Wait on the swing

Since you are so early, you don’t bother knocking on the door. Instead, you take your bags to the porch, pull out one of your textbooks, and stretch out on the swing. You might as well get some studying in while you wait.

The swing is very comfortable, and the surroundings are so relaxing that you would fall asleep, but you keep getting interrupted. First it was a guy delivering a message. He walked up to the door before seeing you and was a little startled when he realized you were there. He mumbled something about a message, pulled a plain, unmarked sealed envelope out of his pocket, and asked you to give it to “Nancy.” It was only then that you realized that must be Nurse Mileu’s first name.

You set the envelope down and resume your studies when another visitor shows up. He gives you a strange look — almost as if he views you as a threat — and asks, “Is Nancy home?” When you tell him that she is still at work, he says, “Well, just tell her that Jake stopped by.” After giving you another unsettling look, he leaves.

Just a few minutes later, a car pulls up in front of the house. You look and see that it has a couple of guys in varsity jackets in the front seat. The passenger rolls down his window and asks, “Is Nancy home?” They wave and drive off when you tell them that she isn’t.

Upon reflection, it seems as if all of the visitors were about the same age as you. What’s more, all of them share the same body type, hair style, and general features. What are the odds of that happening?

Before you can reflect on that much further, you hear a car approaching. The garage door opens as the car pulls into the driveway. It is Nurse Mileu. She sees you and smiles, giving you a wave before pulling into the garage.

You get up, stuff your book into your backpack, and pick up the envelope that was left for her.