Brambles hesitates, then drops to his feet, giving Selkie a single sharp bark.
She grins maliciously. “Brambles said, not yet.”
I scratch my head as I stare at the dog. “Is that what you do to bring down your marks? Have Brambles lick them into submission?”
“Worked on you, didn’t it?” she retorts.
“I’d of shot him.”
“He’d bite your hand off. He’s a pacifist. Doesn’t believe in guns.”
“You carry one,” I note.
“He makes an exception for me because I’m his breadbasket.”
I have no reply so I stoop and pick up the cooler, carrying it to the picnic table and setting it down.
Henri and Oscar finally get back, standing in front of us defiantly, their bodies slouched, their arms crossed. I feel guilty because Henri’s the handful, not Oscar and it’s not fair he gets punished. Still, I’m willing to try anything to get things back to normal.
“What?” Oscar says belligerently.
Henri looks at Selkie. “I’m hungry. What’re you making for lunch?”
“Nothing,” mother-of-the-year replies. “Not until the tents are set up and everything’s sorted.”
Oscar and Henri exchange hostile glances. Oscar says, “Then why call us back? I was perfectly fine takin’ a walk.”
His disrespect towards Selkie makes me realize I’m setting a bad example. No matter how Henri and Selkie act towards us, I should be a role model, not get drawn into their bullshit.
Selkie narrows her eyes at Oscar. “Because you’re gonna set up the tents and the rest of the campsite.”
Oscar glances at me. “Why should I?”
“Not just you,” Selkie says for me. “Henri and you. Both of you. You’re the reason we’re out here, so you’re responsible for everything else that happens.”
“You’ve got to be kidding,” Henri says to her mom in disbelief.
“Yeah, ‘cause that’s what I do.”
“You’re a traitor!” Henri shouts. “I used to like you!”
“Geez, when was that? Before or after you made my life a living hell by getting tossed from school.”
“It wasn’t my fault!” Henri points a dramatic finger at Oscar, who’s standing a few feet away, arms crossed, smirk on his lips. “It was his.”
“In what way?” Selkie yells back. “You just punched him!”
“He was gonna punch me back.”
Oscar jumps into the fray. “I was not. I was gonna yank your hair.”
“You’re such a little girl,” Henri sneers.
“What is wrong with you?” Selkie says to Henri.
“Yeah,” Oscar says. “What’s wrong with you, loser?”
“That’s enough!” I shout. “All of you. Oscar. Henri. Get the tents set up. Selkie, take a walk.”
