Saturday Spankings - Pat's back

Welcome to Saturday Spankings! In today’s snippet from Suspicions on the River, Jenny is in a tizzy. She had helped Lane clean out the treehouse and then had a water balloon fight with Ryder and his friend. It was in this state, dirty, wet and messy that she is introduced to Cal’s old girlfriend Pat. Recently divorced, Pat eagerly tells Jenny about having lunch with Cal. Back home Jenny can’t help her swirling thoughts.

Should you get lost on who’s who, go back to this post for help.

Why didn’t he tell me he had lunch with her? Was it only one lunch? He’s downtown all the time – has he been to her place? Thoughts she didn’t want were coming at her at a furious speed.

Cal had mentioned Pat over the years, but nothing he’d said had caused her to feel any jealousy until now. Now she’d seen her. She was stunning. In a contest she would win every category from beauty to poise. Elly and Lane had been thrilled to see her.

Jenny knew that Pat and Cal had dated for more than three years and had lived together for part of that time. Which of them had pushed for the breakup? She’d never thought she’d cared. Suddenly Jenny did care and wanted details. All she knew for sure was that Pat had married about six months after they’d called it quits. 

Now Pat was divorced. Ready to pick up where you left off? Forget it bitch!

Jenny began cleaning her already clean house with a vengeance, but it did nothing to ease her fury. When she heard Cal coming in, she only got angrier. Why didn’t he tell me? Usually, she went to greet him in the bedroom when he locked away his gun. But today she stayed in the kitchen.

“Jenny, you here?” he called as he left the bedroom. She didn’t answer and he looked at her curiously as he went into the great room and saw her in the kitchen. “What’s the matter?” he asked.

“Nothing.”

He watched her a minute. “Jenny, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” she repeated. “Just leave me alone.”

“Jenny…”

“I don’t want to talk about it!” she yelled.

“Do you want some help with supper?” he tried again.

Jenny went on chopping vegetables for the salad and didn’t answer. 

“Okay, take your time,” Cal told her, “but we’re going to talk soon. I’m sorry you’re so upset. I wish you’d tell me why.”

Cal was about to take a seat in his chair when he felt a heavy blow to his back.

“What the hell!” Cal reached down to pick up the large baking potato Jenny had thrown at him.

“Fix your own damn supper!” she stormed, as she ran from the house.

Suspicions on the River, 

Book Three

(a Cassie’s family story)

Cal and Jenny have a nearly idyllic marriage. There are rare trips across his lap for minor problems, but most of those trips are just for fun. Could that be changing? Pat, Cal’s former lover, has moved back to town and she wouldn’t mind giving it another try with Cal. She feels he can’t be serious about this little twit that he married so quickly. Pat feels that once Cal realizes she offers him a better option, he’ll choose her. But soon mysterious things begin happening to Pat. Is someone trying to run her out of town? Could that someone be Jenny?

Cassie and the whole river family try to keep Jenny occupied and out of trouble, but suspicions just go from bad to worse. Both Jenny and Pat want Cal and they’re willing to fight for him. How dirty will this fight get?

 Cassie’s Space series

 

These ten books introduce Cassie. She is my friend and has been since she wandered into my imagination fifty-four years ago. She is married to Tom, the man who loves her in a way that makes my heart nearly burst with happiness for the two of them. He loves her, guides her, protects her and when necessary, spanks the fool out of her. I’ve been told that their adventures are exciting, funny and realistic. Their love-life is passionate and fulfilling – but you’ll hear no graphic details, Cassie is a lady and giving too much detail would not be proper.

Cal’s Law series

 

Cal and Jenny are one of my younger couple. The spanking in their relationship began mere minutes after they met, and Cal hasn’t let up much since. There relationship has it’s struggles, but these two are meant to be together. They live in the same town as Cassie and Tom and there is a lot of interactions among the character of both series. Jenny is not as reluctant as Cassie to openly discuss her sex life, so you’ll find a little more spice in this series.

 

On the River series

 

In this, my latest series, everyone is around – all the characters I’ve grown to love over the years are living on the area of the river that they call The Landing. Their lives, their adventures, even their spankings sometimes intertwine. By this time in the series, I’m just typing as my characters tell me what’s happening. And I love it!

These books do take you through time as it passes, but please don’t think you have to read them in order. Start anywhere. Just grab one and give it a try. If you are a spanking enthusiast, I know you'll enjoy it.

 

I’ll close today with a review on the latest book. This is one of the finest reviews I’ve ever had. 

 

Starting with the first Cassie book until now, I have never been disappointed or failed to wait expectantly for the next one.

And, of course, the links -

Cal's Law series

Cal's Law

Becoming Family

Educating Jenny

Searching for Home

On the River series

      On the River (book one)

     Secrets on the River (book two)

     Suspicions on the River (book three)

 Undercurrents on the River (book four)

   

 Family on the River (book five)  

 Sunset on the River (book six)

Saturday Spankings - A new spark

Welcome to Saturday Spankings! Today we’re diving into Suspicions on the River. Sophie, at fourteen, is happy about spending her summer on The Landing. She enjoys the older women and she also loves the idea of babysitting Christian and playing with Willow, Cassie’s Golden Retriever. But at her first breakfast gathering she spots something else that might make her summer even more interesting.

Should you get lost on who’s who, go back to this post for help.

Everyone looked up as Sophie spotted someone getting into a truck in Allie’s driveway and asked with definite interest, “Who’s that?”

“Which one are you asking about?” Jenny teased.

“Well I know Henry and Ryan,” Sophie said with exasperation. “But who’s the hot one?”

“Are you saying Ryan’s not hot? And Lily would tell you right now that Henry’s hot too,” Allie said.

Sophie rolled her eyes. “Is anyone gonna tell me?” she questioned.

“That fine-looking young man is my nephew Ryder. He’s working with Ryan this summer,” Jenny told her. Allie’s husband, Ryan, had a lawn maintenance and design business which he ran with Lily’s husband. Henry was in charge of the books and he also helped keep all of the equipment in running order. Ryan spent as much time as he could on the design end of the business and they usually hired a few teenagers during the summer for general lawn mowing and maintenance. With both Ryan and Henry around as supervisors, the business was thriving.

“How old is he?” Sophie asked. She watched as all three men got in the truck and drove away.

“He’s sixteen,” Jenny told her.

“Wow, he looks older,” Sophie remarked as the truck pulled away.

“Probably because he’s tall,” Jenny agreed. “He’s a good guy. He’s my favorite of all my nieces and nephews. But his younger brother Marvin is a little shit.”

“You better shush that talk,” Lily spoke sharply from the doorway. Everyone laughed.

“Lily, I swear you could hear a pin drop in the next town! Sophie’s fourteen, I’m sure she’s heard the word. And she already said she knows what not to repeat,” Jenny complained.

“Then maybe she teach you the same thin’ this summer,” Lily commented.

Jenny ignored her and turned back to Sophie. “I’ll introduce you two soon. He’ll probably be around a lot.”

Suspicions on the River, 

Book Three

(a Cassie’s family story)

Cal and Jenny have a nearly idyllic marriage. There are rare trips across his lap for minor problems, but most of those trips are just for fun. Could that be changing? Pat, Cal’s former lover, has moved back to town and she wouldn’t mind giving it another try with Cal. She feels he can’t be serious about this little twit that he married so quickly. Pat feels that once Cal realizes she offers him a better option, he’ll choose her. But soon mysterious things begin happening to Pat. Is someone trying to run her out of town? Could that someone be Jenny?

Cassie and the whole river family try to keep Jenny occupied and out of trouble, but suspicions just go from bad to worse. Both Jenny and Pat want Cal and they’re willing to fight for him. How dirty will this fight get?

 Cassie’s Space series

 

These ten books introduce Cassie. She is my friend and has been since she wandered into my imagination fifty-four years ago. She is married to Tom, the man who loves her in a way that makes my heart nearly burst with happiness for the two of them. He loves her, guides her, protects her and when necessary, spanks the fool out of her. I’ve been told that their adventures are exciting, funny and realistic. Their love-life is passionate and fulfilling – but you’ll hear no graphic details, Cassie is a lady and giving too much detail would not be proper.

Cal’s Law series

 

Cal and Jenny are one of my younger couple. The spanking in their relationship began mere minutes after they met, and Cal hasn’t let up much since. There relationship has it’s struggles, but these two are meant to be together. They live in the same town as Cassie and Tom and there is a lot of interactions among the character of both series. Jenny is not as reluctant as Cassie to openly discuss her sex life, so you’ll find a little more spice in this series.

 

On the River series

 

In this, my latest series, everyone is around – all the characters I’ve grown to love over the years are living on the area of the river that they call The Landing. Their lives, their adventures, even their spankings sometimes intertwine. By this time in the series, I’m just typing as my characters tell me what’s happening. And I love it!

These books do take you through time as it passes, but please don’t think you have to read them in order. Start anywhere. Just grab one and give it a try. If you are a spanking enthusiast, I know you'll enjoy it.

 

I’ll close today with a review on the latest book. This is one of the finest reviews I’ve ever had. 

 

Starting with the first Cassie book until now, I have never been disappointed or failed to wait expectantly for the next one.

And, of course, the links -

Cal's Law series

Cal's Law

Becoming Family

Educating Jenny

Searching for Home

On the River series

      On the River (book one)

     Secrets on the River (book two)

     Suspicions on the River (book three)

 Undercurrents on the River (book four)

   

 Family on the River (book five)  

 Sunset on the River (book six)

Saturday Spankings - Suspicions on the River

Welcome to Saturday Spankings. Today I’m beginning snippets from the next book in the series, Suspicions on the River. If you’re taking your time to come here and read let me explain that my posts for Saturday Spankings are a bit different. They won’t always contain spankings – I’m trying to promote my books and my books are a mixture of family, friends, spanking and humor. I try to show the tone of my books. I know my ‘snippets’ are sometimes too long and I’ll try to work on that. I know everyone is busy. But as this snippet starts off the book it’s a little long to help you know who everyone is. But I promise there are plenty of spankings to come.

Not wanting to wake him, Lily gave her husband, Henry, a gentle kiss just before leaving their apartment and stepping into the main kitchen of the house. She had just taken her first sip of coffee when Sophie joined her. 

“Law, child. What you doin’ up this time of the mornin’? It’s your first day of vacation. I figured you be sleepin’ late.”

Sophie laughed. “No way! I’ve been dreaming of being back here at The Landing since last summer. I don’t want to waste any of it sleeping.”

Lily smiled at Miss Annie’s great-grand daughter. Everyone had been surprised nearly two years ago when Annie’s daughter, given up at birth, had found Annie and contacted her. Annie herself had been the most surprised and delighted to meet her daughter, granddaughter and of course, Sophie her great-granddaughter. All these women looked nearly identical and Sophie, at age fourteen, already showed signs of great beauty. Her thick curly dark hair was pulled back from her face. And her dark, almost black, eyes snapped with happy excitement at being back on The Landing.

“Two weeks went by so fast last summer. But now, getting to spend the whole summer here! I’m just too excited to sleep anyway.”

“I ‘preciate the company,” Lily told her. “You want some juice? I can start you some breakfast in a minute.”

“Can I have some coffee? I don’t want anything to eat yet.”

“Your mama let you drink coffee?” Lily asked suspiciously.

“Sometimes,” Sophie hedged.

Lily laughed and poured her a cup, letting her doctor it the way she wanted.

“Miss Lily, can… may I asked you some questions?”

“Sure can. What y’all want to know, honey?” Lily sat at the island next to Sophie.

“I guess I should have learned all this last summer but I felt funny asking too many questions. Everyone at The Landing is ‘family’” she said using air quotes. “But is anyone? I mean Greatmom and Cassie and Sue talk about being sisters, but they aren’t really, are they?”

“Well, yes and no,” Lily told her. “They ain’t got the same mama and daddy. But they got the bond of sisters. They all met when they wasn’t much older than y’all are now. Them women been through a lot together and that makes ‘em family.”

“Sounds good to me,” Sophie agreed. “Now I know you and Mr. Henry live here in Greatmom and Granddad’s house, but in your own little apartment. You work at all three houses, right?” 

“I do, I look after Miss Annie and Mr. Andy and Missy and Miss Priss and their menfolk, too.”

Sophie grinned, “Why do you call Cassie and Sue, ‘Missy’ and ‘Miss Priss’?”

“Oh it just seem to suit ‘em. They can be rascals, you know.”

Not able to picture the old women as rascals, Sophie laughed. 

“You wait and see,” Lily told her.

“Okay. Back to my questions. Cassie and Tom live in the next house downriver, then Ryan and Allie and Christian are in the next house, right? And Ryan is Cassie and Tom’s son.”

“Right,” Lily nodded.

“But,” Sophie asked hesitantly, “is Ryan adopted? I thought I heard something about that last summer, but I didn’t want to ask.”

“He is,” Lily nodded. “But they didn’t ‘dopt him until he was growed-up. ‘Fore that he was just the boy who mowed their yard. But they all got real close and when somethin’ happened ‘tween him and his daddy, Missy and Mr. Tom decided to ‘dopt him. 

“Allie was ‘bout sixteen when Missy and Mr. Tom moved here and when Ryan started coming to work in their yard, him and Allie fell in love.”

“Well, that’s romantic, falling in love with the boy next door. Doesn’t Allie have a brother that plays for the Charlotte Hornets? Isn’t his name Drew? I love basketball! I want to meet him this summer. Does he ever come here?” 

“Him and Jackson are mighty busy. So there not here as much as we wish they were. 

“Who’s Jackson?”

“Jackson’s Henry’s boy. He and Drew got together when me and Henry got married.”

“They’re a couple?” Sophie asked, seeming somewhat startled.

For the first time, Lily felt uncomfortable. No one living at The Landing gave Drew and Jackson being a couple a second thought, but this was a young girl. Not having any idea how the child had been raised or her feelings along these lines, Lily wasn’t sure exactly what to say. So she just nodded. Finally, she asked, “That bother you?”

Sophie looked solemn. “You mean because they’re a bi-racial couple?”

Now it was Lily’s turn to be startled. “No. I meant … I thought ‘cause…”

Sophie let Lily fumble around for a moment longer before she began laughing. “Lily, you’re so funny! Black, white, gay, straight – nobody cares about those things anymore. I like being bi-racial, it makes me feel special. My best friend is black and her moms are a bi-racial lesbian couple. It all seems normal to me.”

Lily laughed along with Sophie. “Well, that’s the way we all feel ‘round here,” Lily told her, wishing she could agree with the child that no one cared about those things anymore.

“Okay, I just have a couple more questions. Still going downriver, the house after Allie and Ryan’s is Sue and Steve’s house. And then the last one belongs to Jenny and Cal. Did they ever get their house finished or are they still living in the cabin?” 

“They got a real nice house built. Finest sittin’ porch I ever saw. They took they time buildin’ too. Cal’s daddy and his brothers did a lot o’ the work. But they been in it for a couple months now,” Lily told the girl.

“Cal’s the sheriff isn’t he?”

“He is. He the youngest sheriff they ever ‘lected ‘round these parts. He only in his early thirties.”

That didn’t sound very young to Sophie, but she didn’t say that. “Okay, last question – for the moment – I know Jenny calls Cassie ‘Mom’ but Cassie’s not her real mom, is she?”

Lily laughed again. “That’s another one of them yes and no questions. Jenny’s real mama ain’t a very nice person. She real ugly to Jenny when she was growin’ up. Didn’t want her to marry Cal. It was a real mess for a while and Jenny don’t have no more to do with ‘em. And though it was a long time ago, Missy’s mama and daddy was the same way. So she understand Jenny pretty well and they kinda ‘dopted one another. Jenny calls Missy ‘Mom’ and I know Missy love her like a daughter.”

“That’s cool.” Sophie sat thinking. “So everybody on The Landing is family – but not many are really blood kin, right?”

Lily smiled as she thought. “I guess they ain’t much at that. Course you got baby Christian and his mama and daddy, Allie and her brother Drew. And you and Miss Annie, of course.”

“You mean I’m part of The Landing family too?” Sophie asked, feeling pleased.

Lily smiled and put her hand on Sophie’s shiny hair. “Oh child, you better know it.”

Suspicions on the River, 

Book Three

(a Cassie’s family story)

Cal and Jenny have a nearly idyllic marriage. There are rare trips across his lap for minor problems, but most of those trips are just for fun. Could that be changing? Pat, Cal’s former lover, has moved back to town and she wouldn’t mind giving it another try with Cal. She feels he can’t be serious about this little twit that he married so quickly. Pat feels that once Cal realizes she offers him a better option, he’ll choose her. But soon mysterious things begin happening to Pat. Is someone trying to run her out of town? Could that someone be Jenny?

Cassie and the whole river family try to keep Jenny occupied and out of trouble, but suspicions just go from bad to worse. Both Jenny and Pat want Cal and they’re willing to fight for him. How dirty will this fight get?

 Cassie’s Space series

 

These ten books introduce Cassie. She is my friend and has been since she wandered into my imagination fifty-four years ago. She is married to Tom, the man who loves her in a way that makes my heart nearly burst with happiness for the two of them. He loves her, guides her, protects her and when necessary, spanks the fool out of her. I’ve been told that their adventures are exciting, funny and realistic. Their love-life is passionate and fulfilling – but you’ll hear no graphic details, Cassie is a lady and giving too much detail would not be proper.

Cal’s Law series

 

Cal and Jenny are one of my younger couple. The spanking in their relationship began mere minutes after they met, and Cal hasn’t let up much since. There relationship has it’s struggles, but these two are meant to be together. They live in the same town as Cassie and Tom and there is a lot of interactions among the character of both series. Jenny is not as reluctant as Cassie to openly discuss her sex life, so you’ll find a little more spice in this series.

 

On the River series

 

In this, my latest series, everyone is around – all the characters I’ve grown to love over the years are living on the area of the river that they call The Landing. Their lives, their adventures, even their spankings sometimes intertwine. By this time in the series, I’m just typing as my characters tell me what’s happening. And I love it!

These books do take you through time as it passes, but please don’t think you have to read them in order. Start anywhere. Just grab one and give it a try. If you are a spanking enthusiast, I know you'll enjoy it.

 

I’ll close today with a review on the latest book. This is one of the finest reviews I’ve ever had. 

 

Starting with the first Cassie book until now, I have never been disappointed or failed to wait expectantly for the next one.

And, of course, the links -

Cal's Law series

Cal's Law

Becoming Family

Educating Jenny

Searching for Home

On the River series

      On the River (book one)

     Secrets on the River (book two)

     Suspicions on the River (book three)

 Undercurrents on the River (book four)

   

 Family on the River (book five)  

 Sunset on the River (book six)

Saturday Spankings - All's well ...

Welcome to Saturday Spankings. We’ve come to the end of Secrets on the River. Allie, having gone into labor on the boat, delivered the child with Jenny’s help. Now they’re safely back home.

Cassie sat in the chair Ryan had vacated. She held the baby watching his tiny face in awe. He was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. 

“Christian Thomas,” she said softly. “I’m your grandma.” At the sound of her voice the baby opened his eyes. He seemed to stare at Cassie a moment before closing them again. She touched the baby’s cheek and was surprised that he turned toward the touch and began moving his mouth.

“Looks like he’s ready to try nursing,” Ruth told the gathered group. “And I’m going to need to check Allie. If you’ll all step out you can come back in just a minute.”

Ruth came to tell them that they could go back in. Sue and Steve beamed when they saw the little one but declined to hold him. “Not this little,” Sue told them. “Soon, but not tonight.” She paused a moment before giving Allie a piercing look. “You promised me. You swore!”

Allie laughed. “I’m sorry, Sue! I had no idea. I promise we’ll have the boat professionally cleaned.”

Sue rolled her eyes, as she spoke sarcastically, “Oh good! That’s been my biggest worry all afternoon! I’ll tell you one thing—you are not allowed back on my boat for a full nine and a half months anytime you and Ryan have sex! I’m taking no chances!”

~~

Sue hugged Cassie as they left and whispered in her ear. “That’s the best baby I’ve ever seen!”

Cassie beamed back at her. “Do you want to call Annie and Lily or Drew?” she asked.

“I’ll call my boy,” Sue answered. “You call the girls.”

Cassie nodded. Tom took her hand and they walked slowly back to their house. “I’m so tired,” Cassie moaned. “And all I did was sit and hold Allie’s hand! I don’t know how those girls managed.”

“I’ll fix us something to eat,” Tom offered. “You go curl up on the couch.”

“That sounds great,” she agreed, “but I need to call Annie with the news.” She pulled her phone out and sat at the kitchen island. As soon as Annie answered Cassie asked, “Is Lily with you? No,” she went on, “just put it on speaker.

“I just wanted you two to know that we now have a grandson, Christian Thomas!”

Cassie grinned at the bits of sentences she was hearing on the other end of the phone call.

“It’s here? A boy! When was he born?”

And from Lily, “Sweet Jesus! How everybody doin’?”

“Allie and Ryan are fine and the baby is perfect—ten fingers, ten toes and dark hair. And he weighed in at six pounds, two ounces! Twenty-one inches long. Allie says everyone can come tomorrow afternoon.

“Okay, we’ll try to wait but it’s going to be hard,” Annie told her. “We’ll let you go now, but tell me, were you with her for the birth?”

“Well… Allie wanted to go out on the boat, so we all did.” Cassie increased the speed of her words managing to get the rest out in nearly one breath. “Then she went into the fastest labor known to mankind and we were past the bridge and the boat wouldn’t start and she had the baby before we could get back to the house and Jenny delivered him. Talk to you more tomorrow. Bye!” And with a wicked grin she hung up.

“Cassie Jane! That was cruel,” Tom scolded. “Shame on you.” He gave her a swift pop on the butt sending her toward the living room. She snuggled into a corner of the couch still chuckling to herself.

A few minutes later, when Tom brought her a sandwich and a glass of wine, she was sound asleep.

Cassie woke a half hour later, shaking her head and stretching, trying to come fully awake. She told Tom, “I needed that.”

“Good,” Tom replied. “Now eat something and tell me everything. I want a bit more detail than you gave Annie and Lily.”

So as they ate, Cassie gave him a blow by blow of the whole afternoon. “It was amazing, terrifying, thrilling…” she concluded. “I don’t think I’ll ever forget Christian’s birthday.”

“I was sitting here thinking while you were sleeping. I’m a grandfather—a grandfather!  Tom placed his hand over hers. “There is one new experience I’m particularly looking forward to,” he told her.

“What’s that, my love?” she asked.

“I’ve never before in my entire life been intimate with a grandma. I bet that will be interesting.”

Cassie stood and held her hand out to Tom. “Then you shouldn’t have to wait any longer.”

Everyone has secrets, but most don’t have major implications. When Jenny tries to keep her weekend activities from Cal, the repercussions of him finding out land only on her. But some secrets are bigger and more far reaching. You would think that as long as Cassie, Sue and Annie have known each other, surely they could have no real secrets from one another. But you’d be surprised. The full truth behind one secret may never be known, another could change the face of The Landing forever.

From steamy sex to both playful and painful spankings, the people on the river continue to live and love and marvel at all that are learning.

Cassie’s Space series

 Cassie’s Space series

 

These ten books introduce Cassie. She is my friend and has been since she wandered into my imagination fifty-four years ago. She is married to Tom, the man who loves her in a way that makes my heart nearly burst with happiness for the two of them. He loves her, guides her, protects her and when necessary, spanks the fool out of her. I’ve been told that their adventures are exciting, funny and realistic. Their love-life is passionate and fulfilling – but you’ll hear no graphic details, Cassie is a lady and giving too much detail would not be proper.

Cal’s Law series

 

Cal and Jenny are one of my younger couple. The spanking in their relationship began mere minutes after they met, and Cal hasn’t let up much since. There relationship has it’s struggles, but these two are meant to be together. They live in the same town as Cassie and Tom and there is a lot of interactions among the character of both series. Jenny is not as reluctant as Cassie to openly discuss her sex life, so you’ll find a little more spice in this series.

 

On the River series

 

In this, my latest series, everyone is around – all the characters I’ve grown to love over the years are living on the area of the river that they call The Landing. Their lives, their adventures, even their spankings sometimes intertwine. By this time in the series, I’m just typing as my characters tell me what’s happening. And I love it!

These books do take you through time as it passes, but please don’t think you have to read them in order. Start anywhere. Just grab one and give it a try. If you are a spanking enthusiast, I know you'll enjoy it.

 

I’ll close today with a review on the latest book. This is one of the finest reviews I’ve ever had. 

 

Starting with the first Cassie book until now, I have never been disappointed or failed to wait expectantly for the next one.

And, of course, the links -

On the River series

      On the River (book one)

     Secrets on the River (book two)

     Suspicions on the River (book three)

 Undercurrents on the River (book four)

   

 Family on the River (book five)  

 Sunset on the River (book six)

I hope to have the Cal's Law series back up soon. And then the books that truly hold my heart - The Cassie Space series not long after.