Chapter 28
I was a few minutes late for dinner, but when I walked through the dining hall door, a hush came over the room.
And then the entirety of Girls Camp stood on their chairs, applauding and singing, “Lori is Camp Queen—the best we’ve ever seen.
Her spirit lights up everywhere that she has ever been!
” It was the song only sung for the camper of the week, the highest honor at Woodlands.
It took a moment to register that they were giving me a standing ovation.
I was covered in goosebumps. Zelda and Hazel were clapping and foot stomping more enthusiastically than everyone else.
The pride I saw in their eyes made my heart swell, and tears streamed down my face.
Marilyn flicked the lights, getting everyone’s attention. “Okay, that’s enough. Let’s start dinner.”
She couldn’t take the moment away from me because girls were patting me on the back and giving me high fives. I was ambushed from behind—it was Zelda. “Mom, what you did today was awesome. I already started a letter to Dad telling him how you’re the camp hero.”
She hugged me in the middle of the dining hall for everyone to see. I breathed her in, savoring the moment. Hazel was right behind her. “Mom, wow, everyone is talking about how you’re a hero.”
“What do you say to them?”
She smiled from ear to ear. “Yup, that’s my mom.”
After dinner, I knocked on Bethany’s door before opening it a few inches. Nate was lying on his back sleeping, his neck in a brace.
“I wanted to check on the patient, and you.”
Bethany looked at Nate before she stepped outside. She grabbed my shoulders and said, “I don’t know how I even go about thanking you.”
Tears ran down both our faces as we hugged. My emotions were erratic—I’d been crying on and off all afternoon. A few hours ago, I’d cried out of fear, then joy, and now relief. Since I’d begun this job, there had been lots of tears.
“Tell me what happened at the hospital . . . what’s his prognosis?”
“They said he has a neck strain, and there will be bruising and swelling. We have to wait to see if there will be any damage to his vocal cords, but even if there were, they didn’t think it would be long lasting. Keeping our fingers crossed.”
I hadn’t even thought about his voice, and I wasn’t about to bring up the psychological aspect of the injury. No reason to add to the list of worries that were probably plaguing her right now. “Are you and Nate leaving camp?”
“My husband’s on his way right now. We’ll discuss our options when he gets here. I’m sure if Nate can, he’ll want to stay.”
I had mixed feelings about Bethany leaving; a week ago I would’ve said good riddance, but now that we’d made a real connection, I hoped she’d stay.
Bethany asked, “Lori, can you please run the evening Flagpole?” She handed me her clipboard with the announcements and activity information.
“Me? Are you sure?”
“Yes. I’m sure.”
I felt like a child whose mother was letting her cross the street for the first time.
The campers were already in formation surrounding the flagpole. Mindy and Marilyn were waiting, I guessed, for me.
Before I started the evening ritual, I quietly said, “Bethany asked me to conduct the Flagpole but before I do, Marilyn, would you like to address the campers?”
I was putting her on the spot, but if she were any kind of leader, she’d be ready with comforting words.
Looking uncomfortable, she spoke softly, “Jack doesn’t think it’s a good idea, too many letters home . . .”
Mindy didn’t seem surprised by Marilyn’s response. “It’s always best to be direct, otherwise, you’re responding to gossip and rumors.”
Marilyn indecisively shrugged her shoulders, opting to leave the next move to the hired help.
Mindy stood front and center and, in a voice loud enough that everyone could hear, said, “I want to let you know that Nate is well and doing fine.”
Everyone applauded and cheered.
“But now I want to thank Lori for her fearlessness, quick thinking, and life-saving actions!”
There was more applauding and cheering.
Fearless? I thought. No, you’re wrong—there are so many things I was afraid of, bears, snakes, the bottom of the lake, my feelings for Teddy.
I smiled, looking out into the crowd wondering—Is it still a standing ovation if everyone was already standing?
After Flagpole, Jack radioed me to come to the office. I wondered when he’d get around to speaking with me.
Before I was through the door, Jack nodded toward his wife and said, “Marilyn tells me that your approval rating has skyrocketed.”
Was that Jack’s attempt at humor?
He sneered. “I hope all the acclaim doesn’t go to your head.”
I gawked at him. I knew better than to expect gratitude, but I’d naively thought I’d get an acknowledgment.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked.
“I don’t want you to think of yourself as some kind of savior. You happened to be in the right place at the right time.”
“You called me in here to insult me?”
Jack scoffed. “There you go again, twisting my words.”
The only thing twisted was his brain. I didn’t have to stay and listen to him. I looked over my shoulder as I walked out and said, “While the two of you sit in your air-conditioned office, I’ll be outside with your campers.”
Back in my room, I thought about how it took attending sleepaway camp—okay, thirty years late—to finally have the courage to stand up to a bully.
I wondered if Teddy would have time to meet. Boys Camp was freaking out, and if anyone could soothe the campers, it would be Teddy and Bob.
I hoped he’d show up because I needed to unload on someone I trusted, who respected and understood me. Sadly, that person was not my husband.
I must have dozed off, but I woke smiling when I heard three low whistles.