“Paige.” Her mother’s voice shifted into a distinctly parental register. “Is something going on?”
“No! Really, it’s fine. It’s only one summer. I’ll cope.” Desperate to change the subject, she asked, “How are things back home?”
“Oh, I’m fine,” her mom said, in exactly the same bright, cheerful tone that Paige had used herself. “Nothing to report here. No need to worry.”
Paige immediately began to worry. “Is everything all right? Are you eating well?”
“No,” her mother confessed. “I’m eating terribly. Without anyone around to feed nutritious home-cooked meals, I’m living like a college frat boy. Last night, I had cereal and ice cream for dinner.”
At least that meant she was eating. Some of Paige’s fear ebbed. “Well, you are supposed to be enjoying a break. Just make sure you take care of yourself, okay? I worry about you, back home all on your own.”
Her mom’s voice turned more somber. “I wish you didn’t. I’m your mother. I’m supposed to be the one who worries about you.”
“Since when have I ever given you cause to worry?”
“Never. Sometimes I think that’s the problem.”
“You’re worrying that I don’t give you enough reasons to worry? Doesn’t Archie give you enough gray hairs already?”
“I have an infinite supply of worry. It comes with being a mom. Speaking of which, is Archie around? I’d like to say hi.”
“No, he’s in his cabin.” At least, Paige hoped he was. “I couldn’t pass you over, anyway. We aren’t supposed to let campers call their parents except in a real emergency.”
“Well, give him my love.” Her mom sighed again. “It’s very quiet here, with both of you away.”
“We’ll be back soon enough.” Paige tried to make a joke of it. “So don’t get too used to not having me around. I don’t want to come back and find a sewing table where my bed used to be.”
“But it would make such a lovely craft room!” her mom teased. “And isn’t it about time you had a place of your own?”
That was a little too close to the bone. It took an effort to laugh. “In this economy? Sorry, Mom. You’re not getting rid of me that easily. No craft room for you.”
A whistle blew outside, making her start. Peering out the small window, Paige saw Leonie, her ever-present clipboard tucked under one arm.
“Five minutes!” the head counselor called. “All counselors, report to your muster stations! Five minute warning!”
“I’ve got to go, Mom,” Paige said into the phone. “The kids will be here any minute.”
“I hope you get a nice, well-behaved group. Are you nervous?”
“A bit,” Paige admitted. “It’s a big responsibility. And the more time I spend with shifters, the more I realize how little I know about them. I don’t know if I’m the right person for this job.”
“You’ve got this. They’re kids first, no matter what else they turn into. And you’ve always been so good with Archie.” Her mother’s voice softened. “They’re lucky to have you, Paige. So am I.”
Paige’s throat tightened. “Thanks, Mom. I love you.”
“Love you too,” her mom replied. “Now scoot. Go find your co-counselor.”
That was the last thing Paige wanted to do, but she didn’t have much choice. Ending the call, she tucked her phone away in a desk drawer. With a last glance in the mirror to check she hadn’t dropped toothpaste down her camp t-shirt, she hurried out of her cabin.
“Leonie!” she called. She dashed after the head counselor. “Have you got a second?”
“Only literally.” Leonie checked her watch, looking a rather more harassed than usual. “The buses will be turning up anyminute, and I still need to get everyone to their assigned stations.”
“I don’t want to bug you, but I just wondered if you had my room assignment yet. I mean, my real room assignment.” Paige waved a hand at the cozy private dwelling where she’d slept. “I know these individual cabins are meant to be reserved for senior staff. You said you’d tell me which bunkhouse I should be actually be in.”
“Oh, gosh.” Leonie’s tawny eyes widened, a little too much. “Do you know, with all these last-minute changes, it must have slipped my mind.”
Paige doubted anything slipped Leonie’s mind. She’d seen the head counselor’s clipboard. If Leonie ever got bored with working at a summer camp, she could have a fine career as Secretary of the United Nations.
