Choosing how to love.

Lefty

"So Maddy has to tell her famous Lefty story." Roger piped up as they sat around the fire. Maddy knew it was coming, but her brother knew how much she loved to tell it.

"You all have heard it a million times." Maddy laughed. "New people. And it's tradition." Donnie pointed out and she saw the gleam in his eyes. She knew he was up to something and it made her want to tell it even more.

. "I heard you are the best storyteller there is." Holton handed her another beer. "She is. Except this one is a true story, not one she made it." Donnie raised his beer. "Ok. Fine." She giggled and played if off like it was a bother. This was one of her favorite parts of camping.

She started the story and as she told it, Roger helped by saying it had happened when they were kids, and everyone leaned it, even those that had heard it before. She was animated and gave the details to her captivated audience. Donnie moved off to the side and gave her a wink from across the fire, and she knew what he was going to do. He did it every time there was a new soul to scare.

Maddy tried not to giggle as she seriously recounted the facts and made it even scary than she had before. Each person's face was lit in the fire, and some were smiling, some were wary, and the new girls were huddled into their guys, but everyone was tense as they listened.

She was getting to the best part when she noticed Roger nudge Holton, who was staring at her. He was so into it and it made her smile. Then she noticed Craig had moved a little closer to her, so she took his hand  and he squeezed in response as she talked.

"They say that sometimes you can hear his hook on the campers at night or the sounds of the shotguns as they tried to take him down." She took a breath and as she started again, the sound came from behind her and everyone looked around. Then Donnie threw the firecrackers in the fire, and she had never heard so many people scream so loud.

She literally fell out of her chair as Craig jumped up and took off behind her, screaming. She was on the ground laughing so hard she almost peed herself.

"OH MY GOD! You guys are freaking idiots!" Jenny grabbed her chest, but Maddy was laying on the ground crying from laughter. Then there was more laughter and she heard a few people tell Donnie he was an ass.

"Are you ok?" Holton stood over Maddy as she laid there laughing. "That was epic. I think Craig pissed himself." She started laughing harder. "Come on. Lets go find him." Holton laughed as he pulled her to her feet.

"Damn Maddy, that was awesome." Dave laughed as he held Lacy. "Every year, and we still get them." Maddy high fived Donnie as Beth beat on him.

"The firecrackers were a last-minute addition." Donnie said proudly. "So perfect. I bow to you. Except you scared my man off." Maddy wiped her eyes and grabbed a flashlight off the table to go in search of Craig.

"CRAIG?" She called out, but she could not quit laughing. "You probably scarred him for life." Holton was laughing too. "Probably. Did you hear him scream? You were right, like a twelve-year-old girl."

"Did he pull your chair over?" Holton asked. "Yes. Knocked me over as he ran past." They were laughing so hard, she almost forgot that they were looking for Craig.

"Craig, come on, where are you?" She called again and noticed the way Holton looked at her. He shook his head and joined in. "Craig, man, don't be a pussy, come on." "Hey." She hit him. "That's not helping." She whispered.

"Craig, it was a joke. Come on." Holton called out. "Craig." She flashed the light and saw someone move. She pointed to the edge of Dave's truck and Holton nodded as he broke off and quietly made his way around. He was going to scare him again. Asshole. But she was not able to stop giggling.