“Yep, just getting settled into the rental now.”
“Great. I found out I have to fly to New York for a week to speak at a conference, and then to Chicago for another the following week. Your mom and sisters will get there tomorrow evening. Make sure they get settled in for me, okay?”
“Sure, Dad, no problem,” I assure him.
“Enjoy this summer, Chase. You worked hard at Gradford, and I’m proud of you.”
“Aww, thanks, Dad. I’m proud of you too!” I tease.
“Hey, at least someone is,” he says with a wink and a smile. “I’ve got to run to the office, but I’ll check in on you tomorrow. I love you, kid.”
“Love you too, Dad,” I say, waving as he clicks off the video. Sometimes, looking at him can feel a little weird, like I’m seeing myself in twenty years. We definitely look like father and son, except for his cropped hair and brown eyes.
My parents, Russell and Christine Wilmington, were high school sweethearts, and they strive to embody a close-knit family unit. We have game nights, annual vacations, and Sunday dinners. Showing up for one another comes naturally, so Dad asking me to help Mom and my sisters get settled really is unnecessary. It’s something I’d do anyway.
I move back to my open suitcase and finish loading clothes into the dresser when my phone rings again. I don’t recognize the number, and my heart skips a beat, remembering the bold message I left for the captivating waitress at the diner.
“This is Chase,” I answer with a tentative edge to my voice.
“Hi! This is Claire Roberts, director at Camp Bender. Have you, by chance, made it into town yet?” she asks sheepishly.
“Oh, hi! Yeah, I got here a few hours ago.”
“Good, good! I have a big ask… One of our certified camp counselors broke their wrist last week and won’t make it to the first session of camp…doctor’s orders.”
“I hope they’re okay,” I reply, still wondering what the question is.
“They should be right as rain for the second session, but Ineed a fill-in for the entire first session. Looking at the volunteer list we have for the summer, you meet the qualifications to become a certified counselor.”
I take a beat, considering whether I want to dedicate an additional three weeks of my summer vacation to this. “What all would I need to do to become certified?” I ask.
“Well, since you already submitted your background check, you would just need to join our other counselors for first aid and CPR certification starting tomorrow at the youth center. Then on-site training up at Camp Bender next week. The kids for session one will show up the week after that, and then week two campers would be your last group. It will fly by.” She speeds through her spiel like she’s worried I’m about to turn her down.
“That sounds reasonable…”
“Oh, and you’d have weekends between camping groups all to yourself back in town.”
My reasoning for signing up to volunteer this summer was to give back to the local community. Changing my status tocamp counselorwould come with a paycheck I don’t need, defeating my sole purpose for volunteering in the first place. “I’d love to help you out, under one condition.”
“Okay… I’ll do what I can. What’s your condition?”
“Would it be possible to donate my wages to a scholarship fund for campers who need it? Anonymously?” I pull at a loose thread on my jeans, feeling the unease about money talk creep into my gut.
“That’s…very generous of you. Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. I was planning on volunteering anyway, so this feels like a good way to keep that spirit and give back.”
“Oh, Chase, what a great idea. I can definitely do that, but you’re sure you want to remain anonymous? We usually list donors on the camp website.”
“Yeah, knowing a couple more kids will be able to experience camp is recognition enough.”
“Well, if you’re sure… Thank you so much! You’re a lifesaver!” She lets out a relieved breath as a keyboard clacks in the background. “I’ll send you the counselor informational email. See you tomorrow!”
“No problem. See you tomorrow.” I hang up the phone and toss it on the bed behind me.
“Already roped yourself into a philanthropic venture, huh?” Hunter shakes his head from the doorway. He pumps his arm into the air like a superhero. “Chase to the rescue!”
“It’s called helping.” I grab the leather toiletry bag out of my suitcase and toss it on the bed. Wherever we go for summer vacations, I like to find some kind of cause to help with. Giving back is fun for me, but I prefer to really get in there and experience things instead of relying on monetary donations. Hunter doesn’t share the sentiment and likes to give me a hard time aboutsaving the world. “The director for Camp Bender called and needed a last-minute camp counselor. It’s for the kids, and we were going to volunteer anyway—so why not?”
