31. Coraline
31
Coraline
It’s the first night of the 100th year celebration for Camp Willowbrooke, and I can already feel the energy buzzing in the air. The clinic closed early tonight, not long after Shae went home. I was able to leave at the same time as Granna and Pappy, so I opted to follow behind them as they made their way to the campground.
There’s a schedule posted, listing all the daily activities, but for now the campground isn’t doing anything too big tonight.
Pappy hauls his fifth-wheel camper with the old truck he's had since before I was born. It’s always been a point of pride for him, even though the truck’s seen better days. The camper is the only thing he’s actually upgraded over the years. I think my grandparents actually got a bigger camper in hopes that me and the kids would start going with them every year and now it's actually happening.
When we first turn down the camp entrance, I roll my windows down and take a deep breath, inhaling the smoky scent of campfire that drifts through the air. The corners of my mouth turn upward as I breathe it in. That smell, that familiar, earthy scent, brings back all kinds of memories.
I’m flooded with images of Gemma and I—our laughter ringing through the trees, playing in the creek, riding our bikes all over the campgrounds, and spending hours on end at the park. We would play from the time the sun came up until we fell asleep, worn out, sitting on Pappy's lap around the campfire, listening to his stories.
I smile as I glance over at the boys, watching them in the rearview mirror. I'm so happy that my kids get to experience that too.
We eventually pull up to site fourteen, one of our old favorite spots. It’s right beside of the park and I’ll be able to sit in my camping chair while I watch the boys play.
The creek runs right behind the campsite. It’s the perfect spot for little adventures, even if it rains. I remember Granna used to give Gemma and I each an umbrella and a pair of rain boots, and we would run around in the rain together, jumping in puddles.
I park my car, get the boys out and grab their bikes from the bike mount. I figured that they could play or ride their bikes while I help set up the campsite.
“Be careful boys! Watch out for the other campers!” I yell as the boys take off to the park together.
I can see and hear them from our campsite so I feel comfortable letting them go by themselves. There’s already a few kids playing who look to be around their ages.
One of the girls that Harrison is playing with looks like Charlie's daughter, Jenny. They occasionally go to Grace Haven and I think she's in the same class as Harrison.
While the kids play, Granna and I help guide Pappy while he backs the camper into the actual campsite. Trying to park a camper is not an easy task, especially a fifth wheel. It’s so unnecessarily stressful.
My Granna used to joke and say that real love was staying together after trying to park the camper because it’s so frustrating. It’s the only time my grandparents would bicker, and I’d laugh as they exchanged playful jabs, trying to guide the camper into place. But, by the time they finished leveling the camper and we sat down to eat supper, the tension was always gone. It was replaced with laughter and the comfort of being together.
I catch myself smiling as I watch Pappy working with his usual determination, getting everything just right. The little arguments between him and Granna always make me feel like home, reminding me that no matter how many years go by, some things never change.
After Pappy finishes with the leveling, Granna and I start pulling the awning down and getting the string lights ready to hang. The warm evening light starts to filter through the trees. I can already imagine how beautiful the campsite will look once it’s all set up.
That’s when I see Gemma pulling in with Goose, and a wave of excitement rushes through me. I haven’t seen her in a while, and the sight of her familiar face instantly brings back memories of our childhood here.
“Gemma!” I call out, waving with both hands.
Her face lights up as she spots me, and she waves back. Goose is riding shotgun beside her. The moment she steps out of the car, I can feel the energy shift. It's the kind of joy that only family can bring.
Granna’s eyes soften, and a smile tugs at her lips when she see's them. Even though Gemma’s always been the free spirit of the family, you can see how much she means to Granna.
“Hey, guys! Where are the kiddos?” Gemma calls, her voice carrying in the crisp evening air as she hooks Goose up to his leash.
Goose, the golden retriever, prances out of the car like he owns the place. His golden fur is so shiny it almost looks like it’s been professionally blow-dried before they left for the campground. I can’t help but roll my eyes and smile.
He’s one of the most pampered dogs I know, mainly because his mom is an esthetician and owns a salon. Gemma’s all about self-care and pampering, and that extends to her beloved pup. She firmly believes that everyone—humans and animals alike—deserve a little TLC.
“Good grief,” I mutter under my breath, laughing softly. “Goose looks better than I do right now.”
Gemma smirks, unbothered. “Well, you know what they say... dogs are a reflection of their owner.”
I shake my head with a grin, amused by how easily she manages to get away with treating her dog like a little celebrity.
“The kids are over at the park playing. I’ve been keeping an eye on them while we get everything situated,” I reply, brushing my hands together as I walk over to Goose.
"Hello, handsome," I say in my best baby talk voice, bending down to pet him.
Goose’s tail starts wagging furiously, and he eagerly sniffs my face. His cold nose boops my cheek, and I nearly lose my balance, stumbling a bit. Goose, oblivious to his size. I laugh at his gentle but clumsy enthusiasm.
“You big goof,” I chuckle, scratching behind his ears. Goose looks up at me with those soulful eyes. He’s about to leave a trail of dog hair all over my clothes, but it doesn’t matter. He’s the kind of dog you just can’t stay mad at.
“I’m going to go say hi to them,” Gemma says, standing up straight and brushing off her hands. She glances back at me. “I can stay over there with them if you want?”
“Yeah that sounds great! I think that we have it all handled here. We did most of the inside stuff yesterday.” I wipe sweat off of my brow. “Are you staying tonight or just visiting?”
“I’m still thinking about it. We'll see,” she says as she turns around and starts walking to the park with Goose at her side, trotting along.
I watch Gemma greet the boys and then I notice something that peaks my interest. I was correct when I thought I saw Jenny because Charlie is now sitting on the bench by the swing set. When he notices my sister, his entire body language changes. I make a mental note to ask her what that's all about later.
I turn back to our campsite, feeling a quiet sense of peace settle over me. The kids, the memories, and everything falling into place—it feels like everything I’ve been hoping for is finally coming together.
After everything's finished, Granna and I start working on dinner. We wanted something simple and easy so we picked spaghetti. The camper has a gas stove and an oven large enough to cook for all of us. Really the only thing that the kitchen in this camper doesn’t have is a dishwasher.
“How does it feel to be camping again?” Granna asks, her voice soft and warm as she works on the noodles and garlic bread.
I pause for a moment, letting the scent of the campfire mix with the familiar smells of dinner. I take a deep breath, feeling the calm of the campground settle into my bones. “Honestly, really good. My soul loves being here. It’s so peaceful, and I'm really excited for the kids.”
I start chopping an onion, the sharp smell filling the air.
Granna looks up from her work, her hands moving slower as she glances over at me. “I’m so glad that you decided to come. I miss spending time with you and your sister so much that it hurts my heart sometimes,” she admits, her voice quiet.
Her words hit me like a wave, and suddenly I’m fighting the lump in my throat. Only my grandmother would say something so raw and vulnerable that it pulls on my heartstrings and makes me want to cry—especially while I’m chopping an onion.
I force a smile, trying to keep my composure. “I miss it too, Granna. I miss how things used to be… before everything changed.”
She nods, a sadness in her eyes that reflects mine. “I know, dear. Life has a way of throwing curveballs, doesn’t it? But we make the most of what we have now.”
I set the knife down for a moment, my hands resting on the counter.
Granna smiles softly, reaching over to squeeze my hand. “We’ve always got each other, no matter what.”
I hear a loud thump outside and the camper door swings open.
“Boys! Do not go in there!” Gemma squeals, but it’s too late. Goose jumps inside, mud splattering everywhere as Harrison and Michael giggle behind him, their faces alight with pure mischief.
Harrison and Michael both look like they've been taking turns rolling in the mud. I'm starting to think that's exactly what happened.
“What are you all doing?” I screech as they make their muddy entrance. “You can’t come inside of the camper covered in mud!”
Before anyone can respond, Michael, full of energy and excitement, runs straight to Granna and gives her a big bear hug, sending mud everywhere. I gasp, but Granna just chuckles, her eyes twinkling with nostalgia.
“Oh, Coraline, it’s okay,” Granna says gently, patting Michael’s back as he clings to her. “I would do anything for you and Gemma to be this little again and covered in mud from playing together.”
I stare at Granna, wide-eyed, not sure how to react to the absolute mess my kids and Goose have just made. But the warmth in Granna’s voice makes me pause, and I realize she’s right. This is what childhood is about. The mess, the joy, and the memories they’ll carry with them.
“Well, I suppose I can’t be mad at them if they’re having this much fun,” I admit with a sigh, a small smile tugging at my lips despite the chaos.
Granna looks at me knowingly, a slight smile curving her lips. “No, you can’t. Just let them be kids, dear.”
The boys, grinning from ear to ear, continue to cause a ruckus inside the camper, with Goose happily shaking off the mud as he trots around the small space, oblivious to the mess he’s creating.
“But your camper. They’re getting mud everywhere!” Gemma is stuck with her hands over her mouth at the door. Goose is sitting on the pullout couch on top of all of our clean linen that we just put on yesterday.
“It makes for a great life lesson. Once they are all cleaned up, they will help mop up the floors and change the sheets again. Isn’t that right boys?”
“Yes, Granna,” Harrison says softly. “I’m sorry mommy. We were just excited and forgot how dirty we were.”
“It’s okay. I think I overreacted a little,” I confess. “By the time you all are cleaned up and clean the camper, supper will be ready.”
Harrison and Michael zoom ahead on their bikes, their laughter echoing through the campground. Gemma and I walk leisurely behind them, both of us keeping a watchful eye as the boys weave in and out of the dirt paths, racing each other.
Goose trots happily beside us, his tail swishing in time with his steps. He’s been on his best behavior since the mud fiasco in the camper. Every now and then, he glances up at us, making sure we’re all still together.
Tonights activity is story time with s'mores around the campfire. The rest of the week they have midday crafts planned, game night, a scavenger hunt, hayrides, and then a movie night Thursday night.
The movie night has always been my favorite. The camp staff members play a popular movie from a projector, kind of like at a drive in. Everyone brings their own chairs and blankets and the staff serve free popcorn.
The last night, Friday night, will be the actual day for the 100th year celebration. That’s the main event that everyone is looking forward to, myself included.
Once we finally arrive to the front of the campground where the activity is taking place tonight, the recreation team already has the fire going. They placed multiple bales of hay in the shape of a circle around the fire pit for the kids to sit on.
The warm glow of the fire flickers in the background as I watch the kids scatter, already making new friends and getting settled on the hay bales.
“Do you remember when we used to do this, Gemma?”
“Of course I do," she replies with a grin. "My favorite time was when they did the Halloween campfire stories during the fall season. I had nightmares about the boogeyman for months.”
I can’t help but laugh, the sound genuine and free. "Okay, but same. Those were always the best."
The memories flood back—the way the campfire stories seemed to come alive with every twist and turn, the way we used to huddle close together as the wind rustled through the trees. I still remember how we would race back to our camper after the stories, hearts pounding from excitement... and maybe a little bit of fear.
I glance at Gemma, who’s still smiling, probably lost in her own memories. “Do you ever wish we could go back to being those kids?” I ask her softly, even though I know the answer.
She looks over at me, her eyes glinting with that familiar mischievous spark. “What, you mean to the time when we didn't have to worry about laundry, bills, or bad hair days?” she teases, nudging me with her elbow.
I laugh again, the sound easy and natural between us. “Exactly.”
I start grazing through the crowd to see if I recognize anyone and then my eyes meet a familiar pair of blue ones. Jesse Cooper. My heart skips a beat, and suddenly, the noise of the campfire and kids playing seems distant. It’s just him.
A familiar smile spreads across his face, and before I know it, he’s waving us over.
“I’ll stay over here with Goose, you go ahead,” Gemma instructs.
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.” Gemma walks over to a bench and sits down with Goose.
I speed walk over to Jesse and he gives me a hug. “Hi stranger. I missed you.”
“You miss me already? We were together yesterday, there’s no way you aren’t tired of me yet."
He pulls his face back to look at me, his expression soft and sincere. “Cora, I could never get tired of you.”
Just as I open my mouth to reply, Charlie’s voice cuts through the moment. “Break it up, lovebirds,” he teases with a grin. “Don’t you know there are little eyes and little ears around here?”
I laugh and pull back slightly, feeling the heat in my cheeks. I reach for Jesse’s hand, giving it a light squeeze. “Very funny, Charlie,” I say with a playful roll of my eyes. “It’s good to see you too.”
Charlie smirks, then looks around the campfire. “Where’d your sister run off to?” His brow furrows slightly as he scans the crowd. “I could’ve sworn I just saw her with Goose.”
I glance over to where Gemma’s sitting, then point toward the bench where she and Goose are. “They’re over there.”
She makes eye contact with me when she sees me pointing in her direction. Her eyes go wide and she immediately looks away and gets out her phone.
“Hmm,” Charlie mutters, glancing over at the kids. “Well, I think Jenny and Harrison are friends now. They played together really well today.”
I follow his gaze, and my heart warms as I watch Jenny sitting between my two boys, laughing at something one of them said.
“I’m glad they’re finally warming up,” I admit, my voice softening. “They had such a hard time with everything that happened with Nash. I was so worried they weren’t going to make many friends when we moved.”
“Well, it looks like you don’t have to worry anymore.” Jesse’s voice is reassuring as he leans in and kisses my forehead. The simple gesture sends a wave of calm through me.