Chapter 40
Everyone gathered on the baseball field where the end-of-camp Awards Ceremony was taking place.
Even though the humidity was oppressive, there was a palpable excitement in the air—the boys sat on the bleachers by first base, facing the girls sitting at third.
The benches were filled with happy campers ready to cheer on their friends and their accomplishments.
A makeshift podium had been set up in the middle on the pitcher’s mound.
When it was over, Bethany took the microphone and said, “We have one last award of distinction to bestow on a very special person, and it will be presented by Zelda and Hazel Kramer.”
I was sitting on my soccer-mom chair next to Abby, chatting and cheering on the campers when I saw my children take the microphone.
“What’s going on?” I asked Abby.
“Beats me.”
I looked across the field and caught Teddy’s eye. He shrugged.
“The special person award is for going above and beyond your duties and for saving a camper’s life,” Hazel said.
Zelda grabbed the mic. “And being the best mom. Lori Kramer, please accept your award.”
I was dumbfounded. Abby had to pull me out of my chair and give me a little push. I pulled my shoulders back and strode toward the proud faces of Zelda and Hazel.
Bethany had tears in her eyes as we embraced. Then my kids hugged me, handing me a loving cup made from clay. It was glazed a shiny emerald green and was hefty for something the size of a small soup tureen.
The crowd shouted my name, over and over. Zelda handed me the microphone.
I gripped it tightly to steady my nerves.
Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion.
I scanned the crowd and saw the Cubs jumping up and down.
Mike and Anya were off to the side, fists pumping the air.
Bob and Teddy wolf-whistled. I was surprised to see Chip next to them, clapping and grinning.
It took me a moment to appreciate what was happening.
I thought of Gary Cooper in The Pride of the Yankees, echoing his thanks across a baseball field.
I held the mic and said, “I want to thank everyone here for making this the most exciting and rewarding summer for me and my kids.” I held the loving cup over my head.
“We’ve come to love Woodlands.” I looked at Zelda and Hazel, who were smiling and nodding. I stopped to choke back tears.
In my peripheral vision I saw Teddy and Bob running toward me, yelling and pointing.
I turned the other way and saw Jack barreling toward me with a wild gleam in his eyes.
Instinctively, I stepped back as he lunged at me, tripping over the microphone wire and falling flat on his face.
He seemed confused—like he didn’t know how he’d ended up on the ground.
When he managed to stand, he snatched the microphone from my hand and shoved me.
The loving cup fell and shattered at our feet.
He looked down at the broken shards and then at me, sneering, seemingly happy that he had broken my trophy.
I glared at him, hoping he felt the repulsion I had for him.
He screamed into the mic, “This is my camp and I decide who gets awards and Lori and her troublemaking kids are not worthy.” He was red in the face shaking with fury. He pointed his finger in my face, not aware or not caring that the entire camp was watching.
I hissed into his ear, “Let’s see who’s worthy when you’re out on your ass, and I’m running the camp.” I grabbed Zelda’s and Hazel’s hands and left him standing there with his mouth gaping open.
Jack went completely ballistic, wildly waving his arms while shouting into the mic, his words incomprehensible. I half expected foam to gurgle from his mouth—he was acting like a rabid dog.
Bob and Chip were trying to wrest the mic from him.
“What the hell are you doing? I’m not the problem, that bitch Lori is.” He was trying to shake loose from Bob’s grip. “Get your fucking hands off me.”
“Why was Jack cursing at you?” Zelda asked.
“I don’t know.”
“He smashed the trophy we made for you.” Hazel was trying not to cry.
I hugged them. “Thank you for the beautiful trophy and for what you said about me. I love you both so much. I’ll explain everything later, once I figure it out. Go join your groups.”
Teddy appeared while I was with Maggie and Roger, who was unplugging the speakers. “I wanted to make sure you were okay before I see to Jack.”
“A little shaken but yeah, I’m fine.”
“I’ll check back with you later.” Teddy ran toward Jack.
Maggie, Roger, and I saw him at the same time: Dylan, the camp photographer, had been videoing the Awards Ceremony, and Jack’s outburst had been broadcast live to the families.
“Hey, Dylan, you should stop taping,” Roger said.
Dylan had a sardonic grin on his face. “Are you kidding? Jack treated me like crap all summer.”
“Talk about digging your own grave,” Maggie said.
I barely heard the radio over the commotion. “Hello, is anyone out there? Please, someone pick up for Nicole.”
“This is Lori.”
“Lori, good, what’s going on out there? The phones are ringing off the hook.”
“Short answer, Jack lost his shit during the ceremony while the parents were watching on video.”
“Jesus!”
“Nicole, this is Gilda. I’m on my way to help.”
“Good. Thanks. Nicole out.”
The mood of the camp had been chill—all kumbaya. But once Jack let the vulgarities rip, any semblance of decorum was lost in the August haze.
The bleachers emptied. The older girls and boys flirted while the rest of the campers played in the outfield, running the bases, chasing each other, and cartwheeling.
Spontaneously, the entire camp was having a joyous free-for-all.
It reminded me of the first day of camp, the kids descending from the buses filled with excitement and anticipation for the summer ahead, and now it was the culmination of the camaraderie and shared experiences on this, the last day.
Maggie and Roger started packing up the stereo system, but I asked them to plug it back in and play something danceable.
When the music began, Abby and I started singing and bopping on the pitcher’s mound. A bunch of counselors joined us, and soon we were in the middle of an impromptu dance party. It was a perfect diversion to keep the kid’s focus away from what had unfolded before them . . . and their parents.
Teddy caught my eye as Abby and I danced to “I’m a Believer.”
He joined me, grinning. “I see how you’ve single-handedly kept the camp running while the assistant directors are dealing with Jack.”
“What about you? Aren’t you an assistant director? What’ve you been doing?”
“Watching and learning from a pro. Well done, Kramer.” He actually clapped.
“Thanks. I’m going to end the party after this song. The kids have to shower and get ready for the Banquet.”
“Good idea. I’ll walk with you—first I need to check on a couple of things.”
When he was out of earshot, Abby said, “You two seem to have some kind of connection.”
I shrugged and picked up the mic. “Attention Woodlands Campers. It’s time to get ready for tonight’s Banquet.”
Roger put on the Miami Sound Machine and the campers conga-ed their way off the field.
Teddy caught up with me on the road. “Let me take that.” He hoisted my chair over his shoulder.
“I have to tell you something. I may have messed things up for us,” I said.
He stopped and looked at me. “What could you have possibly done?”
“I taunted Jack about me running the camp. I know it was stupid, but I couldn’t help myself. I hope you’re not angry.”
He chuckled. “Angry? On the contrary, your timing is excellent. You inserted the knife, and Chip will twist it.”
“One more thing. Nicole’s flooded with phone calls from parents who witnessed Jack’s behavior. There may not be any returning campers next summer.”
“I told them broadcasting live was a stupid idea.”
“But you know, I think it may work to our advantage,” I said.
“How?”
“Chip was talking about us being interim directors, but after what happened today, he’ll be begging us to buy the camp. No outsider will want to touch it. My only concern is, do we want to own a disgraced camp?”
“It won’t be easy, but I think the two of us together can turn this around. I have the utmost confidence in your abilities to succeed at anything you set your mind to.”