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Every new piece of information I find out from these people only baffles me more.
    “No, I homeschool all my children, as well as a couple more from the area.”
    Homeschool?
    Yet another thing I’ve never heard of. I always thought I knew everything there was to know about Oceania and its citizens. But barely twenty-four hours with the James family has proved that isn’t true.
    “Morning.” Howard’s voice comes from behind me.
    I turn around, and he’s a sight to behold—long-sleeve V-neck shirt, well-worn cargos, and rumpled hair that looks like he’s just crawled out of bed.
    “Morning.”
    “You ready to head to the post office?”
    “Yep, ready when you are.” I turn to Rhonda. “Thank you for the hospitality.” She went above the call of duty during my stay, and I’m not sure I could ever repay her.
    “You are welcome. Feel free to come again any time.”
    I wonder whether she truly means it, or whether it is one of those throwaway lines.
    Howard tilts his head towards the door and then walks outside. I can’t take my eyes off him as he strides away. A small bit of his tattoo shows above the collar of his shirt, and my fingers twitch with the desire to trace its outline. Moments later, he pokes his head back through the door.
    “Well, you coming or not?”
    I follow him out after saying a slightly embarrassing goodbye to his mother. We stop in front of a contraption that looks more like a motorbike with pedals than a traditional pushbike. Howard stands behind it, his hand caressing the seat as though it’s a pet rather than an inanimate object. But the small size of the seat means we would have to sit in extremely close proximity if we were both going to ride it.
    Freaked-out doesn’t even begin to explain how I feel about that. There is no way I can sit so close to him and touch him the way I would have to just to stay on.
    “Are you all right?”
    “Would it be okay if we walk?”
    “It’s going to take twice as long.” Though he sounds miffed about it, the hint of a grin on his face makes me think otherwise.
    I shrug in response, and Howard starts walking, pushing the bike along.
    “Why are you taking the bike if we are walking?”
    “Just in case.” He keeps walking without looking back.
    We travel in companionable silence for a while. I sneak glances at him when I think he won’t notice. The way his muscles flex as he moves reminds me of how he looked as he brushed his teeth last night.
    Even the memory of those few seconds brings a flush to my cheeks. I turn away, hoping to conceal the evidence of my less-than-polite thoughts.
    I give all of my attention to the surrounding area. The buildings are run down, showing every bit of their two-hundred-year age. I frown because maintenance crews are supposed to prevent anything from growing this decrepit, but it’s as if they’ve never come around here at all.
    After a few blocks, the sheer amount of work that needs to done reminds me of something else.
    “So your mum said you were still at work when I woke up yesterday. What is it you do?”
    “I currently work in power production, but I’m hoping to find some other work soon. The shift work at the power plant is kind of killing me. I’m so tired all the time.” As if in proof, he finishes his sentence with a yawn.
    On closer inspection, I can clearly see the evidence of his exhaustion. His blue eyes have large black circles underneath. His shoulders hunch over, and his stride is long and lazy.
    “I’m sorry,” I say. “If you are anxious to return home to get more sleep, we can ride.”
    “No, it’s fine. It seems like no amount of sleep at the moment helps. Besides, I’d much rather be in the company of a pretty woman than sleeping.”
    My ears flame in embarrassment. No one has ever called me pretty before. No one comments on my appearance, period.
    “Thank you.”
    “You’re welcome.” We walk for a few more paces before he speaks again. “So what is it that you do,