Chapter 15 #3
“That’s the perfect segue to ask all of you why you keep coming back, and why should I stay?” I plopped myself on the floor next to Abby.
“Well, for starters, there’s this,” Bethany said, waving her arms around the room. “The camaraderie, the sisterhood, the teamwork.”
“No offense, but I’m not lacking for friends. I mean, you’ve been wonderful to me, and I enjoy hanging out with you, especially in the evenings, but that is not enough of a reason for me to stay.”
“I love the break from my life. No cooking, no cleaning, no husband, and if you think about it, you don’t even have kids. At least as program director, I don’t have one-on-one camper responsibilities,” Gilda said.
“The reason I put up with all the bad behavior is that Jack pays me a boatload of money,” Mindy said. “The more of an ass he is, the more cash he throws at me to cover his rudeness and the blunders he makes when speaking with a parent.”
Bethany placed a friendly hand on my shoulder and said, “I loved camp as a kid, and I love it even more as an adult. I think you should stay. Work through one whole season. Every summer has its highs and lows. I’m sure there’s lots of fun in store for you over the next few weeks.
” She became my boss again when she added, “And after all, you did sign a contract.”
“Which he broke this afternoon. I’d have been mortified if my daughters had seen me getting reamed.”
“For what it’s worth, I admired how well you handled the situation. You didn’t back down, you didn’t cry. I would’ve crumbled and gone straight to see Mindy,” Bethany said.
“We all heard how trying to go to Mindy didn’t work out so well for Lori,” Abby said.
I glanced at my watch. “I would’ve been home in my comfortable air-conditioned apartment by now, if Bethany hadn’t thwarted my plans by bringing my kids while I packed.”
Bethany shrugged. “There’ve been plenty of times that I wanted to walk out, but I never considered taking my children because they love it here.
So as a working parent at Woodlands with a lot of experience, I thought you should take into consideration that Zelda and Hazel are having a great time.
I didn’t want them to miss out on the rest of their summer. ”
Gilda asked, “So why didn’t you leave? I mean, we would’ve understood if you did.”
I took a deep breath and, feeling vulnerable, I said, “I don’t feel safe here anymore, so how can I leave my children with a jackass in charge?”
“Don’t you think you’re exaggerating? Do you really not feel safe?” Bethany asked.
“I swear to you, Jack was this close to punching me, so no, I don’t.”
There was a knock at the door. Mindy looked around the room as if she were counting heads. The usual people were already drinking so she asked, “Who’s there?”
“It’s Marilyn. May I come in? I brought treats.”
Everyone looked around, stunned.
Marilyn walked in, carrying a plateful of brownies. “I figured Lori was here, and I wanted to bring her a peace offering from me and Jack. They’re hot out of the oven.”
My stomach somersaulted from the aroma. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d indulged in a brownie. I hadn’t eaten much at dinner and was ravenous. That was my constant condition since I got here, hungry and exhausted.
Marilyn bent down to offer me the plate.
I was tempted to take one, but instead I said, “It’s going to take a lot more than baked goods to make peace.”
“I know, but I thought it would be a good start. I wish I were here to say that everything will be alright and that I can protect you from Jack, but I’m so busy trying to avoid a confrontation myself that I can’t help you. I came by to say that I hope you’ll stay till the end of the summer.”
“We’ve been trying to convince Lori to stay,” Bethany said.
“Will you stay?” Marilyn asked.
“Marilyn, I’m pretty sure you saw Jack verbally abusing me smack in the middle of camp. You watched and let it happen.”
Marilyn turned pale. I looked her in the eyes, watching her squirm, struggling to find words. “Lori, I don’t know what to say. You’re doing a good job. Today had nothing to do with your capabilities, and yes, I should’ve done something, but I was . . . I was paralyzed.”
She erupted into tears. The rest of us looked at each other, surprised.
Bethany stood and awkwardly put her arms around Marilyn, leading her to sit, where she continued crying into Bethany’s shoulder.
There was another uncomfortable silence.
When she finally contained herself, she said, “I’m married to a bully.
It’s always his way, even if I find a better way.
I’m never right. Everything has to be his idea.
He gets his way by intimidation, and he can be so nasty.
You saw it firsthand this afternoon. The truth?
I was afraid to step up and protect you. ”
I felt a sudden sympathy for her. My relationship with Ronnie might be in trouble, but at least I wasn’t afraid of him. And I refused to be intimidated by Jack.
Marilyn changed the subject. “Jack wanted me to ask you if you’re planning to shut down the camp.”
“What’re you talking about?” Gilda asked.
“I threatened to have the camp closed within twenty-four hours because of harassment.”
“I wish I had your chutzpah,” Bethany said.
“To answer the question, I haven’t made any phone calls . . . yet.”
“Please don’t. I don’t know what he’d do if you shut the camp down. I don’t know what he’s capable of, and I’d hate to see him put to the test,” Marilyn said.
I stared at her in disbelief. Jack probably had no idea that Marilyn had come to see me with a peace offering. She was trying to pacify us both.
“I think Jack ought to apologize directly to Lori. It was nice of you to come by with the brownies, but if he has the balls to scream at her, then he should have the balls to apologize,” Mindy said.
“That’s exactly what I’m thinking,” I said.
Marilyn shrugged and without another word, left, looking dejected. Bethany stood. “I’m going to make sure she’s okay.” She followed Marilyn out the door.
Mindy shrugged as the door closed. “That was enlightening and unexpected.” She held up her wine glass. “I think the worst offense of the day was Marilyn interrupting our detox time. Cheers!”