Chapter Four #3
Delores put her hands on her hips. “And why is that? Maybe because you’ve been too busy with your bad girl buddies to bother becoming a part of this crew.
And, hey, if that’s what you want to do with your summer, go ahead.
We’d be better if you joined us—really joined us—but we’ll be fine without you.
” Nora sniffed, watching the last of Delores’s soapy water go down the drain.
“But I promise you this, if you or your delinquent friends mess with Fallon again, you’ll be more than sorry. ”
Gwen and Tina were due in next, so Nora couldn’t linger.
Was Delores aware of their illegal activities, or was she merely using an expression?
Nora knew from her father that some minimum-security prisons had programs to train smoke jumpers, and her debate team had argued the viability of good works programs for minor criminals.
Could Gwen and Tina have been given the option to avoid prison time by attending Firecamp?
She had no intention of asking, but it didn’t seem impossible, given their disregard for rules and animosity toward authority.
But their crime couldn’t have been anything more than a misdemeanor, like some lesser drug possession, right?
Hearing footsteps outside, Nora quickly gathered her things.
“What’s up?” Gwen asked. “Did your previous bathroom buddy kick you to the curb?”
Nora shrugged. “Who cares? We’re out of here tomorrow anyway.”
“Yeah, about that,” Tina said, her voice a bit squeaky. “Gwen and I would like to share a tent. Just the two of us. That okay with you?”
Relief rushed through Nora like a soothing breeze, but she remained composed.
“Oh, sure. No problem.” If she’d been alone, she might’ve skipped out of the restroom in celebration.
This was her chance to peel off their unpleasant company and revert to the Nora she’d planned to be. Alone, self-sufficient, and drama free.
* * *
Due to their late night at the ice cream shop, Nora and Fallon had to pick up their field gear from the equipment hut the next morning.
Hal smiled as they entered. “Ah, my twin towers.” At Nora’s grimace, he sobered. “Too soon?”
“She doesn’t want to be lumped in with me,” Fallon said.
“Rugged individualist, huh?” Hal put his chin in his hand and regarded her.
“Don’t presume to speak for me,” Nora said to Fallon, but there was no bite in her tone. After Tina’s announcement, she’d had a restful night’s sleep, and it felt like today was her first real day at Firecamp.
“Will that be two single tents or one double?” Hal asked, looking back and forth between them.
“Singles,” they said together, and Hal laughed.
“Okay, got that message loud and clear. Who’s the adventurous type, and who’s more traditional?”
“That depends on what we’re talking about,” Nora replied, and Fallon nodded.
“Tents,” Hal said, and Nora responded, “Traditional.”
“What’s adventurous about a tent?” Fallon looked to Nora, who shrugged.
“I’m glad you asked,” he said. “And I think this one is going to be right up your alley.” He pulled out a large, deep green roll.
“It’s a new style. Could almost be a two-person size, and here’s why.
The entrance has a vestibule that’s tall enough for even you to stand up in.
Lots of room for gear too. Then you pass through another flap into the sleeping area, with a traditional low ceiling to keep the body heat in.
A little more storage in there but not much. What do you think?”
“I think it sounds great,” Fallon agreed. “I’ll take it.”
“Attagirl.”
Nora suppressed a smile at Fallon’s expression as Hal loaded them down with sleeping bags, thermal ground pads, toolbelts, shirts with the SCC logo, and heavy jackets.
She looked like a kid at Christmas. When he offered her a new pair of boots and thick socks, she sat on the equipment hut floor to try them on.
“Perfect,” she declared. “You’re really good at this, Hal.”
“Yeah, well…” He trailed off but seemed pleased. “You’re gonna wear out those jeans pretty quick. Got another pair?”
“Nothing that fits. I’ve lost some weight lately.”
“If you’ll let me measure you, I’ll have the right size in tough khakis waiting when you come in for break.”
Fallon’s eyes misted. “You’d do that for me?”
“Honey, we take care of our sawyers here.” Hal touched her arm. “Hell, I’d even do it for Miss Traditional over there.”
Fallon smiled weakly, her emotion evident. “Could I…could I get another bandana for my hair?”
Hal returned with a pack of three. “You be careful with that mop around those saws.”
“I will. Thank you so much.”
When they left the equipment hut fifteen minutes later, Hal had added a quilted flannel shirt and a thick hoodie to Fallon’s stack, and Nora caught herself smiling at seeing her so happy.
Hardening her tone, she said, “Remember, this is a government program, and your tax dollars support it. It’s like you had a savings account, and now you’re withdrawing some in the form of goods. ”
Fallon’s smile faded. “Maybe so. But I still appreciate it. Sometimes you don’t get anything back for what you’ve given.”