Just now, however, she and the laptop were engaged in a hot game of gin rummy. And even though she was losing badly, it was better than watching the scenery flash by at a terrifying rate.

“You brought your new boots, didn't you?" Shelley said, almost accusingly.

“The ones you called 'shit-kickers'? Of course. They're actually pretty comfortable, but if you think I'm going to kick shit or anything else with them, you're mistaken. You promised me this trip wasn't anything like. . camping." She pronounced the last word with a shudder. "I went camping once. I was fourteen and I got ticks in my hair. I'm still trying to get over it. Humankind has spent hundreds of generations developing indoor plumbing. I think it's flying in the face of progress to pee in the woods."

“Jane, I've told you this isn't a 'pee in the woods' kind of camp. We'll have our own little cabin with a bathroom. There's even a fireplace. It's more like a somewhat rustic resort."

“But no kitchen, right? You promised me there wouldn't be a kitchen."

“No kitchen. This is a camp for kids, and nobody wants them to do any cooking."

“There aren't going to be kids there with us, are there?" Jane asked, turning off the laptop and wondering if the computer cheated or whether she just stunk at card games.

“No kids. I don't think you've paid attention to anything I've told you."

“Shelley, I was just glad to get a little vacation. And I didn't know there was going to be a test. So tell me again.”

Shelley sighed.