to begin the school year.
In the meantime, he had to make small talk with his boyfriend's mom. It's important because he wants Hilda to like him. He realized it was much easier for Hilda to like him than for his mom and stepdad to like Justin. So far, the conversation has been going relatively well. Austin knew not to mention anything about her father moving away in a week and ½. Marc moving into her old childhood house also fell into that category. So they basically talked about the baby shower and work. Apparently, Hilda already wanted to punch Calista out after a disastrous photo shoot Friday. He's pretty sure Calista isn't going to be at Mode much longer regardless of the stunt she pulled with Marc.
"How are things going at Player? Do you want to come back to Mode when Justin comes back?" Hilda asked.
"No. I like what I'm doing at Player. If I went back to Mode, people would think I'm just there as Justin's boyfriend. I don't want that." At Player, he gets to stand on his own 2 feet, which is nice.
"Besides, any job is better than Jackie's hot dog on the stick. I worked there last summer, and it was awful." Austin never wanted to work at a fast food place again.
"Player definitely seems better than most of the jobs I had in high school. Actually, it is better than a lot of the jobs I had when Justin was little." Hilda told him.
"It's a good place to work. I rather be at Player than at home for any amount of time this summer."
"How bad is it at home?" OK, now he's regretting saying anything. "I know your stepdad is…"
"A homophobic jerk." Austin supplied. There was no point in lying to his boyfriend's mom.
"I was figuring out a polite way to phrase that, but I've never been one for being polite. That was Betty." Hilda smiled at him.
"Justin told me."
"I just want to make sure things are OK. Being 16 is hard under the best of circumstances."
"Good thing I will be 17 at the end of September." And one year closer to getting out of there. He needed to have his exit strategy ready.
"My relationship with my stepdad has always been a little strained. When I was younger, I thought George treated me like his kid. However, in hindsight, I see I am just something that he had to put up with to be with my mom. I've accepted that." He doesn't tell her that it's gotten worse in the last few months. He has a feeling she already knows.
"I understand. I am grateful that Justin won't have to deal with that." Bobby definitely doesn't see Justin as just the kid of his wife. Austin knows this because Bobby does at least one check-up text message every day. Justin is trying to decide if it's cute or annoying. He's not sure just yet. Austin is going with adorable.
"I'm sorry you don't have that. From what I've gathered, it's gotten worse since April." He was right about her knowing that he wasn't OK.
Austin was now trying to decide how much to say to Hilda. He feels like he can be honest with her, but he doesn't want to scare off his boyfriend's mom. If she thinks he's way too screwed up or his family is way too screwed up, then maybe she will tell Justin to stay the hell away from him. Austin does not want that to happen at all.
"I'm sure Justin told you about him constantly setting me up with every girl in the neighborhood from ages 14 to 22. It's annoying." Austin doesn't tell her that he's not allowed to be out.
"I'm a little concerned he thinks a 22-year-old is appropriate. But it wouldn't be a concern unless they have an available twin brother." Hilda joked.
"It still wouldn't be a concern because I have Justin. I'm not interested in anyone else." Austin has never connected with anybody the way that he has with Justin.
"Which is good to know." Hilda smiled at him. "What else is going on? You are with my son. So, I'm nosy. I always have been."
"What has Justin told you?" No point in repeating things she already knows.
"Not a lot. He has been talking to Bobby more. He is a little mad at me." Hilda explained.
"For not being supportive if your sister was actually in a poly relationship with Amanda and Daniel," Austin said pointedly.
"I get that I reacted badly. I just didn't want this to be a repeat of what happened last time. This is the second boyfriend that Betty has had that managed to get his ex pregnant before starting a relationship with Betty." Austin is aware because Player is very chatty.
"This seems different. Amanda only had sex with him per the rumor mill to keep him from rebounding with the wrong person. Or until Daniel was ready to acknowledge he was completely in love with your sister." The rumor mill, in this case, was Antonella.
"How are you so plugged into the rumor mill?" Hilda said as she inched closer to his neighborhood. He hoped the stepdad was asleep when he got up there.
"Justin was plugged-in, and I am his boyfriend. This really helped when I moved over to Player. I've made friends." More importantly, he knew who to avoid. Which has been very helpful.
"I'm glad that you're making friends."
"Cory is good at what he does, and I'm learning a lot. I don't hate Matt, although that probably will get other people upset at me. I'm learning a lot from him too."
And not just regarding work. Austin is pretty sure Matt is going to be the key to finding out about his biological father. He already knows a lot more about his mom's past than she ever told him. He didn't even know she lived in Manhattan before they moved here last year.
"I don't hate Matt, either he was in a tough situation. He's trying to do the best he can to fix it, though." Why does he feel like Justin's mom knows something he didn't?
"Look, let's not dance around this. Is your stepfather physically abusive? Because if the bastard has touched you, I will kick his ass. I wore all the rings for a reason." Austin felt like she really would and would probably come out on top.
"No, the worst he's done is completely eliminate my allowance. He doesn't want to give me money to date someone he hates." Since May, Austin has pretty much been on his own for everything, including laundry and food. The only exception is when his mom was around to cook, and that was rare. Honestly, Austin is surprised that his cell phone hasn't been taken away.
"Good thing you're working now." It would be if he actually got to see his money. Apparently, the stepdad has argued that since Austin is working, he can pay rent. Or at least that's what he said when his mom called him out on it. Not that she did anything; she just went along with it. And it's fine, New York is expensive, and he would be happy to contribute toward household expenses if asked.
"It's good that I am." He at least has the money in the other account. But he won't use it. He doesn't want the stepdad to know that he will be OK without him. That money was his exit strategy.
"Although his reasoning is completely faulty because Justin can pay for all dates. He makes more money than I do and doesn't have to pay a mortgage or car note."
"Yet. Justin does want to get a car eventually." Austin remarked.
"I know. Bobby's parents will probably get him one for his 17 birthday. I put my foot down on Justin taking driving lessons in London with Daniel and DJ." Hilda explained.
"He told me," Austin said just as Hilda pulled out in front of his apartment building.
"OK, we're here, and it doesn't look like there's any parking." Hilda seemed disappointed.
"It's OK. You can just drop me off." Because Justin would get really mad if he allowed his mom to get arrested. She still looked like she wanted to hit someone.
"I really want to tell your stepfather to go fuck himself." Yep, she was definitely out for blood.
"You don't have to."
"I want to. Call me if you need anything. I totally will kick your stepdad's ass for you." Hilda said as she reached over to hug him.
"Thank you," Austin whispered before pulling away.
"Just remember, you have a place with us no matter what."
"OK," Austin said before grabbing his box of leftovers and party goodie bag. Austin is also sure Monique put extra gift cards for her restaurant in his baby shower swag bag. He was happy at that moment.
Unfortunately, when he got upstairs, things went bad quickly. The stepdad was furious he wasn't actually dating Antonella. There was a lot of screaming. He lost the ability to even call Hilda since George finally took his cell phone. He blamed it on expensive calls to London, but Austin was sure that was an excuse. Honestly, he was surprised it took this long.
xxx
Hilda ACG: Hey, I just drove Austin home. Monique sent him back with all the leftovers because Justin forwarded some messages that Austin sent him to her. Justin is now worried about how much Austin is being fed at home. And he told Monique instead of his own mom. We are so talking about that tomorrow when it's not in the middle of the night his time.
Matt ACG: Please tell me you punched out his stepfather? I would do it, but Tiffany doesn't want me there in person in case my mother has a private eye watching.
Hilda ACG: There wasn't anywhere to park. Trust me, I would. Oh, apparently Austin lost his allowance because he's now dating my son. I think there's some other stuff going on as well that Austin wouldn't tell me. Although from what he has told me, I'm worried.
Matt ACG: I'll talk to Tiffany.
Hilda ACG: Do that. But tomorrow. Talk to Austin first. Or even Justin.
Matt ACG: I will talk to Austin tomorrow morning over breakfast. I have some work stuff to talk over with Justin sometime this week. If I don't get answers from Austin, I will bring it up then.
Hilda ACG: Good. That kid needs somebody to look after him.
To be continued…