Chapter 30

 The car wound its way down old route seventeen just outside of the quaint village of Owego, New York. I took on the task of driving while the others dozed on and off. I thought it a pity that they were all slumbering and missing out on the beauty of the hillsides. The trees were blanketed with crimson reds and faded greens. I’d opened a window to enjoy the smell of fall but was unanimously outvoted and forced to close it again.

I pulled the car aside to consult my map. It had been a considerable length of time since I’d traveled this route and my memory wasn’t serving me as well as I’d hoped. Construction and new building had only added to my confusion. I relaxed and smiled when I realized I was less than a mile from the village limits and the local hotels. The trip took longer than we’d anticipated and I was eager to get out and stretch my legs. I was grateful Shen had the foresight to remember to call ahead and reserve our room.

I