REDEMPTION

[Caligrace]

OOC: Cali's 'journal' is really a collection of letters written to Anthony, Elin's brother - and her best friend. He passed away in 2013, and this is simply her way of keeping his memory alive.

My dearest Anthony,

You don't know what you have until it's gone.

I've heard that saying my entire life, but I never really understood it until now. When I was human, I was always reaching for more, pushing myself to my limits until I was mentally, emotionally and physically exhausted. I would go until there was nothing left in my heart and soul to spend, but I was never satisfied. My friendships, my relationships, my work, my education - it wasn't enough. Once I died, however...

Thinking about it causes my throat to tighten, and I feel as if there is an unknown source digging their dagger into my chest and twisting it until I scream for mercy. Everything that I once abused, everyone that I thought would be at my side until the end of time... they are all gone. I should feel relief, but all I feel is empty. I want to hate Freyja, I want to throw a tantrum that will make her regret ever killing me, but even though I aced drama class - I can't really blame her. Even I can see the desolation in her eyes every time she looks my way. She tries to mask it, but I know it's killing her inside. I don't need to feel the guilt pounding against me to know that if she could take it back, she would.

You always said that forgiving people for their atrocious sins will forever be a flaw of mine.

I think above it all, the one thing that I miss more than the rest is my father. I can see him now, as if he were sitting in front of me. His eyes empty, a bottle of his favorite beer dangling from his fingers as he stares blankly at the door, as if he could will me to walk through it at any moment. Only then, would the pain etched in his aging face would fade and he would be complete again. My father and I have always had a bond that couldn't be broken - or so I had thought. I had thought that we would make it through the ages together, and I often wondered abou the pain that I would suffer when he finally passed. I never thought of what would happen to him if I died first. it wasn't something someone likes to think of, a child passing before their parent. I know him, though. He's not going to let me go so easily, he wouldn't believe that I would go out without a fight. I know that deep down, there is still that burning fire of hope that I will come back to him. I want to feed that hope, fan that fire - but I can't get close to him. What would happen if I were to bring him into this life with me? If I introduced him to vampires, to everything he believed were myths - I would only put him in danger. No, he needs to move on without me.

Perhaps if he still had Elin, perhaps if she could -- no. That would only make the hope that much more brighter. We disappeared at the same time. If she were to show up, they would question her until she lead them to me. She wouldn't, but I don't want to imagine what would happen to her if she refused to cooperate. It's my fault she's in this mess, I'm not going to allow her to put herself at risk to ease my guilt and depression. No, I need to do something more. I need to reach out, surround myself with other friends, other family members. I need to do something, because I'm going insane. I don't know if I'm going to make it through this. The only other person I know outside of Freyja and Luc is Robin. Charming, psychotic, confusing Robin. I barely know him enough to unleash this flood of pain onto him, and so I've kept my distance. I'm sure he assumes that I just didn't like him - I'm just not sure how to face him. I can put on an act to fool anyone I choose to, but how I can I pretend around those that can feel every single minute detail of my emotions?

I guess to sum it all up...
... I'm drowning.

All my love,
Caligrace Summers

[Caligrace]

My Dearest Anthony,

I went to see my father last night.

I know that I shouldn't have, but I couldn't stand another minute without knowing how he was doing.

It was worse than I expected.

I didn't knock. I didn't think I could bear it if I were to actually speak to him. I'm not that cruel - or stupid. I know that the moment he saw me, he would have never let me go. I couldn't risk getting him hurt, but I guess I don't have to worry about that anymore. I peeked in through the living room window, and that was enough to shatter my heart.

Anthony, he's a wreck.

It looked as if he hasn't cleaned since I left. The floor was covered with empty beer cans and old food containers. There was no surface that wasn't covered in some substance that defies science. That wasn't the worse part, though. No, the worse part was him. He was so frail sitting in his chair, his grey hair unkempt and unwashed. It looked as if he hadn't showered in months, and from the smell - I'm sure he hasn't. I wanted to go inside, I wanted to carry him to the bath and I wanted to wash the tears and dirt from his skin. I wanted to toss all the beer into the sink, I wanted to scream at him to fight - but there was no fight left inside of him. My father, the man who never let emotion cloud his judgment, who never so much as batted a lash when met with tragedy...

... was broken.

What have I done, Anthony? How could I have left him to suffer like this? I have no answers, I have no clue what to do next. I can't tell Freyja, I know what she will say. I can't go back to him. I can't fix him. I have to let him go, but how can I, when letting him go means that he's going to drink himself to death? I can't leave him like this, but I can't help him, either. Elin offered to go see him when she finally pulled the truth from me, but I know that will only make matters worse. He will want answers, answers that she can't give him. Answers that no one can.

I want to take away his pain, but I know that I'm the cause.

If I hadn't went to that party that night, none of this would have happened. If I had just stayed home and worked on my paper, I would be getting ready for bed right now and my father wouldn't be suffering. Instead, I'm sitting in an abandoned alley and writing letters to someone who will never read them. I'm so sorry, Anthony. I know I've said it over and over, but for once - I fully understand all that I lost when I lost you. I never grieved for you like he is for me, because I had the answers. I knew that you weren't coming back, I knew the moment they pulled your body from the ravine that you were gone forever. I should have missed you harder, I should have respected you wishes to take better care of myself. I let you down, Anthony, and I will never forgive myself for that.

I need to go now.

I need to do... something. I don't know what, I don't know what's going to happen, but I need to find an outlet.

I need to make the pain stop.

I will always love you.

Yours forever,
Caligrace Summers.

[Caligrace]

My dearest Anthony,

You can't wake up, this is not a dream.

Do you remember the night you asked me if I feared death?

You were so fascinated with the thought of the other side. I remember the way your eyes lit up in the moonlight when you began to wonder what you would see. Would your family be there? Would it be bright? Would there be laughter, happiness and love? You were so... animated. I didn't have the heart to answer you truthfully. I remember ducking my head and staring out at the lake as I answered that no, I didn't fear death. I should have told you the truth. I should have told you that I was terrified of being alone, terrified of what the other side held. You always looked at things with bright eyes, and I always worried myself into a panic. You would have laughed at me if you had heard what was really on my mind.

I guess you're wondering why I brought that night up out of the thousands, aren't you?

I died, Anthony.

It wasn't bright, it wasn't warm. There was pain, and then I was surrounded by a colorless world. It was bleak. There was no laughter and there was no joy. It was as if something had come into the afterworld and ripped anything bright and happy from it. I was alone, for the most part. It was -- I have no true words. Is this what you are suffering through? Is your world as dark as mine? I cannot bare to think of you there, with no color to guide your way. I cannot stand the thought of your lifeless eyes begging for glimpses of the world you left behind far too soon.

I haven't been able to shake the feeling of that place. They call it the Shadow Realm. It's a place so desolate, you lose your mind the longer you stay within. I have been assured that you couldn't possibly had found your way there, but how can I be certain? How can I know where you went when you died? I swear I heard you calling out for me while I searched for a way out. I heard your voice, felt your touch against the nape of my neck. It wasn't filled with love, however. It felt... dirty... like I was being covered in oil. I've showered, I've scrubbed myself to the point my skin was peeling from my bones, but nothing has helped.

Please, God, tell me you found another world.
I failed you once.
I couldn't live with myself if I failed you again.

All my love,
Caligrace Summers.

[Caligrace]

The page is filled with lines of scratched out words and smeared ink, though only five remain.

My dearest Anthony,

I. Can't.

[Caligrace]

My Dearest Anthony,

I met someone.

He isn't like the others one I have written to you about. There is something -- different -- about him. I can't put my finger on it exactly, and I fear that whatever I could write here wouldn't do him justice. His kindness is refreshing. To be honest, he reminds me a lot of you in that aspect. Of course, that is where the similarities end. You have to admit, you were kind - but you were also a foolish playboy. I can't even begin to remember all of the names of the girls you brought around, and I doubt you could either. I wonder if Elin ever found that wooden box you kept all of your love notes stored. Ha, you didn't know I knew about that, did you?

I'm getting off track. It seems to happen a lot these nights. The hunger -- well, that's a letter for another time.

His name is Elighan. It's interesting, don't you agree? I've met plenty of men with names that were equally unique, and yet you could tell they were fake. They didn't fit the persona, but that isn't the same of Eli. His name -- it was clear that it was made for him, be it an alias or the name he was born with. You know how I am about names - I could go on forever! We met when I was lost. It was cold, and I had the brilliant idea to be daring and do something interesting for once in my life. I guess I hadn't learned my lesson from the club. He offered to help me find my way, and I remember being torn between comparing him to a famous serial killer to wandering how someone could be has handsome as he was. I guess something in my distress appealed to him.

We've spent a few nights together - nothing important, and for some reason, that seems to make this story all the more intriguing. I have never been able to stay in one place for more than a few hours, and yet his presence seems to keep me grounded. I could go on and on about our conversations, but I'm certain you would rather hear about anything else. You never did like it when I talked about the boys in my life, but I thought you might not be too upset to know that I've met a true friend in my afterlife.

I miss you, Anthony, more than words can express.
I hope wherever you are that you have found happiness and peace.

It's not the same without you here.

All my love,
Caligrace Summers

[Caligrace]

My dearest Anthony,

I fear I cannot deceive them for much longer.

The hunger is threatening to overcome me. My stomach is twisted in knots, and I am beginning to lose control of the monster inside. I thought I could contain the beast for just a few more days - I just need more time. I'm not sure for what, but I know if I just wait, something will make sense. I refuse to feed the hunger.

I know it's foolish, just as you claimed it was foolish when I was younger. 'We need to eat meat to survive, Caligrace. You need the protein, what you're doing isn't healthy.' I remember your voice clear as day, but none of it mattered to me. It still doesn't. I will not harm an innocent so I can survive. Freyja has tried to convince me otherwise, she claims that they don't feel a thing, but I know better. I have seen the look that crosses their face when she sinks her fangs into their skin. The thought of doing that, the thought of feeling their blood as it coursed down my throat sickens me. It isn't as if I haven't tried. The first night that I fed was awful. Not only did I manage to nearly kill the girl, but I also threw up for the next three days.

I'm growing weak, though.

My employees can tell, and I know that Freyja noticed it when we went out. She kept looking over at me, as if expecting me to wither away in front of her. She did everything in her power to make me comply and feed, even going as far as to lure some college student who had been eyeing me into the bathroom when I went to check my make-up. I almost lost it then and there, but I managed to escape before things became too awful.

I just need more time.

How much longer can I write the words until an answer becomes clear?

I wish you were here, darling, because I need you now more than ever.

Yours,
Caligrace.

[Caligrace]

My Dearest Anthony,

You never know who you are until you’re backed into a corner.

I remember the night that you said those words. It was three days before you left me. You were laying in our backyard, your shirt beneath your head and your eyes closed. You looked so peaceful - something akin to a God - and I couldn’t look away. You were lecturing me again, and though I can’t remember exactly what I had done to warrant it, you were certain that I wouldn’t forget your words.

You have to fight for yourself, Caligrace. You’re going to get crushed out there, babe, if you don’t stand up for yourself. Lose a little control once in awhile.

I wonder what you would say to me now.

The one night I let go, the one night that I stepped out of my comfort zone, I was murdered. I wish I could say it was an easy death, but that would be a lie. No, I was brutalized. My skull was cracked open, my back was shattered, my leg was broken - my throat was ripped out. It was the worse kind of death, and yet, I didn’t die. Instead, I have to relive that horror nightly, but I can’t allow her to know. She can never know that I wake up screaming sometimes, because her eyes blaze like fire in my dreams. I wish I wasn’t afraid of her, I wish I could trust that she wouldn’t hurt me again, but how can I?

She is a monster wrapped in a pretty blonde package.
Am I the same?

That’s what terrifies me the most. With her as my maker, how am I certain I won’t turn out like her? I can’t control myself. The emotions are too volatile, too strong. They’re pulling me beneath their current, and I’m drowning in them. Even something as little as shattering a glass after drenching my date in champagne left me reeling. It certainly wasn’t the first glass I’ve broken in the presence of a man, but it was one that was the least deserving. He didn’t do a thing to earn the wrath that had burned through me. It took every ounce of control I had to not lash out and do something far worse, and I’m still not sure how I managed it. I’m still not sure how he laughed it off and forgave him.

I don’t think I deserve him.

I’ve never thought that about myself, and yet, these emotions are creating doubt. I can feel the shift, and what is worse, is the anxiety. The medicine no longer works, and the voice is louder than ever. Everything I do is wrong. Did I leave the light on? Is that guy following me? Am I going to burn the apartment? Did I do this, did I forget that. It only quiets when he’s around, and then I’m worried about saying something incredibly stupid. He doesn’t seem to think I will, and he definitely doesn’t act like someone that hates my presence.

But what if I lose control?
What if I’m backed into that corner?
Who will Caligrace Summers become then?

I wish you hadn’t left me. I wish you hadn’t gotten behind the wheel. I wish you hadn’t been drunk. God, I wish you were here.

Yours I miss you,
Caligrace

[Caligrace]

My Dearest Anthony,

Writing these letters to you isn't healthy, is it?

These are words you will never read, situations that you will never know of. You forfeited that right when you slid behind the wheel, yet I continue to feed some deranged fantasy that one day you'll come back.

I can't continue to live like this.
I have to let you go.

Your sister is worried for my sanity, and your brother watches me as if I'm made of glass. He worries that with one wrong move, I'll shatter at his feet and he'll be left to secure the pieces. They both underestimate me. What they fail to realize is that I've slowly started to release my hold on your memory. It hurts, but what choice do I have?

You left me.
You left us.

I thought you valued life more than that, I thought you valued me more than that. I spent years mourning your smile, your laugh, your touch - and what have I gained for it? Nothing. The night I died, it was your name on my lips, the hope that I would see you again overwhelming everything else. When I woke, I was cold - and you were no where to be found. Even in my moment of true need, you weren't there. How am I supposed to go on like this, knowing that you are never coming back?

I know who you're going to blame, and you're partially right. In meeting Elighan, I realized that there is hope for me. I realized that I could no longer hold onto something that only causes me pain. Despite this thing between he and I being new, it was enough to ignite an old fire inside of me that you extinguished. I have been cold far too long, love, and I'm wanting to feel warm again - whole again.

Even writing these words is foolish of me, yet I feel like I cannot fully let you go until they are out in the open. I will still remember everything you have said to me, I will still hold onto your lessons, your wisdom - but I can no longer hold onto you. I hope you can understand my reasoning. I choose to believe that you wouldn't wish this for me, this living half-alive. You took apart of me with you when you died, and this is simply me getting it back.

I need to be whole again.
It's time to let you go.

Caligrace

[Caligrace]

March 12, 2016

I rise and I fall.

I can't keep these emotions controlled or contained. How can anyone live like this? I feel as if I'm about to be ripped apart from the inside, splintered into a thousand tiny, chaotic pieces. One second, I'm on top of the world and the next, screams are tearing at the back of my throat and my eyes burn with tears. Freyja swears that this is normal. Our kind are highly emotional beings, more so than any other vampire - but I'm not so sure. She seems rather collected until something pushes her, of course, but that temper is justified. Mine? There is no excuse for how I fly off the handle at the bat of a lash. Could mine possibly be intensified due to my lack of feeding?

Even as I'm writing this, I feel as if I'm losing control. I want to laugh, I want to scream, I want to throw myself off of my thirteenth floor balcony just to feel the rush. I'm sure that would be a sight for the city! 'Promising Caligrace Summers takes a swan dive!' splashed across the papers. I would never live that down, and I would be hunted for exposing myself to humans, because surely I would be able to dust myself and walk away. I have to remind myself of this, I have to keep myself in this chair, else I do something incredibly stupid.

I need to find something else to focus on, but everything comes with an emotion. My businesses? Stress. Freyja? Concern. Elin? Anger. Elighan? A concoction of emotions I can't identify. I don't even know where to begin with him, but I want to know. I want to know what's on his mind, what he's done, where he's been. Not in a sense that I'm some psychotic girlfriend or anything like that, but I think I deserve something. I think I've been fairly patient, considering the circumstances. I'm not a possessive person, but my self-esteem isn't always what I project it to be. I find it rather unjust and unfair that I've been left with this concern and these conflicting emotions. I find it amusing that I miss him. That looks wrong, but I've never missed someone before. I usually don't care what the men in my life do, and perhaps that is my problem. Elin assures me that it's all in my head, that I'm allowing my past experiences cloud my judgment, and that makes it all the worse. These emotions are causing trouble.

I'll ask him. I'm not someone to hide from what's bothering me. That won't further us, and that won't benefit me. I need answers, and so I'll get him - when I see him next. For now, I'll focus on something else. Freyja introduced me to someone - Marty. He seems cute - kind, too. It's strange, to meet someone from another family. I don't think we need another family, but she seems happy. I was unsure, at first, because of Nishaa. She, according to Freyja, is the one that adopted her. Freyja likes her, which is good enough for me, even if she did frighten me at first glance. One look from her, and I felt frozen - but Marty was the exact opposite. He was warm and open. Maybe I'll hit him up for another conversation. Maybe he can help me with... whatever this is. Freyja does her best, but she also handles me with kid gloves. She's too afraid of chasing me off, despite me telling her it would never happen. I'm not going anywhere, I have no choice. Even if I hated her, who would I turn to? She's the only one in this life that understands what I am and how to survive.

There's also something, something I'm almost reluctant to put to the paper in case someone finds this, but I feel like I need to so I have a record if anything should happen. I feel like someone is watching me, following me. It doesn't happen all the time, but a fair amount. It's just a sensation at the back of my neck, like if I turn around, someone will be standing there, staring - but when I do, the street or hall is empty. Is this another symptom if my insanity? Am I imagining being followed, or has someone really taken that much interest in me? I mean, I am noticeable. I'm vibrant, unique, and I know as far as looks god, I was graced - god, that sounds so conceited, maybe Freyja is rubbing off on me. That's not a good thing. Anyways, I'm enough to attract attention, but you would think that as a vampire, it'd be easier to discern who is doing the following.

--- Unless it's another vampire.

Now, that's a creepy thought. Maybe I shouldn't worry so much, though. I'm sure it's nothing, I'm sure it's juts another product of my anxiety, forcing my mind to feel things that normally wouldn't be an issue. No one is following me, nothing is wrong with Elighan, my businesses are fine, and I did not almost burn Myth down. Right? ... Right?

Oh, god. I need to go call Chasity and make sure my businesses are still standing.

[Caligrace]

March 15, 2016

I finally hit the breaking point.

I have one rule in my clubs - respect. Respect the women, respect the men, the workers, the dancers - even the cleaning crew. It shouldn’t be that difficult, and yet, there are some people that think they are entitled to anything they desire. Last night, a couple came in, and instantly alarm bells went off. The woman seemed so skittish, so unsure of herself. Every single time her partner bent down to speak to her, she flinched back and agreed. I’m not sure what possessed me to do it, but instead of allowing Hope to take their order - I did it. When the woman ordered a Hurricane, the man literally laughed at her and said she’d have water. I had to bite my tongue to tell him that this was a bar. If she wanted alcohol, she could have alcohol - but it wasn’t my place, so I just smiled and brought his scotch on the rocks and her water. She looked so pitiful, and yet, she was catching the eye of nearly every single man in the club. I wasn’t surprised, really. My men are protective, ferocious beasts - and she was a beautiful, fragile, broken bird. It wouldn’t be long.

No sooner had I turned from delivering their drinks, did everything fall apart. I had barely stepped away when I felt a crack against my ***. ‘You see, Cheyenne, this is how a woman should look.’ I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. His girlfriend was gorgeous, even if she couldn’t lift her eyes from the table. ‘I want you to think of her body the next time you try to eat an extra order of fries and waste our money on your fat self.’ I couldn’t stand the tears, and when he laughed, I snapped. Before I knew what had happened, the metal tray in my hand was smashed into his face and he went flying. I had hit him hard enough that he had landed against the wall behind him, but he was still talking. ‘You *****, what the **** is your problem?’ I knew when he began to stand, I was going to have a fight on my hands. Thankfully, it wasn’t going to be with me.

He had the audacity to try and take a swing at me, but the blow was caught by Slick. When I saw him and Knight, I knew that it was time to get out of there. They would handle it, and I had to deal with the screaming girlfriend. She had the classic abused woman act going on, her nails clawing at Slick’s arm as she tried to pull him off of her boyfriend. However, it didn’t take me too long to pry her off of him, and I lead her to the VIP section. She was a mess, her face smeared with her make-up and her hair in tangles. In a matter of minutes, though, she was calm - and I had her tucked into a cab with Elin. I haven’t seen either of them since, but Elin assured me over text that she was getting her settled. Apparently, she’d been trying to leave Charles for a while, but he always bullied her into staying. I’m not sure what changed last night, but Freyja told me it might have something to do with my ability to manipulate the people around me.

I hope that isn’t the case. I would never want to take someone’s free will. It has happened to me far too many times, and the thought that I could do it to someone else sickens me. I guess I shouldn’t be so surprised, though. I do have Elin. We were best friends before I was turned, but the way she jumps to my bidding without so much as an argument hasn’t been missed. Thankfully, she’s retained some of her bite, and she isn’t too much the willing ‘slave.’ Oh, I guess I should mention that Charles is alive, despite the broken nose and fracture in his skull - or the broken arm, broken ribs and according to Slick, he’ll be unable to ‘perform’ for quite some time. I made sure that they deposited him at the nearest hospital. I’m not worried about them questioning how a five foot three ‘bartender’ was able to crack the skull of a man twice her size, after the way the boys handled him. It’d be too difficult to determine who landed which blow. Knight told me that I had nothing to worry about, and I’m certain he’s right. After all, they all seem to fall under the radar when anything happens. It makes sense that I would be safe.

It still doesn’t save me from myself, though. I’ve always had a problem with my temper, but I’ve never been violent. Now I’m killing vampires in alleys, throwing champagne on dates, and crushing the face of abusers? This isn’t me, and I worry for my sanity, even if everyone else seems more than willing to accept it. They never knew me before this life. They never knew that I would break for a bird in the highway before risking its life. I’m not sure what I’m going to do, but I can’t think too much on it right now. There’s going to be no quick and easy solution, and I’ll just stress myself out.

I saw Elighan, and I have to say, I’m… pleased. No, pleased isn’t the right word. I’m not sure what is the right word, but lord, can that man kiss. I’ve never had someone shake me to my core with just their words. I usually feel nothing when I’m with someone, but just his kiss makes me forget my name. The way he talks to me - damn, there are no words. He is such a gentleman most of the time, but those moments when he gives in to his baser instincts are amazing. Elin doesn’t believe me when I tell her we haven’t slept together yet. She doesn’t believe that a man can look at me the way he does and has restrained from ‘jumping my bones’, but he has, and I find it all the more endearing. He’s one of the good ones. I hope he doesn’t tire of me anytime soon. My track record isn’t grand, but he’s different. I can feel it. I still need answers, though. I just need to find the right time to ask.

Despite my reservations, I also joined Andras last night. Freyja has been patient, and I realized in that alone, that this was important to her. Usually, she would force my hand, but she was allowing me to come to my own conclusions. I’m so devoted to her and the life that she has given me, I realized how selfish I was being. This family matters to her, and it should matter to me, too. I needed to quit thinking about myself and for once, think about her. If she thought that they would be wrong for me, she never would have joined them. She would have lived alone before putting me in harms way or in a place I would feel uncomfortable. So, I went through the appropriate channels, and I have to admit, it’s not as bad as I thought it would be. There was no blood letting or sacrificing of unborn children. They, despite some of the things I’ve read, seem fairly normal. A little batty, but in this city, who isn’t? It’s been too soon to tell anything else, though. I’ve only been there a day.

I need to remember to text Jayden, as well. I’m trying not to be impatient, but I’m really looking forward to seeing what he creates. I knew Freyja is simply going to love it. It’s only been two days, and I’ll do my best not to rush him, but I want to know how it’s progressing. If I’m honest with myself, I think I just want to talk to him again. He was nice, and he was actually interested in what I had to say - not in what I looked like. When I brought him up to Elin, she thought I was trying to date someone else - but it was nothing like that, I know that for a fact. He seemed like he needed a friend, and I know I could use a few more in my life. Though, perhaps I should be careful. I wasn’t able to tell if he’s human or not, and I don’t want to bring him into the life only to risk him if he was. I’ll have to find a subtle way to bring it up, without risking life and limb by exposing myself.

I can’t think of anything else that I need to say tonigh-- oh. Apparently, Adelita is in Andras, as well. I saw her post, and I haven’t said anything to her. I’m not even sure she knows my name, and if she does, if she’d even want to speak to me. I hope that wouldn’t be the case. I can’t imagine her being possible friends with my sire, while I’m dating her childe, and us not being able to get along. I can smile and be nice, even with what Elighan told me about their time together. Maybe she was out of control - I mean, I’m beginning to understand that more and more each day. I don’t know, I wasn’t there. I guess we’ll see what happens. Until then, I need to get back to work. Thankfully, the incident with Charles didn’t hurt business.