Summer by the Lake

by Kay Gordon

  First-aid was quick and easy, a lot of it common sense. Once that was done, we all crowded around Anna and watched her walk us through the steps for CPR. I could tell some of the others were already well-versed but each one watched as if they weren’t. Drew was the most surprising since I knew he would have been certified from the year before. He paid close attention and I tried not to stare at the way he mouthed the steps while Anna went through them.

  We all practiced on the dummies for a bit until Anna had tested and watched us each perform the process thoroughly. Then Miles demonstrated a few water rescues with the dummies and had us practice on land before smiling and clapping his hands together.

  “Okay, guys. We’re going to practice on the dummies in the lake first and then we’ll practice on each other. There is a big difference between lugging a body back to shore versus a dummy and I want you to be prepared.”

  We lined up on the swimming pier as Miles swam around and left dummies in random spots in the lake. Once he made it back to the dock, he smiled at Hannah, who was first in line, and pointed at one of the dummies.

  “Go!”

  Hannah did a half-dive into the lake, her lean body at home as she glided through the water with swift strokes of her arms. When she reached the first dummy, she brought the floatation device so it was across her chest. Hooking her arms under the dummy’s fake armpits, she pulled it so its back was against her chest and swam on her back until she was at the shore. Once the dummy was in the sand, she administered CPR to it until Miles called time and we all clapped.

  We all followed suit, listening to Miles’ critiques as we did and eventually we’d all rescued the dummy twice. Both Miles and Anna nodded in satisfaction and Anna stepped forward.

  “Good job, everyone. Let’s run through it with partners and then we’ll dismiss for lunch. You all look starving.”

  Miles ticked off partners until it was just Drew and I left, and when he gestured between the two of us, I wanted to groan. “Drew and Shaylee, you’re up last.”

  We all watched as everyone ‘rescued’ one another in the group. Finally it was our turn and I jumped into the water to play the victim. I waded out into the deeper part of the lake and tread water as I looked at where the others stood on the dock. I heard Miles faintly say ‘Go’ before Drew jumped into the lake. I continued to stay afloat in the water, bored, as I waited for Drew to reach me. When he did, he flashed me a cocky smile before adjusting the floatation on his chest and hauling me against him.

  My body’s reaction to being in his arms pissed me off. Chills ran up my spine despite the warm water and anywhere his skin touched mine felt electrified. I ignored the feeling and chalked it up to the fact that it’d been more than six months since the last time I’d had sex. That had to be it.

  To distract myself, I examined his tattooed forearm silently and tried to sort out what the images were. His right arm was black and red, stopping at his wrist, and seemed to be a lot of geometric shapes and patterns that came together perfectly. The other arm had a bit more color on it and I knew from seeing it a few days ago that it had a red and black phoenix that stretched from his shoulder down to his wrist.

  I remained lifeless and quiet as we swam backwards back towards the dock. We were about halfway there when Drew’s whisper could barely be heard.

  “You don’t like me much, do you?”

  I angled my head to look up at this face. His eyes were, surprise, on my chest where the angle of my body had caused my breasts to gather at the top of my suit. I didn’t respond and instead closed my eyes. Drew’s pace remained steady and unhurried, as if I was very much not a drowning person. When I reopened my eyes, his were no longer on my chest but on the blue sky above us.

  When we finally made it back to shore, Drew was surprisingly gentle as he hooked under my arms and dragged me into the sand. I remained as limp as possible and let him get me situated for pretend CPR like everyone else had done. The difference between everyone else, however, was that Drew didn’t stop at just mimicking the actions necessary and I was shocked when his lips covered mine.

  It took me a moment to get past the surprise and pleasure of the simple act but when I did, it was with my knee. It connected perfectly with his side and he let out a small groan as he fell backwards into the sand.

  I could hear laughter from the dock but I didn’t look back at them. Drew was rubbing his side, still on his ass in the sand, and a smile was on his face as he chuckled. That just made me even madder and I stood up with my hands on my hips.

  “You’re an asshole.” I turned and stalked back towards the dock. Anna was frowning in disapproval while Miles looked annoyed. Howard had reappeared and I could tell from the twitching of his lips that he was trying not to smile.

  “Come on, Drew,” Miles said as he folded his arms over his chest. “Everyone is hungry and Shaylee still needs to do the rescue.”

  I stood on the edge of the dock as Drew swam out, further than anyone else had, and raised his hands in the air in mock drowning. I really couldn’t stand that guy.

  On Miles’ signal, I dove into the water with the floatation skimming the top as I made long, purposeful strokes. When I made it to Drew, I adjusted the stupid floatation and grabbed him more forcefully than I needed to. I knew my nails were digging into his skin but Drew didn’t acknowledge the pain at all as I swam us backwards.

  “Why do I get under your skin so much, Shay?” he asked quietly as he stayed limp with his eyes closed. “There has to be a reason.”

  “I’m just not a fan of cocky assholes.”

  His warm chuckle washed over my body and I hated that it had any effect on me. As if he could hear my thoughts, he opened his eyes and looked up at me.

  “Maybe you like me but you don’t want to admit it.”

  “God. You are so arrogant,” I scoffed as I kicked my legs even faster, wanting to rejoice when we neared the shore.

  We didn’t say anything else to each other as I pulled him onto the shore. I didn’t bother pretending to do CPR on him and instead walked away as I left him lying in the sand. No one said anything to me about it and Miles just dismissed us for lunch. I grabbed my stuff and fell into step next to Hannah as we walked towards the staff bunks.

  “You’re bleeding,” Christy said behind us and I glanced behind me to see her inspecting Drew’s shoulders. He was bleeding slightly from where my nails had dug into his skin and I immediately felt like shit. That moment passed when Drew looked up and caught my eyes, sending me a smirk as he did. I knew what he was thinking- he’d managed to get to me.

  All feelings of guilt disappeared and I scoffed as I turned back around. Hannah nudged me with her elbow, giving me a questioning look, and I just shook my head.

  When we made it back to the staff quarters, Hannah and I sat out on the deck in our bathing suits while we ate our sandwiches. She had asked me what the deal was between Drew and me but I couldn’t answer because I had no idea. She didn’t push me, though, and we finished eating in silence.

  After lunch was done, I changed into a pair of shorts and a t-shirt before heading down to the lake alone. I walked around it, taking the long way and slowly making my way to the other side. When I got over there, I climbed up into the tree fort and sat at the very top of the outpost so I could see the whole camp. I don’t know how long I was there before I heard a voice behind me.

  “I thought I’d find you here.”

  I looked down to the main level and smiled at May. “This is the best spot in the whole camp.” I moved to my feet and walked down the small, wooden stairs until I was on the platform next to her. She just nodded with a similar smile on her lips. I watched as she sat near the edge, under the rail, with her legs dangling over the edge and she gestured to the spot next to her. I sat and she immediately put her arm around my shoulders.

  “You seem sad, baby girl.”

  I inhaled a long breath and shrugged my shoulders. “I love this place but ther
e’s not a single part that doesn’t remind me of her.”

  “I’ll never forget that first year you arrived. I don’t think there had ever been a child as homesick as you were, Shaylee.” She chuckled and increased her hold on me. “It didn’t matter that we were practically family and that you’d known me your whole life. You just couldn’t acclimate at first. I was afraid we were going to have to send you home when Kira came traipsing through the door, all carefree and happy. She looked at you, shook her head, and said, ‘Suck it up, Lee.’”

  I laughed softly and nodded my head. “She was quiet but bossy as hell. She dragged me out of your office until I was at my cabin. She stayed with me for two days, May. Didn’t leave my side once until she knew I was comfortable and ready.”

  “She loved you so much.” May looked up to the sky with a small smile on her face. “You were her favorite person in this entire world. I know she’d be proud of you today.”

  “I hope so.”

  She pat my thigh before slowly moving to her feet. “I know so. Now, come on. We’re going to go over the rules and do cabin assignments. We’ve already moved all of your stuff. I think you’re going to love your position.”

  I smiled as I watched May go towards the slide and she let out a gleeful yelp as she went down it. I followed her and she took my hand in hers as we walked across the camp to the unlit fire pit.

  “Give Drew a chance, baby girl,” May said quietly as we neared the crowd. “He’s a good boy and you might find that he surprises you.” She pat my hand before releasing me to go stand with Howard.

  I stayed rooted to my spot for a moment as I tried to figure out why she’d tell me that but I wasn’t sure I’d be able to take her advice.

  Chapter Four

  The entire staff, around one hundred people, was sitting on the logs near the huge fire pit. As I searched their faces in the falling sunlight, Hannah’s hand went up near the front and I walked to where she was.

  “There you are. We were wondering what happened to you.” She gestured to the spot next to her. “I saved you a seat.”

  “Thanks, Han.” I sat on the log between her and Joanne and we watched as Howard raised his hands in the air. The buzz of conversation went silent immediately and he grinned.

  “Welcome to another year at Camp Holcomb. We are so excited to see so many new and returning faces. I know it’s been a long week while we prepared everything but you’ve all been amazing so far. May and I began this camp together and it’s improved every year because of people like yourself.”

  May stepped forward and cleared her throat. “I want to remind you of the rules. There’s to be no inappropriate contact between staff and campers at any time. If anything is suspected, please report it immediately. I know that many of you have or will establish relationships with one another. While we don’t discourage this, I urge you to be careful when you are in view of campers. Anything deemed inappropriate or over the top will be dealt with immediately.”

  At the term ‘inappropriate’, I couldn’t help but look at Drew and Christy. Christy was cuddled up to his neck as her lips roamed his skin, but Drew kept pushing her back as he paid attention to every word that was spoken up front.

  “Alcohol is not to be brought into or consumed on campus at any time. Any violation of this will result in immediate disciplinary action. Alcohol, if you’re of age, can be consumed on your days off in the city but you will need to be ready to resume your shifts when it’s time. We are completely drug free, which means drug use is not tolerated on or off campus. Cell phones will need to be turned in at the main house by noon on Sunday. The phones can be picked up when your night off begins but must be turned in at the end.”

  “All staff will be given one day off every other week starting during week two. Days off will begin at nine in the evening and end at seven the following evening. If you’re a cabin counselor, floating counselors will be sent to the cabins to ensure our campers are looked after at all times. During your days off, you can head into the city, which is about five miles away. Our shuttle will be happy to pick you up and drop you off. You can choose to stay there overnight or in the staff bunks if you wish.”

  May and Howard went over a few more rules and procedures before announcing assignments. When my name wasn’t called for any of the head counselor or floating counselors, I knew I’d received a cabin position, which had been what I wanted. As they went through the boys first, I heard them say that Jordan and Drew would be together in Cabin Seven with the ninth grade boys.

  They began the assignments for the girls and Christy groaned when she was paired with the seventh graders. It was well known that campers of the same grade level did the most activities together. The counselors of the same grade level also had the same days off. Christy in seventh and Drew with ninth meant they wouldn’t see each other as often.

  “And in Cabin Fifteen, the ninth grade girls, we have Shaylee Butler and Hannah Thompson.”

  It was an excellent assignment. Ninth grade girls would be fairly independent and easy to talk to. I’d been wondering who I would be paired with for the summer and was extremely happy it was Hannah. She had become a good friend over the past week.

  Hannah squealed excitedly and grasped my hand in hers. I laughed and let my head drop to her shoulder as we listened to May announce the final cabin assignment.

  “Okay,” Howard said loudly as he put his hands on his hips. “Counselors, we’ve already moved your stuff into your cabins. New staff that arrived today, we also moved your items into your rooms within the staff bunks. You officially have the rest of the night off and all day tomorrow. Dinner will be served in the dining hall at six tonight, and we’ll be on the regular camp schedule for meals tomorrow. Please feel free to partake in any activities on campus that you’d like and you’re more than welcome to go to town, too.” He paused and gave everyone a serious look. “You are on shift as of seven in the morning Sunday. I do not recommend drinking Saturday night for that reason. Make smart choices.”

  Everyone moved to their feet and Hannah looked at me happily. “Want to go into town?”

  Not really, but I didn’t want to disappoint her so I plastered a smile to my face and nodded.

  “Sure.”

  Hannah and I walked with Joanne and another counselor, Aubrey, towards the cabins and I was quiet as they chattered excitedly around me. We all split off to go into our separate bunks but arranged to meet at the dining hall at six.

  “Welcome to Cabin Fifteen,” I said with a smile as I pushed open the door and gestured for Hannah to walk in first. She squealed as she took it all in and I couldn’t help but do the same as I caught sight of the beds.

  The cabins were constantly being updated and they somehow felt rustic while being modern at the same time. There wasn’t central air conditioning inside since the temperatures around the lake stayed in the mid-eighties during the summer days. With the windows open at night, we’d have a nice breeze going to keep us all comfortable.

  Ten twin beds lined two separate walls with cubbies in between each bed for clothes and personal items. A door in the back corner served as an emergency exit and would lead us out behind the cabin. Another door in the middle of the wall led to a bathroom that had four private toilets, four sinks, and three curtained off showers and changing areas.

  We had electricity in the cabins, obviously, but it didn’t do much beyond powering the lights and the ceiling fans. There was a traditional wall clock hanging above the door, but that was the only thing hanging in the entire room. Any decoration in the cabin would have to come from our girls.

  A third door in the other back corner led to the counselor room, an area I had only seen a handful of times since I was eight-years-old. I led Hannah back there and grinned when I saw the two double beds on opposite walls. We also had two full dressers, two desks, and our own bathroom with a sink, toilet, and shower. A fourth door would lead us outside to the side of the cabin if we needed out.
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  My large duffel bag, even larger suitcase, and backpack were already on one of the beds, along with clean bedding, and I walked over so I could unpack. Hannah did the same with her things and we were both all moved in twenty minutes later.

  She sat on her bed and looked at her phone with a sigh. “I’m struggling with giving this up.”

  “I’m more okay with it than I thought I would be, honestly.” I powered on my phone and read the emails and text messages I had without replying to any of them. I turned it back off and tossed it into my backpack. “It’s kind of nice to unplug from it all.”

  I watched as Hannah pulled several shirts out of her dresser and considered each one carefully. Finally, she looked over at me.

  “What are you going to wear tonight?”

  “What I’m wearing now,” I replied with a shrug. “Why?”

  She released a very dramatic sigh before tossing her blonde hair behind her shoulder. She shook her head and fixed her hazel eyes on me. “Will you at least change your shirt?”

  I looked down at the shirt I was wearing from a Muse concert I’d gone to. “What’s wrong with my shirt?”

  “Shaylee.” Hannah’s voice was a whine so I held up my hands in mock surrender.

  “Okay. I’ll change, but I’m just wearing my shorts and sandals.”

  “That’s fine,” Hannah said triumphantly as she grabbed something from her dresser. “You have killer legs that look great in those shorts anyway.” She tossed me a white shirt. “Wear that.”

  The shirt was basically all lace except for where the material was solid around the breasts. I stopped my eyes from rolling out of my head as I pulled off my concert t-shirt, confirmed my bra was white, and pulled the short-sleeved blouse on. Hannah nodded approvingly.