Since when was I one of his key people? Probably since this morning when Chip pointed it out.
“If you don’t need me for anything else,” I said, “I’d like to check on—I almost said ‘my campers,’ but Jack has made it perfectly clear to me that all campers are his—the Cubs.” I didn’t wait for an answer and walked out the door. I could feel Jack’s eyes boring a hole through the back of my skull.
Teddy fell in stride with me as I walked toward the canteen, out of view of the office.
“You know that Jack won’t bother with you, but he’ll ream me out later,” I said.
“Don’t let him get under your skin. Focus on what we put into motion today and how soon he’ll only be a sad memory,” Teddy said.
“The gossip, the innuendos, the questions . . .”
“I have complete confidence that you’ll impeccably handle anything thrown your way.”
Ronnie had never said anything like that to me. I smiled. “Thank you.”
“You were brilliant today. You impressed Chip. I can’t wait for next summer when we’re running this place.” We were behind the theater when Teddy placed his hand on my shoulder and whispered, “I can’t wait to celebrate tonight.”
“When will I stop blushing when you look at me that way?”
His face lit up. “I’m hoping never.”
It was already choice period, so I went to my room, threw on a bathing suit, and caught Mindy starting her golf cart.
“Come on, I’ll drive us down,” she said.
I braced myself for the first round of questions.
“What the hell did Jack want that was so important?” Mindy asked.
“I think he knew I was with Chip, and it made him nervous.”
“What did Chip want?”
“To hear my version of what happened the day of the carnival,” I said.
“Why was Ted with you?”
“I wondered that myself. I got the impression they’re buddies, so maybe he was there to vouch for my integrity.” I wasn’t lying, but I wasn’t completely transparent either. Before she asked another question, I did. “Tell me what you know about Chip.”
“Not much. I know he’s the brains and the money behind the camp and that he intimidates Jack. I can imagine how anxious Jack was to find out you were with Chip. Jack was probably having a conniption, wondering what you’d tell him.”
If Jack only knew.
Later that afternoon, Jack was outside his office waiting for me to walk by.
“Lori, Marilyn and I would like to speak with you.”
Even though I expected it and knew he wouldn’t be around much longer, he was still my boss. I foolishly hoped that, with Chip still at the camp, Jack wouldn’t bother with me. Against my better judgment, I followed him into the office, bracing myself for a confrontation.
“Shall I radio Ted?” I asked.
He looked at me like I was a simpleton.
“I thought that since you’re angry that we were off radio, you’d want to reprimand us both. Or is it easier to yell at a woman without a six-foot-two man standing next to her?”
“What’s Ted to you? Has he become your protector?” Jack’s sneer was menacing.
“I hadn’t realized that I needed protecting.”
