the summer things changed

Camp Sleepy Creek

The first day of Camp Sleepy Creek, six weeks of uninterrupted pure bliss, a chance to "stop and smell the roses" at least, that's what the brochure said it doesn't matter though, I was born to loaded parents who would rather have nothing to do with me...at least here I'll feel wanted or I don't know...seen? My dad didn't ask me if I wanted to go away he just informed me, that's usually how things go in my house, dad makes a big family decision, "informs us" as if he's doing us some favor and then my mom comforts me, it's an endless cycle I've endured since kindergarten, I've learned to not get attached to people by now or places, so, for now, I'll breathe in the fresh quiet air of camp sleepy creek for the next six weeks and hope to find a friend, no an acquaintance to keep me company and then I'll pack up my things In a box and a suitcase and leave them all behind.

I stand at the entrance for a while, just observing. I thought there would be more like me, people who were just dropped off, as I take a look around I see a girl my age with glasses and big hair waving goodbye to two older women and a little boy, I see a little girl clinging to a teenage boy while their parents walk away, and at the very edge I see a family walking out of a cabin, a picture-perfect family, son, daughter, parents who look like they're in love, the sister ruffles her brother's hair, I imagine she's saying something like " see you buddy" or "I'll miss you" maybe some inside joke like " Try to tan this time" I've always wanted that, an older sibling, but I don't, so I observe and I imagine " Hi, I'm Harper, I'm a Junior camp counselor, are you waiting for your parents to get something out of the car? I didn't notice her walking towards me. The family's gone now and just the boy remains. He seems to have found his friends already. Before I can respond she makes a face, that "Oh I didn't realize your parents were assholes face" she grabs my other bag and without a word leads me towards a cabin near the lake that's painted a dull green. "This is where you'll sleep, if you need anything, I'll be out there". It seems the other girls had claimed their bunk, leaving only the bottom bunk in the back for me. I set my stuff down and ventured out of the cabin and down to the docks. The boy that was with the family was there, he was chubby with dark wavy hair and he seemed very attached to something in his hand, I imagined he was looking at a picture of his family, missing them already, but upon further investigation, I realized he was clutching onto a switch, how he got connection out here? I'll never know.

I took a seat beside him, not too close but close enough for him to notice that I was there, I had made nice with kids my age millions of time so this wouldn't be hard at all, "Hi" I said getting the boys attention, he looked up rather annoyed but I think he saw the desperation in my eyes and took pity on me, "Hey" he extended and arm out to me "Anthony Larusso, but my friends call me Ant " Ant, I always wanted to be the type of girl who had a nickname, I just never knew anyone long enough for anything to stick, " Stevie Jackson, it's nice to meet you Ant" He had a firm grip, like he was a car salesman or something, when I let go of his hand I expected him to go back to his game, but to my surprise he started up a conversation, asked me where I lived, what my parents do, what I was most looking forward to, and when it was time for dinner, he saved me a seat by his friends and even offered me some whoppers he had stashed in his bag, I graciously accepted even though I hated the candy, I knew this was the olive branch that would make my summer, and somehow make me a friend too.