all of jacks hopes of future support from elf-land disappeared . then he sighed and shook his head . she suggested that we bake cookies and talk about it when my father got home from work . i reached for my tray when carter took it for me , his other hand on the small of my back . the bright light of midday and a blast of hot , stale air poured into the cabin . there he leaned against the corner and searched the darkness until he made out the shape of someone sitting on a fallen log in the frosty grass . 