21. The Pizza Joint
The next day, Mindy informed me that our nighttime meetup was being moved into town. I jumped at the chance to get off campus.
I was surprised to see Bob behind the bar when I walked into the Pizza Joint.
“Moonlighting?” I asked.
“A couple of times a summer they let me tend bar—it’s like a dream come true.”
“Well then, I’ll have . . .”
“You’ll have the usual Tanqueray and tonic with a twist of lime.” Before I could say anything, Bob said, “Yeah, I know, no diet crap.”
“You’re my dream come true, a bartender who knows my name and my drink order.”
Bob grinned and winked. “Look at us, satisfying each other . . .”
“And to think, a few weeks ago we didn’t even know each other’s name.” I took a sip and gagged. “Are you trying to kill me? There’s way too much gin in here.”
“Please, I’ve seen how hard you work. If you can handle the campers, you can handle a little extra gin.”
I was wondering how much of a tip to leave when Mindy grabbed my hand and waved her credit card. “Drinks are on me tonight.” Bob looked across the room to the table where Bethany and Gilda were sitting, waving at him.
We clinked glasses. “To letting loose,” Mindy toasted.
I had heard that Wednesdays were notorious for the mischievous events that always seemed to happen when the specialists went out, and everyone else who had off eventually made their way to the Pizza Joint by the end of the evening.
It had been a Wednesday when I stayed up late signing counselors in from their night out and was called a bitch.
Well, this bitch was excited to be partaking in the legendary Wednesday night antics.
I’d heard that several summers ago, a group of lifeguards tore a toilet from one of the local dive bars and threw it out the window, and the owner had immediately banned all camp staff from his establishment. A bill for the damages was sent to Jack.
We joined Bethany and Gilda at their high-top table, perfect for people watching, particularly the body language of the flirtatious counselors.
“Look at Genie, she looks so happy chatting up Connor. He’s the lifeguard she’s been talking about,” I said.
“All the girls are talking about him,” Bethany said.
“Genie said she planned on losing her virginity to him,” I said.
“If I was picking a guy to lose my virginity to, he would be in the top ten.” Bethany eyed him up and down. “Make that top five.”
“Well, that ship has long sailed for all us broads,” Gilda said.
“The fantasies never stop,” Bethany said. “I’m spending my summer marooned on a mountain surrounded by beautiful, young, chiseled bodies, and I don’t have my man here to satisfy me.” Bethany sighed.
Gilda grimaced. “Personally, I have no problem taking the summer off from my husband. I don’t have to feed him or clean up after him or kiss him for that matter. At camp I have people cooking and cleaning for me.”
“Anyone here you’re looking to kiss?” Bethany asked Gilda.
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’ve already got one guy I avoid.”
“Whether or not we’re having sex, I’m pretty sure that there’s lots of sex happening right under our noses. Just look around this room,” Mindy said.
I caught Genie’s eye, and she waved at me. I smiled and winked. She blushed.
We were gossiping about who we thought was hooking up with whom when Nicole stopped by our table. I had barely seen her since my first day when she signed me in and handed me off to “Sir Theodore.”
“Ladies, look how handsome my man looks behind the bar.” Bob winked at her, and she grinned like the Cheshire Cat. “He’s so stoked when he gets to do that.”
“Nicole’s gonna get her kicks tonight,” Bethany sang.
Nicole turned a deep red. “Am I that obvious?”
“Hey, you’re lucky to have your husband here. We got bupkes. It’s your duty to enjoy yourself. Someone should be having fun, and since it’s not gonna be one of us, it may as well be you,” Bethany said.
The gin went straight to my head while my stomach was running on empty.
I got up to get some popcorn from the old-fashioned popper at the other end of the room.
The bar was packed, and the musky scent of pheromones was pervasive.
Sex was literally in the air. I bumped and squished my way through the crowd, stopped several times by counselors who seemed surprised that I was drinking in the same establishment as they were.
“Lori, it’s so weird that you’re here. It’s like I’m partying with my mother,” Jasmine said.
“Well, the good news is that I’m not gonna rat you out to your father, but the bad news is I’m not paying for your drinks.”
That got a laugh from the cute tennis coach whose arm was around her shoulder. I kept moving until I was stopped by my cabinmate, Di.
“Look at you, Lori, all hot in that tight white jean skirt and slinky purple tank top. I like this look on you,” she said. “I’m gonna have to raid your closet.”
“It looks better than boxy gym shorts and T-shirts, that’s for sure—although I gotta say that stuff is much more comfortable.” I tugged at my skirt, noticing my muffin top had disappeared. “Where’s that tall, handsome baseball coach you’ve been seeing?”
“He’s over there, talking with some of his mates.”
Four attractive guys were huddled together, swigging beers. It looked like they were wearing their social uniforms: polos in various loud colors; collars up with a pony, lizard, or penguin logo; and jeans slung so low that their boxers were sticking out.
I continued my push through the masses when Genie grabbed my arm and pulled me close. “Isn’t Connor the most gorgeous guy you’ve ever laid eyes on?”
“I must admit you have very good taste in men. Has it happened yet?” I asked.
“I’m hoping tonight.” She was all dimples. She smiled and winked, and I blushed.
I was scooping popcorn into a red and white striped carton when Teddy tapped me on the shoulder.
“Hey, come join us in the back,” I said, nodding to our table.
“As soon as I get Bob to mix me a drink.”
I carried popcorn in each hand, making it difficult to navigate my way back through the thickening crowd. Both cartons were half empty by the time I reached my destination.
“How come you didn’t fill them up?” Gilda asked, taking a handful.
“Between spilling some and people helping themselves as I passed by, this is all that’s left. Are any of you sweating? My drink went straight to my head, and it’s so hot in here.” I fanned myself with a menu, but that wasn’t enough, so I fished an ice cube out of my glass and wedged it into my bra.
Teddy sauntered over to our table holding two tall glasses with lime slices hugging the rims and placed one in front of me. “Cheers.”
“Of all the gin joints near all the sleepaway camps in all the world, I’m glad you walked into mine,” I said. “Thanks for the drink, but I think I’ve had enough.”
“Nonsense. Bob made it specially for you.”
“Where’s my special drink?” Gilda asked.
“Why it’s right over there behind the bar.” Teddy pointed at Bob.
“You smartass Brit, you think you’re so clever,” Gilda said. “Ladies, I’m going to get us some special drinks from behind the bar.”
Teddy slipped onto Gilda’s seat. We were trying to chat, but it was hard to hear over the din of the crowd and the music from the jukebox.
Teddy emptied his glass, banged it on the table, and whispered in my ear, “I’m going outside for some fresh air, care to join me?”
I knew he was going for a smoke. I slithered off my stool and offered it to Gilda, who had returned, impressively carrying three sweaty glasses.
“Where are you guys going?” Gilda asked, placing the drinks on the table.
“To get some fresh air,” Teddy answered.
As I stepped down, I heard Bethany say, “I’ve known Ted for years, and he’s never asked me to get some fresh air.”
We walked out the side door, and I took a deep breath.
Inhaling the cool summer breeze, I immediately felt better.
It was a clear, cloudless night with endless twinkling stars.
I followed Teddy through the parking lot, away from the glare of the streetlights and into the darkness.
Once my eyes adjusted, I saw movement in the shadows.
Genie was pressed up against Connor, whose hands were exploring her body. Hers were resting comfortably on his ass. I was worried that she would see me, but she was totally engrossed. We passed no less than six other couples in varying stages of intimacy.
“There are too many eyes here,” Teddy said.
“Yeah, but they’re all closed.”
“Nonetheless, let’s go out to the street where only the townies will see us.”
We were in the alleyway alongside the diner when he lit us up.
I wavered for a second but decided to tell Teddy how close I came to almost burning down my cabin. I spilled the details in what seemed like one endless breath of confession.
“Wow, all of that really happened, and no one knows about it?”
“I feel a huge sense of relief telling you.”
“What are you going to do about it?”
“Funny you should ask. Come with me.” I led him to the front of the diner that was closed for the night. “Those curtains in the window are exactly like the ones in my room.”
“I can practically see your brain pulsing through your skull. What are you thinking?”
“I haven’t quite figured out the details.” I walked over to a window to see if it was locked. Then walked to the side of the building.
“What’re you doing?”
“I’m checking to see if any of these windows are open.”
“I’m afraid to ask why.”
“Isn’t it obvious? I’m going to climb in and steal the curtains.”
“Exactly how much did you have to drink?”
“Enough to make me think this is a really good idea. Are you with me?”
Before he answered, I found what I was looking for in the rear of the building. “Look at that window up there—it’s only got a screen. I can easily knock it out. I’m good at that—I’ve had practice.”
“Lori, this is a really dumb idea. Come on, let’s go back to the bar.”
“You go ahead. I should be able to climb on that dumpster and jump down into the kitchen.”
“How will you get back out?”