Our Last Resort

Frida, who is the narrator and one of the novel’s protagonists, is staying at an upscale resort in Escalante, Utah, with Gabriel, who is like a brother to her. The property was designed with privacy in mind, and its “rooms” are secluded, standalone buildings. Despite this, when Frida gets up to smoke a cigarette in the night, she can tell that she is not alone. An anxious person by nature, she begins to worry. She cannot sit there quietly now that she has heard other people, so she moves away from her room to investigate. Nearby, she sees a couple arguing: They are William Brenner and his young wife, Sabrina. They are still in their dinner clothes, and William is staggering. He lunges for his wife several times and insults her before the pair becomes aware of Frida’s presence. Frida vows to introduce herself to Sabrina the next day. She is no stranger to violence and wants Sabrina to know that she is not alone.

Frida returns to the room to find Gabriel gone. He is prone to migraines, and she wonders if something is wrong.