My Dad reminded us of our aunt and uncles plans to stop in from South Carolina, on their way to Vermont for their New Years celebration. Teresa would ...have to give up her bedroom to them and share my room. He'd be getting a cot for me to sleep on and Teresa could have my bed. I was sure they'd change that plan when Teresa let them know about my transgressions. I didn't dare look in her direction for the rest of dinner.Christmas arrived, and with no drama, I was sure I was in the clear. I had no. It was fun sitting there with just a glazed roof over my head and open walls on two sides. I was bathed in light and in the far distance across the fields I could see the glow through the trees of the nearest house, well nearest apart from my neighbour. When it had been built the two houses were for the farm manager and foreman and their families. Now there was just me in my house. I was 25 and single and owned a software company. My neighbour was a thirty eight year old single mum with a just. Well, I don't know where it is in relation to here. But I know this isn't Earth. I live, or lived, in Washington state, which is in the United States of America. Everything you have in this world either doesn't exist in mine, or is like a relic of the past on my world. We don't have dragons and hobgoblins and zombies. Swords were used in our ancient past. My home is much more... futuristic, more advanced, than here."She simply stared at me. "Well, if you don't want to tell me, you can just say. Nothing unusual going on - wars, famine, corruption in high places. Eventually, I put it down, just as I noticed the dark ... no, Cris, come over to my table."I think I owe you a fag," she said, sitting down. I told her not to worry, offered her another of mine. Had she been crying? Her cheeks looked shiny, eyes a bit pink. Ever the discrete one, I asked her if she was enjoying the 'team building and goal setting'."I could live without, but - and I quote - this is work, not a jolly. Personally,.