three
Jamie
Thescenerychangedthefarther from the city we drove. I knew it would, but seeing everything turn from bulky gray concrete to untamed verdant green was more stunning than I’d imagined. Newly orange and yellowing maples scattered throughout the city became interlocked evergreen trees that framed glimpses of Mount Hood as we drove farther into the wilderness. Windows down and elbows out, we soaked in the mountainous fresh air and possibility. Driving a world away from the heart of the city in one bold decision for more adventure.
Seattle was all I’d known since moving back home after college. It wasn’t idealistic, but it was bursting with life, industrial buildings, art galleries, and some of the best food anywhere. Downtown was a rich mix of tourists in a hurry or Washingtonians having a relaxing lunch in the grass of parks within view of the Space Needle. City life also had its downsides—traffic, noise, and light pollution. I wasfond of Seattle, sure,but the thought of driving four and a half hours to set up in the wilderness was invigorating, especially since this time on a Friday I’d still be working. I’d always thought about driving out past the city but never had much reason to. Now the trees alone were worth the view as they grew larger and darker green. Glimpses of the mountain beckoned us closer to our destination as we listened to the road trip mix Ren had curated for just this occasion.
Driving his car was a new experience. The clutch slipped a little in third gear, and there was a concerning noise I’d hear every now and again that Ren assured me was “just her purring.” Control balanced the car-sickness that overwhelmed me when I was in the passenger seat. Being at the wheel helped my mind settle, and I realized I missed driving. Having a destination in mind made me appreciate the journey. Living close to the office had its benefits, so owning a car had never made practical sense.
Ren grabbed his backpack and unzipped it in his lap.
“What’s all this?” I glanced inside his bag. There must have been three different types of chips and several other baggies of food.
He opened one and began eating with an unholy amount of enthusiasm. “Road trip food,” he spouted around a mouthful of M&M’s.
Fine with me. It was his car. “And this?” I gestured to the only water bottle.
“Emergency water.”
“There’s one bottle.”
He shrugged. “In the event of an emergency, I guess we’d have to fight to the death.”
“Peachy.”
He stuffed the remaining bags into his backpack and dropped it between his feet.
“Tell me more about this summer camp for adults.” I flexed my fingers around the steering wheel. It was time for a little more information. We were already in the car. There was no turning back. “How did you find this?”
“Well, first, I was thinking of signing up for a singles safari, but I don’t think they’d let you drive the rover, and we both know that would be a problem.”
I nodded, before the explanation fully caught up to me. “Wait, what the hell is a singles safari?”
“I don’t actually know,” Ren admitted honestly. “This was my backup backup plan. Originally, I wanted us to go onTheAmazing Race, but those producers wouldn’t know talent if it tap-danced right in front of them. Plus, this way, we get our own cabins.”
Something told me Ren had been rejected from the TV show, but I didn’t want to ask. “We don’t share a cabin?”
“Hell no.” He vehemently shook his bag of M&M’s at me. “I’m not hooking up in the same sleeping quarters as my boss.”
“Oh, so now I’m your boss?” The man was a world of contradictions.
“You are when you’re hearing me go balls-deep—”
“I get it.”
“—into a buttered-down piece of man meat.”
Buttered down?
“I get it, Ren,” I cut him off. Oh, how I wished I’d cut him off sooner. “So what you’re saying is we’re going singles camping?”
“Not exactly. This isn’t just for singles, and there’s a lot more to it. Just you wait.” Ren pulled out the next surprise from his Mary Poppins bag of wonder, a colorful trifold travel brochure. “Apparently, the owners met at a summer camp when they were kids.”
“That’s cute.”
“Damn right it is. Now listen: located in the heart of the Oregon wilderness on scenic Mount Hood, Camp Starlight has been decades in the making.” He paused for dramatic effect. “But this was what sold me on it.” Ren got comfortable and began reading testimonials in different voices:
“‘I came to Starlight in desperate need of a break from my loudmouthed family.’” He mimicked a southern drawl. “‘What I found was dozens of loudmouthed adults and a community I was welcomed into. Camp was the vacation I didn’t know I needed. I try to come back every year…’ Or listen to this one.” Now he spoke in a Valley girl-like voice. “‘I thought we were only going to tell ghost stories, little did I know I learned more ghost stories about exes…’” He burst out laughing, thankfully back to his regular voice. “Scary indeed, am I right?”
