Chapter 15

Thursday

LATER,AS THEY were indulging in spaghetti,meatballs,and Chianti,Josh said,“This is really good.”

“Thanks.”

“When did you learn to cook?”

“I started cooking when I was in high school,but didn’t really get into it until I was in graduate school.”

“Good for you.”

“Do you cook?”

“Yeah,but I’m not in your league.”

“Thanks for the compliment,”Jake said,and paused.“Josh?”

“Yeah?”

“What do you think happened to all those people?”

“All what people?”

“The people who would have lived in and around the places where we were scrounging.”

“That’s a good question,but I can only guess at the answer.”

“Please do so,”Jake said.