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I flushed guiltily at the fact that I’d not paid close enough attention to my nephew when he’d talked about his hero, and now he knew it.
“I recognized his name, once he told me, I’d just never really paid attention to what he looked like,” I replied, hoping knowing the name was one point in my favor, then added, “Plus, they’re always wearing the helmets and armor, how can you tell what any of them look like?”
Chris didn’t seem convinced, he just looked at me and corrected, “They’re pads, Aunt Z, not armor … Jeez.”
“Sorry, kiddo.”
In a flash, Chris’s face cleared and he grinned widely. “That’s okay. Now you’re like, his girlfriend, so I’m gonna get to know him better than everyone.”
We looked up when the campers were all told that the opening ceremony was about to begin, and walked inside to join Chris’s group.
I watched, only half listening, as Gabe stood in front of everyone and welcomed them loudly. He obviously loved this camp. He was excited and a really excellent speaker. The kids were watching him with rapt attention as he went over what they could expect throughout the week.
Training, fundamentals, down time, swimming, bonfires, the ropes course, and the end of camp banquet.
I had no doubt the week was going to fly by, which filled me with unexpected regret. I didn’t want this time with Gabe to end. I knew he’d said we’d see each other once summer was over, but I still wondered what we’d look like in the real world, and I worried that we wouldn’t make it.
And even though I’d known him only a week, I really wanted us to make it.
Once the briefing was over, I followed Chris to his cabin, to see where he was staying and make sure he didn’t need anything, before going to mine to meet the girls and get ready for our first session of the day, fundamentals.
I walked in to see Jenny, the counselor I’d met the day before, and the three female campers who were currently putting away their clothes.
“Hi,” I said to the new arrivals. “I’m Zoey,
and I’ll be staying with you ladies this week.”
“Hi, I’m Georgia,” a tall brunette I’d guess was fifteen said as she made her bed on the lower bunk.
“Lucy,” a smaller, bulkier, raven-haired girl replied as she put her clothes away. She looked oldest. I figured her to be around seventeen.
I turned to the other girl, who was sitting cross-legged on the bunk above Georgia, quietly. Taking everything in. I clocked her at right around Chris’s age. She had curly blonde hair and was cute as a button.
“And who are you?” I asked, when it looked like she wasn’t going to offer up her name.
“Grace, ma’am,” she finally said, even giving me a small smile.
“It’s nice to meet all of you,” I said in what I hoped was a cheerful, warm tone. I was definitely out of my comfort zone, but wanted the girls I was bunking with to feel at ease with me. “Please let me know if you need anything. I’m here with my nephew, Christopher, and need to go meet him at fundamentals, but don’t hesitate to grab me any time throughout the week if you need me.”
Not waiting for a response, I wheeled around and headed back out the way I came, calling out, “Later, Jenny,” as I left.
When I got to the fields, the kids were already warming up, running sprints and touching the line, before sprinting back. I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to wait by the sidelines or watch from the bleachers, and was looking around to see what the other adults were doing when I heard Chris’s voice shout, “Hey, Aunt Z, over here.”
I turned toward the sound, and saw my nephew waving me over to where he and Gabe were standing.
“Hey, I was just telling Coach Lewis that you wouldn’t mind holding the stopwatch and calling time.”
I turned my head slightly to see Gabe grinning at me, probably due to Chris’s enthusiasm, but I also hoped it meant he wasn’t upset with me.
“Hi,” I said as I walked closer.
“Hi,” Gabe returned softly, then rendered me speechless when he bent and kissed me sweetly before thrusting the stopwatch and whistle into my hand.
I moved my head quickly, hoping that no one was watching our interaction, but all I saw was Chris’s expression. He was looking between Gabe and me and nearly vibrating with excitement.
“You’d better join the others, Chris,” Gabe said as he righted himself.
“Yes, Coach,” Chris replied eagerly before dashing across the field.
