Axis

Y'know, I'm jealous of jugglers. Not of their actual jobs, but rather their ability to toss and weave multiple objects over their heads. They've got a handle on what I still don't after twenty-some Christian years... BALANCE!

I denounce the argument that the Bible's a whole list of 'do's and don'ts'. It's so much more then that. But it also gives you a headache.

God reminds you not to become attached to your world possessions... but take care and have pride in your crap.

He wants us to not live for this life, but for our eternal one... yet we're to make the most of the time and testimony we have here on earth.

He asks that we don't associate with sinners... ONLY WHEN WE'RE CALLED TO ASSOCIATE WITH SINNERS!

Seriously, where's the middle ground on 'towing the line' when walking for God? At times, it... is... EXCRUCIATING! And maybe that's what Satan's waiting for; for us to burn out, throw our hands up, and walk out of the office. (Or limp.)

As always though, God prepared a contingency for this. It's called rest, a break, whatever time of day it is that we take to breathe, pray, and soak ourselves in the balm of His word. I don't know what verse, chapter, or book it might be, but I know that it's the focal point. That spot that you need to keep your eye on, ensuring the only hope of balance in the midst of the wobbling tight rope of life!

Steps... Seven

'All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever
comes to me I will never drive away.'

~John 6:37~

April

           Two things about Alice. One, she had no stamina when it came to exercise. Two, she didn’t move recklessly, even when mad. Her madness always had a purpose; or in this case, her grief. So, where was the closest place to grieve about her father? Chase had gone three blocks from Connor’s car when it hit him and urged him into a sprint.

            The trees regaining their leaves, the shadows were growing long when he made it to the cemetery. Remembering what Alice was wearing, he picked her out immediately. Cross-legged, backpack bunched in her lap, she leaned at the foot of a dogwood... next to Falcon’s grave. She was clearly distraught, yet whole and unhurt. Chase’s lungs ballooned with fresh relief, the keychain out of his pocket. “You lose something?”

            Alice started, showing wet cheeks. Seeing Chase however, she abandoned her backpack and ran into a hug. Chase held her tight, letting his jacket get ruined with her tears. He gave it a minute, eyes on the rectangular plaque they’d made for Falcon. They’d lost him only a year after Oliver was born. They didn’t have a yard, so the cemetery had been it. A fair hike from the salon, but what did that matter to a scared kid; all they wanted to feel was safe.

            “He didn’t hurt you?” Chase pulled Alice back, giving her the once over. She scoffed, her tough tone back in place. “I never gave him the chance.”

            She took the keychain from his gingerly. “Guess it fell off when he grabbed my bag.”

            She went quiet, rolling the trinket in her palm. Chase sighed. “He needed money?”

            Alice kept herself from nodding, blinking back more tears. She stepped back, shoulders squared. “He’s always about the Benjamins… I did the math on that years ago.” 

            As much as Connor Welk had crossed his mind, Chase hadn’t thought about the letters. Sydney hadn’t allowed any more money to pass between them and- eventually- she was able to make Alice see why. They’d become less frequent, but not extinct. 

            “You’re smart like that,” Chase could admire about his stepdaughter. “So why-“

            “I wanted to change his mind.” Alice wiped her nose on her sleeve. “I thought… I prayed.”

            Chase’s heart ached for her. As a parent, it was second nature to want all their dreams and wishes to come true. Until you found yourself preparing them for a life that wouldn’t grant them. Alice straightened up, her cry over- for now. She looked up at Chase matter-of-factly. “You’re here… Michelle called you and Roman?”

            “She’s a good friend.” Chase praised with a chuckle. “We found him limping back to his car.”

            Alice smirked at that, stepping back to Falcon’s grave. Only she sat back down, mindlessly fitting her keychain on her backpack. Chase joined her, realizing it’d been awhile. When had they stopped visiting this place together? 

            “Falcon was a good friend.” Alice stated with another sniff. “I could tell him anything.”

            Chase nodded, glancing over the dedication he could read in his sleep. “I’m glad you could.”

            “Wish Ollie could’ve met him.”

            Chase agreed. But the cross between the birth of his son and the death of his dog had made him reflect a lot. “I think Falcon did his part.”

            “His part?” Alice gave him her oddball look. 

            “We didn’t get real close until he got sick.” Chase pointed out. “You started talking… we had the opportunity to trust each other.”

            “Yeah,” Alice raised her chin and quirked her brow. “He was the only part of you that was cool.”

            Boy, did she know how to cut the sentiment out of a moment! Over time, Chase came to realize it was more her personality rather then his presence.

            “I just needed one sign.” Alice pulled at the grass, still so new after the year’s snowfall. “I didn’t care whatGod used. He just needed to show me that he had changed.”

            How can I still feel in competition with this guy? Chase stayed the irrational worry. “You want me to quote about God’s plan versus the heart of man?”

            “No.” Alice bit out. “And don’t talk about him like a lost cause.”

            “He’s not. But it might not be your job to save him.”

            This angered her. “But it’s your job to be my dad?”

            She didn’t say it with disgust or malice, like the younger Alice might have. She just gave a reasonably confused question. 

            “I used to think my job was the world’s most eligible bachelor.” Chase told her. “Then your mom came along… and I found out how short-sighted my goals were.”

            “She opened your eyes?” Alice snorted.

            “Both of you did.” Chase emphasized. “And… I resisted at first.”

            He had his wallet out, heart warming at the pictures held in the center. They weren’t just of Falcon, may that beloved dog rest in peace. Chase pulled out the one of him and Sydney on their wedding day. “It was all about me, Alice… that had to be God’s intention.” He handed the picture to Alice. “On the back.”

            Alice did, frowning. “John 6:37-38. So?”

            “More of Jesus’ famous work,” Chase leaned on his palms, wanting the space to voice this right. “That first verse was for when I became a police officer. It was teaching me that I’d come across many different people, coming from tough, sad situations.”

            “Never drive them away.” Alice quoted, brow back in an arch. “And the second part?”

            “Not my will,” Chase spoke to Falcon’s plaque. “The will of him who sent me.”

            “Makes sense since God put Jesus on earth.” Alice nodded. 

            “Doesn’t mean He hasn’t sent us?” Chase put to her. “You and your mom… God used you to prove to me how wrong I was viewing my life. I guess that’s what I want you to get… He usedyou Alice.”

            He stared at her intensely now. Alice stared back, but it was clear she wasn’t connecting the dots. Maybe she wouldn’t be able to until she was a parent. But Chase had given in to God’s nudge and became a family man. And never regretted a minute of it.

            “God surprises us.” Chase summarized, putting an arm around her shoulders. “In ways we can’t always understand. But- and I say this from experience- if we roll with it, we find it’s exactly what we need.”

            Alice used her toe to scrape hardened dirt off the plaque. “Yeah?”

            What do I know about what her future holds? Chase wavered, thoughts back on Connor. But he just tightened his arm around her. “You can trust me on that.”

            Alice leaned in, no hesitation. Just a sigh that released her worries, maybe her fears, and gave them to him. “Ok, Dad.”

THE END

Steps... Six

April - 6 Years Later

            “Hornick.” The sergeant called Chase’s attention from his desk. Chase took in the color of the man’s skin, as it determined his mood. Unfortunately, it was that annoyed, pinkish hue. “There’s some whiny teenage girl on the phone… again!”

            Chase cringed. C’mon Lord, I’ve talked to her about this! 

            “That kid of yours is facing jail time!” Sarge threatened as Chase picked up the call on his desk phone. “Alice! You only call with an emergency-“

            “Mr. Hornick.” A youthful voice stopped him, but it wasn’t Alice’s. “Um, I’m sorry, but this might be an emergency, I’m not sure…”

            “Michelle?” Chase guessed at the voice too gravelly for a middle schooler. “Hold on, hold on… is something wrong?”

            “I’m not sure.” Michelle repeated, probably biting her fake nails. Her mom did Sydney’s hair and her fashionista influence had been falling on Alice this past year. “Alice and I were supposed to walk over to Mom’s, but she said she’d catch up.”

            Chase eyed the clock. The school had let out twelve minutes ago. Hardly a time frame to get worked up over. “Did she say why?”

            Michelle got quiet. “She said she’d tell me, but I saw her talking to this older guy a block away. Looked like someone who might sell you grass.”

            Alice didn’t do drugs. That fact meant nothing however, as Chase unlocked the drawer for his weapon. ”What did he look like?”

            “Not as tall as you. His hair was longer, stringy- grayish. He was dressed ok, old like you; forties at least. But… he seemed… dark.”

            Normally, a spacey comment like that got her an eye roll. Chase motioned to Roman, his partner, and dug into his stack of files. “Michelle, you with your mom?”

            “Yes.”

            “Stay there.” Chase ordered, grabbing the paper he needed. “Write down other details you might remember. I’ll be there soon.”

            Chase clicked off and Roman began following him out of the station. “What’s happening?”

            Chase couldn’t answer that yet. He only passed the paper to Roman; the photo of Alice’s father. He’d been released in the fall… over a year ago. Alice had wanted to be there that day, but his sentence had moved him three hours upstate. An awkward car ride, a tense meal inside a diner, and little had been heard from him since. No letters, though Sydney had feared them. And due to his parole, Connor couldn’t visit even if he wanted to.

            The whole thing kept a chord of tension over their family, which Chase tried to ignore. He'd done the same thing leading up to the Leavy trial, and again in a number of cases which he'd feared would break him. By keeping the emotion of it at arm's length, he managed to keep some of his joy. Regardless, Chase had kept tabs on Connor. This was easy with the computers having new and wider databases for cataloging criminals. Easy, yet overwhelming if one looked too long through it. Chase didn’t need to fill Roman in as he drove them to the salon; light on. Chase didn’t care. 

            “That’s him!” Michelle’s face paled at the sight of the mug shot. “The hair’s different, but that’s who Alice was talking to.”

            Dear Lord. Chase kept his stomach from meshing into his ribcage. He caught Mrs. Vargas gauging his face, eyes washed in her own worry. An odd sight from such a bubbly woman. 

            “Did they walk off somewhere?” Roman had his notepad out, even though a crime hadn’t been identified. 

            “I think he wanted them to go in his car.” Michelle’s eyes were wide now, darting dramatically with possibilities. She pushed between them to the salon front, then started pointing. “It’s still there! A beige with chipped paint-“

            Chase peered out the window. The car was farther up the road, almost on the corner. He wanted that to comfort him, but without eyes on Alice, it didn’t. He looked back at Roman. “I’m getting the license.”

            Chase pretended not to hear whatever logical thing Roman said next. He got the whole lecture about being emotionally involved. The department had kept him back during the Leavy case and he’d gotten through that. But this? 

Sydney was the one to stop and think; he needed to be moving, have his feet going with the gears in his brain. And they stated the facts as he crossed the street. Alice isn’t stupid. If Connor approached her, she’d stay in a public place. She knows… she knows not to instigate. 

Alice had done a lot of growing over the years, but she was still Alice. Still bossy, hard-hitting, and overly opinionated. But she was smart, listening when Chase and Sydney told her about potentially harmful situations. Only… did Alice see Connor as harmful?

I’m not supposed to judge, right. Chase walked around the car, noting the license and inside. A jacket on the passenger’s side, some magazines in the back, loose change in the console. But the guy doesn’t reach out in forever… what changed? 

Nothing stood out in Connor’s file, but Chase hadn’t checked in almost two months. Chase stepped back from the vehicle, only to pounce on a splash of color near the back tire. It was soft and worn, barely holding onto the chain- the crappy pharmacy keychain. Alice had never ‘repaid’ Chase his quarter, telling him it could he his gift for being rude to her that day. It had found its home on Alice’s backpack… even when she needed a new one it had stayed. 

She fiddled with it constantly. That had to be why the keychain had fallen off. Or did it get forced off in a struggle? He didn’t want to consider that possibility, but he couldn’t ignore it either. Gripping the keychain, Chase looked up and down the sidewalk. The passersby gave him weird looks back. Then his eyes locked on their unexpected target. Connor was rounding the corner towards him!

             “Connor Welk!” Chase called out.

            The man’s head snapped up and he turned in a panic. Chase dodged the few pedestrians between them, collaring Connor before he made it back up the street. Chase slammed him into the brick of the coffee shop, Connor’s arm twisted behind him. “Your P.O. know you’re here?”

            Chase’s voice registered on Connor’s face and he groaned. “You gotta be kidding.”

            “Where’s Alice?” Chase demanded as Roman ran up. Connor tried wriggling around. “Look, I-“

            Chase snapped his handcuffs open. “You talk and maybe I don’t drag you in.”

            With Roman’s hand on his shoulder, Connor didn’t ponder his options. Free hand in surrender, Chase spun him around. The fear in his eyes became annoyed and his posture cocky. “I took a day trip to see her. I got permission.”

            “I can’t wait to verify that.”

            “You told your daughter you were coming?” Roman grounded Chase’s next thought. Chase balled his fist tighter in Connor’s shirt. “We switched schools when we moved. How’d you find her?”

            “You trying to hide?” Connor hutted his chin out. “I am her father, Hornick.”

            “You gave up those rights a long time ago.” Chase reminded him. Roman’s glare was reminding him of his badge at the same time. He indicated Chase’s grip and- reluctantly- Chase let go. Connor shoved him back, only to get Roman’s hand on his shoulder. Connor grunted. “Guess it’s good cop’s day off.”

            Chase flexed his fists; in, out, in, out, keeping his cool with the rhythm. He heard the murmurs starting, the people staring as they formed a circle. They were probably wondering if an arrest was being made. The sergeant would be wondering it too, if they came back with Connor, but no APB or Miranda rights. Unless…

            “Merle Saunier, right?” Chase pulled out his issued cell phone. “Maybe he’d like to join the conversation.”

            A cloud went over Connor’s face, increasing his agitation. “Okay, so maybe I’m not supposed to be here. I just… I followed her from school. Figured she like the chance-”

            “You needed money again.” Chase stopped him. Connor’s face went hard, but his was already granite.

            “So you talked to Alice.” Roman put space between them again. “Then what?”

            Connor flexed his left leg, keeping his stoic expression. “She kicked me and ran. She was upset… but I didn’t lay a finger on her.”

            “Where’d she run?” Chase pressed. Connor snarled. “Into traffic.”

            Chase looked back over the street- and the heads of the people watching. The block went on with its afternoon, giving him no sign of Alice. Not that he’d been expecting any.

            “Roman.” Chase signaled his partner, who turned Connor back against the wall. “Connor Welk, you’re under arrest-“

            “What!?” Connor raged, resisting Roman’s cuffs. “You said-“

            “I said I wouldn’t drag you in.” Chase reminded him, walking away.

~To Be Continued~

Steps... Five

'All those the Father gives me will come to me, and 

whoever comes to me I will never drive away.'

~John 6:37~

March

            Chase braked, causing Falcon to hit the dash. He looked up over his slimy jowls and whined. Chase glared, throwing the car into park. “Don’t start with me!”

            The boxer managed to leap over the driver’s seat and join Chase in his race to the school front. It didn’t take long as it was nearly deserted. He suspected there was practice happening in the gym, or club meetings in a classroom. But busting into the front office, Alice was the only one sitting on a long wooden bench against the far wall.

            “Chase Hornick.” Chase made it to the counter with a pen to sign Alice out. Miss Keaner, the secretary, glared at him. “I can’t leave until she does.”

            The swing and slam of the door indicated that Alice had left. Chase smiled a sheepish apology and hurried after her. Falcon was bouncing in front of Alice, stubby tail wagging, but Alice didn’t notice. She just stomped.

            “There’s no excuse for being late.” Chase admitted, jogging alongside. “But there isa reason.”

            “There always is.” Alice spat, nudging him over with her backpack. She went for the back of the knee. Chase acted like it didn’t hurt. “Alice, let me explain- I’ll explain to the drama coach-“

            Alice spun on him, so that he nearly tripped over her. “Auditions started almost two hours ago! I can’t even try to get the part now!”

            Chase didn’t need a throbbing leg to feel terrible. This was Alice’s first time trying something outside of softball, and he’d suggested it. A community theatre group put out three productions a year. Chase had never thought Alice would have the patience for acting, but she’d insisted. And he’d helped her practice the lines for the enchanted tiger. He’d been looking forward to seeing her audition!

            But the Leavy trial drew closer, as did the threats on his life. Surveillance had caught someone tampering with his car, leading to a sweep of the vehicle.

            I just can’t win. Chase despaired at the hurt and disappointment in Alice’s eyes. She stopped beside the car, Falcon still after a scratch. “I don’t know why I ever trusted you.”

            “Is it really that much to ask.” Chase threw up his arms. Alice dug at the scruff of Falcon’s neck- she liked to angry massage him. Ironic because Chase like to do the same. He wanted to right now, work out his own frustration. Chase paced the sidewalk, trying to assemble his thoughts with his emotions. “I’m tired of this, Alice. I’m tired of trying to keep hope and trust at the front of our relationship. And I think I’ve more then proved both.”

            To her, to Sydney, even to himself. There laid the problem, however. Alice wasn’t interested or impressed.

            “I am trying sohard here,” Chase faced his stepdaughter. “I wanted to be here, but work came up. It’s not an excuse, but it happens.”

            Alice watched the sidewalk, then the street, purposefully avoiding him. Chase brushed his hair back. “You plan to go through life snubbing those you don’t like? That’s poor judgment and a sad waste of heart. And it could land you in a pretty lonely place.”

            “Thanks, DR. PHIL.” Alice spat, glaring. “But there’s nothing wrong with being guarded.”

            “Against me?” Chase pointed dramatically at his chest. “Alice… I’m not your dad.”

            Alice prepared to remark, but Chase stopped her. “You know I don’t have to be your father to care about you right?”

            Falcon whimpered, rubbing on Chase’s leg, then against Alice’s. He didn’t understand why two people he loved weren’t paying attention to him. Alice nudged him back, her jaw tense enough to snap. Her fingers worked the straps of her aging backpack and Chase caught a flicker of the fuzzy keychain he’d helped her buy. Why hold onto it if she wanted nothing to do with him?

            “You’ll leave.”

            Chase rushed to deny that, but something quieted him. Rather, he went on his hunches so Alice had to look him in the eye. She wasn’t shy about that. “Things always work with Dad-“

            “Until they don’t.” Chase finished.

            “Dad loves me.” Alice’s voice sharpened. “He’ll need me to be there for him. When he gets out.”

            Chase’s eyes narrowed. “With how much money?”

            Her fist came at him, but Chase caught it. Alice breathed heavy. “He’s using it for his lawyers. And it was my idea.”

            “You’ve had smarter ideas.” Chase pushed her fist down. “Youare a smart girl. You hold your own and you don’t waste time- or energy. So why waste both on hating me?”

            Alice fought for an answer, eyes glistening. The wind changed then, her face falling into Chase’s shoulder. He had his arm around her, scared at how natural the instinct was.

            “Can’t it all just go back?” Alice sucked in a sob. “Just… be like before.”

            Before all the change. Maybe she wanted to go back, but Chase didn’t. He used to think he’d never abandon bachelorhood. He and Falcon had lived according to their own schedules and his biggest purchase would be the latest suede jacket to take his dates out in. And I believed that was all God intended for me. 

            Chase squeezed Alice’s shoulder. “Did you ever think there’s a reason for the change? Alice, I want you to see your dad and I don’t want him to be in jail. But… I also can’t imagine not knowing your mom. Or you.”

            Alice stepped back, brushing her tears away. “You make Mom happy. That makes me mad.”

            Chase didn’t know what to tell her. “I think you expectit to make you mad. And when it doesn’t, you feel guilty.”

            “You don’t know me.” Alice shook her head.

            “I’ve learned a thing or two.” Chase lifted the keychain. “You love neon colors so Mom doesn’t worry about your interest in horror movies. You like snow cones, but not ice cream.”

            He about smirked. “And you- you and your mom- can’t stand someone being alone or treated unfairly.”

            Alice went back to scratching Falcon’s ear. Chase could feel the trust she was holding back, afraid to give it to him. He thought of the papers, his eagerness to see them signed and legally stamped. Having it say somewhere on file that this exhausting, amazing child was his daughter. 

            But none of that would happen without her trust. Alice had rubbed her eyes dry, her hand on the car door. “We missed the audition, with or without this heart to heart crap. Can we just go home, Chase?”

            “Sure thing.” Chase gave in, knowing they were both about tapped out. He watched her lead Falcon into the back seat, closing the door for her. And wondering how many more days he’d have to hold out.

~To Be Continued~

Steps... Four

February

            The change in prison was always evident between a mug shot and the Christmas photo kept on an end table. Chase had studied the few in Alice’s room- on a basketball court, with her in a leaf pile, and wearing his best Easter suit. Her room was a shrine to her hero.

            And I’m here to take that away. Chase sat tensely in the hard, plastic chair. He looked down at the two envelopes he’d brought with him; and replayed Sydney’s words. “I don’t want him having any right to her.” 

            He let that echo in his mind as Connor Welk slid into the chair on his side of the glass. He was a paler, skinner version of himself, with longer hair revealing its natural wave. And he wore glasses. Chase didn’t know why that surprised him. 

            “Chase Hornick,” Connor smiled his surprise. “New man on campus. Had to look up the announcement when it all went down. See who Syd was throwing herself at.”

            This was setting up to be a rough meeting. Chase had abandoned hope of that coming in though. He flipped the first envelope into clear view. Connor instantly knew what it was. His brow went up. “Those are private. An intimate communication between father and daughter.”

            “Where does the money go?” Chase asked outright. To which Connor laughed. “We’re talking a federal crime here. You know to be a better example then that… officer.”

            The letter had been on Alice’s bed and Chase had twenty-twenty vision. But he wasn’t justifying himself to this guy. He had finally figured out why he was so consistent in writing Alice back. Most kids kept a piggy bank, Alice kept a mason jar. In it she put her earnings from chores, housesitting for the neighbors, walking the dogs… she was a hard worker. And she was giving it to Connor! For how long?

            “You come to scold me.” Connor had folded his arms, craning to see in the waiting room behind him. “And Sydney didn’t?”

            It’d been a hassle convincing her not to.

            Connor continued to prod, confidence oozing off him like a bad perfume. “Syd couldn’t risk any old feelings coming up.”  

            Chase’s chest puffed out, keeping his jaw from locking. “Sydney is done with you, Connor.”

            “But Alice isn’t.” 

            “You see nothing wrong about shaking your daughter down for an extra buck?” Chase seethed. 

            Connor ran a thumb over his teeth, still smiling. “Most of its yours, I’m sure. Bribe money so my kid’ll like you.”

            “Alice does seem to think that love can be bought.” Chase folded his own arms. “Enough quarters and five dollar bills, and Daddy will finally come home.”

            He shrugged. “You never know.”

            “You have six years before you’re eligible for parole.” Chase reminded him flatly. “Then what, Connor? Because I don’t see you as a homemaker.” 

            “You don’t know me, cop.” Connor’s eyes narrowed. 

            “I know you left a woman so shattered, she’s still picking up the pieces.” Chase stared him down now. “And you’re exploiting a little girl who thinks the world of you; when really you could care less.”

            Connor’s lips were drawn in. “Guess you win the Double Jeopardy.”

            Regardless of the attitude, he’d hit a nerve. Chase lingered with his second envelope, pouring his prayers into it. “You’re here to reflect on your poor decisions, Connor. But you can also have the chance to make good ones.”

            He pushed the papers under the glass as he said this. He watched Connor read them, doors buzzing and voices hollering from down the barren hall. Connor let the papers fall from his hands, unimpressed. “You gonna deny me my kid?”

            “This’ll be Alice’s choice,” Chase told him, holding up a pen. “But we’d like to know where you stand, regardless.”

            Connor turned the last page over, shaking his head like a concerned teacher. “Courts are so high and mighty. The things they say can or can’t exist… just by signing a dotted line.”

            He realized the ball was in his court and was showing off his dribbling. Chase gathered his breath slowly. “We’re extending you a common courtesy, Connor. That’s more then you get in here.”

            A smirk grew on Connor’s face. “You and I both know there’s no erasing my blood out of Alice. Or my time with Syd.”

            Chase continued watching him. He had sat across from dozens of lowlifes- in booking, and during interrogation. He kept his cool there and he’d do it here. Leaning in, Chase turned his voice low. “You know that I’m a cop; and any smart friends you have in here will figure that out.”

            Connor still smirked. “We’re not as stupid as you’d like to think.”

            “So they’ll figure out that I’m testifying against the Leavy family.”

            Connor’s expression popped like a balloon. Chase shrugged. “And me in here, talking with you before that testimony-“

            Connor’s fingers grasped under the glass then, practically ripping Chase’s pen from him. He scribbled his name twice, folded the papers over, and slid them back under. Chase hesitated then moved to grab them. Only Connor held on, connecting them. The wicked grin was back in place. “Pretend all you want, Hornick. End of the day, I’m still her father.”

            Chase held his words back. Because any said would’ve been out of spite.

~To Be Continued~