Jade parked us in the no-parking loop in front of the lodge. We went in and registered for our cabin, my sister obnoxiously flapping her paperwork for...the free stay.I strolled away, inspecting the stately building. There were big fucking log beams everywhere. Stripped of bark and holding up the distant roof. I found the way to the diningroom. The state parks were notorious for hiring culinary school graduates. Even the goddamn steam table buffets were appetizing.But we'd arrived between meals. ”Time for the final ‘pre-midnight’ set; we kicked things off with the usual Stones numbers, then some from the latest album, before ‘Load Out / Stay’. The timing worked fine, it was now a minute to midnight, Mary Beth had connected the Telecom Talking Clock into the audio, and we could hear the count down.“At the third stroke, it will be twelve midnight, exactly ... beep ... beep ... beep.”We all cried out ‘happy new year’ through our microphones, then started to play ‘Auld Lang Syne’. Just. Is that a baby?”“Yes. This is little Emily. She’s learning to sell real estate. You can’t start too young.”“Well, come in. Honey! There’s an agent from that real estate company here. The one who sent us a postcard.”“Good timing! Bring her in and let’s talk!” the wife said from the kitchen. They introduced themselves. I already knew they were Robyn and Donald Silverman. I did research before I did cold calls. She offered me coffee or tea and I accepted tea. I’d never acquired a taste for coffee,. ”“And what do you want from me for all of that?”“Conversation. I owe you that much for helping me back there.”She snorted and shook her head. “We will see.”“I’m too tired and sore to be even slightly dangerous. Sorry to disappoint you.”“I could use a shower, and I haven’t eaten today, so I suppose I can take the chance. Just this once.” She shrugged.“I’m Jesse Ruiz, from east Texas.”“Lily Harris, from somewhere west of here.”“Good to meet you, Lily.”“Good to meet you, Jesse.”I leaned my head.