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“Fine, fine, so I gained a little weight.” He rubbed a hand over his stomach. “But I still got it, right?”
I stood awkwardly watching their exchange. It was obvious that Troy and Tina were a couple—just something about the way they looked at one another—and Marissa seemed to know them well.
“Oh, hey, you guys, this is Penny.” Marissa tipped her head toward me. “One of the new counselors.”
“Penny Wilson, right?” Tina came to join us, smiling directly at me, and I gave the hair elastic another little snap. “Good to have you here. Come in. Don’t just stand there. We don’t bite.”
“Don’t be fooled. Penny. This one definitely bites,” Troy joked, moving to wrap an arm around her.
“Ignore him.” Tina swatted her partner’s chest. She stood a good foot shorter than him, but something told me she wore the pants. “The others are around here somewhere,” she added. “A couple of members of the team won’t get in until tomorrow night, but you’ll have plenty of time to get to know everyone. It’s your first camp, right? How are you feeling? Nervous?”
I opened my mouth, but nothing came out, and I ended up standing there, gawking awkwardly.
“She’s good. Right, Penny?” Marissa said and I managed a small nod. “I thought we could bunk together?”
“You got it. Marissa will show you around and get you settled. You’ll be part of the Camp Chance family in no time.” Troy gave me a goofy smile. “We’ll see you later at the meet and greet.” He took Tina by the hand and led her away from us, leaving me behind with Marissa.
“Thanks,” I said. “I totally froze.”
“Hey, we’ve all been there.” Marissa’s words settled some of my nerves. “Besides, they can be a little full-on. I guess I should include myself in that, but I’m good people. You’ll see,” she added. “Now, let’s go get us a cabin.”
* * *
The fire crackled, the flames licking into the night sky, but I relished the heat, leaning closer. It had been an intense day, and every part of me ached.
If it wasn’t for my tired, sore muscles seeking the warmth, something about the fire captivated me. The hypnotic flicker of flames, the hiss and spit of wood snapping under the pressure of the heat, even the charred smell drew me in, and calmed me.
“Okay, everyone, bring it in.” Troy stood up in the circle and tipped his bottle to the rest of us. “Welcome to another summer at Camp Chance. I hope we didn’t push you too hard today?”
A low rumble of chatter went up around the fire, but Troy ushered everyone to silence.
“I look around the fire and see some familiar faces. In some cases, I see some very familiar faces, but I won’t mention any names, Marissa.” He coughed under his breath, and she grumbled something from her seat beside me while the rest of the circle broke out in muffled laughter.
“I also see some new faces. But old or new, it doesn’t matter whether this is your first summer with us or your third because do you know what else I see? I see a bunch of people who want to make a difference to the kids who will pass through those gates this summer. Kids who need to remember that being a teenager can be fun.
“The next few days will be intense, but you’ll need it because this summer won’t be a walk in the park. If you think that, then now’s the time to pack your bags and get the hell out. Some of the kids we will work with this summer will test your patience until you want to throw in the towel. But they need this, they need us.”
I didn’t take my eyes off the fire, but I heard every word coming from Troy’s mouth. Each one branding itself on my chest.
Risking a glance around the campfire, I looked at the other counselors and instructors. I didn’t know their stories, but I knew my own. I’d been the kid Troy was talking about, except there had been no Camp Chance for me or the other kids in the Freeman group home.
“We get two weeks with these kids. Fourteen days to give them an experience they’ll never forget. One that will stay with them forever. One that could be the difference between putting them on the right path in life or watching them take the wrong turn.
“One summer, a lifetime of possibilities. Let’s make it count, people.”
Someone clapped, and another joined until the whole circle was clapping. I joined in, but I wasn’t in the moment. I was too lost in my own memories. I knew my past was going to affect my present, but until now, I hadn’t realized just how difficult it was going to be to separate the two.
“Hey, everything okay?” Marissa nudged me with her shoulder.
I nodded, hoping my attempt at a weak smile would appease her. But I saw the skepticism in her eyes.
Marissa was everything I wasn’t. Tall and athletic. She had a toned body, broad shoulders, and lean, muscular arms. But despite her build, she was still very feminine. Beautiful even.
I envied her. She was obviously more than comfortable in her own skin, confident and outgoing, laughing and flirting up a storm with the other counselors.
Even though I’d only known her a little over twenty-four hours, I instantly warmed to her. She didn’t give you any other alternative.
After showing me our cabin yesterday, which was actually one open plan room with two cots, a small bathroom off to the side, one dresser, a wardrobe, and a couple of chairs, Marissa and I had hung out for a little while. Thankfully, she liked to talk, and I’d sat and listened while she filled me in on everything there was to know about Camp Chance.
