It was hard to get too, and more importantly, it looked like no one had been there in ages. Of course, the last time I had been there was five years a...o. Still, there was no way I was going to stay in the city. It was a death trap, and the government knew it. I guess they wanted us to all die in place. Of course, I seem to have survived somehow.The next few days I ate soup, and finished the last of my bread. I looked in the freezer and noticed I still had a small roast. Perhaps it was time to. How have you two been?”“Good. School’s been fine for me, and Red’s keeping busy in the race shop and crewing on the weekends. Kulwicki is confirmed for a full schedule for next year, so it looks like Red will get a full-time job with him.”“Congratulations!” I said. “How’s Emily?” I asked.“She’s good. She and Walter got engaged last week!”“Engaged? She’s still a baby!” I chuckled.“She’s eighteen. That’s not so young around these parts,” Red said. “Stephie’s an old maid!”She slugged him hard on. Thank you.”After Cara had left, Yewen spoke again. “Treya, dear, it’s good to see you. Ola’s kept me apprised of your progress. She was quite annoyed when you chose the mystics—I take it from your clothing, you’ve completed the training?”“Yes, Mother Yewen.”“I’m proud of you, child. I was a mystic, too, for a few years, but then I broke my hip. Promise me you’ll be careful. It can be a dangerous life.”“I’ll be careful, Mother Yewen. Is that ... why you sent me to Tyrsall?” Treya had never quite. Calling Missy from his motel that night after the long drive from Chicago, he anxiously waited for her to answer. Had he made a mistake? Will she really want to see me, or am I just an old fool, he wondered?"There's no fool like an old fool," his wife was always chiding him. "The only reason those girls on the Internet are interested in you is because you have money," she'd harp at him over and over again. Yet, for the first time in decades Jim suddenly felt a sense of exhilaration at being.