by Zane Morrow
“Blake?” I heard my mother huff.
I paused in the doorway, but didn’t turn to face her. “What is it, mother?”
“Blake, I love you. This is for your own good.” She swallowed hard. “I’m trying to do my best here. I’ve been trying to take care of everything since your father died.” I heard her sink into her chair. “I take some small comfort in knowing he at least died at the camp, doing what he loved.”
I rubbed my eyes. She didn’t know the half of it. The truth was father had died at the camp and he had died doing what he loved. Unfortunately, what she didn’t understand was there was so much more to it than that, so much she could never know. The secret was meant to die with me, which shouldn’t take long now since it was absolutely eating me up from the inside out.
Sadly, I nodded in response and exited the conference room. Back in my office, I packed my briefcase as quickly and efficiently as I could. Whether I liked it or not, mother had made a valid point. The way Trent flew out of the office, I had no doubt he’d rushed back to gather what he needed and he’d speed to Camp Hope. The place was his second home, just as it had been mine during the summers. It wasn’t a bad place, at first, but once it was ruined for me, it was ruined forever.
I exited my office and left instructions with my assistant. Then I made my way down the elevator to the parking garage. This was one of the few times I wished I’d taken mother’s advice and hired a butler. He could’ve had me packed up already. Then I’d merely have to change and grab my bag. Instead, my need for independence, the desire to prove I was self-reliant would have me scrambling for a good hour.
This is why I didn’t arrive at the camp until nearly lunch time. I parked in the staff lot and walked over the wooden bridge to the main building. As I entered the office, I found a young woman seated at the front desk. Her eyes bugged out as I held out a hand to greet her. “HI, I’m Blake.”
“I know who you are, Mr. Morgan.” She nodded. “I’m Mandy, Grace’s assistant.”
I tilted my head to the side. She probably knew me as the bastard who wanted to close the camp. I sighed. “Nice to meet you. Is Grace around?”
Mandy bit her lower lip a split second then spoke. “She’s preparing your accommodations. It’s not what you’re used to and you’re going to have to share your cabin and and…” Before my eyes, the girl broke down and burst into tears.
“It’s okay. I went to college. I had a roommate. I’ll be fine.” I reached over and grabbed a tissue from the box on the counter and then passed it to her. “Wipe. Blow. Something.” All this emotion made me incredibly uncomfortable. Rage, I knew how to handle. There was a lot of anger around the house when I was growing up. Sadness, however, was the equivalent of yanking the rug out from under me. “Want to tell me what’s wrong?”
“You’re going to hate the place. And then you’re really gonna close us down and what will happen to all the kids?” She wailed and blew her nose.
I glanced about for support, but I truly seemed to be the only other body around the camp at the moment. “Hush. I already hated the place. Certainly, this won’t make me hate it more!” I chuckled, hoping she’d see the humor, but instead my remark was met with a new onslaught of tears. I blew out a breath. “Okay. Can you point me in the direction of my cabin?”
“Take a left. Fourth one down.” Then she practically shooed me out of the office with her wave.
Following her instructions, I turned left as I stepped off the porch. Then I walked down the worn path and counted the cabins. Like most camps, this one was on a lake. The counselors had the cabins closest to the lake, the campers had the ones farther away for practical reasons. Who knows? I might actually enjoy being on the water and enjoying the view. Harper’s Island was on the ocean, anything but rustic, and an entirely different experience.
When I reached the porch for the fourth cabin, I found the door wide open and heard rustling around inside. I thought this might mean I was meeting my roommate. Instead, I discovered Grace inside, struggling to move the mattresses into place. I dropped my duffle bag on the floor. “Here, let me help you with this.” Without waiting for her response, I grabbed one end as she moved to the other and we hefted the bulky material onto the bottom bunk.
“Thank you,” she murmured. She stared at me a moment and I could read the pain in her eyes. “I’m sorry you have to be here. I know you hate the place. I wish I understood why.” She shrugged and bit her cheek. “I wish you could see the place the way I see it. This place saved me.”
I shook my head. “I doubt that very much. I bet you saved yourself and simply happened to be here while you found your purpose.” I moved closer to her and lifted her chin with my finger. “You’re an amazing woman, Grace.”
She looked away. “You don’t even know me.”
“I do. I know a lot about you. I paid a lot more attention than I admitted.” I shrugged. Then I brushed my lips against hers. “Let’s make the most of this time together.” I wrapped her in my arms and hugged her to my chest. This closeness between us felt natural and I relished every moment of it.
“Yes. I’m looking forward to spending more time with you.” Grace sighed happily against my chest.
“I don’t suppose this means you’re my roommate?” I chuckled. I heard a few heavy steps behind me. Then a laugh. I turned to see Trent standing behind me. “You can leave now.” I dismissed him and turned away.
“Sure. I’ll go exploring as soon as I set down my stuff.” He passed me and threw his bag on the top bunk then looked at me innocently. “Oh, sorry. Did you want top?” Trent laughed at his cleverness and then murmured, “Hello, Grace. We’ll catch up later. I’m going to explore before the campers arrive.” Then he disappeared through the door.
For a few seconds, I didn’t say anything. I stuffed my hand in my right pocket and grasped the garter. Holding it helped soothe my nerves. Finally, I spoke. “Tell me you didn’t. Tell me we’re not sharing a cabin.” Then I met her eyes…her guilt-filled eyes.
“I’m out of cabins. Your mother sprang this on me last minute. The only empty cabins have problems.” She frowned.
“How bad?” I tilted my head, ready to problem solve. “Bigger than the problem you’ll have if I have to share the same space with Trent for fourteen long miserable days?”
Grace bit her lip while she considered. “A huge limb fell over the winter and went through the ceiling.”
“A skylight. That’s an enhancement, not a problem.” I tugged at my chin.
“It took out half a wall and one of the piers holding it on the edge of the hill.” She threw her hand up in the air.
“So we have Trent stay there.” I chuckled.
“Blake…” There was a note of warning in her voice.
“Fine. The other ones? You used the word ‘cabins,’ as in plural.” I stepped back and crossed my arms over my chest as I listened.
“One more. This one has been condemned until we can replace the subfloor. A kid almost went through it last summer.” She sank down on the bottom bunk. “So you can see there’s only one solution.”
“I move in with you. Brilliant!” I grabbed my bag from the floor and tugged on her hand.
Grace laughed and it warmed me. “Actually, no. We’re not married. Bad example. Impressionable kids.”
“No, good example. They should see loving relationships.” I nuzzled her neck. “But if it means that much to you, call a justice of the Peace. I’ll marry you.”
She pushed me back and stared at me seriously. “Don’t joke about marriage.”
“Who’s joking? I’d marry the shit out of you.” I leaned back in for a kiss, but Grace practically leapt from the bed.
“As usual, I have a better idea. How about you and Trent use this time to work through your differences?” She clapped me on the shoulder then rushed from the cabin.
21
The campers began pouring in late in the afternoon. “The sessions normally would begin on the previous Satur
day, but this year we changed it because of the wedding,” Grace explained as we checked in throngs of kids.
“Makes sense.” I nodded, but didn’t engage in conversation. There was too much else requiring my attention. When I’d asked Grace earlier what I’d be doing, she was non-committal. My guess would be the way my mother sprung this on her, she didn’t have much of an opportunity to decide how to use my limited skill set. I’m a businessman. What the hell would I do with a bunch of campers?
Finally, once everyone was checked in, after dinner had been served, following the welcome ceremonies and just before curfew, Grace pulled me and Trent aside. “Listen, I’ve given this a lot of thought. I wasn’t expecting any other help. While it’s welcome, I’ve essentially passed out all the duties.” She blew out a breath. “During the day, I’ll have you guys float, fill in as needed. When we do water stuff, I can use more eyes in the water and on the dock. When we’re playing sports, I can use refs. These kids cheat like you can’t imagine during soccer and flag football.” She rolled her eyes. “And most importantly, I’ll need you two on duty at night. The first two hours after curfew are critical. This is when most campers try to sneak out, especially the teens.”
“Really? Because I used to sneak out around two in the morning. Never got caught.” I smirked.
“You want to stay up all night?” Her brows arched. “I’m sure there are those who do get away with it, but I would never ask you to do anything I wouldn’t do.” She shrugged.
I clasped my hands in front of my chest. “Ask me to spend the night. Ask me to spend the night.” I snickered.
“Behave.” Grace swatted at me playfully.
I could feel Trent seething, but he said nothing. “Want me to take first shift tonight or you want both of us on?”
“Both, please.” She grinned. Then Mandy called to her from the office.
“Hey, boss! I neeeeeed you!” She held up a clipboard, which meant nothing to me, but had Grace racing toward her assistant.
“Alrighty then.” I clapped my hands together. “So…I’ll see you.” Then I all but ran away. I knew where I was going. There was a spot I used to visit as a camper here. Sure, I hadn’t fit the criteria. Both my parents were alive. I’d lost no one…in the traditional sense. Oh, but since my father spent the bulk of his summers here ‘volunteering,’ and because my mother needed a break from her stressful life of fundraisers and galas, Brett and I spent our summers here since the camp opened.
Naturally, going from having my own room to sharing a room with as many as four other boys made me claustrophobic and longing for my own space. So I found a place to relax and unwind. I found my solace, my thinking spot. I paused for a moment, peeking over my shoulder to make sure no one had followed, especially Trent. This was mine and I didn’t need to be surprised by him when he was probably the guy I was trying to escape. I blew out a breath.
Then I dove off the path and trekked through the woods. The hill was a little steeper than I remembered. I wound down it, holding onto trees for support. Then I found it, right where I remembered it, my rock. Actually, the thing was more of a boulder, but with a flat top. With no moon in the sky to help me find my way, I pulled my phone out of my pocket to use the flashlight app. That’s when I discovered I wasn’t alone. Curled up on my boulder was a young boy. I jumped and nearly dropped my phone. “Hey, what are you doing here?” I crouched lower so he could see me, worried he might be scared. Oh, but he didn’t seem frightened at all.
“Sitting. I’m not hurting anyone.” He scowled at me and turned back to stare out over the still lake.
“Okay. Well, mind if I sit here?” I grinned, rather enjoying his spirit.
The boy shook his head. “Go find your own rock. This one’s mine.”
Now this spirited kid was beginning to annoy me. “You know, angry isn’t a good look for you. Oh, and for the record, this was my rock long before you were ever born. So I’ll sit here if I want to sit here.” Without waiting for a reaction, I climbed down onto the rock and stretched out my legs.
“This was your rock first? I don’t believe you.” He crossed his arms over his chest and glared at me.
“Well, how else would you explain my ability to find it in the dark?” I threw my hands up in exasperation.
“You could’ve found it during the day and made your way here in the dark easily enough.” The boy huffed.
“I give up.” I chuckled. “What’s your name, kid?” He ignored me. “Okay, the way I see it, if I’m hanging out with a friend, just talking, this is one thing. If I’m out here collecting stray campers, that’s another. So are you a friend, or are you a stray?” My brow rose as I stared at him. I could feel him measuring me, trying to decide if I meant what I said. Instead, he was testing me. “Have it your way,” I grumbled as I stood and reached for his bicep.
“Wait,” he hissed as he moved out of my reach. “Just gimme a second.”
I watched him and realized his eyes had begun to water. “Hey. You won’t be in trouble. I’m sure Grace will just scold you a bit.” I reached out and laid a hand on his shoulder. “It’s no big deal. She scolds me all the time.” I shrug.
“I just can’t sleep. I have trouble, even at home.” He blew out a breath and I recognized his tactic, the struggle to control his emotions.
“Tell me your name.” This time, I felt more in control, more collected. I sat patiently and waited.
“Jack. My full name is Jackson, but my mom calls me Jack.” He stared up at me sadly.
I held out a hand and we shook. “Nice to meet you, Jack. I’m Blake. What brings you out here to my rock?” I chuckled and clapped him on the back as I settled in beside him again.
He gave me the side-eye and looked away as he used his t-shirt to dry his eyes. “I just need a place to sit and think and relax sometimes.” Jack blew out a breath and I could tell he was struggling with his emotions.
“That’s why I’m here. I have to share a cabin with this guy I’ve hated probably since I was your age. Hey, how old are you?” I leaned back on my elbows and glanced at him.
“I’m twelve.” He buried his head in the hole of his shirt.
“Practically a man.” I nodded. “So what’s keeping you up at night? Weight of the world on your shoulders?” I was half joking, which is why his response wrecked me.
“Yeah. My dad died in Afghanistan.” I heard him choke back a sob. “Before he left, he told me to take care of my mom and little brother. Now he died and I miss him and I don’t know how to do this without him. I’m not ready to be the man of the house.” Jack sniffled loudly and swiped at his eyes.
“Oh, man. I understand the pressure. I also knows dads.” I grasped for something useful. What I knew of my father wouldn’t exactly help here. “See, they love their families. They want them happy and safe. I bet when he wanted you to take care of your mom and brother, he really meant he wanted to you to love them hard, to hold onto each other. You know?” I could see the flow of tears had slowed since he wasn’t swiping at his eyes with the same frequency as before. “You’re only twelve, man. He didn’t expect you to quit school, get a job, and support them financially.”
This time, Jack sat up and turned towards me. “You think so? Because I spend a lot of time worrying about money and mom. She cries all the time at night when she thinks we’re asleep. I hear her on the phone trying to figure out how to pay bills. What if we lose the house? What if something happens to mom?”
I feared he was about to start sobbing. This was entirely too much for one kid to handle. “Listen, you let your mother handle the money stuff. You just be sure to give her lots of hugs. Tell her you love her.”
“I’m not to big for that?” He scrunched up his face.
“You’re never too big to let those you love know you care. It’s a sign of strength, not weakness.” I nodded seriously. “Besides, this week is your big chance to be a kid and have fun, to make new friends, experience new things. You can’t do that tired and sad.
” I threw an arm around his shoulder. “You know it’s past curfew.”
“Yeah. Shouldn’t you be in bed?” He smirked at me.
I laughed. “I wish. Instead, I’m on duty. Gotta round up the stragglers, even my friends.”
Jack stared out over the water a moment. “So I need to go to bed? Is that what you’re saying?”
“You should try, but I’d love it if you had a chance to meet Grace first. She runs the camp and she’s the most wonderful, loving woman I know. I bet she’d know just the right things to say to help you sleep and feel better.” I grinned, thinking of her.
“You love her, don’t you?” Jack laughed.
“Why would you say that?” My brow furrowed. Did everyone know how I felt about her? Shoot, was I that transparent.
He shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess because when you talk about her, you get the same goofy look on your face that my father used to get on his when he was around my mom.”
I marveled over his insight. “You’re so lucky. You have parents that love each other.”
“Had,” he corrected me.
I shook my head. “No. That kind of love never dies, Jack. You hold onto it. Always.” I blew out a breath. I’d just survived my first encounter with a camper. “So, wanna meet Grace or do you want me to walk you back to your cabin?”
“She’s really nice?” His words were barely more than a whisper.
“The nicest.” I closed my eyes and pictured her. “The prettiest. The best. The very very best.” I stood up and held out my hand. “Come on.”
He took it and together we climbed up the hill and eventually emerged on the worn path. I knew which cabin was hers. I’d scoped it out earlier. Together we made our way up the steps and onto the porch. The lights were on and I saw Grace standing, facing me. Slowly, she backed away and I realized she wasn’t alone. Trent was there and she didn’t look happy about it.
22
Without thinking, I flung open the cabin door and entered, dragging Jack with me. Trent jumped and had the sense to look guilty. I glared at him until he withered and muttered something about having to go. “Wait outside,” I gritted out. “I’ll be right out to speak with you.”