“There are no secrets at camp, but at least we could fool ourselves into believing we’re covering our tracks.”
“But what if they’re not back by Wednesday? All I think about is the next time I can fall asleep in your arms, and now that may not happen at all this week,” I said.
Teddy didn’t say anything as I pulled up next to the boys’ soccer field. When I looked into his eyes, I could feel that he wanted me as much as I wanted him.
The boys started filling the field, and one of the counselors yelled to him, “Hey, Mooney, unlock the door so we can get the gear out.”
“Be there in a sec,” he shouted back.
As he got out, he bent close to me and whispered, “No need to worry, nothing is going to keep us apart, I promise.”
He turned away and I watched him jog over to the equipment shed. The same feeling washed over me as when I’d left the lake house—I was in deep.
To be honest, I enjoyed being in charge—well, at least some parts. Now I got to start and end my day with Teddy. I also liked the freedom of driving around in a golf cart and seeing the big picture—how the whole camp ran.
The downside was the agony of the morning meetings. It was bad enough just being in the same room as Jack, but he seemingly took perverse pleasure in pointing out everyone’s mistakes and faults—not unlike how Ronnie had been treatingme for the past few years. I was no longer going to allow either of them to make me the center of their disdain.
I started to appreciate Bethany in a whole new light. At the beginning of camp, she was quick to criticize my mistakes, but I now realized it was probably because of how Jack treated her. After my conversation with Mindy, Bethany became more supportive of me and the other DLs. It was becoming apparent to me that Bethany and Mindy needed to rely on each other for the support they weren’t getting from the Bergers.
At the meetings I positioned myself near my allies. I sat next to Mindy, who whispered witty comments in my ear. I knew she wanted me to succeed and offered her assistance at every turn. Teddy sat across from me.
I was doing my best to stay afloat, juggling Bethany’s responsibilities and my own. My counselors stepped up, reassuring me that they and the campers would be fine. It seemed that everyone wanted me to succeed except Jack. It made no sense.
Even though he hired people who were smart and resourceful and dedicated to the happiness of the campers, he micromanaged and undermined his staff. On top of that, he had no idea that his constant criticism and verbal lashings worked against him. If he simply let his capable employees do their jobs, everyone would’ve been much happier.
Fortunately, things had been calm since the carnival. Hard to believe that was only two days ago—it felt like a week. Time moved differently at camp.
I caught up with Hazel’s group at gymnastics. There were twenty-four nine-year-olds wearing camp-issued green and white leotards, running around barefoot with their hair pulled back in high ponies. It made me think of nine-year-old me taking lessonsat Miss Doris’s School of Dance, positive that I belonged even though I had no natural ability.
They were in various stages of a gymnastics obstacle course, which required them to walk the balance beam, dismount, jump onto and off a pommel horse, swing on the lower parallel bar, dismount into a somersault, and end with a cartwheel. And for the big finish: stand straight with their hands above their heads, smiling.
I positioned myself in front of Hazel so she’d see me after her flourish. I applauded, thinking how lucky I was to be here and to see her happy and self-assured. “Great job! I’d give you a ten for sure.”
She gave me a hug. I’d missed those so much. “You, too. How’d you get to be head counselor?”
“It’s a bit unclear, but thanks for the compliment.”
“You do a great Flagpole—I’m really proud of you. I wrote to Dad and told him all about it.” Hazel had a big grin on her face.
“Have you gotten mail from Dad?”
“Yeah, but his letters are kinda weird. They’re typed and say things that he never says.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know. ‘Love you forever.’ ‘Can’t wait to play with you.’”
Jana was probably writing them and having Ronnie sign them. Typical. I wondered if he even read them. I couldn’t imagine him signing a letter to a client without it undergoing at least three revisions.
“I’m sure he’s trying his best. I mean, he’s never written you a letter before,” I said.
She shrugged. “I guess. See you later.” Then she whispered, “Mom.”
Jack started the Wednesday morning meeting by letting us know that Bethany and Nate would be back at camp before dinner.
I avoided making eye contact with Teddy during these meetings, but I was so excited I couldn’t help myself. Teddy’s face was down but he subtly shifted his head toward me and I saw the twinkle in his eyes. The dread I’d felt when I walked into the room evaporated. We wouldn’t have to miss our tryst. We both glanced at the clock at the same time. I wondered if his heart was pounding as hard as mine.
31Campfires
