Luke entered the cafeteria early and grabbed fruit and vending-machine popcorn before moving to the lounge, where he saw George and Iris playing checkers and Avery on the trampoline. Kalisha approached, teased him lightly, confirmed his rectal thermometer ordeal, and invited him to lunch when the bell rang. During a casual high-five, Kalisha slipped Luke a folded note.

Back in his room, Luke read Kalisha’s message directing him to meet Maureen by the ice machine near Avery’s room and to flush the note. He disposed of it in the toilet, reflecting on surveillance and the ice machine’s noise as a likely cover. He resisted checking the Star Tribune for news about his parents, deciding the emotional risk was too high for the moment, and went to find Maureen.

Luke located Maureen making up rooms for expected new residents, and they moved to the ice machine area. Speaking quietly while filling an ice bucket, Luke told Maureen he knew about her credit-card crisis and began outlining practical remedies, emphasizing that Vermont is not a community property state. He established that the debts were on her estranged husband’s cards and explained that, under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, collectors cannot call after 8 p.m. and that she should save time-stamped voicemails.

Luke advised Maureen to avoid predatory quick-fix firms and to retain a reputable Vermont debt-relief lawyer who could identify the collection agencies, confront the banks with evidence of illegal practices, and push for debt forgiveness rather than bankruptcy. Maureen, torn between shame and hope, revealed harassing late-night calls and her fear of losing her paid-off house and savings due to her husband’s spending.

Avery briefly appeared, proudly reporting he had taken a shot without crying and inviting Luke to watch TV; Luke declined, and Avery left. Luke urged Maureen to act fast and promised to research a lawyer name by the next day, which moved Maureen, who called him “son.”

When doors banged open, Luke feared staff had overheard, but Maureen reassured him it was the new residents. Three caretakers wheeled in a train of gurneys bearing sedated newcomers: two identical blonde girls, Gerda and Greta, and a hulking red-haired boy destined for a WWF-themed room. Maureen sent Luke to lunch as she went to help settle the arrivals.