Chapter 37
I was with Maggie and Abby sipping Dunkin iced coffee under the ceiling fan in arts & crafts, trying to escape the August humidity. It was rest hour, and we were enjoying our afternoon pick-me-up.
“I was thinking how good it feels not to have to look over my shoulder or second guess what I’m doing,” I said.
“It’s true, I feel freer, lighter. Dare I say, I’m the most relaxed I’ve been since we got here,” Abby said.
“Nothing’s changed for me. I never had any face time with Jack,” Maggie said. “But Roger’s happy not to be his errand boy anymore.”
We turned when we heard the screen door slam.
“Marilyn, hi! How can I help you?” Maggie asked.
Abby and I looked at each other. We both had uh-oh expressions on our faces—caught in the act of doing nothing.
Marilyn had an unnaturally big smile on her face. “I hoped you could set me up on the potter’s wheel. I haven’t done it in a while.”
“You do pottery?” Maggie asked.
“I used to love throwing pots more than anything.”
“Would you like an iced coffee?” Abby asked.
“No, I’d be up all night if I had one now, and I had the best night’s sleep . . .” Her face turned red.
Abby and I exchanged another knowing look. Over the course of the summer, we’d discussed in detail how miserable their marriage must be.
Since I didn’t want to be reprimanded for sitting down on the job, which was exactly what I was doing, I got up and said, “Well, I’m going to check on the Cubs to make sure no one’s melted. But before I go, how’re you holding up?”
Marilyn twirled her hair around her finger. She seemed lost in her thoughts and then said, “So far, so good, I guess.”
“Good to hear. See you later,” I said.
Abby followed me out the door. “She does seem like a different person today.”
“I was afraid she’d see how relieved I am that her husband’s not here,” I said.
“Are you kidding? She’s the one that’s relieved,” Abby said.
There were murmurs of Marilyn sightings all day. With Jack MIA, she became a completely different person. She smiled. She spoke with the entire table while we ate, not only in secretive tones with Mindy and Bethany. She even surprised Mindy and me by joining us at the lake to kayak.
Mike personally helped Marilyn pick out a life vest and a Funyak. He was courteous and respectful, not only to Marilyn but to Mindy and me. When Marilyn paddled off, I said to Mike, “Look at you, being chivalrous. Showing off for the boss?”
“What can I say, I offer different talents to different women.” He winked at me.
“I set myself up, didn’t I? Don’t answer that.”
Smirking, arms akimbo, Speedo the same neon yellow as my Funyak, he watched as I paddled away.
The three of us met up at the sweet spot in the middle of the lake.
“I can’t believe that it’s taken me more than half the summer to take advantage of this beautiful place. I love being on this lake.” Marilyn exhaled loudly, as though she’d been holding her breath until that very moment.
I knew I shouldn’t say anything while she was enjoying some serenity, but that wasn’t who I was. “What took you so long?”
Mindy flashed me a look that said, Shut up and don’t spoil this. I wasn’t looking to make trouble, but Marilyn had never come to my defense or even given me a word of encouragement, just some subpar sushi and a plate of brownies.
Marilyn looked up at the clear blue sky. “When I’m at camp, I feel so much pressure to be at my desk to deal with parents, vendors, and . . . my husband.”
“Visiting Day has come and gone. Enrollment is healthy for next summer. It’s literally smooth sailing for you until the end of camp.” Mindy held up her paddle for emphasis. “You should take time to appreciate your hard work and the surroundings.”
Marilyn smiled. “That’s why I’m here.”
I decided to let her relish her day in the sun. But I didn’t have to remain in her company. “I’m going to paddle to the ski dock to watch the Cubs knee boarding.”
“Wait, Lori, before you go, I want to apologize on behalf of Jack.” Marilyn looked sad. “The way he’s treated you has been rude and inconsiderate.”
I took a deep breath and looked her straight in the eyes. “I can wait for Jack to apologize himself. If you wanted to apologize to me, I’d be willing to listen.”
She stared at me, the paddle across her lap and her mouth gaping open. Mindy had a look of astonishment on her face. Nothing was said for an uncomfortably long time.
“Okay, then I’m off to do my job.”
A few nights later I was slicing limes for G&Ts when Mindy said, “I heard that Jack’s coming back tomorrow.”
“I hope whatever he’s been up to the past few days helped to calm and center him,” Bethany said.
“I’ll drink to that,” I said and held up my cup.
“It’s great that he’s feeling better and all, but since he’s been gone, have you noticed how everybody’s been smiling? It feels like, you know, the way camp’s supposed to be,” Bob said.
“Like we all got a Get Out of Jail Free card,” Gilda said.
Teddy was nodding in agreement. “Every single person in this room is great at their job. If Jack could only appreciate that he assembled a group of clever, motivated people, he would be so much less stressed, and we would all be better off.”
“It’s true, we’re a well-oiled machine.” Bethany swirled her jungle juice.
“I hope all of you, my drinking buddies, my comrades, my friends”—Teddy looked around the room acknowledging every person—“will return next summer. I have a feeling it’ll be even more memorable than this one.”
Mindy laughed. “Oh crap, I hope not.”
After lights out, Genie followed me out onto the porch. “Lori, I need to talk to you.”
“Sure, what’s up?”
Genie moved close to the railing so we couldn’t be heard. “I think there’s something wrong with me.”
“What do you mean?”
“I was with Connor on the golf course last night and, well . . .”
“Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”
“No, nothing like that, it was actually beautiful and romantic.”
I found it difficult to believe having her body humped into a putting green was pleasurable.
“Really?”
“Well, yeah, it was a magical night, the moon was out, and there were like a gazillion stars.”
“That’s great, but what’s wrong?”
“I’m pretty sure there’s something in my vagina.”
“Did he use a condom?”
“Of course. Do you think it could be gonorrhea or herpes or syphilis or leprosy?” Genie asked.
“I’m one hundred percent certain it’s not leprosy. The STDs I’m less sure about, but I don’t think it’d incubate so quickly.”
“What should I do?”
“Come with me and we’ll figure this out.”
“Where?”
“To the infirmary. Let’s get your insides checked out.” I put my arm around her.
When the health care center came into view, Genie stopped and squeezed my arm. “Will you come in with me while I’m examined?” She looked so young, innocent, and frightened in her boxer shorts, hoodie, and Ugg boots.
“If you want, I’ll even hold your hand.”
“Promise me you won’t call my mother?”
“You’re eighteen. I legally can’t call your mother.”
“I’m not eighteen until the end of the month.”
“I still won’t call your mother.”
“Thank you.”
I thought back to my first encounter with Genie and how she’d walked away from me when I offered her my assistance. Her coming to me for help was huge—for both of us. I put my hands on her shoulders. “Come on, let’s do this.”
Dr. Jenny held the tick in her tweezers. She dropped it into a Ziploc bag and used a red Sharpie to draw a circle around it.
“Are you giving that to Genie as a souvenir?” I asked.
“No!” Dr. Jenny said. “I’ll hang this up so everyone can see how tiny they are. These little buggers can cause so much damage.”
“Eww, it gives me the shivers thinking that was inside me.” Genie hugged herself. “Mother Nature really screwed with me . . . well, Mother Nature and Connor.”