The Way We Were

The Way We Camp Part I

"It blends into the branch and leaves to deter would be predators but if you look closely, you can see the stick bug here." Mal pointed out the creature to the class.

"How long does it stay there?" One boy asked.

"Until the threat passes."

"What does it do in winter?" Another wanted to know.

"The same thing. It blends into the branch. It just doesn't have leaves to hide behind anymore."

"Is it hard?" A little girl raised her hand.

"Do you want to hold it?"

She shook her head fearfully.

"That's alright. It-"

A scream rang out and all the kids in the animal barn swung around to see Mally by the snake tanks. One of which was clearly open.

Mal swore internally. "Everybody stay calm. He's more afraid of you than you are of him."

"I doubt that." A girl stood stock still as a python slowly slithered its way to her.

Mal approached carefully and picked the snake up by the head. He walked it back to the tank and lowered it inside before replacing the top. Then he washed his hands and grabbed his son from opening another. "Everything's fine now. You can relax."

"Come on, guys! Let's go to the lake and go canoeing!" Jerry Turner, a counselor clapped his hands.

Terry Turner, his co-counselor started herding campers out on her side. "Come on, guys. Enough excitement for you?"

Mal checked the other tanks and cages to make sure they were locked up tight.

Terry walked up to him and poked his back. When he turned around, she gave a watery smile. "I'm so glad you got that snake! I couldn't move and was so scared!"

He rubbed her arm. "It's okay. Mercy's afraid of snakes. I get it."

She started shaking. "I mean I was really scared. I couldn't protect Casey or anything. I just froze."

Jerry came back to see what was the hold up and took in her tears. "Are you okay, T?"

She shook her head. "What if that snake would have bitten Casey?"

Jerry rubbed her back. "It's okay, Sis. Mal handled it. You have nothing to worry about."

Terry just cried into her brother's chest.

He held her tightly.

Mally reached out to rub her back gently.

She turned and laughed at herself. "He's super cute."

"Say thank you." Mal told his son.

"Thank you!" Mally beamed.

"Come on. We have to make sure the kids are safe getting to the lake." Jerry rubbed his sister's arms.

She nodded bravely and wiped her tears. "Okay."

Mal waited until they left before facing the animal barn's senior manager. i.e. his boss. "Hey."

Stan Griffin raised a brow. "A snake got out."

"He didn't mean to. He just likes to open stuff." Mal apologized.

"Any one of those kids could have gotten bitten."

"I know. And I'm sorry. It'll never happen again."

Stan stayed quiet until he nodded slowly. "You handled yourself well. You did good."

"Thank you."