Coming of Age

The Prelude to Goodbye

AJ – “You know how to flatter a boy. I’ll consider the fab four’s proposal of playing with AJ Jr. and let you know. Are we good?”

The musketeers – “Always”

AJ made his way home to spend a few hours with the family before they all headed home. They talked, had a light lunch and shared stories of the family, not all included Syd but it was a good time to heal and reflect. AJ was doing well on the outside but he was running from the black hole that was threatening to swallow his heart. Nanny, Gran and Gina all noticed the outward joy in AJ’s voice and the despair in his eyes. They were joining forces in the corner and AJ did not miss any of the huddles that occurred over the few hours that the family hung around AJ’s place.

The siblings with children all headed out earlier to make certain they were home in plenty of time to get ready for school so they would miss only one day. Which they all gladly did for their brother/uncle/friend. Amanda and Chandler were just 3 and 4 years younger than AJ closer in age than any of AJ’s siblings. They made sure that AJ knew they would be there for him no matter what and he had better call if he needed ANYTHING. He agreed under the penalty of torture – tickle that is. He truly loved these girls.

AJ finished up schoolwork and preparations for the fall semester. He picked up Syd’s ashes from the funeral home and coordinated with Charlene for the service on the 14th of May on Mercer Island, which would be simple, understated and elegant just like his lovely wife. Three photos were selected – one of just Syd, one of Syd and AJ and then the family photo that had been floated down the river. Everything was ready that AJ was dealing with, Charlene and Gran were handling the catering for the after-service get-together at Charlene and Elliot’s. Elliot had the boat ready for AJ to take out on the lake – AJ and the boys would be staying with Gran for 2 weeks and going out on the lake on Syd’s birthday to spread the other portion of her ashes. He was going against her wishes on this one – Charlene, Elliot, Gran, Pops, Mama, Nanny, Conor and Caleb would be joining AJ, this would be their last goodbye.

With everything set, he had the kids packed and ready to leave on Thursday, they would spend 4 or 5 days with his parents and then over to Gran’s. AJ spending the time with Gran had been a source of frustration with Elliot and Charlene but AJ could not spend the night in Syd’s room without her, it was him nothing more, nothing less he was just not ready.

Trav, Jer, Chase, Brett, Brent and Steve were all over on Wednesday night for dinner and beers, which were technically illegal for AJ, Chase and Brett but there were no cops invited so beers were on hand. As they were sitting down to burgers, dogs, chips and beer there was a knock at the door, Chase went to answer –

Chase – “hide the beers, popo is here…”

Scott – “Chase, up against the wall and spread em’

Brett yelled from the table – “Chase that doesn’t mean you drop your drawers and push your ass out.”

Chase – “fuck you.”

Brett – “no I think that is what popo may have in mind but you aren’t Skeeter.”

AJ looked at Brett with a puzzled look on his face. He was certain that Brett was losing his mind and just being an ass – “Steve, does your boyfriend ever get his mind above everyone’s crotch area?”

Steve leaned in and whispered to AJ – “I’m not sure he is to far off on this one. He is around a lot and he does follow you with his eyes all the time.”

AJ growled – “you’re a fucking moron too, I’m straight and so is he.”

Steve chuckled – “you’re an idiot, you didn’t tell us no when we propositioned you to suck your dick so on the Kinsey scale you aren’t strictly straight my friend.”

As Chase and Scott walked into the dining area, Chase was offering up a plate and a place to sit. Scott was telling Chase that he needed nicer friends that didn’t always disparage his virtue. Brent heard that comment and laughed loudly and choked on his dog.

Brett smiled – “Chase, me thinks Brent is questioning your virtue while he chokes on a wiener.”

Everyone around the table laughed loudly at that comment and Brent turned bright red at the implication. He flipped Brett off and continued eating. Trav and Jer who were oblivious to the conversation offered Scott a chair and would not take no for an answer, he wasn’t in uniform and appeared to have something in his hands for AJ.

Trav – “look honey, the popo has a gift. I wonder if it is for my boyfriend, Scott are you hitting on my man?”

So Trav was not so oblivious to the conversation. Scott turned three shades of red and handed the package to AJ – “this was on the porch and I thought I would bring it in for you and not leave it out there.”

AJ – “Thank you and don’t mind the inmates, they think everyone should be at least ‘bi’ on the kinsey scale. There are 4 gays, 2 bis and one confused sitting at this table. When you sit down, we’ll have at least 1 straight.”

Jer mused – “Looking at Scott I would say he is either confused or bi category but that is just my observation no actual facts to support.”

AJ – “Would you all just drop the rantings, not everyone you run across is confused, bi or gay.”

Chase – “Well until this past week you were in the ‘straight’ category but I do agree with AJ, labels are for idiots. We need to get to a point where love is love and attraction is attraction, not a label you carry around with you.”

AJ – “Scott what brings you by?”

Scott – “Shit I’m sorry, the intellectual banter of 7 college students had me distracted. Maureen asked me to drop this other package off for you and the boys. She was upset that she could not make the memorial but knew you and the boys would be going through a roller coaster of emotions. It’s just a small gift.”

AJ opened the gift. It was beautiful and he knew instantly what it was. He thanked Scott and asked him to make sure that he passed his appreciation on to Maureen. Trav was watching Scott closely and was convinced the gift was from Scott. He was also pretty sure that Scott was falling for AJ even though he was set to be married in August.

Trav – “AJ, what is it?”

Scott started to answer but AJ stopped him. AJ – “Thank you both so much the Triskelion. Trav it is the Irish symbol for family. It is a metal medallion with a stand that we can display. It has Syd’s name as well as mine and the boys around the edge. It’s perfect.”

Trav and the others were watching the exchange intently. They all were convinced that there was more behind the gift from Scott than AJ realized. He was oblivious to all things related to the attractions he brought out in others. It was one of AJ’s best qualities – humble to a fault and one of the reasons Trav was attracted to him as well. He had seen the look Scott was giving AJ in many a suitor’s eyes – male and female when it came to AJ. Trav was interested in a friend with benefits relationship not a long-term love and he was afraid that Scott was falling in the latter category. He saw this ending badly for Scott.

The guys ate, talked and had a great time but it was clear to everyone but AJ there was more going on than meets the eye. Trav was hit upside the head with a thought – AJ knew that he, Jer and Craig all had crushes on him so maybe he is seeing this in Scott as well. Trav shook his head and thought to himself ‘I need to stay out of this and just be the same friend to AJ that I always have been don’t meddle.’

The night wrapped up and everyone left except Trav who was riding with AJ to his parents’ house so he could finalize the preparation for the wedding in two weeks. The boys were in bed and Trav asked where the sheets for the guest bed were, AJ responded there in the hall closet but it would be less work for me when I get back if you just rack with me. They got ready for bed and crawled in the king-sized bed for the night. Trav laid there staring at the ceiling debating whether to talk with AJ about his thoughts on one Officer Scott Reed. He decided to broach the subject – “Skeet, what do you think about Scott?” No reply, he rolled over and leaned in to see if AJ was awake and to Trav’s astonishment he was sound asleep. Ok then off to sleep.

When Trav woke up, he realized he was being spooned from behind and wrapped snugly into a still sleeping AJ. He tried to get out of AJ’s grasp and everything he did seemed to have the opposite effect; he was being held tighter and AJ’s enormous and fully aroused cock was pressed tightly into Trav’s ass crack. The more AJ ground into him, the more aroused he himself became. He decided he need to wake AJ up but was unsure how best to do that without getting that huge monster wedged into his ass along with his boxer briefs.

Eventually, he was able to get his friend to wake up and AJ was mortified when he finally came to. AJ apologized profusely but Trav convinced him it was no big deal and that it was much like stroking AJ’s cock in the truck. AJ confessed it wasn’t that he was all that embarrassed about what happened it was more why – he had a dream about Scott which was wigging him big time. Trav chuckled “first it’s not a big deal, second who were you dreaming about big boy?”

AJ shook his head to clear his addled brain – “It was an erotic dream about Syd. I’m really sorry.”

Trav – “AJ seriously it’s not a big deal.” Trav grabbed AJ’s hand and placed it on his mostly hard dick. “See I was not turned off by you manhandling me, quite the opposite, I was just trying to get out of bed so you would not wig out about it.”

Trav hugged AJ and said that they needed to get on the road “let’s get the boys fed and out into your Pops’ Tahoe. When do you get your new ride as your bee isn’t going to be good to haul the boys around?”

AJ – “Pops is handling that with our agent, I should have my own Tahoe when we get home.”

The guys grabbed the boys, changed diapers, got them dressed, fed and in the car for the drive to Chelan where AJ and his family live. Trav would get a lift back to Wenatchee from the Memorial Service with Chase.

The few days in Chelan were good for AJ, Conor and Caleb. They just relaxed and worked on finding a new rhythm, it helped that his family and Trav were there to help out. AJ worked out, played with the boys and helped out around the farm.

The first night they were at his parents’ home, Trav slipped into AJ’s room dropped his boxer briefs and slid in next to AJ. He had been prepping his ass for what he was going to try tonight. He wanted to be AJ’s first and he knew AJ was very large so he had practiced with a dildo he bought. Trav slid up next to AJ and cautiously woke him up with a kiss on the cheek and a small shake. AJ woke up with a start. “Trav what are you doing in my bed?”

Trav swallowed hard and snuggled up to AJ who realized Trav was naked – “AJ, I have wanted you since the water-skiing event before you joined the fraternity. I’m hoping you will let me play with you tonight as I really want to be your first. What’s wrong Skeeter? We don’t have to do anything if you aren’t up for it.”

AJ took a deep breath, it was time to jump off the cliff with his best friend – “Trav, I have something I have to tell you. So, bear with me as I get this out. When I was 13, I was still playing baseball and on a select team that would be traveling for the summer. That year we had an assistant coach that would be playing ball for USC in the fall and he would be helping us out with batting and fielding.”

Trav interrupted – “You mean – Oliver Jones? What a fucking prick. If it weren’t for my older brother, he would have raped me during a baseball camp.”

AJ was caught completely flat-footed.

Trav saw the fear in AJ’s eyes – “Oh shit he did rape you, didn’t he?”

AJ steeled himself as this is not how he saw this conversation going – “Trav, yes, he repeatedly raped me for 3 weeks. I quit baseball to get away from him. I became a sullen teenager and focused solely on working out and taking self-defense classes. It is also why I rarely drink to the point where I am not in control as I never want to be that vulnerable again. I enjoyed our groping in the truck and honestly had Jer asked instead of grabbing my cock I would have let him blow me. I just do not react well to anyone just trying to take what they want even if it is simply to get me off. I have crushed on you for years but was afraid to even broach it as I was not sure how I would react. I thought at first it was a wow this guy is kewl and he thinks I am a good kid but lately it is like I want to get naked and fuck you or suck each other off. I just don’t know if I can let someone ever top me given what has happened in the past. I probably need to see someone and get over it but…”

Trav leaned in and tentatively kissed AJ on the lips, AJ responded by leaning in and exploring Trav’s slightly parted lips. The two young men were kissing frantically and rubbing against one another. Trav panted – “can I take your shorts off? I want to feel your naked body on me.” AJ simply nodded and kissed Trav passionately again, rolling them over so AJ was on top of Trav. AJ and Trav were grinding into one another, AJ broke their kiss looked directly into his friend’s eyes and asked with all sincerity – “may I make love to you?” Trav just stared at AJ, he just nodded his head because he was so overwhelmed with emotion. 3 years of lusting after AJ and he was finally going to get to give himself to him totally.

AJ took his time kissing, nibbling and biting his way down Trav’s body. He was looking for what turned him on and those things that didn’t, he was using his likes and dislikes as a guide. Most of the things AJ liked were working on Trav – he found that when he kissed, licked and nibbled at Trav’s abdomen between his belly button and his hip bone Trav would come undone. He thrashed, swore and screamed into a pillow; AJ was enjoying giving his best friend so much pleasure. Since the time AJ started having sex, he realized he got way more pleasure making certain his partners had multiple orgasms while he edged himself to the brink throughout his lovemaking sessions. AJ had never had sex, to have sex it always had an emotional attachment to it or he wasn’t interested and with Trav they had been doing a dance for years each thinking the other wasn’t interested.

Both young men were beating themselves up that they should have been doing this since the camp-out on the river water-skiing. AJ had made his way down to Trav’s 8-inch cock and was just staring at it, memorizing every contour, vein and skin color change. He was slowly blowing hot air across Trav’s pulsing rod. AJ licked the slit of Trav’s cock and it sent Trav over the moon, he yelled loudly into the pillow and when he gained control, he propped himself up on his elbows, tapped AJ on the head and growled – “you are fucking driving me insane either suck it or stick that big ass cock of yours in my ass. I’m going crazy here.”

AJ winked at Trav – “settle down and enjoy the ride. I’m learning here, this isn’t just a wham bam thank you, man. I want you to enjoy this as much as I am.”

Trav growled again – “Skeet, I’m enjoying this but I don’t know how much more mind-blowing feelings I can endure.”

AJ chuckled – “Just lay back and enjoy the ride. If I don’t blow your mind and get you off at least three times you can fuck me in the ass.” Trav’s eyes flew open wide – “Are you serious? If you are, challenge accepted.”

During this whole conversation AJ had been lubing up the fingers on his right hand and blowing hot are over Trav’s cock. AJ sucked one of Trav’s balls into his mouth as he circled Trav’s hole with his right index finger. Trav was thrashing on the bed and when AJ sunk his finger into the joint and hit his prostate Trav blew load number one. AJ chuckled and kept going and Trav mumbled incoherently as he kept working his ass, his taint, his balls and once in a while his cock head and his very sensitive abdomen. AJ worked hard not to let his bestie go soft, Trav was cursing him – “you fucker, stop I can’t take it anymore. Fuck that feels awesome, holy shit what was that, fuck me already, are you sure you’ve never done this before cause you’re awesome at it. I’ve never felt so out of control yet so fucking turned on in my life, fuck, damn, will you show Julia that trick?”

AJ gently bit Trav’s cock head, which caused his bestie to swear – “that hurt so fucking good. AJ, I’m close again.” AJ swallowed as much of Trav’s cock as he could and sucked hard, he had three fingers in his ass and was milking Trav’s prostate. AJ swirled his tongue around the head of Trav’s cock and then plunged down – Trav blew and AJ tried to swallow every drop. AJ had scooted up with his knee’s underneath Trav’s thighs and was lubing his cock up as he continued to pummel Trav’s prostate.

Trav had the pillow over his head and AJ was finger fucking Trav’s chute as he swirled the head of his cock. On the outstroke of his fingers, he eased the head of his cock in just before the fingers pulled completely out and started sliding in. AJ had about 6 inches of his monster in Trav’s chute before he realized that AJ had his fat ass cock in his ass and not his fingers. AJ stopped everything he was doing and asked if Trav was good. Trav just stared at AJ, AJ started to withdraw from his ass when Trav buried his heels in AJ’s firm ass and growled – “don’t you fucking dare take that out of me and he pulled AJ’s body toward him. “God, you feel so fucking huge but so fucking awesome. I know you aren’t all the way in but fuck I could get used to having you plowing my backdoor.”

AJ smiled his lopsided grin – “are you sure you’re, ok?”

Trav chuckled – “hmmm, let’s see – my best friend has gotten me off twice, swallowed a load and is now fucking my tight ass. I’m FUCKING FANTASTIC.” Trav reached down to feel how much of AJ was still to go, he thought maybe 3 inches. AJ was resisting Trav’s legs pulling him forward, he was panicked that he was going to rip his bestie in two. Trav said to AJ – “look at me not your cock. NOW.” AJ looked up to Trav and saw a face filled with lust and desire not pain and regret. Trav continued – “I’m having a great time and yes you are a big boy but I’m taking it slow and steady. You had me so revved up that I didn’t even realize you had over half your cock in my ass and now you are all the way in. Fucking awesome. I’m sure you will be able to drive a combine in there, after we're done but it’s so worth it.”

AJ couldn’t comprehend how this was feeling good for Trav – “you’re lying, you have to be in pain. I remember feeling like I was going to rip in two and it hurt like hell.”

Trav pulled himself up and put his hands on either side of AJ’s face – “you were raped, there was no prep, you didn’t want it and I’m sure it hurt like hell. I’m telling you; I’m loving this. I’m on the verge of blowing again and Trav fired off his third round of cum painting both men’s chests. “Well, I guess I have to settle for having 4 or 5 orgasms and not sliding my dick in your ass. I think that is really more than a fair trade. Where did you learn to make love like this? And I do mean love – I see it in your eyes and I feel it in my heart.”

As AJ and Trav continued to talk, AJ slowly withdrew and slid back in making both men pant, growl and moan. AJ let Trav know that he swore to himself after he had been raped that he would do everything in his power to ensure his partners were satisfied and that they were the sole focus of his energy when they were together. AJ adjusted Trav’s legs so that his cock head would pummel Trav’s prostate on the way in and on the way out. He was truly long dicking Trav at this point and on the downstroke, AJ felt Trav’s prostate harden and he looked into Trav’s eyes as he came again.

AJ asked Trav – “are you ok?” Trav moaned out – “I need you to pound me into the mattress and fill my ass with your cum and I mean now.” AJ picked up the pace a bit but he was still tentative he didn’t want to hurt Trav. Trav was annoyed now – he grabbed AJ by the hair and growled – “either fuck me hard or I’m going start yelling so loud everyone in this house comes running to see what the problem is, so get to pounding me into the mattress stud.”

AJ started railing Trav’s ass, he was so close, he could also tell that Trav was nearing his next orgasm. He was pummeling Trav’s ass until it spasmed around AJ’s cock and he drove in and over his prostate burying his cock 12 inches into Trav’s tunnel where he deposited what felt like a pint of cum. Trav pulled AJ into a deep passionate kiss, AJ tried to pull his cock out of Trav’s abused hole but Trav dug his heels in making it clear that was not going to happen right at this moment. The guys continued to make out, smearing Trav’s cum all over their chests and abs, effectively sticking them together.

AJ finally pulled his cock out of Trav’s ass and pulled him up and helped him into his bathroom so they could wash up. Trav chuckled – “Well my sea legs are not what they used to be, if we keep this up, I will need to take up yoga to make sure I improve my flexibility.”

AJ was quiet and Trav prodded him to talk to him – “What’s going through that mega brain of yours?”

AJ quietly responded – “Are you sure I didn’t hurt you? Your asshole is smaller than a pussy and I’ve had complaints that I’m too big.”

Trav hugged AJ to him – “I’m not going to lie to you, I know you were back there and I’m sure I’ll feel it tomorrow but it was the best feeling having my best friend show his love for me in that way. You didn’t hurt me at all, for fucks sake you fucked 5 loads of cum out of me tonight. I’m worried that I didn’t satisfy you, did you enjoy yourself?”

AJ laughed loudly – “Holy fuck Trav that was the best time I’ve ever had with anyone but Syd. You will know in a few hours when my load starts its journey out of your ass just how much cum you fucked out of me.”

The two young men showered and dried each other off. Trav put his briefs back on and made for the door. AJ grabbed his arm – “Where the hell do you think you are going, get your ass in that bed, we are going to cuddle as we did in Pullman. This time though if I have a hard-on in the morning, I’m pretty sure it will be me dreaming of filling your ass with my jizz.”

Trav – “Thank god, I so wanted to stay but I didn’t want to make it weird.” Trav pulled AJ in for a deep passionate kiss, which lasted until AJ’s phone chirped. AJ picked it up and read the text from Julia – ‘AJ, I’m assuming you are fucking my fiancé into next week as he is ignoring my texts. Send me a photo of the two of you in bed – NO clothes.’

AJ chuckled – “your fiancé is a sick ticket” he handed his phone to Trav who immediately dropped his briefs and pulled down AJ’s shorts as he pulled him onto the bed. Trav directed AJ into the big spoon. Trav grabbed AJ’s cock and slide it into his crack and placed the head of it on his hole, rubbing it around which caused them to both groan and harden. He then pulled the sheet up over their legs, draping it across their thigh. He took several shots of the two of them, one of which showed AJ’s shaft wedged into Trav’s crack. That’s the one he sent over to Julia.

Julia texted back – ‘can he still walk? Syd said you were large but fuck AJ that thing is huge.’

Trav texted back – ‘you have no idea. I was in heaven – AJ made me cum 5 times tonight. I want him to teach us how to pleasure each other that well, are you in?’

Julia replied – ‘Syd told me he was a master in bed, so if he made you cum 5 times I’m up for some horizontal time with AJ if he is up for it.’

Trav handed the phone to AJ and asked him “will you sleep with Julia and me and show us how to pleasure each other as you did for me tonight? I’ve never felt so loved and cared for as I did tonight.”

AJ just stared at Trav but finally found his words – “are you nuts? Why would you want me to sleep with the two of you? You know enough to get pregnant for god’s sake.”

Trav – “Skeet, I know we enjoy each other but you have figured out this giving of yourself for your partner and I know we could benefit from your expertise, please say you’ll do it.”

AJ texted Julia – ‘I’m not sure this is a good idea but for two people I love I will see what I can do. Maybe you can stay with me after the service in our new house, I guess that is my new house, fuck I miss her – crying emoji’

AJ handed the phone back to Trav and went to the bathroom and closed the door. The flood gates opened and he cried himself stupid until he heard the baby monitor. AJ grabbed a towel and went to take care of his boys. Trav pulled on his shorts and followed AJ to the boys’ room. The two friends changed and fed the boys. Evelyn poked her head into the bedroom and asked if she needed to help. AJ assured her they were good, as she left, she thanked Trav for being such a good friend.

When AJ and Trav went back to AJ’s room, AJ picked up his phone and read the texts shared between Julia and Trav –

Julia – ‘AJ, I miss her too. Make sure to lean on us, we will always be here for you.’

Trav – ‘AJ is in the bathroom sobbing, what do I do?’

Julia – ‘Let him be for a bit, he needs to get this out. I saw it in his eyes when I was in Pullman, he is putting on the brave face but you can see he is dying inside.’

Trav – ‘I know and it is killing me. Tonight, I saw a spark and love in his eyes when we were together.’

Julia – ‘It’s ok if you say it, making love. You love him and he loves you. I’m confident in our relationship that you will come home to me just like I come home to you, Cyn goes home to Jer and Syd went home to AJ. I love them all but I am head over heels in love with you and that is the difference, my love.’

Trav – ‘Ok yoda – we made love and we had a connection that wasn’t there before. I’ve never felt so cared for, that’s why I want to spend time with you and AJ so I can learn to do that for you and you for me.’

Julia – ‘I’m all in. He’s hot and I have always had a bit of a crush on him just like you do.’

Trav – ‘Slut.’

Julia – ‘You’re one to talk. You gave it up tonight and he made you cum 5 times with his dick in your ass.’

Trav – ‘Yes, he did and I will do it again and again until he says no more. He is a big boy but he is so fucking good at sex, I can only hope to get there.’

Julia – ‘Make sure to delete these texts. We don’t want to scare him off.’

Trav – ‘No. He will appreciate the adoration.’

Julia – ‘He’s not you, he doesn’t seek compliments.’

Trav – ‘Bite me.’

Julia – ‘5 much?’

Trav – ‘Boys are up.’

Julia – ‘Help him.’

Trav – ‘Duh.’

AJ was laughing at this point – “You two are absolutely nuts. I love you both but damn you two need to get a life. I’m not all that.”

Trav – “You are and just to say it again – you drove me crazy in a good way tonight. Get your ass in this bed, wedge that cock in my crack and let’s get some sleep.”

AJ chuckled, crawled into bed behind Trav and was almost asleep when Trav grumbled – “Fucking hell, can’t you follow directions?” Trav grabbed AJ’s cock and wedged it up against his hole, swirling the head around his opening causing them both to groan ad grow hard. Trav held firm and AJ’s cock continued to harden as it forced its way up Trav’s well-used ass – the lube and AJ’s cum descending his chute made the entry pretty easy. Trav back his ass up to AJ short hairs and pulled his left arm over his chest and held it. “Good night, AJ.”

AJ groaned as Trav flexed his ass muscles around AJ’s cock. AJ flexed his cock several times causing both men to groan. When AJ heard Trav’s breath start to even out, he flexed again eliciting a moan from him. Trav whispered – “You can keep doing that all night it feels fantastic. Good night and I do love you, my friend.”

AJ chocked back a tear and said in reply – “I love you too Trav.”

The two friends continued to share a room, mess around and in general enjoy each other’s company. Their friendship grew and strengthened; naked weekend would be definitely on the table. The night before they left for Mercer Island, they 69’ed after a long, hot and sweaty make-out session. It was a monumental step for them but one that they both thoroughly enjoyed.

They were both still attracted to girls and felt that was their calling however a weekend with good friends enjoying each other would be something on the menu for sure.

As the days in Chelan passed, AJ was in much better shape physically, he was able to eat and had stopped losing weight. He was down 15 pounds and his family was constantly at him about it. To stop the incessant badgering AJ called his long-time doctor and made an appointment.