Turning Red: Everybody Loves Abby

Back in Toronto

It was June 25th, 2002.

In the Lee Family Temple, Ming Lee waves to her customers. She was friendly. "Bye-bye. Thank you for coming. See you next time." Ming said. She shut the gates behind herself.

Jin Lee was helping her close them.

They both sighed. Mr. and Mrs. Lee are tired.

Jin pulled something out of his pants pocket. He was happy. "Ming, we got a letter from Mei." Jin mentioned.

She detected it. Ming was glad. "Oh, is it from Camp Aphrodite?" She wondered.

He shrugs. "Maybe we'll read it in the house." Jin decided.

Ming nodded her head twice. "Let's go. I wanna hear how her days at her summer camp was." She said.

Mr. and Mrs. Lee are heading to their home.

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Jin opens the letter in the kitchen. Ming hovers him.

They have seated on their chairs near the table.

The ceiling lamp brightens the note.

Mr. and Mrs. Lee read the mail from Mei.

Dear mom and dad,
I had a good time with my friends at summer camp. I wanted to tell you by phone since we got there days ago. But Miss C doesn't have a phone.

Ming halts reading. She was bewildered. "Jin, what does Mei mean there's no phone in Camp Aphrodite?" She wonders.

He shrugs again. "I don't know, Ming. Maybe there's no electricity in summer camps." Jin believes.

Mrs. Lee shook her head. "There should be a telephone booth near Camp Aphrodite. I did my homework." She said in certainty.

He looks at the note again.

Ming resumed reading.

I hope you get this letter sooner by mail. Mom, dad, we're not at Camp Aphrodite. We're in Camp Apollo. Please don't get upset. I have a favor to ask you. Could one of you get me before end of July please? I think someone set us up here.

Thank you.

Lots of love,
Mei

Several minutes later, Mrs. Park, Mr. Wexler, Mrs. Nguyen-Baker and Miss Frick was gathered.

They're all in the Lee's house for one reason.

Mrs. Lee was flabbergasted. "Camp Apollo?! My daughter was sent to Camp Apollo?!" She added. Ming was anxious. "What is Camp Apollo?! Is there something I should know about?!" Mrs. Lee inquired loudly.

Mrs. Park was perplexed. "I don't know anything about that summer camp. I clearly asked my husband to get Abby to go to Camp Aphrodite. She wanted to see her friends again." Mrs. Park utters.

Miss Frick was baffled. "I paid my daughter for that summer camp too." She stated.

Mr. Wexler was sure. "Miriam told me that Abby told her...that her mom was getting her friends to go to Camp Aphrodite...She was done with Camp Apollo...My wife got our daughter coming there for seven years..." He said.

Mrs. Nguyen-Baker was nervous. "Well my son almost didn't go to Camp Apollo. Poor Tyler was afraid over a bear in the woods." She mentions.

Mrs. Lee got her eyes widened. "A BEAR?!" Ming exclaims. She was petrified.

Mr. Wexler got alerted.

Jin comforts his wife. "Ming, perhaps we should go to Camp Apollo to talk to Miss C. Mei mentioned it in the letter." He suggested.

Mrs. Lee was concerned. She encounters everyone. "Can any of you tell me who's Miss C in Camp Apollo here?" Ming inquires.

Mr. Wexler raises his right hand.

Mrs. Lee faced him.

Mr. Lee stayed by her side.

Mrs. Nguyen-Baker, Miss Frick and Mrs. Park observes.

Mr. Wexler clears his throat. "Miss C is Miss Coralinski. She was the assistant for Mrs. Merryweather. She must have kept her summer camp running after Mrs. Merryweather retired last year." He added, replying. Mr. Wexler shrugs. "It's what I thought back then." He mentions.

Mrs. Park was serious. "Has Mrs. Wexler known about last year?" She asked.

Mr. Wexler nodded his head. "My wife did." He utters.

Mr. Wexler considers about something urgent. "You said you are asking your husband to have your daughter go to Camp Aphrodite earlier?" He wonders.

Mrs. Park was definite. "I did." She added, answering. Mrs. Park shrugged. She was overwhelmed. "Now why would my husband send my daughter to Camp Apollo, not Camp Aphrodite?!" Mrs. Park exclaims.

Mr. Wexler was perturbed. Then, he was frustrated. "I don't know. Miriam shouldn't have gone to Camp Apollo this year. Maybe Mrs. Merryweather closed that camp after she retired." Mr. Wexler answers.

Mrs. Lee was shaking the letter. Ming was furious. "Camp Apollo...Miss Coralinski...Retired Mrs. Merryweather...Not Camp Aphrodite...? Is this...?" Mrs. Lee added. Ming was triggered. "Is the whole Camp Apollo place just became a scam by the internet?!" Mrs. Lee ranted. She ran off in a hurry.

Jin was worried. "Ming!" He exclaims. Mr. Lee pursues her.

Miss Frick and Mrs. Nguyen-Baker was fearful. "What about the bear?" They inquired in unison.

Mr. Wexler and Mrs. Park follows Ming and Jin. Mr. Wexler was resolute. "The only thing that attracts bears is by the scent of food. It can smell them in miles." He replied.

Mr. Wexler was worried too. He was hoping that Miriam was okay. "We have to get the kids out of that summer camp." Mr. Wexler declares.

Next part soon!