“Here you go, Mr. Murphy,” the woman behind the desk said. “Your keys. One for each of you. Opens your cabin. They’re also your camp IDs, so hold onto them.”
The way she said that stuck for a moment.
Looked like despite all the smiles and handshakes, they took their security seriously here.
Jack took the keys. As he did, he noticed the woman standing near Ed watching him.
He had to force himself not to look back.
As if sensing Jack’s balancing act, Ed turned to the woman, “Shana, why don’t you bring the Murphys’ luggage over to their cabin?”
“I can do—” Jack started.
“No. Don’t worry. Shana is our jill-of-all-trades here. It’s a quiet day—and while she gets your stuff, I can give you folks a quick tour.”
Shana came close to Jack. He picked up a whiff of exotic perfume on her. Just a hint. Something you might only smell if you got real close.
Jack felt Christie’s eyes on him.
“Car open?” Shana said. “Luggage in the trunk?”
“Yeah,” Jack said. “But I—”
“No problemo,” Shana said slowly.
Jack handed her the keys.
She started walking away.
Ed moved close. “Now for that tour, hm?”
All eyes seemed to be on their tour director.
But Jack stole a quick glance at Shana as she walked away.
She was looking right back at him.
* * *
Standing by the lake, Ed looked up to the sky.
“Hm, it was sunny just minutes ago. Looks like a few clouds slipped over those mountains. Weather can change mighty quickly here.”
Jack held Christie’s hand.
“I love it,” she said.
“The lake? Yeah. Our prize, to be sure. Beautiful, clear water. You can even drink it. And back there—”
He turned around and pointed at the lifeguard stand.
“—always a lifeguard on duty from nine to sunset.” To the kids. “No swimming before or after that.”
Jack noticed Kate shielding her eyes.
As she checked out the lifeguard.
Time does fly, Jack thought. Something he might need to keep a watch on here.
Ed turned back to them. “Water’s cold, though. Fed by those mountains. But on a hot day, it just doesn’t get any better.” Then, a step closer to Jack, his voice lower: “Same water feeds our wells and underground streams. It’s why we can grow things.”
“You’ve had no blight? I saw the trees—”
“Oh, some things won’t grow, for sure. But I guess we’re isolated enough that a lot of crops still grow here just fine. For now.”
“Good.”
Ed slapped his hands together. “On with the tour. This way!”
* * *
“Down there, got our big playing field. Lot of fun family games, softball, old-fashioned things like sack races. And to the right, a game room—”
“With video games?” Simon asked. “Really?”
“You bet. Oldies but goodies. And Ping-Pong, pool, even that football game, you know, with—”
“Foosball,” Jack added.
“Yes, foosball. Now, past there, we have the nature trails. Nothing too big since we need to keep everything and everyone well within the camp’s confines. Still, good safe places for a little walk or to explore.”
Ed turned around and started walking back to the main lodge.
But Jack had noticed a road up on a hill, past the parking area, nearly hidden by the trees.
“What’s over there? By the cars. That road?”
Ed barely tossed a glance back. “Our service road. Maintenance buildings. Laundry. Storage. Landscaping and so on. Nothing fun.”
Ed pointed ahead.
“You’ve seen the Great Lodge. We all eat together in the big dining hall. Sometimes there are special announcements, sometimes we play some games. Like I said, good food and good fun—and good
Already, Jack thought, the dark streets of Red Hook were starting to look better.
As beautiful as it all was, this was alien terrain for him. And they were caged in.
With this much-too-jolly Ed Lowe as the keeper.
Still, Christie seemed wide-eyed at it. The kids looked like they loved it.
And Jack kept thinking of Ed’s assistant. Shana.
Funny how guys work, he thought.
“Okay, let’s see your digs. Cabin seven. Great view from there. Come on!”
* * *
“If I may…” Ed took the key from Christie.
He opened the door and they walked in.
The cabin was a picture from a hundred years ago. Homemade furniture, a woven rug, a 1950s-style Formica kitchen table. Small hallway leading to bedrooms.
“No TV at all?” Kate asked.
“Sorry, miss. No stations operating anywhere near us. Get some radio, shortwave and all.”
“And no phones?” Christie asked.
As in: how isolated are we?
“Well, the workers here like to joke that if we get a good wind off Mt. Hope you can always yell.”
Ed laughed.
What a card.
“And truth is, Mrs. Murphy, we’re kind of self-contained here. Can’t say phones would be of much use.”
Jack noticed that Kate stood there, scanning the rustic cottage, the lake, the woods—all so unfamiliar to her.
“Well, I guess I’ll let you folks settle in. Unpack.” Ed looked at his watch. “Whoa, dinner in two hours. Maybe time for a quick swim, eh?”
“Good idea, and thanks.”
Ed started out.
Jack turned to Christie, and then with a slight tilt of his head he followed Ed out, catching up a few steps behind him.
“Ed—one more thing.”
“Yes? What’s that?”
Jack looked around. From this area just outside the cabin, he had a good view of much of the camp, from the lake area to the Great Lodge and all the way to the playing fields.
Even a peek at the service road.
