There were rows of benches, a snack cart, and a counter with three stations for selling tickets, the workers behind plexiglass like tellers in a bank. The walls were lined with maps and displays of brochures. In the corner opposite the snack cart was the information booth where a young guy sat leaning back in his chair, looking bored. His mane of golden hair was as glorious as ever. Hello, Oz. It seemed inconceivable that I had ever joked about this boy with Lucas, even with Cole. It seemed like years ago, but really only a few days had passed since Cole had touched my leg on the porch, running his fingers from knee to ankle. You’re not a child, he’d said. You’re a woman. And you’re beautiful.

I went to the coffee cart, but it was closed.

“Coffee?” Oz said. “Over here.” He had his feet on the counter near a coffeepot and a stack of Styrofoam cups.

I went toward him gratefully. He wasn’t conventionally handsome, not in the way Cole was, but I liked the way he looked—hopeful, buoyant somehow, with wild hair and a too-big mouth.

“What happened to the coffee cart?” I asked.

“Closed until May, but—” He gestured toward the coffeepot on the counter and handed me a cup. He watched me sip feverishly. “Did you run out of coffee at home or something?”

“I like to have coffee throughout the day.”

“I used to love coffee. But I gave it up. Last year when I started eating macrobiotic.”

“I’m sure that’s much healthier,” I said.

“So where are you going?” he said. He nodded out the window to the dreary October rain.

“Vermont,” I said.

“Nice,” he said. “I went to school in Vermont. And my family used to go skiing in Vermont every winter when I was little.”

“I’m going to the mountains. Lindenberg.”

“That’s where we used to go,” he said. “You’re a skier?”

“No. I’m—I’m looking for someone.”

He peered up at me. “Okay,” he said when I stayed quiet. “Intriguing.”

“Is it all right if I—” I indicated the coffeepot.

“Go right ahead.”

“I’ve never been to Vermont, so I have no idea where I’m going,” I said as I refilled my cup. He stood up so he could rummage around under the counter for a minute. He finally produced an old road atlas and spread it out on the counter.

“This is kind of an old map,” he said. “But I think it will give you the right idea.”

“Thanks,” I said.