I took the key.
“Thank you,” I said.
He was already back to his crossword.
I went back to the car.
Mark grabbed our overnight bags out of the back seat.
Ezoic
The east hallway was an outdoor walkway, really. A long concrete strip under an overhanging roof, running along the front of the east wing. Blue doors on the left. Little numbers painted on each one in white. A light fixture over every other door, with moths circling it.
We walked down it together.
Room 12.
Room 13.
Room 14.
Then a solid wall.
Just white painted cinder block. The end of the building.
I laughed.
“Well,” I said. “Somebody forgot to build our room.”
Mark set down the bags. He took the key from me. He looked at the wooden tag.
Ezoic
18.
He walked back a few steps. He counted the doors out loud. “Twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen.”
Then he looked at me.
