Chapter 30
The forecast was for sunny skies and temperatures in the high seventies.
At least the weather was on my side. I had mixed emotions as I stopped at the OD shack to pick up the flag.
It was exciting and nerve-wracking to lead; whatever I did would be scrutinized.
I needed to be on my toes. I took a deep breath, positive I was up to the challenge.
The flag was against my chest as I stood in front of the campers, assembled for the morning announcements. I heard murmuring in the crowd, scanned the line of girls spread out like a fan, and made eye contact with my kids—who were grinning and giving me the thumbs up.
Smiling, I said, “Good morning, campers.”
They roared back, “Good morning, Lori.”
“It’s so nice to see your happy faces straight on instead of off to my right.” I pointed to where I usually stood each morning.
There was a smattering of laughter.
“I’m going to be standing in for Bethany while she’s home taking care of Nate. We’re hoping they’ll be back to dance with us this Saturday night at the Disco Party.”
While the girls cheered, I grabbed Abby and twirled her around.
“The Chipmunks have canteen this afternoon.”
They hooted and sang out in unison, “You scream, I scream, we all scream for ice cream.”
“Tonight’s movie is The Parent Trap.”
I turned to Abby, who had a birthday tiara in her hand. She announced, “Today is Zara’s birthday and she gets to raise the flag.”
As Zara claimed her crown, her bunkmates chanted, “She’s got spirit! She’s got spunk! That’s because she’s in our bunk! Yay, Zara!”
The flag went up, we said the Pledge of Allegiance, and the campers dispersed to do their chores before the start of first period.
Mindy was by my side. “Well done.”
“Why wasn’t Marilyn here? Do you think it was a snub? You know, I didn’t show for her meeting, so she’s not showing for mine?”
“That’d be petty and would make her look bad.” Mindy stopped for a moment. “So yeah, knowing her, that could very well be the reason. What are you going to do now?”
“I was going to return some phone calls, inspect the Cubs’ bunks, and then walk the campus to check out all the activities.”
“Sounds like a plan. Here’s the key to Bethany’s golf cart. I know you prefer to walk, but you’ve got a lot of terrain to cover.”
“Thanks. I think I’ll make the calls from Bethany’s room; no reason to go into the office.”
“Smart move. I’ll catch up with you later.”
It was fun zipping around camp on a golf cart.
The best part was that since I was the temporary head counselor and needed to be everywhere, I could watch Zelda and Hazel participate in activities.
Zelda’s group had soccer, and it was my good fortune that Teddy was refereeing the game.
I pulled up next to the field—the ball was in play at the opposite goal.
Zelda’s team had control of the ball. Tara kicked it to Zelda who scored a goal. Teddy blew his whistle and ran over to Zelda, who was beaming, and gave her a high five.
When the match was over, Zelda and Tara ran to Teddy. Zelda jumped onto his back while Tara blew into his whistle. They were laughing and easy with each other.
Ronnie rarely made it to our children’s games, even on weekends. He barely had time to listen to the girls when they told him about their days. Here was a man we’d just met, delighting in Zelda’s achievements.
Teddy noticed me watching and stopped for a second, grinning. He tapped Zelda on her shoulder and pointed. Both girls came running over.
“Did you see me score?” Zelda, despite her claims of not wanting me around, was excited to see me.
“Yeah, I did!”
Zelda let me hug her for a hot second before she pushed away.
“Hey, Tara, great passing. Good game.” We high-fived.
“You’re in charge?” Tara asked.
“Yeah, I guess I am.”
“Then do you think we could get canteen today?” Tara asked.
I laughed. “It’s not like I have superpowers.”
Teddy joined us. “These two were today’s soccer stars. Impressive footwork and teamwork.” He fist-bumped them.
“Your group is getting ready to move on. I’ll try to catch you at another activity,” I said to the girls.
When they trotted off, Teddy said, “Hey, Kramer, nice surprise. Did you come to check me out?”
I adored his boyish grin. “Ha, as if! Since I’ve been put in charge, I thought I’d use the opportunity to see what my kids were up to. You, Mooney, were a bonus,” I said.
“It’s not at all surprising that you have great kids. Athletic, fun team players, and beautiful—they obviously take after you.”
“You sweet talker. If we were alone, I’d be the one jumping on your back.” I was typically not a fan of grown men who wore sports jerseys, but he looked so incredibly hot in his shiny soccer uniform.
He was smiling. “You’re undressing me with your eyes, aren’t you?”
“I would like nothing more than to lick the sweat off your body right here, right now.”
It was arousing to make him moan without even touching him. He took a deep breath and asked, “Since you have the golf cart, can you drive me over to boys’ side?”
“Of course—it’s the least I can do since you were gallant enough to pick me up earlier.”
Teddy slid in next to me, his leg resting against mine.
“Do all the kids jump on you like Zelda did?” I asked.
“Only the ones I bond with.”
I didn’t think it was possible to admire him more than I already did. “Hazel?”
“I was with her last week. Her age group was scheduled when I was off, playing with you.” He tapped my knee, both of us smiling.
“I feel like I’m missing out. I don’t really know Max at all, and I have no idea how to remedy that.”
“He’s a good kid. I think you’d like him, so yeah, it would be nice if you got to know him. Let me think how I can make it happen.”
I was about to suggest trying to get the five of us together, but why? What would I tell my daughters? “I want you to meet Max because I’ve been having romantic liaisons with his dad”? I changed the subject. “This morning, when Jack said Bethany may not be back until Friday . . .”
“We wouldn’t be able to meet up. I came to the same conclusion. I know Nate, and he’s going to want to get back to camp as soon as possible,” Teddy said.
“It would be too obvious if you asked to change your days off again to match mine.”
“There are no secrets at camp, but at least we could fool ourselves into believing we’re covering our tracks.”
“But what if they’re not back by Wednesday? All I think about is the next time I can fall asleep in your arms, and now that may not happen at all this week,” I said.
Teddy didn’t say anything as I pulled up next to the boys’ soccer field. When I looked into his eyes, I could feel that he wanted me as much as I wanted him.
The boys started filling the field, and one of the counselors yelled to him, “Hey, Mooney, unlock the door so we can get the gear out.”
“Be there in a sec,” he shouted back.
As he got out, he bent close to me and whispered, “No need to worry, nothing is going to keep us apart, I promise.”
He turned away and I watched him jog over to the equipment shed. The same feeling washed over me as when I’d left the lake house—I was in deep.
To be honest, I enjoyed being in charge—well, at least some parts. Now I got to start and end my day with Teddy. I also liked the freedom of driving around in a golf cart and seeing the big picture—how the whole camp ran.
The downside was the agony of the morning meetings.
It was bad enough just being in the same room as Jack, but he seemingly took perverse pleasure in pointing out everyone’s mistakes and faults—not unlike how Ronnie had been treating me for the past few years.
I was no longer going to allow either of them to make me the center of their disdain.
I started to appreciate Bethany in a whole new light.
At the beginning of camp, she was quick to criticize my mistakes, but I now realized it was probably because of how Jack treated her.
After my conversation with Mindy, Bethany became more supportive of me and the other DLs.
It was becoming apparent to me that Bethany and Mindy needed to rely on each other for the support they weren’t getting from the Bergers.
At the meetings I positioned myself near my allies. I sat next to Mindy, who whispered witty comments in my ear. I knew she wanted me to succeed and offered her assistance at every turn. Teddy sat across from me.
I was doing my best to stay afloat, juggling Bethany’s responsibilities and my own. My counselors stepped up, reassuring me that they and the campers would be fine. It seemed that everyone wanted me to succeed except Jack. It made no sense.
Even though he hired people who were smart and resourceful and dedicated to the happiness of the campers, he micromanaged and undermined his staff.
On top of that, he had no idea that his constant criticism and verbal lashings worked against him.
If he simply let his capable employees do their jobs, everyone would’ve been much happier.
Fortunately, things had been calm since the carnival. Hard to believe that was only two days ago—it felt like a week. Time moved differently at camp.
I caught up with Hazel’s group at gymnastics.
There were twenty-four nine-year-olds wearing camp-issued green and white leotards, running around barefoot with their hair pulled back in high ponies.
It made me think of nine-year-old me taking lessons at Miss Doris’s School of Dance, positive that I belonged even though I had no natural ability.
They were in various stages of a gymnastics obstacle course, which required them to walk the balance beam, dismount, jump onto and off a pommel horse, swing on the lower parallel bar, dismount into a somersault, and end with a cartwheel.
And for the big finish: stand straight with their hands above their heads, smiling.
I positioned myself in front of Hazel so she’d see me after her flourish. I applauded, thinking how lucky I was to be here and to see her happy and self-assured. “Great job! I’d give you a ten for sure.”
She gave me a hug. I’d missed those so much. “You, too. How’d you get to be head counselor?”
“It’s a bit unclear, but thanks for the compliment.”
“You do a great Flagpole—I’m really proud of you. I wrote to Dad and told him all about it.” Hazel had a big grin on her face.
“Have you gotten mail from Dad?”
“Yeah, but his letters are kinda weird. They’re typed and say things that he never says.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know. ‘Love you forever.’ ‘Can’t wait to play with you.’”
Jana was probably writing them and having Ronnie sign them. Typical. I wondered if he even read them. I couldn’t imagine him signing a letter to a client without it undergoing at least three revisions.
“I’m sure he’s trying his best. I mean, he’s never written you a letter before,” I said.
She shrugged. “I guess. See you later.” Then she whispered, “Mom.”
Jack started the Wednesday morning meeting by letting us know that Bethany and Nate would be back at camp before dinner.
I avoided making eye contact with Teddy during these meetings, but I was so excited I couldn’t help myself.
Teddy’s face was down but he subtly shifted his head toward me and I saw the twinkle in his eyes.
The dread I’d felt when I walked into the room evaporated.
We wouldn’t have to miss our tryst. We both glanced at the clock at the same time.
I wondered if his heart was pounding as hard as mine.