DISCLAIMER: This is a story out the fantasy that is my mind. It is a story that deals with homosexual material. If you live in a jurisdiction that by some law or reason prohibits you from reading this material then please do not read any further. If homosexual material like this offends you then you should stop reading as well...Though frankly if homosexual material offends you I can't understand why you would be here in the first place.
The copyright of this material is mine, subject to the agreement under this website. I trust that you will enjoy reading the stories as much as I have enjoyed writing them.
To see other stories I have written check the Author's List for Mike Yonge (about seven or eight up from the bottom).
If you have any comments to pass on, I would very much like to have them. You can write me at: myonge@hotmail.com
Mike
Jason Chapter 5
It was in high spirits later that evening that Austin and Jason finally got back home. It had been a busy day. They had gone out for lunch first and had a great time. When the owner of the restaurant found out what the celebration was about he made the meals for the four of them on the house. That afternoon after Gramma and Grampa went home Austin and Jason went to have him registered in the High school that was close to where he now lived. With the letter from Children's Aid it was an easy matter to have his records transferred.
They went to his old school and with Austin by his side they met with Mr. Johnson and the Principal, to get his personal effects from his locker.
Jason was shaking as they strode up the walk to the school. Mr. Johnson met them at the door.
"Jason" he said immediately upon seeing the bruising on his face "I'm so sorry, I wish I could have done more for you."
"I know you did Sir, but it's all over now. I just want to get my stuff and go." Jason answered with a friendly firmness that surprised both men. He was not rude because he actually liked Mr. Johnson. The man had been the only teacher that had given him a second thought or hadn't just assumed that because of his background he was no good. But he wanted to get this over with. He was frightened actually and the sooner he could get out of there the better.
Mr. Johnson smiled and simply said "I understand and I wish you all the best in your new school. You are a smart lad Jason. I don't doubt that you can and will do well." He gave the boy a squeeze on the shoulder.
Jason thanked him and then added. "Could you tell Jeff I'm ok, please? He doesn't need to know where I am, but just tell him I'm ok and said hi."
"I'll do that Jason"
Just then the principal came out of the office to greet them. "Good day. You must be Mr. Miller" she said "Mr. Johnson will see to it that the boy has his personal things returned to him."
She turned back to the office "If you follow me Mr. Miller we have a few papers to sign since you are now the guardian of the boy"
"Excuse me ma'am" Austin interrupted her, his voice was a bit tense. "'The boy' as you call him has a name that I am sure you know. I know that you are aware of at least some of what has happened to him the last few days, so a bit of respect and compassion for him would not be out of line."
"To be honest Mr. Miller, I wish you luck with young Mr. Farsmith; I think you will need it." Austin didn't bother responding any further. She turned and walked into her office and with a determined look held the door and waited for them to follow.
Moments later they were back in the hall with Mr Johnson. "Hmm" said Austin "Laced up a bit too tight I would say." The three of them laughed ... Mr Johnson in spite of himself as he led them off to Jason's locker
The whole process was in the middle of a period so they saw very few kids that Jason would know. Austin noticed that he let out a huge sigh when they were back in the car.
"Glad that's done huh?" Asked Austin
Jason just nodded. "I was afraid some of the guys would see me"
"Mr Johnson seems like a nice man, but the Principal..."
"Yeah she is a bit of a bitch... I know the teachers can't stand her, she rules the place like a dictator"
"I can see that. Oh well you don't have too worry about that anymore... the principal at the new school at least seemed approachable."
"Yeah but I'm going to hate being the new kid in the class"
"Well I imagine you will fit in pretty quick, and it is only for about half a year then you graduate"
"Yeah I guess but let's talk about something else... How about that guy at the restaurant giving us a free meal just because I found my family"
"I yeah I couldn't believe it, Dad and I left them a good tip anyway. Mum and Dad go to that restaurant every now and then. It's a nice little place."
"Good food too"
They chatted happily the rest of the way home.
That evening after supper they both kind of collapsed on the sofa and watched some television. About 10 PM Austin said "Well I'm going to take my shower and get off to bed and I think you should too. I have to get back to work tomorrow and you have school.
---- 000 ----
"NOOOOOO!!!!" A scream startled Austin out of a deep sleep "NOOOO!!!! STAY AWAY FROM ME!!!" Austin jumped up and ran to Jason's room. Jason again was sitting with his back in the far corner of the room his arms flailing as he screamed.
Austin bounded over the bed and crouched down in front of Jason "Jase" he called out loud "Jase! It's ok son I'm here now. They're gone."
The arms went down and Jason seemed to relax and come out of it. "Jason it's ok. I'm here now"
Jason opened his eyes and at the same time remembering the dream this time he recognized Austin sitting there and threw his arms around the man. "Ohhnnn Austin it was awful, it was awful... it was Mike and Gerry and Dad and some of the guys at school they were all after me with bats and things trying to kill me"
Austin could feel the boy's heart against his own skin pounding. He held Jason close gently stroking his hair and kissing him on the forehead. "You're ok now, I'm here"
How long he sat there rocking Jason who just clung to him, he didn't know. It was when he realized that his leg was going to sleep that he knew they had at least to change positions.
"How about you get back into bed ok?" He said softly to Jason.
Jason nodded and they got up and Austin tucked Jason in again.
"Austin can you stay with me tonight?"
Austin nodded and pulled back the covers and crawled in behind Jason. As he gently put his hand on Jason's shoulder to comfort him and tell him good night Jase grabbed his hand and pulled his arm around him so that Austin was again hugging him this time from behind... it had the effect of putting them in a spoon position to be comfortable. The fact that they were except for the boxer shorts warm skin to warm skin did not escape Austin, nor Jason for that matter but it felt so comforting to have the man there holding him that the implications of what it looked like did not cross his mind.
"Thank you Austin" he mumbled as he drifted off to sleep again. For Austin sleep didn't come as easily.
He eventually rolled onto his back though he noticed that Jase moved with him so that throughout the night the boy always had some body contact with him.
When Jason awoke in the morning he got up. He vaguely remembered the dream and Austin helping him into bed again. He had some fleeting memory of Austin holding him in bed. But Austin if he had been in bed with him was not there now. He heard the familiar sound of someone in the kitchen and the aroma of coffee and bacon drifted into his nose, erasing any memory of the night before.
He got up quickly and showered. A few minutes later he entered the kitchen, where Austin was putting out breakfast.
---- 0000 ----
The intercom in the hall crackled during English Lit period. "Jason Farsmith report to the office please."
Jason looked up, the teacher nodded and he excused himself.
The five months he had been with Austin had been unbelievable. Jason had grown closer to his guardian as the months had passed. He had never been so happy. The love Gramma and Grampa poured out on him seemed to know no bounds. He knew with out a doubt that he was loved.
He and Austin had talked about college in the fall. Jason, when he had looked into it with the guidance counsellor and with Austin, thought that he would really like to get into Business Administration. In the guidance office the counsellor had talked to him about Bursaries and Scholarships and Student Loans. Austin had never questioned anything about the money end of the college or University education. He had merely said to Jason one night when they were talking about his future at Gramma and Grampa's, that money was not a concern. His only recommendation was to take the College diploma in Business Admin first and then "We can see about a degree if you are still interested."
It was left at that and Jason sent out applications to three or four colleges including Sault College in Sault Ste Marie, which was his preferred choice because Austin had said he wouldn't have to worry about accommodation then. So it was an "up" day just yesterday when there was letter waiting for him from Sault College telling him that he had been accepted for the first year of the two year Business Admin course. He let out a whoop of joy. Austin hugged him and told him to call his grandparents to tell them the good news. They ended up going there that night for cake and ice cream to celebrate. Jason was quite upbeat all day when the call came for him to come down to the office.
"Hi" he said smiling at the secretary, "I'm Jason you called for me to come down?
"Yes" she went back to her desk and picked up a piece of paper. "You have an appointment with Children's Aid this afternoon with Miss Alderred."
Jason read the note with a wrinkled forehead and looked at the clock in the office. He had to go now to make the appointment. He thanked the secretary and ran out to get his books from class and his stuff from the locker. "What could this be about?" he wondered.
He and Austin had just talked about the fact that he would be coming to his 18th Birthday soon and that he would no longer be under Children's Aid assistance but they had not really taken the discussion much further.
Minutes later he was ushered in to Miss Alderred's office, someone he had never seen before at Children's Aid.
"Well" the middle aged looking lady said officiously after he introduced himself and sat down. "You know Jason that the end of this week, tomorrow actually, you will no longer be getting any support from Children's Aid?"
Jason nodded "Austin and I have talked about it yes." "So have you thought about where you are going to live? You should have been considering this by now. I don't see any notation to that effect from Clara" She looked up at Jason's stunned face.
He was taken aback at the question. What did she mean? Where would he be living? With Austin of course! They had talked about him living there through College.
His expression must have told it all to the counsellor, because she smiled knowingly and tight lipped said. "I thought not. You don't think that you can stay where you are do you? She continued. "Mr Miller won't be wanting you to be there now that he is no longer getting Children's Aid support. Do you think that he is going to want you there for a free ride?"
"But..." Stammered Jason "I'm going to college in the fall"
"College? Oh I don't think so. Where are you going to get the money for that? The woman looked almost astounded at the very idea. "Listen you need to get to social services and see if you can't get some welfare funding and you are better off getting a job stocking shelves or something... College indeed." She sniffed, looking down her nose at him. "I think not!"
Jason stared at her unbelieving and then got up and ran out of the office with the woman calling after him to come back.
He walked the streets generally heading toward "home" for a long time. He felt his whole life crashing down around him. Had Austin just led him on about College and living with him? Had he misplaced his trust? No it couldn't be. He loved Austin and Austin loved him. It was Austin that had rescued him. It was Austin that comforted him when the nightmares came. It was Austin's parents that took him in like their own. Surely this wasn't just a big scam they were playing on him. Tears streamed down his face as he shuffled along the sidewalk.
How long he wandered about he didn't know but he was startled out of his reverie by the honk of a horn almost beside him. He jumped and looked to see that Austin had pulled up beside him.
Austin rolled down the window. "What are you doing Jase? I was worried about you, I've been looking and calling all over and no one seemed to know where you were."
"I had to think" said Jason simply.
"Come on get in we have to talk."
Jason almost looked as if he was wondering if he could trust Austin. Austin noticed it and smiled sadly.
When Jason got in to the car and they started to drive home Austin said "I talked to Ms Goldscheim about an hour ago. She called me after you ran out of the office and filled me in on what happened this afternoon. Jase that woman, Alderred was it? That woman had no business talking to you at all! What she told you was a load of bullshit! Apparently she is a fill in from Toronto and took it upon herself to "help" Clara expedite, as she put it, some outstanding files. Clara told me that she has already had it out with the woman and her superiors have been called." "Jason you listen to me. You are going to Sault College this Fall just as we planned. You are living with me just as we planned. You will not be stocking shelves because you know what? You are too smart and capable to be stacking shelves. You are not going on welfare because this family" he paused, "Your family will not allow it!" By the time Austin was done his voice had risen from his normal soft voice to a shout.
They pulled into the parking lot of their building. As Austin put the car into park Jason threw his arms around Austin: "I was so scared" He started to cry "She said that you wouldn't be wanting me around after the support stopped. She even laughed when I said you were telling me I should be going to college. She asked how I expected to do that with no money?" Jason was sobbing now. "I was so scared Austin, I was thinking that all what you have told me and done for me w... was all som... some horrible trick." Jason was now wracked with sobs as emotion gripped him. "Ohhh Austin!" He was both terrified at what he had been told and he was ashamed that he could have thought these things about Austin
Austin held him tight "She had no right to call you in without me being there for starters." He said softly. "I am your guardian. She doesn't know what we are going to do or not do. Jason, do you really think that the reason I took you in was to make money on you? Buddy, I don't need the money. That money other than what we spent to get you clothes at the beginning is all in a bank account for you. I was going to tell you that on your birthday." Austin held the young man close to him gently stroking his back, kissing his neck trying to calm him.
"We told you that we would take care of you and we will Jase. You are family and you aren't going to get rid of us just because the government isn't going to give us money for you. Jase I love you, don't you ever forget that."
Jason's heart jumped when he heard that "Really?"
"Jason you have no idea how much I love you. Sometimes when I see you sleeping or I see you sitting watching TV..., Jason I love you so much sometimes it hurts."
Jason looked up into Austin's now tear streaming eyes. He reached up and barely touching Austin's lips... kissed him. "Thank you Austin. That is the most wonderful thing that anyone has ever said to me"
They kissed again, this time the contact was firm and fervent on both their parts.
When they pulled back Austin bowed his head "I'm sorry I shouldn't have done that but I have wanted to do that for such a long time." Then he added "We should get upstairs and call Mum. She is worried."
Sometime later after having talked to Austin's folks and being reassured that he was indeed family, he and Austin were sitting quietly just watching but not watching the TV.
"Austin?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm glad you kissed me Austin, because I love you too. I want to be more than a `son' to you. I'm going to be an adult tomorrow Austin" he blushed and was suddenly afraid of what he wanted to say "Austin do you think that... aw shit... I... would you love me? Like you know? ... Austin I love you so much and well you're gay and so am I and we love each other ..."
Austin turned to the boy sitting beside him on the chesterfield. He swallowed. His throat felt so dry. Without a word he leaned forward and kissed Jason. They were in each others arms.
"You have no idea how I have wished to hear those words. I love you so much Jase, I don't know how to even begin to express it. I just don't want to do anything to hurt you, you understand? But I so want to love you."
"Austin, would you make love to me? I love you too. You don't know how many times I have wanted to crawl into bed with you the last little while. I just want you so much. I don't know what we have to do, because I've never done this before but I so want you to love me."
The words were spoken almost as if he was crying. They kissed again and then got up and Austin led his young love to his bedroom. No words were spoken, at least nothing intelligible but volumes of the love between these two men were written.
Austin slowly undressed Jason and then let Jason undress him. He then gently laying Jase down began to kiss him. Tender "butterfly" kisses on his eyes, his face, his lips. Then they kissed deeply their tongues dancing together. "I love you so much my dear dear man" Austin whispered, "I hope you can accept my love for you tonight. I want to make love to you my Jase the way you deserve to be loved."
He continued to kiss Jason's face and then down his chin his neck and chest. He softly pinched and licked the boy's nipples continuing to tell Jason how much he loved him, and how much he wanted to make him happy.
Jason was somewhere in the heavenlies, in another world. He couldn't believe that he could feel so loved and feel so good. He just lay there, his eyes closed, and let it happen to him.
Austin continued to tease at Jason's nipples while one hand strayed down his torso to find his achingly hard member. Jase jumped a little at the first touch but as Austin's warm hand encircled it and began a slow stroking he relaxed completely and moaned the inconceivable pleasure that was his.
Austin not letting go the solid penis worked his way down Jason's torso teasing the belly button for a while. He could tell that Jason was extremely aroused so he released the boy's member but continued his journey down. He bypassed the throbbing cock but attacked the healthy ball sac beneath it, taking first one of the full testicles into his mouth then the other.
Jason reached down to take his penis but Austin forbade him. That was his domain tonight. He motioned for Jase to bend his knees up. He moved on to that tender skin between the ball sac and the opening, the sphincter. He licked it hard eliciting moans and groans of delight from the lad... And the Austin sat up and move to the end of the bed. Jason looked up with surprise, but Austin softly told him to lay back again. Taking first Jason's left foot. Austin sucked in first the big toe swirling his tongue around it and sucking hard on it. Jason couldn't believe how good it felt. His entire body was alive with stimulation as Austin worked his way across the toes with his hot wet mouth, his tongue exploring between the toes exciting the nerve endings there just beneath the skin surface...Jason grabbed the covers of the bed as Austin's tongue dragged across the sole of his foot again and again. Austin at the same time was soothingly caressing the inside of the Jason's left leg reaching up as high as he could, about half way up his thigh, from where he was kneeling at the end of the bed.
When he was satisfied that the left foot was well sensitized he moved to the right foot and repeated the process caressing the right leg.
Austin came back on the bed and lay on top of Jason full length so that their very erect cocks were in contact. The feel was Jason's body against his almost brought tears of joy to Austin's eyes. He had never felt so happy. Over the years he had had brief encounters only with a few guys both in town and on business trips but those were nothing like what he was experiencing this night.
It was with a heart full of inexpressible joy and love that he kissed the young man that lay beneath him. "Ohhhhnnnnn my Jason, my dear dear Jason" he groaned "I love you more than I can bear" They kissed for some many minutes. Exploring each other's mouths and faces. If there was ever telepathy both men intuitively knew that there was an overwhelming love and devotion being shared this night that could never be explained and that both knew would never be destroyed. Austin rose up and moved down to Jason's cock.
"Love me Austin, take it I give you myself... Ohhhhnnn fuck Austin I want you sooooo much"
Jason watched as his cock slowly disappeared into Austin's mouth. The exquisite sensation of the heat and slippery moisture of Austin's mouth and tongue coupled with the motion and suction soon brought Jason over the top, as he grabbed Austin's head and raised his hips. Austin felt the boy's cock drive to the back of his mouth and almost choked but controlled it. He tasted the delicate not bitter, not really salty almost soapy taste of cum being poured in mighty sprays into his mouth. He could feel the cock muscles contracting and releasing on his tongue. It was so erotic and so special as he received his lover's ultimate expression of his love... they were sharing the most intimate of moments that lovers share.
When it was over, Jason lay panting. Austin lay with his head on his belly, Jason's cock still limp in his mouth as he continued to gently suck on it.
"That was so wonderful" breathed Jason as he softly stroked Austin's hair, in the same breathy voice he added, "Austin will you fuck me please?"
Austin sat himself up and looked at Jason "Are you sure?"
"Yeah I'm sure. I know that you are not raping me. I want to feel you inside me like it is supposed to be. You are my lover Austin I want you to be the only one that will ever truly love me like this. Wipe away all the horror of Mike and Gerry."
Austin got up and went to the side table on the other side of the bed. He opened the drawer and took out a condom and a tube of gel. As he did, Jason watching him rolled over on his belly.
"No my love not on your belly. I want you to see my face as I make love to you"
Austin put the condom on himself and then lifted Jason's legs up and began slowly to rim and make love to the boy's sphincter with his mouth and tongue. Jason could feel the tongue penetrating through the muscle ring time and again. He closed his eyes. Tears of joy and pleasure were streaming from them as he experienced this ultimate in love. He knew that Austin loved him. As the images of his father and Mike and Gerry flashed before his eyes, the beauty of the unconditional love that "Gramma " and "Grampa" had bestowed on him appeared to dim the horror of what they had done to him. Then as he felt Austin's lovemaking and preparation to enter him, the horrible images flew from his mind and he knew that all that had gone before was past.
Austin came forward and kissed him as Jason felt him gently so very gently slide first one finger and then a second one into him. He felt as Austin massaged his prostate, and then add another finger. He heard as Austin softly talked to him telling him how special Jason was making him feel.. Imagine that he, Jason, was making Austin feel special! His whole life he had been told he was worthless. Now Austin was telling him tonight that he was the most excellent thing that had ever happened to him. Austin was telling him that he never wanted Jason to leave him, that he wanted Jason to be his love forever.
Jason had never felt so wanted and loved in his life as tonight. He watched as Austin rose to hover over him and then in a totally relaxed state he watched Austin enter him, gently, slowly.
The sensation was like nothing Jason had ever felt before. It was perfect. Austin entered him without pain. He felt the older man's cock slide in without effort or resistance.
"Ohhnnnn Jason I love you so much. Thank you so much for loving me. I need you my love, I need you forever, I love you so."
Austin rose and fell over and over again on his young love. It was like he was in another world. When he felt the orgasm overtake him moments later, he let out a mighty groan and drove his cock deep into Jason again and again before collapsing on him. Jason locked his legs over Austin's panting body. Both men overwhelmed by the love that surged between them. They lay quietly for several moments before Austin little by little withdrew himself. He then lay down beside his Jase. Together in each other's arms they fell asleep. When they woke in the morning , they were spooned together, Jason snuggled back into Austin's arms. Austin woke first, his stirring wakening Jason "hi love" he whispered in his ear. Jason shrugged himself closer to the delicious warmth of Austin's body. "I guess we have to get up huh?" said Jason after a few minutes "Yeah I guess so, but this morning we can save some time ... Or not" Austin laughed "by showering together"
They got up and ran to the shower. There moments later they made love to each other again. Both men were filled with the joy of each other's intense adoration. It was Friday and both had to go to work and school. It was not easy to part but there was the promise of never having to part again. That evening they were welcomed at Gramma and Grampa's for Jason's birthday party. Gramma gave them both a strange look as they came in laughing, Austin with his arm over Jason's shoulder. She smiled but said nothing. They chatted happily over supper. Jason was excited about graduation and college in the Fall. As they chatted Austin and Jason would often look at each other and grin.
They talked about the meeting with Ms. Alderred and Austin's subsequent phone call with Clara.
Gramma at one point said "You know? Actually I'm glad you are no longer under the auspices of Children's Aid. I always felt like you didn't really completely belong to us, like you were being lent to us for a bit. Jason now you are for sure one of the family." She stood up and leaned over him and kissed him.
"Austin help me with something in the kitchen?" she said as she turned away from Jason.
In the kitchen she turned to her son with a half smile on her face. "Son, your father and I have been mulling over some options but looking at the two of you tonight I think we have to add to those options. We were considering asking Jason if we could adopt him. We have been to the lawyer and he said it is doable but we need Jason's approval."
Austin stared at his mother. "You want to adopt Jase? That's great Mum!! I'm sure Jason would love that! But you said you are rethinking that."
"Well yes son, but I'm not sure that your father and I would approve of incest in the family if we went through with it. So we might have to look at another way to bring Jason into the family"
"Inces...?"
"Oh Austin you think I can't see? It is written all over your faces and how you are talking to each other and looking at each other. You two are so in love it is almost sickening it's so beautiful"
"Mum. I ... we "
Just don't hurt him Austin. I know you won't but I have to tell you anyway. He has been hurt enough for a lifetime. But as I say" she continued taking on a serious tone. "I won't have my sons in any incestuous relationship so I think that only thing you can do, now that it is legal in Ontario, is to marry the boy, and make him our son-in-law."
Austin found himself with what he knew was one of those silly embarrassed grins on his face. He never could hide anything from his mother. Dad had always been easy enough to fool but Mum? Never.
"I do love him Mum and he loves me, it has been growing over the last few months, but we haven't touched each other until last night. Last night he was so scared and upset and well it just sort of happened Mum. He asked me. But I am sure that I love him like I have never loved any guy. I could never hurt him." Austin grinned again "And I think I might take you up on your suggestion. C'mon lets bring this cake in to Jason."
They both came out of the kitchen Austin carrying a huge layered "plain" cake with seven minute egg white icing, singing "Happy Birthday to you".
Jason beamed at the display. "It doesn't get much better than this" he thought
Grampa was at the ready with camera flashing and then after the candles were blown out he suddenly disappeared only to return a few minutes later his arms laden with gifts grinning from ear to ear.
Jason was beside himself. Tears once again streamed down his face as the gifts were opened. These people were just too much. The final gift from Gramma and Grampa was an envelope.
Jason looked at both of them and opened the envelope and pulled out the card inside. As he did something fell to the floor. It was a key.
He picked it up. It looked like an ignition key. A puzzled look came over his face. When he opened the card he found a certificate for "Young Drivers of Canada" and another which transferred ownership of Austin's parent's car to him.
"Son" said Grampa "We can't get you a new car, but our car is still in very good shape. I had it tuned up yesterday. I can't drive much anymore, so we thought until at least you can get a better car we want you to have ours. We also thought you should get some good driving instruction. We don't want you learning to drive like Austin here does." He laughed at the last remark.
"Oh Grampa this is too much. You guys are the greatest" Jason flung his arms around the man's neck and kissed him "You guys are just the greatest"
Grampa smiled and patted Jason on his back as they hugged. "You are a good lad Jason and you are going to be just fine."
Jason sat down again somewhat overwhelmed. There was one of those quiet lulls that occurs in company. Austin got up and took the ring off his finger. Jason looked quizzically at him. Austin knelt beside him.
"Jason I have come to love you more than words can describe over the last few months. I know you love me too. I don't know how or when this is all to come about. But will you take this ring right now as a token of that love? Will you marry me?"
Jason stared at Austin with wide open eyes, as he allowed Austin to put the ring on his finger. His hand was shaking. He looked at Gramma who was beaming and at Grampa who looked a little quizzical but like a father that had just seen his new born child. Then he burst into tears throwing himself into Austin's arms. They held each other for along time as Jason sobbed out his love and devotion into Austin's shoulder. It was all too much. In a few short months he had gone from an abused beaten and raped young boy, homeless cast off by those that should have loved him, with no hope in life, to this! To this beautiful family that loved him and showered him with that love and acceptance.
He sighed. Then glancing up to the ceiling whispered a "thank you" and kissed his husband to be. Everything was going to be just fine.