four
Jamie
Followingthecrowd,Renand I approached what had been lovingly referred to by Lamar as the mess hall. The massive log-framed lodge was idyllic, nestled between the main office and the craft cabin. It was the center of camp activities. There was a wraparound porch with padded high-back chairs and side tables facing the lake. The perfect place to unwind with a drink and a view. I let the wonder sink in. It truly was beautiful in the middle of nowhere.
Nothing about the warmth inside should have surprised me, and yet there was nothing messy about this hall. The first thing that caught my eye was the focal point of the room, a striking river rock stone fireplace. Bucolic wagon wheel chandeliers draped from the open rafters, and a raised stage took up the right side of the room. Sidled in the corner next to the kitchen was a reclaimed wood bar. Six rustic tables offset each other, filling out the middle of the room facing the stage. Each one wasset with sage-green placemats, soft lighting, and centerpieces with each pod name atop them.
Directly across from us was a classic buffet. My mouth watered. Dill-covered salmon cucumber bites, wild mushroom risotto, whipped ricotta crostini, and prime rib were all calling my name. This place pulled out all the stops. The spread looked like it belonged at a food and wine festival, and the drinks were just as sophisticated. I twirled the charred sprig of rosemary into the best whiskey sour I’d ever had. It had been smoked and tasted like a delicious campfire.
Conversation at our table flowed easily as Ren returned from the buffet with heaping plates, eager to get to know our podmates further. Ren took the seat next to Grant. When their elbows bumped, they both turned to each other, then immediately looked away sheepishly. Everyone came from different backgrounds, different financial statuses. It made me wonder how much it cost to go here.
“Well, if it isn’t my favorite troublemaker. Lookin’ good, red.” Hazel made a show of lowering her sunglasses at our new friend.
Gia launched up out of her seat to be wrapped up in a big hug by the camp owner, who was no longer in her flight instructor suit. Now she was wearing black jeans and a simple tank top.
“It feels like it’s been ages since we’ve seen you.” She turned toward the rest of our table. “Gia is the foremost veterinarian on the West Coast.”
“No, I am not.” Gia playfully smacked Hazel’s arm.
Gia intrigued me. She hadn’t given us much information just yet. It was mostly superficial details about her life. I wanted to ask her more, but she continued talking with Hazel, their rapport cute in its own way.
“How did you become a counselor here?” Emerson asked Lamar upon Hazel’s departure. We were all enthralled by thisplace, and a huge part of the puzzle of Camp Starlight was the people running it.
“Well, before this, I was a skydiving instructor, but I get frequent ear infections, which made the pain from jumping from high altitudes unbearable. So, as much as I loved jumping out of planes, I also like to enjoy the simple things, like hearing, so I did the responsible thing and took a step back.” He chuckled. “I found this place through word of mouth, actually. My scuba diving friend went to camp the year prior and hooked me up with the owners. They had an opening, and just like most things in my life, the stars aligned. Get it? Stars? Starlight?”
Gradually, the room got quieter. Most people had a lifted hand with what looked like a shadow puppet-style dog. I put my two middle fingers to my thumb with my pinky and pointer fingers up in the air and raised my hand to do what everyone else did. Everyone caught on to quiet coyote, and suddenly, I was back in elementary school, in Mr. Knudsen’s class as Charlie Alcott elbowed me till I was quiet. I’d always been the last one to catch on. Not this time. Ren was still talking beside me, and I elbowed him in the ribs till he got the memo and put his fingers up in the air.
“What’s this for?” Ren asked, looking around the room.
“You never did quiet coyote in school?” I asked. Ren shook his head but complied.
Hazel waited for everyone to quiet down another moment before she spoke, effortlessly chill. “Welcome to Camp Starlight!” The group of us cheered, some clapping the tables loudly. She introduced herself as Hazel Matthews, owner. “I’m looking for my assistant, Leo Lovejoy.” She lifted her hand to her brow, scoping out the crowd.
Leo joined her on the stage. “I think you mean co-owner and camp dad.” He gave a charismatic wink. He exuded anexcitement I usually reserved for Ren. He was genuine and had the right levity when meeting her at center stage.
“No one is calling you that. Don’t call him that,” she said to laughs from the crowd. “All righty, folks, let’s get things started. To begin with, we like to introduce you to our staff, who you’ll be interacting with all week. Let’s give it up to our chefs, Azalea and Bobby, and our culinary student, Sebastian, for this lovely dining experience.”
“Thank you for making me gain fifteen pounds this summer,” Leo chimed in as the three of them joined him and Hazel on stage. Each took a small bow and gave hearty waves.
We cheered, and Hazel looked toward stage right. “Our bartenders, Luis and Lola, have been creating something special for all of you. Remember, it’s an open bar, but if Lola has to carry you back to your cabin—”
Hazel cut in as an image appeared behind them on the projector screen. “You’ll be cut off, and your face will be drawn on.” Her smile brightened at Leo, while her eyes held pure wickedness. He scoffed, feigning annoyance at the sight of him passed out on a chair with his mouth open and a fake mustache gracing his upper lip.
Luis pointed at Lola. “I told her not to do that.”
Lola shrugged. “I also told him he’d had three too many appletinis.”
Leo stepped in front of her, speaking quickly before she could continue. “And that’s our onsite staff. Before we get to our counselors, we wanted to do a little housekeeping.”
The staff exited the stage, and Hazel continued. “The cameras on your tables and in your cabins are yours to create memories with. But be warned, they will be viewed and displayed on our projector screen.” She looked to Leo, who cringed. “Parents will be contacted if we find any inappropriate photos,” she deadpanned. Our emcee held for laughter yet again.
“We’ll have some get-to-know-you games and competitions. You’ve probably seen the activities list and have noticed that we like to focus on wellness and relaxation, as well as crafts and hobbies. Our schedule is meant for your enjoyment, not your obligation, so feel free to go to activities or spend all day introverting in the Meditation Meadow and knock out that TBR pile. We host sunrise yoga every day and meals and activities will start at the same time each day as well. Every night, we have a campfire, and we do different activities each night of the week. Tonight will be a meet and greet, and tomorrow is karaoke night. All of this is printed in your welcome binders. For now, set your focus on our incredible staff as we kick off our get-to-know-you game.’”
Leo jumped in on cue to applause. “Thanks, emcee Hazel. Now let’s welcome our counselors to the stage one at a time to play two truths and a lie.” More cheers and some oohs followed. “The counselors will share correct answers before we move on to the bonfire for stories and s’mores.”
“First up, they’re small but mighty. Our resident yoga guru and popcorn gremlin, camp counselor Sawyer!” Hazel was right. Sawyer had big curls and a small frame. Their animated smile and complimenting wave to the group lit up their entire face as they took center stage. Sawyer didn’t take the microphone. Their voice carried out to all of us, even our table in the back.
“Hi, everyone.”
