We heard Jacob in the next room of the big lakeside cabin, talking on his phone.

He sounded whiny and defensive, and all of us guys who’d come up from the university for the weekend exchanged curious looks.

Finally, Jacob came in, pocketing his phone.

“Uh, look,” he said. “Something’s come up.”

Everybody groaned in disappointment. There were half a dozen of us, and we’d been looking forward to this getaway that Jacob had been promising us for weeks. Now it seemed like it was going to be canceled before it really got started.

Jacob continued: “We don’t have to leave. But… ” He bit his lip, embarrassed. “My mom has to stop by and pick up some signed documents she keeps here.” Jacob was mortified; we were... Read More