" I didn't forget, hun, but thanks for the reminder. As soon as yourGrandpa gets here we'll commence our departure countdown." M'lady..." Tibius huffe... as he appeared in the doorway. The room wasgetting crowded. "I arrived as fast as the service elevator would allow.I even took the steps the last eight floors to keep to schedule." Are Corrine and Jules with you, hun?" I asked as I looked around himinto the hallway."We're here, Alex!" Corrine's voice shouted from down the hall. Bothwomen soon. ”“Can we book the room through Saturday? ... That would be great. We’ll be right over to pick up the key.”Jake hung up and opened the passenger side doors for them.“No, wait. You’ve got your own car, don’t you?”Lizzie nodded.“Follow me. We’ll go straight to the hotel.” Jake glanced at Emily. “Can Emily ride with me?”“I thought you were 14, Jake.”“I am.”“What are you doing driving?”“They have a liberal idea of who is entitled to drive where I come from. I’ve been a fully-licensed driver for. 'Please,' I corrected myself and recovered some composure, 'call me Neil.''Neil.' She sucked on my name like a gobstopper, trying it out then spitting it back, 'Neil...' She giggled a nervous laugh.'I don't...' I began my excuses, not really knowing where the hell they would lead. Shit, I thought.'Don't,' she interrupted. 'It's okay. You don't have to, you know, explain.'Aoife had been my student, two or three years ago now, in my advanced history class. She must have been twenty, perhaps. "Who's this?" Nobody. Just a model."She seemed satisfied, leaving my house with a beaming smile, and a promise to call.Martha lived in the room opposite mine. I knocked on her door. And hearing no reply, I opened and entered."Martha?" I'll be there in a sec, plant yourself in the TV, will you?"I couldn't find the TV. There was too much stuff everywhere. Unbroken pizzas, uneaten food, undrinkable coffee, underwear and bras, and little and big figures of clay were everywhere. Martha.