Camp Lore - 42. Chapter 42

“So he’s probably been there an hour?” I asked.

Again, the guys weren’t sure.

“Well, we got back early.”

“From the Canteen.”

“‘Cause we knew there was beer.”

“Earlier than usual.”

“A little.”

“When?”

Then they got lost. Partly because they didn’t care. More because none of them wore watches or thought about checking the time.

“Okay, say you got back here at twelve,” I suggested. “That’d give you a couple hours at the Canteen.”

“That’s possible,” Steve agreed.

“And you were playing cards.”

“And drinking.”

“But only four of us,” Dan said. “Nate and Greg were still out. And you and Brian.”

I hoped they didn’t ask where I was.

“So only the four of you pulled this off?”

“Oh, yeah – though Greg was here when we came back.”

“From the island.”

“Then Nate wandered in.”

“Greg and I closed the Canteen.”

“At one?”

“A little later – they’re kind of sloppy this week.”

“And I didn’t come right back,” Nate admitted. “I kind of walked a girl back to her bunk.”

“Any idea when you got back?” I asked Greg.

“Not that long ago. I kinda walked a girl back, too.”

And the guys laughed.

“So there’s a chance Brian’s been hanging out there for less than an hour?”

“He’s not hanging.”

“His feet are on the ground.”

“Even if his head’s whirling around.”

“But it could be an hour?”

“Sounds right.”

“When’re you planning to get him?”

They looked at each other and laughed. I tried another way.

“Anything wrong with now?” I asked.

They looked at each other again. And no one disagreed.

“Then let’s go.”

But no one got up.

“Well...” Dan stalled.

“What?”

“It’s only gonna take one person. We already said that.”

“So?”

“Who wants to take that risk?”

“Someone’s got to.”

“We were gonna play for it. Loser loses.”

“Or takes the fall.”

“I’ll go,” I volunteered. “But I don’t know the island.”

“You shouldn’t have to go,” Paul maintained. “You’re weren’t involved.”

“It’s not your joke.”

“But I don’t mind. I just need someone with me.”

“Wait another hour – at least – and I’ll go along,” Dan said. “Let him wake up first.”

“Let him stew.”

“And struggle.”

They all grinned.

“I’d like to go now,” I said. Especially when I thought of Brian struggling.

“Why?”

“It won’t ruin the joke,” I insisted.

“But the longer the better.”

“Like so many things.”

And they all cracked up.

“It’s a great prank,” I assured them. “No one’s gonna take that away. They’ll be telling this story for years – you will. But let’s make sure nothing goes wrong.”

“What could go wrong?”

“Who knows? I don’t know what’s on that island.”

“Not even snakes.”

“You’re sure?”

“Well, nothing big enough to hurt Brian.”

“Or dangerous.”

“Or they’d be around here, too.”

“And have you seen them?”

“So the worse thing that’ll happen...”

“Is he’ll get bit.”

“By bugs.”

“A couple of them.”

“Handful.”

“No more than we get walking back from the Canteen.”

“That’s still a little creepy,” I said.

“Are there really bugs out at night?” Paul asked.

“Why do we have screens?”

“Oh, yeah.”

“Paul’s drunk.”

“So let’s get Brian.”

“You can do this yourself, Rob,” Steve reasoned, starting to deal again. “If it’s that important.”

“No – I should go, too,” Dan repeated. “Since they’re my cuffs.”

“Then let’s go.”

“Okay.”

But he wasn’t very excited. And for a moment, he didn’t budge.

“Oh... darn.”

“Now what?” I asked.

“Did I give one of you guys the keys?” he seemed to wonder aloud.

“This is no time for jokes,” Steve advised.

“I’m serious... Did I?”

The guys all checked their pockets – not finding the keys.

“And I didn’t change my clothes,” Dan said. “None of us have.”

“None of us got wet.”

“And I didn’t use the keys on the island. You don’t need them to lock the cuffs.”

“Did you leave them in your trunk?”

“No – I took them with us in case anything went wrong – like the cuffs locked too tight, and I needed to open them.”

“Is there a spare?”

“Key?”

“Yeah.”

“Not really. There’re only two – you saw them in the junkyard. But they’re on the same ring. I always meant to get another.”

“Great time to think of that.”

“Well, Linden threatened to take the cuffs away, so they’ve been in my trunk all month. I thought I’d just take them home.”

“It’s all right,” Nate said. “I’ll get the bolt cutters from the HQ.”

“Bolt cutters?” I asked.

“Yeah – the kids’re always losing their keys or forgetting their combinations. So the counselors cut off their locks.” He turned to Dan. “Sorry about your cuffs.”

“It’s okay – we had our fun. And they were cheap.”

“But they’re good cuffs – probably police stock.”

“Maybe you can just cut the chain,” Paul offered. “It could be soldered.”

“Welded.”

“Whatever.”

“We’d still have to get them off Brian’s wrists.”

“Maybe Dan’ll find the keys.”

“Where do you think they went?” I asked.

“I don’t know. I could’ve dropped them near Brian when I pulled out the cuffs. Or they could’ve fallen into the rowboat.”

“Or the lake.”

“Or anywhere in between.”

“Yikers.”

“Let’s just play cards,” Steve counseled.

“Let’s just go,” I countered.

“He’s okay,” everyone assured me. “Let him wake up and sweat.”

“It’s too cold for that.”

“Not that kind – screw up sweat.”

“You guys have your joke,” I told them again. “Let’s finish it up.”

“Sure, but...” Dan began.

“Now what?”

“What Steve said – the more of us that go, the better chance we’ll be caught. Which’d ruin the joke.”

“There’s just two of us.”

“And Nate – as far as the HQ.”

“Can you get the bolt cutters and come back?” I asked Nate.

“Sure. I’ll be right back.”

“No – wait,” Steve said.

“What? This is taking forever.”

“It’s quieter now,” Steve warned. “The counselors won’t be in the HQ – which is good. But with Nate out there... and the two of you... well, someone might see. There’s always one or two stragglers...”

“Dogging it back to their bunks.”

“‘Specially this week.”

“But why would anyone tell Linden?” I questioned. “Why would they wake him?”

“Sucking up – pushing for a bonus. And we don’t want Linden on the island with Brian.”

“No way!” everyone agreed.

“We’d all be sent home.”

“In the morning.”

“He wouldn’t do that,” I pointed out. “He’d lose all his waiters.”

“The counselors could it – you know how easy it is.”

“Or the Seniors.”

“It’s less than a week.”

“He doesn’t need us.”

“And he’d keep our checks.”

“He’d save that money.”

“He’s a practical man.”

“There’d be lawsuits.”

“What? Brian wouldn’t sue.”

“I would – class action. It’s not about the money – it’s not a lot, and I don’t care. But he can’t get away with this.”

“He isn’t.”

“He’s not even trying.”

“I’m just supposing.”

“Future lawyer Jim.”

“Brian’s parents might sue,” Paul suggested.

“Why would they do that? They’re thousands of miles away.”

“And he’d never tell.”

“He’s a good guy.”

“But someone might – like that mother.”

“Evil mother.”

“Mondo protective.”

“Look,” I said, trying to cut through. “You can argue this out while Dan and I are gone. Nate, you could’ve gotten the bolt cutters and been back. Let’s just get Brian.”

“He’s okay,” Nate assured me. “But you’re not – you need a beer.”

“Or two,” Steve added.

“I have one.”

“Then drink it... Instead of waving it around.”

“Was I?” I asked, a little embarrassed.

“Yeah,” Steve admitted.

“You really should have a drink,” Greg said. “You’re turning into our parents.”

“Or worse – Linden.”

“Okay,” I said, laughing. “I’m sorry – it’s late.”

“And you’re a jerk.”

“I am a jerk.”

“We know.”

“But we forgive you.”

And we all laughed.

“Finish your beer, and we’ll fix this,” Steve promised.

So I took a gulp to calm myself. Then another. Then a sip. Then I slowly drained the can.

Nate had gone and come back, and he handed me the bolt cutters. They seemed dangerous. Two feet long. Red Steel. Padded black handles. With blunt snippers that looked like they’d snap bone.

“Do me a favor?” Dan asked, as the guys settled back to cards. “Can you do this by yourself? Brian’s right in the open, and I’m getting wobbly. And you’re the one who thinks it’s important.”

“I don’t even know where he is,” I protested.

“We’ve all said you can’t miss him. And you know where the island is – you’ve seen it every day. He’s right there.”

I thought for a moment. It seemed the fastest way.

“Okay,” I gave in.

“Thanks... And try feeling around for the keys... before you snip the chain. I’d really appreciate it.”

Nate looked up from his cards and grinned.

“Don’t break Danny’s toy.”