William helped Steven from the boat, assisting him up the dirt road. They walked on the edge, so if they did hear a vehicle approach, they could step into the pines and hide. As soon as Steven said he felt the stiffness starting to loosen, they’d reached the cluster of buildings, which clearly only existed to provide fuel to boats and food for the people who came to ski or fish. The beat-up motel completed the image, a haven for those who drank too much on the water and needed to crash for the night. In the window of the store was a badly faded ATM sign, just above a Jeep Cherokee that didn’t appear to have been driven this decade.

“I should be the one going in, I’m the least recognizable,” Steven said. “You still have your debit card?”

Quincy patted his back pocket. “Only because my pants haven’t blown up yet. And sorry, you’ve got to know the codes. And this one’s long.”

“This is risky. What if someone recognizes you? What if—?”

“Don’t think we have a choice. Look at us. Little bit here is still in her nightgown. Anyone sees us, they’re gonna call the cops. And that ended really badly last time. I’m going in.”

The other three could only stand in the shadows of the pine trees, watching Quincy walk across the road and into the store. Lily held tight to William’s hand.

Every minute that passed prompted more sweat and the shuffling of feet. Steven sighed repeatedly. Even Lily pulled away from William’s hand so she could twist her hair tie around her finger.

Then Quincy came strolling out. He was whistling and carried two plastic sacks in his hand. He motioned to the motel.

They hurriedly crossed the road to where Quincy waited. He reached into the sack and put on a comically large trucker’s hat with the words, “Deez Nuts,” in bold black letters.

He winked at William, holding up a key. “The ATM is now fully drained. And we got the Presidential Suite. Old girl behind the counter is the kingpin of this monopoly. Got us a room. I think she wanted me to invite her in, but alas.”

He handed William a hat. It had the grill of a Jeep on the front with the outline of a naked woman and read, “My Jeep looks better topless.”

“My God.” William smiled.

“I have the charming habit of being incredibly inappropriate at all times. It’s this one. Room one.”

With a quick turn of a key, they hurried in. The room was dark, the combined smell of mold and Lysol rising to greet them.