Camp Lore - 50. Chapter 50

On Monday afternoon, Dan and Paul had rowed back to the island to look for the keys. It turned out they were practically where Brian had been standing.

“They might even have been under his feet,” Dan reported. “They were kind of dug into the ground.”

“Then I wouldn’t’ve been able to find them,” I said.

“Probably not.”

Almost a week later, on Sunday morning after breakfast, while waiting for all the kids and counselors to get organized, do final inspections of the bunks for almost-left-behind things, and load onto the gathered school buses, our gang of waiters again walked to the lake and watched Dan ceremoniously fling what was left of his handcuffs into the water.

“Can I at least keep the key ring?” Brian asked.

“It’s too small for what you want to use it for,” Dan cracked, though at least a couple of our friends missed that.

“Not necessarily,” Nate added.

And this time, we all laughed

Dan threw the keys – and key ring – into the lake, just as Linden got curious and wandered over.

“Our way of ending the summer,” Steve quickly explained.

Linden smiled, then laughed. “I trust you – I don’t know why, but I do. And I hope to see you all next year.”

“You bet,” Jim said, grinning.

Just before they boarded the buses, most of the counselors, staff, and waiters got their paychecks. A handful – mainly local people – were staying behind, to close up the camp, though some of it was used for another month-or-two for other activities.

“Like what?” I asked Steve.

“Sports camps. Religious retreats. Tech seminars. It’s really nice here in the fall.”

“And the spring,” Jim added. “Sometimes the winter.”

“Any way Linden can make money,” Nate cracked. Then, only slightly changing the subject, he added, “There are sometimes bonuses in those pay envelopes – for especially good work. Though Linden usually mails them to our homes.”

“He doesn’t want to embarrass anyone,” Greg explained.

I was betting Andy would get one and wondered if I would, too. Not for Dad’s connection, but for the volunteer work I’d put in. Of course, Linden didn’t realize he’d basically been my pimp.

“Also, some of the counselors and staff get notes inviting them back,” Steve went on.

“Others don’t,” Nate countered. “Purposely.”

“I guess we just did,” I pointed out.

“Yeah – he’ll always take waiters.”

“And they almost always come back.”

I understood why. It had been fun – amazing fun – and, normally, I would have been happy to return. But I hoped to be doing that law firm internship in the city the following summer. Though I knew where I could drive to for a weekend break – and maybe even rent one of the cottages.

Still, when Linden handed me my envelope, he said, “There’s a second check in there – for all the extra work you did as a counselor.”

I smiled as we shook hands. “You really didn’t have to do that,” I assured him. “But thanks.”

“And you’re welcome back.”

I repeated my plans about the law firm.

“That’s too bad – you’re a born teacher.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.”

He had to laugh at that. “Well, please say ‘hello’ to your mom and dad.”

I promised I would and moved out of his way.

Soon, almost everyone had loaded onto the buses, though some of the staff and counselors had their own cars and left as soon as their jobs were done. The guys and Andy were going back with the campers, so Brian and I followed the buses to the train station, for one last wave “goodbye.”

As the train started to move, Brian waved to Laura, and I waved to Andy, and Andy and I both kept smiling and not looking away from each other. We knew we’d see each other again, though working out the details was going to be a trick. My parents’ house? Andy’s parents’ apartment? Definitely not at Victor’s – Andy claimed there was a friendly but nosey doorman. We’d also talked about the following summer, but neither of us wanted to risk coming back. “This was too good,” Andy said. “It couldn’t be the same, so why try?”

I agreed, but kept waving, possibly a bit after he could probably see me. It was like visiting my grandparents and assuring them at the foot of their driveways that I’d be okay. Then Brian and I jumped into his Volkswagen and headed off to Michigan to see Julie.