Family + Camp (working title)

Chapter 16: Fancy Talk

They'd left Rob's digs a while ago. Nell realized that she'd really been in her own head while managing to walk and not trip over any stray sticks or stones in her path. In fact, the group had climbed the outdoor stairs to the program staff quarters. These were bedrooms that each slept two, and had a wide balcony in front of them looking over a gravel bicycle path and the staff bathhouses. The rooms were on the second level of a building that also housed a recreation room and the camp store on the ground level, as well as a staff lounge tucked on the other side of the Rec room's behemoth fireplace made of local rocks.

Everyone was taking turns poking their heads into the room Cash would share with another male staffer. Inside were two single beds, two bureaus, a book case, a desk, and two wooden chairs. There was also a closet.

Nell had already seen the rooms, but had taken a polite glance around before exiting. She'd been leaning on the railing, staring down at the roof of the bathhouses when Cash had made his observation.

"Oh," she said, blinking a couple of times. "Oh, sorry. What did you say?"

"I said, you seem like you were doing some hardcore pondering. Or words to that effect."

Words to that effect? Hm. Apparently, Cash Tilney was a fancy talker.

"Right. Well, you know. Just thinking about the injustices of the world and whatnot. Does that count as hardcore pondering?"

Cash nodded. "That's pretty much what I thought you'd say." He smiled with both sides of his mouth but only one dimple showed up. Nell turned away. She would not be charmed by dimples and easy smiles and the beginnings of banter.

Except...Nell could not really ever resist banter.

"That's what camp does to me. Brings out my deep, dark, moody side."

"I think that's the camp motto," Cash said. "Camp Morgan: bringing out deep, dark, and moody sides since 1924."

Charm City! Oh, damn. Before she could stop, Nell was laughing in delight.

Sandra was talking to Rob and Morrie a few feet away, but she glanced over at the sound of her daughter's laughter. She didn't give Nell a knowing look when their eyes met. Not even a wink. Just a little wave.

"Come on," Nell's mom said. "We're going to look at the places where Cash will be working."
Nell clicked her tongue and said to Cash, "Guess this tour is all about you now."

Cash raised a skeptical eyebrow. "That's why I love Camp Morgan. It's where I really shine, and highlighting the best of the best just makes sense."

Nell shook her head, relieved he had played along. Some might find her snark too...snarky.
The group headed for the stairs at the opposite end the building. The last room right before the stairs was a large room with windows looking over the balcony, but also the end of the building, towards one of the campfires and the paths going down to the horses and forest trails.

"That will be a lounge for the program staff," Nell's dad said, nodding at the room.

"Ah," Rob said. "Last year, we used the room right below it and this was for some of the more senior staffers to bunk in."

"I know," Morrie said, his reply a little tight. "And, according to my predecessor, too many campers could hear you all gabbing after lights out. The lounge will be upstairs this year. And keep the gabbing to a dull roar. And weekends only after campers and clients have left."

Nell spoke the language of Morrie, so she knew "gabbing" meant partying. Rob just nodded and said, "We'll keep an eye on it this summer. Sir."