Joshua leaned against the porch pillar, gazing down at him, his expression reflective. “You really think so?”
“C’mon, Josh. Day one with the broken-down bus in the pouring rain? The overnight campout from hell that ended with an ambulance parked on the dock and me in a cast? The baseballgame? The wedding? The play?Thinkabout it! It’s not just the things that happened. It’s how we all handled them. How we taughtthe campersto handle them.”
He took a sip of his coffee, then lifted his mug to Joshua. “Just look at the growth we’ve seen inAlex! That kid would hardly speak to anyone before this, hardly look at anyone. And now?” Colin shook his head in wonder. “He’s a leader here! He’s young, but even some of the older boys look up to him.”
“You’re right,” Joshua said. He moved to sit beside Colin, gazing out toward the mountains as the sun cast a purple-pink glow across the sky. “I saw a lot of growth inallthese boys through my counseling sessions. Hell, look at Nico! He started out so awkward and scared, but ended up glowing with confidence.”
“Even if he neverdidlearn how to behave in a rowboat,” Colin added with a chuckle. He nudged Joshua’s arm. “Don’t tell him, but he’s one of my favorites. Gave me sass right from the get-go.”
“And the Thunder Bats! The way they stepped up when Eric apologized.”
“Aarontoo!” Colin added. “Man, what he did took guts!”
Joshua nodded and leaned against his arm. “I got an email from Rufeus this morning,” he said, speaking of the company that owned Rainier Clinic.
“They giving you a raise?”
Joshua scoffed, sipping his coffee. “No. But theydidtell me that they’d like to make Camp Pride a yearly event.”
Colin leaned back, eyes wide. “With you ascoordinatoragain?”
Joshua didn’t respond, merely stared pointedly at Colin, brows arched.
Colin breathed out a soft laugh. “Well, I already told you. I’m all in.”
Joshua opened his mouth, but before he could speak, Trent’s voice cut through the morning air. “You guys packed?”
“Areyou?” Colin asked with a smirk. “Or were you too busy enjoying your wedding night?”
“Well, I don’t mind telling you Ididenjoy it! But yeah, we’re packed. I have to put some equipment into the van after breakfast but …” He shrugged, then laid a hand on Colin’s shoulder. “I want to thank you again for yesterday. It was unforgettable, Colin. Jeff and I will always be grateful.”
Colin placed his hand over Trent’s. “My pleasure, buddy. I loved every minute of it.”
Jeff hopped onto the steps, sliding both arms around Trent’s waist. “G’morning, husband.”
Trent half turned to kiss him. “Morning yourself, husband.”
Joshua rolled his eyes. “Lord god, it’ll be husband, husband,husbandall day today.”
Colin laughed. “We did the same thing. Let them enjoy it.”
Jeff nudged Colin with his foot. “You mean I won’talwaysfeel the way I do this morning?”
“You might,” Joshua offered. “Someof it anyway. But you’re newlyweds! That’s a special kind of glow.”
Another set of footsteps sounded in the morning air and Colin turned to see David approaching. “Morning, Professor. Where’s Nate?”
“He’s meeting up with his writing class one final time before breakfast.” He beckoned to Colin. “Colin, I need a minute.”
Colin shot Joshua a puzzled glance before pushing himself upright with a quiet grunt. His ribs protested the movement, a dull ache spreading through his side as he reached for his knee scooter. He exhaled slowly, forcing himself to move carefully as he followed David to the side of the cabin. “What’s up?”
David met his eyes, his expression somber. “Look, buddy. I had a talk with Alex last night. He stayed to help us break down the dining room chairs.”
“Yeah? He OK?”
David nodded. “He’s fine. But, Colin? He wants you and Josh to foster him.”
For a long moment the two men stared into each other’s eyes in complete silence, then Colin rocked backwards on his scooter. “Sweet Jesus!”
