Iheard Teddy whistling, his signal letting me know he was on his way to our rendezvous spot. If I told him I was going to quit smoking, there would be no reason for us to meet each night, and I very much enjoyed being in his company.
“I can’t believe half the summer has flown by,” I said.
“Time is different at camp—a day feels like a week, but the nights, the nights disappear in seconds,” Teddy said.
“You mean our time together?”
“Yes, that’s exactly what I mean. This, what—hour or so—is what gets me through the days, knowing that I’ll have you to myself.”
An unexpected shiver ran down my spine. “I also enjoy our time together.”
We both took a drag and Teddy looked at me. “You got me talking,” he said. “I never had that with anyone.”
“Not your ex-wife?”
“Especially not her.”
“You’re going to meet my husband on Sunday.”
“I’m well aware of that.” He watched the smoke he exhaled swirl upward toward the iridescent moon.
“I’m nervous about you meeting him. He can’t know about this.” I held up my cigarette. “Or about us.”
“What’s there to hide? Two friends hanging out, enjoying each other’s company?” Teddy asked.
“I do feel very connected to you.” I reached out my hand, and he took it.
“Not as connected as I would like us to be.” He brushed his lips across my knuckles.
An electric current pulsated through my body, and the way he looked at me made my knees weak. It scared me. If I didn’t leave right then, I might do something I’d regret.
I eased my hand away, tossing my cigarette into the sand bucket. “It’s late. I’m gonna call it a night.”
I was lying in bed, thinking about Teddy and how he’d just kissed my hand. No one had done that before. I rubbed my knuckles under my nose. My body flushed. I reached into the end table drawer and pulled out the vibrator, smiling at my name written in purple on the shaft.
I began fantasizing about Teddy holding me, kissing me, making love to me, and treated myself to an exquisitely explosive orgasm.
I pulled out the bright green bathing suit that I bought on sale at the end of last season. Green was one of my favorite colors to wear because it enhanced the green in my hazel eyes, but now that every piece of clothing I wore was green, it was less appealing. The halter top plunged a little too deeply to wear at camp, but it was the least revealing of all my bathing suits. I hadn’t thought to purchase something more modest.
There was no rush to meet up with the Cubs. By the time they meandered through the reeds, dropped their stuff in thecorral, and checked in with the lifeguards, a good fifteen minutes would’ve passed. It was a gorgeous day with a slight breeze. I decided to take the longer picturesque route, walking on the road and down the hill from the boys’ side of camp. The vista was magnificent, a wide-open field surrounding the glistening lake where the blue horizon seemed to go on forever. My yoga instructor talked about finding a moment of zen in your busy daily life. My plan was to stand at the top of the hill and do just that.
Off to my right I heard a sharp whistle. I turned to find Teddy and a group of young boys playing on the soccer field. The boys looked like miniature professional athletes decked out in their Woodlands soccer shirts, cleats, and shin guards. It was unusual for me to see him during the day or, for that matter, to see anyone from Boys Camp. Our schedules were different. When Girls Camp was scheduled to be down at the lake, the boys were up the hill, playing sports. Any mixing of sexes was prescheduled, predetermined, and highly supervised.
I stopped and waved. He gave me a subtle once-over, nodded, and smiled. I hoped he couldn’t see me blushing like a teenager. I started to walk when I saw two boys running toward each other at full speed. The collision happened with less of a boom and more of a moan. Both boys fell backwards, and one immediately began crying. The other boy must have heard him and decided he could cry as well.
I was about to run over to help, but Teddy was already on the ground comforting them. I was too far away to hear what was said, but they quickly got up on their feet and gave Teddy high fives, ready to resume the game.
When I reached the top of the hill I stopped, took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and tried to empty my brain of all thoughts, but it was impossible. All I could picture was the sweat glistening on Teddy’s face.
When I opened my eyes, the lake was buzzing with activity. Girls were swimming and shrieking as they flew down the slide while others jumped off the docks holding hands. I couldn’t tell if any of the laughing girls were Zelda or Hazel. The Cubs were assigned to sailing and water skiing. I stopped at the check-in board, slipped my card into the active swimmer side, and went to put on a life jacket.
Mike was standing on the sand in aBaywatchred Speedo, or, as Gilda referred to it, his banana hammock, silver whistle shining from the middle of his broad chest. He grinned as he checked me out.
“Hey, Lori, that suit suits you.”
Ignoring him I clipped on a purple life vest, picked up a paddle, and walked toward the Funyaks—amateur kayaks made from heavy duty plastic that sat on top of the water and needed no special skills to navigate.
I paddled to the middle of the lake and spotted Mindy; her Bain de Soleil tan shimmered under the direct rays of the sun. Even in the humidity, every hair on her head was perfectly in place and her lips had a fresh coat of her trademark red lipstick.
