Yochi noticed Pessie’s eyes widen. He could just read her thoughts. We just landed, what is up with this guy? Couldn’t he give them time to rest up?

In half a mile, your destination will be at your left.

Unconsciously, Yochi’s grip on his steering wheel tightened. Even as he peeked into the rearview mirror and called to the kids, “You can start counting down from a hundred now, but slowly!” one eye was on Pessie, hoping for a reaction.

Whatever she’d said all along, no matter how much she’d protested, this was Corvara. The Dolomite Alps. Yochi drank in the view, the majestic mountain terrain, the pristine air. It was like driving through fairyland, the sun streaking the roads with welcoming rays. Pessie couldn’t really still prefer to be home in their polluted city, putting up 16-quart pots of chicken soup.

But her face was inscrutable.

Ten minutes later, their luggage was neatly arranged on the hotel’s baggage cart and Yochi’s rented minivan parked in the parking lot.

The front doors of Cielo Blu Resort glided open with a muted grace.

“Niiiice…” Pessie whistled.

Yochi searched her face as she drank in her surroundings.

“It’s so beautiful here,” she said genuinely. “Really wow.”

An indulgent grin rose on his face. “This is only the beginning,” he said smugly. “Nu, kids, how do you like it?”

The kids didn’t seem to hear him. Malkie looked completely lost. Hindy and Zissi wore dazed expressions, eyes traveling between the sheet of water cascading down the length of the rear wall to the modern display of sofas and armchairs around the lobby.

Yochi took in the enormous lobby. It was beautiful — but also strangely frightening, his family alone in this deserted place. In another two days, the place would fill up with his guests. He pictured a crowd bustling through the room and gave a slight shiver.

“Let’s go get everyone settled, yeah?” he said.

He went ahead to the front desk to introduce himself and check in. He was waiting for the elevator when a hand came down on his shoulder.

“Shalom aleichem, Yochonon!”

Binick shook Yochi’s hand, then nodded in Pessie’s direction. “Welcome, welcome, bruchim habaim!”

“Thank you,” Pessie replied politely.

“Nu, Yochonon, are we getting to work?”

His tone was sharp, and Yochi noticed Pessie’s eyes widen. He could just read her thoughts. We just landed, what is up with this guy? Couldn’t he give them time to rest up?