“That seems fair enough,” Chip said.
My chest constricted as my panic rose. I had no immediate funds ready to make an offer—but my fantasy was rapidly becoming a reality.
“I’ll gather the paperwork for the past five years so you and your attorneys can evaluate the information, and we can come to an equitable agreement.” Chip sat back and took a deep breath. “It’s in everyone’s best interest to move this along as fast as possible.” He pressed his fingertips together, smiling at us.
“The way I see it, Jack’s antics have gone viral, turning Woodlands into a joke,” I said. “The numbers for re-enrollment are precarious at best. Filling the bunks next year will be a massive undertaking.” I let that thought hang in the air.
Chip took the bait. “What’re you saying?”
“If you’re hiring us, we need to discuss two things. First, our salaries for next year, keeping in mind how hard we’ll have to work to fill five hundred beds. We’re basically going to have to rebrand the camp. Next, a discounted purchase price for the camp to be put in the agreement.”
Chip chuckled. “Shrewd.”
Being married to an attorney had some benefits. Teddy beamed at me.
“Can we put our plans into effect as soon as we agree on the terms?” Teddy had spent time thinking this through.
As had Chip. “Absolutely. That’s what we want.”
We were leaving the house when Chip said, “Maybe you should put that champagne in the fridge.”
This time I saw the wink.
Chip dropped us at the dining hall.
“Is this really happening? Are we actually buying a camp together?” I asked.
“The way you outlined your terms, I thought it was a done deal.”
“I wanted to make sure to get a sweet deal, especially since we’ll be taking on a risky investment.”
“True, and it will be so much sweeter doing it together.”
I stopped and looked at him. His smile was irresistible.
I wasn’t afraid. I knew I’d be good at it, much better than the Bergers. My plan all along had been to look for a full-time job, something to fill the void in my life. Putting the question of financing aside, did I want the responsibilities of running a sleepaway camp?
I thought I’d enjoy the challenge of rebuilding, owning, and operating Woodlands. And I needed to prove to my family and myself that I was capable and resourceful. Not to mention, I’d have my own source of income.
I returned his smile. “Yes, I’d like to own the camp with you. But I don’t like the idea of Chip and his people as partners inourcamp.”
“I agree and I’ve given that some thought. At first, we’ll need them. I’ll ask my attorneys if they could draft a clause that phases out the silent parties over a short period of time so that within a few years we own everything outright.”
“I like the way you think, Mr. Mooney,” I said.
“Me? What about you, playing to his financial concerns, undercutting the camp’s worth? That was genius.” He put his hand out. “I look forward to our partnership.”
I took it and said, “And I look forward to drinking champagne in bed with you.”
42Burning the Numbers
Asea of ponytails was forming at the base of the hill in front of the gymnastics shed. It was the meeting spot where each DL handed out three-by-three wooden rafts, each with a candle mounted in the center. As the Cubs streamed past me, I counted forty-eight heads for the fifty-sixth night in a row, pleased that one of my biggest fears had never happened: Trip day aside, I hadn’t lost a camper.
Becky had broken her arm on my watch, but Teddy had assured me that at least one camper broke some part of their body each summer. He told me he’d had three consecutive summers when a camper had either broken a toe, an ankle, or a leg during soccer. “Don’t worry, it happens, they’re young, and they heal.” He had laughed. “And they’ll always remember you.”
Following them down the sandy path lit by a full moon framed by twinkling stars, I watched clusters of Cubs arm in arm with their heads leaning into each other, probably realizing that after tonight they wouldn’t be waking up next to each other for another ten months.
Zelda’s and Hazel’s groups were far ahead of mine. I was lucky to share this night with them, but camp was about friendships. Even if I caught up to them, I wouldn’t intervene and ruin the intimacy of their bonds.
