Mindy didn’t seem surprised by Marilyn’s response. “It’s always best to be direct, otherwise, you’re responding to gossip and rumors.”
Marilyn indecisively shrugged her shoulders, opting to leave the next move to the hired help.
Mindy stood front and center and, in a voice loud enough that everyone could hear, said, “I want to let you know that Nate is well and doing fine.”
Everyone applauded and cheered.
“But now I want to thank Lori for her fearlessness, quick thinking, and life-saving actions!”
There was more applauding and cheering.
Fearless?I thought.No, you’re wrong—there are so many things I was afraid of, bears, snakes, the bottom of the lake, my feelings for Teddy.
I smiled, looking out into the crowd wondering—Is it still a standing ovation if everyone was already standing?
After Flagpole, Jack radioed me to come to the office. I wondered when he’d get around to speaking with me.
Before I was through the door, Jack nodded toward his wife and said, “Marilyn tells me that your approval rating has skyrocketed.”
Was that Jack’s attempt at humor?
He sneered. “I hope all the acclaim doesn’t go to your head.”
I gawked at him. I knew better than to expect gratitude, but I’d naively thought I’d get an acknowledgment.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked.
“I don’t want you to think of yourself as some kind of savior. You happened to be in the right place at the right time.”
“You called me in here to insult me?”
Jack scoffed. “There you go again, twisting my words.”
The only thing twisted was his brain. I didn’t have to stay and listen to him. I looked over my shoulder as I walked out and said, “While the two of you sit in your air-conditioned office, I’ll be outside withyourcampers.”
Back in my room, I thought about how it took attending sleepaway camp—okay, thirty years late—to finally have the courage to stand up to a bully.
I wondered if Teddy would have time to meet. Boys Camp was freaking out, and if anyone could soothe the campers, it would be Teddy and Bob.
I hoped he’d show up because I needed to unload on someone I trusted, who respected and understood me. Sadly, that person was not my husband.
I must have dozed off, but I woke smiling when I heard three low whistles.
29Flagpole
The sun was burning off the morning mist as I stood alone at the edge of the lake by the ski dock doing sun salutations. It was a glorious way to start the day, getting lost in the beauty of the morning, watching the light shimmering on the water. I felt blessed to be able to enjoy this view—it sure beat the hell out of a yoga studio. I’d just swan dived over my legs and swayed, loosening my mind and my back, when my radio sounded. It was Marilyn. Talk about a zen kill.
I fought a head rush from standing up so quickly. “Lori here.”
“What’s your location?”
“The ski dock.”
I heard some murmuring in the background.
“Why are you at the ski dock? You’re supposed to be at the morning meeting,” Marilyn said.
I stared at the radio for a moment. “No one told me. I’ll head right up.”
