“So we are basically going to have the beach to ourselves?”
“Well, there are ninety-four sites in the campground. We will have to share some of it.”
I stopped to watch the surfers lay on the boards and paddle out through the incoming waves. They stayed out there a while waiting for the best wave to come before angling their boards and standing on them to ride the wave in. One fell off.
“I think these guys are here to practice,” Jesse said.
“Have you ever done it?” I asked.
Jesse shook his head. “I don’t even think I want to.”
“Well, I want to try it someday.” I thought about the cold water I walked in. “Some day when the water is warmer.”
I put my sandals on and we started to amble along the sand to our right. The sun was warm but the wind off the ocean was cooling. It also whipped our hair about our heads and we were constantly trying to keep it out of our eyes. It made talking tough so we strolled companionably side by side. I liked that fact that we didn’t have to the fill dead spaces with chit-chat.
We’d walked a long time but it didn’t seem as if we were getting anywhere, the scenery didn’t change much: bush to our right, sand ahead, ocean to our left. I turned around but couldn’t see where the path came out of the trees.
I checked my cell phone. It was later than I thought. Mom would be making supper and I had to get back to look after my cats.
“Let’s go back.”
“Okay,” Jesse said, easily. “Those kitties will be missing you.”
We retraced our steps along the sand. I watched in the bush for the path and finally saw it. We began to climb. It was darker in the tall trees than on the beach. I had thought it steep coming down, but that was nothing compared to going up. The fact that I hadn’t been doing any type of exercise since leaving school showed. It wasn’t long before I was huffing and puffing.
“I think I like going downhill better,” Jesse said, panting beside me.
“Me, too.”
We stopped while we each caught our breath and then continued. As we neared the top Jesse dashed ahead and entered the barrier. He stopped on the other side of the gate and grinned at me.
I grinned back, knowing what he was expecting. I walked up to him, raised up on tip toes and planted a kiss on his cheek. I giggled as I stepped around him and onto the road.
When we got back, there was a fire in the pit and the outside light of the motorhome was on. The top of the picnic table was covered with all sorts of pots and bowls of food, paper plates and plastic cutlery, and bottles of liquor. It seemed that the team had decided to come to our site for supper. Some were eating while others had drinks in their hands.
“There you are,” Mom said. “We wondered where you two had gone.”
“We walked down to the beach,” I said.
“It’s lovely, isn’t it?” Mom gestured at the table. “Go help yourselves.”
I glanced at the screen door. There were no little faces peeking out. “I have to check on my cats first,” I said to Jesse.
“I’ll come with you.”
It was automatic to go to the passenger’s side to enter the motorhome. A light was on inside.
“Where are my girls?” I called. No one came. The noise of the outside party coming in through the screen was probably scaring them. I opened the screen door, stepped down, and unlatched the outer door. I closed both doors and that shut out most of the noise. I went to the cupboard, pulled out the treat container, and rattled it. Two heads popped up on my bed. Purple hurried out from my parents’ bedroom and Saltry meowed from in there, expecting me to bring the treats to her.
I dropped some on the floor for Purple then obliged Saltry by going into the bedroom and shaking some in front of her. Red and Daisy were on the edge of my bed watching me.
“Can I give them theirs?” Jesse asked.
“Sure.” I handed him the container. “Maybe give them a few extra for being so patient.”
I opened the fridge door and got out the can of cat food. When I looked over I saw Jesse alternating between petting Daisy and Red. I smiled as I got out the small plates and spooned the food onto them. I set Purple’s down for her.
Jesse picked up the other two plates and raised his eyebrows at me. I nodded. He smiled and handed Daisy and Red theirs on my bed. I carried Saltry’s plate and the needle to the bed. I checked the litter box and it was surprisingly empty. Were the girls on strike? It looked like they had drunk some water but the food pail seemed the same.
Jesse and I went out to have supper. We picked up plates and looked at the table. This pot luck wasn’t planned so the selection was quite varied. There were the remnants of a taco salad, a stew, vegetable salads, and a pot of beans and wieners. A plate held some open faced buns with slices of ham, cheese, and lettuce on them; another plate had pieces of garlic sausage, cheese, and crackers. There was a cheese fondue with pieces of bread for dipping.
Jesse and I loaded our plates and found two chairs to sit on beside Bill and Maurie. We four were still the only teenagers and none of the families with younger kids had come. The adults milled around talking and laughing. That was the good thing about the team having their campsites beside each other. They could make a little more noise without the neighbours complaining.
I went into the motorhome and brought out a bag of marshmallows and two two-pronged wiener sticks. I handed one to Bill and Maurie and the other to Jesse. I opened the bag and took four marshmallows out. I handed the bag to Maurie. While Jesse grasped the stick I pushed the marshmallows onto the prongs. Jesse held the stick over the fire turning it until the marshmallows were golden brown.
We ate them but that was not the way I liked them. I took the stick from Jesse’s hand. He looked at me and I nodded. I put four marshmallows on it and walked slowly over to the fire. I felt the familiar anxiety as I stood a moment staring at the leaping flames. But this time it didn’t build and eventually I felt its hold over me lessened. I took a deep breath and stepped up to the pit. I held the marshmallows over the blaze. When they started on fire, I automatically brought them up to my face and blew them out. That reflex action surprised me and I smiled. I set them back to burn the other side. I blew that out and went back to Jesse.
He gave me a kiss on my cheek. “Good for you,” he whispered.
My heart swelled and I could not hold back my elation. The fear was still with me but it didn’t consume me like it had for the past three years.
I pulled off the burnt outer shell of one and ate it. Jesse did the same and when the four shells were eaten, I went back and set the insides over the fire and went through the routine again. The third time there was little left but it tasted good.
At about ten-thirty the team members and spouses began to pack up their things and head to their sites. Jesse gave me another kiss on my cheek then stood and left with Bonnie.
I went in to hold the girls away from the door while Mom brought in our leftover food. Dad tied the bag of garbage holding the paper plates and carried it to the dumpster so any bears in the area couldn’t get at it.
“I’m very proud of you,” Mom said, giving me a hug. “What you did tonight with the marshmallows was amazing.”
I blushed at the praise. “Well, Jesse just didn’t do them right,” I said. “I had to show him how.”
When I went to put on my pajamas, Purple jumped off the bed and came into the bathroom with me. She wanted in the bottom cupboard. I had hoped she would have forgotten about looking for a way out. This time I told her no. When I opened the cupboard above the sink to get something out, she jumped on the counter and stretched up on her hind legs to see in. Disappointed, she got down.
When Purple and I came out of the bathroom Red and Daisy were under a swivel chair and Saltry was on a bench seat. I went to bed and turned on the overhead light. I was quickly joined by Daisy and Saltry. I petted them both and they laid down. Then Red’s head stuck up above the covers.
“Com
e on,” I encouraged.
She dug her claws in and with a little jump pulled herself up.
“Good girl,” I said.
She immediately came over and began to lick my face. I turned my head away. She walked across my neck and started to lick again. I tried the maneuver again and she just followed. I finally gave up and closed my eyes.
Chapter Fourteen
In the morning I let Purple in the bathroom by herself while I got their breakfast ready. I could hear her scratching and then digging with her claws as she tried to open the cupboard door. I opened the bathroom door and told her to quit. She meowed at me and continued clawing. I told her to quit again and closed the bathroom door. As I finished dishing out the cat food, she yowled and doubled her efforts at the cupboard door, making a racket. I pounded on the bathroom door and yelled at her to quit. It must have scared her because she stopped. I opened the bathroom door and placed her plate of food on the floor.
“What’s all the noise out there?” Dad wanted to know.
“Purple is going through her usual routine of looking for a way out,” I said.
I wondered how this day was going to play out. The guidelines that had been discussed last night were that there was not going to be any organization this time. If someone wanted to go somewhere, they went. If anyone wanted to join them, they could. If anyone wanted to spend the days sitting at their campsite and reading, that was totally up to them.
When Mom and Dad came out of their bedroom I sat at the table out of their way.
“What are you doing today?” I asked, as I ate my cereal.
I wasn’t sure of any plans they had. I hadn’t done anything since we’d arrived and I wanted to change that. It was time to see some of the other sights but I had no way of getting around except with them. And if I went with them, could I bring Jesse?
“We’re going to the beach again this morning,” Mom said. “Not sure about this afternoon. Maybe do the Rainforest Trail.”
After Mom and Dad left, I dressed in shorts and a t-shirt then cleaned the litter box. When the girls finished eating, I scraped all the leftovers onto one plate and set it under the table for anyone who wanted it. Usually it was cleaned off by lunch time. This morning Daisy found the leftover plate and even though she had eaten the food a short time earlier, for some reason it was distasteful to her now. She decided it needed hiding and she scratched on the floor. There was nothing to cover it with so she reached in the litter box and tried bringing some litter to cover it. I picked up the plate and put it by the water pail.
I walked over to Jesse’s campsite and stopped at the driveway. Their car was parked beside the tent. Stuart had come last night or this morning. What did it mean? I turned and went back to our campsite. I would have to wait until Jesse came to me. I didn’t want to get mixed up in anything going on there.
I thought about taking each of the girls for a walk but decided against it. It really was a two person job. So I got my book and sat outside at the table. I kicked off my running shoes and put my feet up on another chair.
I had read about four pages when I heard crunching on the driveway. I looked up to see Jesse coming towards me. I smiled as I studied his face trying to judge what was happening at his site. He smiled in return so I hoped everything was fine.
“My Dad came just before the gates closed last night,” Jesse said, as he sat in a chair.
I had so many questions but I waited.
“We all had a long talk. Dad apologized to Mom and Bill and me. He said he had time yesterday to think about what his drinking was doing to his family. And he decided to get help and try to fight the disease.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” I said, meaning it.
“The best part is that he gave Bill the keys to the car and gave each of us some money and told us to go do some sightseeing and have lunch somewhere.”
“Wow, that’s great.”
“Yes. Bill is telling Maurie right now and I’ve come to ask you if you want to join us.”
I didn’t even hesitate. I didn’t even wonder if I should ask my parents first. I was just so happy to have something to do and have Jesse to do it with.
“Yes.”
“Okay, we will be leaving in about half-an-hour.” Jesse stood to leave. “And wear your bathing suit. We’re going to try swimming somewhere.”
“I’ll be ready.”
I knew I couldn’t just leave Mom and Dad a note; I had to tell them personally. I slipped on my running shoes and ran along the road, through the kissing gate, and down the sloping path. I hoped they would be close. I reached the sand and looked around. There were more people than yesterday spread out along the beach. I couldn’t remember what they were wearing. I shaded my eyes against the brightness of the sun and finally spotted them near the water. I dashed over and stopped beside them, breathing hard. I certainly was out of shape.
“What’s the matter?” Mom asked, her voice concerned. She put her hands on my arms. “Are you all right?”
I nodded and waited until I had caught my breath. “I’m going sightseeing with Jesse, Bill, and Maurie.”
“Oh?” Mom raised her eyebrows.
I realized I should have at least acted like I was asking permission. “Please.”
“We’ll be leaving also,” Dad said. “What about your cats? It’s going to be hot today.”
“I’ll shut the windows and leave the air conditioning on low. And I’ll make sure they have plenty of water.”
“How are you going with them? Is Bonnie taking the truck and camper?”
This was taking too long. I had to get ready yet. “Jesse’s Dad showed up last night and apologized to all of them. He told Bill and Jesse to take the car today.”
I waited while they digested this news. Hurry, hurry, I yelled in my mind. Bill wasn’t going to wait for me.
“Okay,” Mom said.
I was already turned and running when she hollered. “Have fun.”
It was a tough slog up the hill. My shins burned by the time I reached the road. I sprinted to our campsite. Daisy was at the screen door.
“Sorry,” I said to her, as I unlatched the outside door and closed it in her face.
I went to the passenger door and found myself staring into Purple’s eyes. She had her paws up on the arm rest looking out. I clicked the door handle but that didn’t scare her. It was as if she had finally figured out that this was an escape route.
I hurried around to the driver’s door. Purple jumped on the dash and followed me. She stared at me out the driver’s window. I didn’t have time for this. Purple and I locked eyes as I walked around the front of the motorhome to the passenger door and she padded on the dash.
I slowly opened the door. Purple bent down ready to jump out. I reached in and wiggled my fingers in her face. This distracted her so that I could pick her up. She fought but I held her tight as I climbed in and closed the door.
I was running out of time. I knew how Bill liked everyone to be punctual. I quickly closed the windows and vents and turned on the air conditioning. I went into the bathroom and took off my clothes. I fingered the burn scar below my belly button. I may be getting over my fear of fire but I would always have this reminder that fire is to be respected at all times. I donned my one piece bathing suit and pulled on my clothes again. My hair was a mess so I combed it. I slung the strap of my purse over my head to my shoulder.
The cat’s pail of water was almost full. I left it. I looked out the window and the car wasn’t here yet. To limit my guilt at leaving my girls I shook the treat container. When they came over, I gave them extra morsels. While they were occupied, I stashed a towel, my sunglasses, and some sunscreen in a bag and slipped out the passenger door. I applied the sunscreen as I waited for my ride.
* * *
Bill pulled out of the campsite and drove towards Tofino. We went downhill and entered the Tsunami warning area. We hadn’t gone far when Bill turned into the day use parking lot of Long Beach. It was almost
full but Bill found a spot to park. His father had picked up a ticket for the park the night before and it was displayed on the dash. We walked beside a building with toilets and an outdoor shower where some children were washing sand off their feet.
The beach was easier to access than at the campground. We just walked along a path through some trees and were there. To our left and right were piles of driftwood. Some people had made shelters out of them and were sitting out of the strong wind. Again the sand was loose for the first while and then hardened. The beach swarmed with adults and kids walking, jogging, holding hands, or building sandcastles.
I stopped and watched one girl as she dropped a short surf board onto the water as it was flowing back into the ocean. She then threw herself onto it and skimmed along on top of the water out to meet the next wave coming in. This was the skim boarding I had heard about. It looked like fun.
We watched some surfers paddle their way out into the ocean then climb on their boards and ride the high waves that rushed into shore. There was one sail boarder.
We walked with the wind pushing at our backs. Again, I was surprised that the beach scenery stayed the same and the outcropping of rock in the distance never seemed to get closer. When we turned around I gasped at the wind in my face. We were bend over as we struggled against the wind. Maurie and Bill were ahead of us holding hands. Jesse reached for mine and I grabbed hold. He held me steady when the wind threatened to push me backwards.
Even though lots of people seemed to be enjoying the day at the beach, when we reached the path we had come out on, I was ready to get out of the wind. Luckily, so were the others. We hurried back to the car.
Bill pulled out onto the highway then turned left into the parking lot for Incinerator Rock. It was more sheltered here.
We headed to the huge rock on the beach. There were kids climbing it and we clambered up. There really wasn’t much of a trail, just some wide and narrow areas to follow along the rugged edge. The wind was strong at the top but the view was worth it. I could see far out over the ocean and down the length of the beach.
Crazy Cat Kid (Crazy Cat Kids Book 1) Page 14