Lost Treasures

Eleven

EMORY

"Hey, do you want to go to the pool with us after lunch?" Israel asked me just before free time. He, Madisyn, Hosea, and I were all sitting together again.

"Oh, sure. I'll meet you guys there. I need to do something first."

"Okay. Do you know where the pool is?" Madisyn asked.

"Um...over by the lake, right?" I'd seen it from a distance.

"Yup, you got it. See you there!"

They got up from the table and started walking towards the pool. I hadn't realized it, but the boys were already in their swim trunks, and I guessed Madisyn had put on a bathing suit after the games.

So I wandered back to the dorms myself. I made sure no one else was around before pulling out my cell phone. Then I called my grandma's number and waited as it rang.

She picked up on the third ring. "Emory, it's so great to hear from you! How are you liking camp?" she said right away.

"Oh, it's good! Really good. I've already made a few friends, and this morning has been fun. My team lost tug of war, but we won sponge tag."

"That sounds like fun! Is everyone nice?"

"So far, yeah. I haven't met anyone mean."

"Good, good. When do you have church?"

"The first session starts around 6, I think."

"I hope you love it! Now, enough of me; do you want to talk to Ezra?"

Ah, the main reason I'd called. I needed to check in on my little one.

Grandma put him on the phone, and I heard her explaining to him.

"Hi, Ezzy, it's Mommy," I greeted.

"MOMMY!" his sweet voice chirped.

I stifled a tear, covering it with a giggle instead. "Do you miss me?"

"Yeah."

"Is Grandma taking good care of you?"

"Yeah, we watched trains." That meant Thomas the Train, his favorite show. My grandma introduced it to him because apparently it was my favorite as a baby, too.

"Oh, how fun. Are you eating good?"

"Mhm. Mommy, where are you?"

"I'm at a summer camp, Ezra. Doesn't that sound like fun? I wish I could take you with me!" Honestly, I was glad for the space and the ability to be myself for awhile. But the mom in me still missed him, of course.

"Yeah!" Ezra squealed in response to my question. "When you be home?"

"Sooner than you think, baby."

Suddenly, I heard the door click. Someone was coming in!

"Um, I have to go! Sorry, Ezzy. I love you!" I quickly hung up the phone and shoved it in my back pocket.