“Chip asked me and Ted to be the interim directors next summer.” I decided not to add anything about purchasing the camp until my name was on the contract. “But you can’t say anything until it’s publicly announced.”
“You and Ted?” She looked at me suspiciously. “Do you really want all that responsibility?”
“Before I came to work here, I was looking for a job, and this opportunity fell into my lap.”
“Is it year-round?” she asked.
“Yes, and I can do it from home so it should fit into my life.”
“Hiring you as a director is the smartest thing anyone’s done this summer.”
I hugged her. “And yes, to answer your question. You’re definitely coming back. I can’t do this without you.”
The first thing I’d want to do would be rehiring all the senior staff. I needed my allies by my side. I’d privately spoken with each Cub counselor after Carrie had told me they believed I didn’t think they were doing a good job. Soon after that, I felt like we melded into a united team. I would rehire each of them—even Jasmine. It had taken almost half the summer, but once she fell into a routine it all came together for her. I smiled. I guessed the same could be said of me.
We were interrupted by Marilyn. “I’ve come to inspect your rooms.”
Abby and I looked at each other.
“I hope you’re not wearing white gloves,” Abby said, “because I never had time to dust. Come to think of it, I barely had time to sleep.”
“Oh, it’s nothing like that. Just want to make sure things are in order.”
I panicked. I didn’t think I’d be within a hundred miles of the camp when my room was checked. I pushed my duffel bagover the stained piece of carpet. I glanced at the curtains. What if Marilyn noticed they weren’t her grandmother’s?
She went into Abby’s room first, clipboard out, scrutinizing—she even opened the closet. I tried not to care, but my heart pounded. The obedient girl my parents raised wouldn’t damage property, steal, lie, or worse, cheat. My stomach flipped—who had I become this summer? I’d completely turned my life upside down and inside out.
I hated doing the daily bunk inspections, even though they were necessary, but this inspection was degrading. I made a mental note,Never treat the staff as if they were children.
“Everything looks good in here. Can you sign this form?” Marilyn asked Abby.
“What am I signing?”
“That we both inspected your room, and everything was left the way it was found.”
Abby signed. “Here you go.”
“Thank you for all your hard work this summer.” Marilyn gave Abby an awkward hug.
“Okay, Lori, your turn.” Marilyn flipped a page and stopped to stare at the window above the bed, twirling her hair mindlessly around her index finger.
“These curtains . . . I forgot how pretty they were.”
When Marilyn left, I let out a gasp. I’d been holding my breath the entire time she was in my room.
I met up with Zelda and Hazel as they waited to board the bus home. Their cheeks had dried tearstains from saying goodbye to their friends. My stomach dropped, thinking about the conversations and tears that would ensue once the four of us were home together.
I’d spend the next week concentrating on my career. Once that was in place, I’d hopefully have a clearer picture of what I wanted my future to look like.
“You should have your dad take you for sushi tonight,” I said.
“I’ve already thought of that. We’ll miss you, Mom,” Zelda said.
“I’ll miss you too,”
They both threw their arms around me.
“Dad’s letting you stay?”
