77 handed me a suitcase. “If you’re not packed by tomorrow morning, we’ll just buy new clothes for you once we get to the mountains.” I’m not going to go. No way. Even so, I’m packing my suitcase. December 21, 10:00pm I tried so hard. Believe me, I did. But I couldn’t talk Mom out of going. Around five o’clock in the evening, we arrived at the resort park and found our rented cabin. We’ve got a real wood-burning fireplace this year. Next to the kitchen counter, there was a table with four chairs, just like always. The first thing I did, after setting down my suitcase, was drag two of the chairs outside. Mom watched me. I didn’t look at her face to see what her expression was. The floor is made of smooth, dark brown boards, and there’s a dark green loveseat in one corner. For as long as I can remember, we’ve always rented a two-bedroom cabin like this one. There was one room for me, and one for Dad and Mom, and little Lucy always loved— Shut up, Jake. Shut up! Go to sleep. December 22, 5:00pm This morning, I woke up before it was light. I knew Mom was making breakfast, because the scent of coffee and omelets drifted into my room from the kitchen area next to the table. The table with only two chairs.
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