3. Jamie #3
“Oh my god, are those Gushers?” a new voice asked, their eyes electric and haunting. I looked at her cabin. Our one remaining straggler’s name was Gia. The redhead had a skip in her step as she rested her knees on the bench seat.
“My ex-wife sent this care package with me,” Grant explained. “She was here last year. She knows the game.” He pulled four packs of Gushers out of his magical snack bag and tossed one to each of us. “She promised food was the best way to make friends.”
If I were to make an assessment based on looks and attitude alone, Grant was a gentle soul. His polo was buttoned tightly, his glasses shoved up his nose three times since I’d met him. I liked him already, and not just because of the snacks.
“Your ex has been here before?” Gia asked.
“Wait, your ex ? Packed you snacks ?” Emerson’s dark-red lips were partially open in an unintentional pout.
“She came here last year and loved it so much, we made a pact to take turns with the kids so we could attend.” Grant pulled out a well-loved picture of two middle school-age boys and passed it around to us. Both of them sported the same half-smile as their father.
“What about everyone else? Have any of you been to camp before?” I asked.
A warm smile enveloped Emerson’s face. “Every year from fifth through twelfth grade. But that was youth camp. My guess is this is going to be different.”
“Yeah, this is definitely not that,” Gia said.
That garnered chuckles out of all of us.
I loved our group. We talked for the next hour, explaining our reasons for coming here, laughing at Gia’s constant jokes, and moving to the beat of a playlist Ren had curated and played through a Bluetooth speaker.
“Looks like we have a great group.” Lamar exited the large cabin behind me.
He’d changed into a blue T-shirt that showed signs of wear and tear through the small holes at the hemline.
His jeans were faded and ripped, and his relaxed posture and demeanor were effortlessly calm.
I wondered if a week here could unwind me in the same way.
Ren threw a pack of Gushers at Lamar as he made his way to our table.
Our table . That had a nice ring to it. We’d all just met, but it was clearly a group mentality, probably out of a need to protect the snacks, but still.
We were obviously all new to this, and friendships seemed the way to take the initial leap.
Lamar popped one of the jelly drops of goodness into his mouth and moaned.
“This takes me back.” His wide grin instantly put me at ease.
“So we have Grant and Gia.” He high-fived Gia as if he’d done it a million times before.
“And Emerson, Ren, and Jamie round us off. Since it looks like we’re all present and accounted for, I’m here to answer any questions you might have, but I can start by addressing the camp counselor of it all.
I’m your host of sorts. You have a list of activities you signed up for, and you’ll be able to participate as planned, but there are gaps in your day, and some people change their minds about what they want to do.
That’s what I’m here for. I lead some activities, but I like to participate as well.
Counselors are here to help you have fun, and any of us are willing to help you with whatever you need.
I’m also an incredible cocktail and mocktail maker. ”
“Speaking of which, when does the bar open up at this place?” Ren asked sweetly. He’d told me on the drive that Starlight was an all-inclusive resort, and he didn’t mince words when it came to the important questions.
“We have a mimosa bar at breakfast, as well as beer, wine, and hard seltzers in coolers throughout the premises. In the afternoons, we have a full bar and two mixologists on hand.” Lamar gestured behind his shoulder.
“You’ll soon see that you’ve walked into an adults-only oasis in the wilderness.
We recommend that you pace yourselves, of course.
No one wants to go in the camp drunk tank.
It’s infested with raccoons. But if, for any reason, you aren’t feeling well or become injured—I’m talking bug bites and unfortunate run-ins with poison oak—needing a toothbrush, calling family, or whatever else comes up, I can assist in those kinds of issues.
If you have any first aid needs, you can alert a staff member, or go to the front office. ”
That made a ton of sense. I was beginning to realize just how prepared the staff was to meet the needs of its campers.
“I’m sure you’re already aware that there’s spotty cell service.
The whole purpose of camp is to get away from doom-scrolling the news and reading work emails.
The one thing we ask, apart from being safe, is that you use your phones as little as possible.
You’ve no doubt seen the disposable cameras in your cabin with your name on them.
We’ll print them off for you before you leave, but we ask that you leave phones in your cabins and detach from technology if possible.
We know it’s ingrained, but it can hinder your ability to unwind. ”
This week would be more challenging than I thought. I wouldn’t be able to get calls from clients. I wouldn’t be able to answer emails. I was being forced to have a good time.