Page 10 of Kayak Girl

“Alright, hopefully everything will work out and I can stay for the rest of summer camp,” Elle said.

“Great. And if you need help with your van or anything else, call me. Let me give you my contact information. Do you have your phone with you?”

“No, I left it in Mabel. I figured things might get a little messy around here,” she replied, pointing to her flour covered face.

Frustration filled me as I tried to think of a plan. “Oh man, I don’t have my phone either.” But then an idea struck me. “Wait, the flyer has my details. Hey Josh! Could you please grab a flyer from the registration table for me? Thanks, buddy.”

Elle hesitated. “Please don’t go out of your way. I don’t think I’ll need help.”

“No trouble at all,” I reassured her, as I caught sight of Josh returning. “Look, he’s already back. Thanks, Josh! I owe you, dude.” Josh grinned and scampered off in the other direction. Turning back to Elle, I handed her the flyer. “My phone number and email address are right at the bottom, next to my name.”

She took the flyer, her slender fingers brushing against mine as she did. Her eyes scanned the page, and I watched her face, searching for a sign that she’d found my details. As she read, a fleeting expression of surprise, or perhaps confusion, flashed across her features. I wanted to understand what was bothering her. I waited for her to confirm she had seen my details, but she just continued to stare at the flyer.

“Everything okay?” I asked, dipping my head to get her to look at me.

Elle shook her head as if she was dismissing some thought. “Yeah,” she said distractedly and then she turned and walked away. Not another word. Did I say something wrong? This woman was so confusing. Perhaps this was a friendly reminder that Elle was the opposite of predictable.

Not for me. I could be her friend, though.

Chapter 9

ELLE

Icouldn’t believe I’d just ran away from someone mid-conversation. What must Gray think of me? I cringed, feeling the weight of embarrassment settle on my shoulders as I slowed to a walk.

Placing my free hand on my chest to calm the wild pounding of my heart, I glanced down at the flyer I had been clutching in my other hand. It was a crumpled mess now. If my memory served me correctly, the email address on this flyer matched the one in my inbox. My eyes widened in shock as the realization of it all hit me. “Great,” I muttered to myself, my heart sinking. Did it have to be him? I had been seriously considering staying at the hostel and helping with the summer camp.

As I continued to walk back to my campsite, my mind was a jumble of thoughts, each colliding and tumbling over the other. Perhaps I was overreacting. I paused for a moment, took a deep breath, and tried to focus on the bigger picture. Yes, smashing his car was less than ideal and my last interaction with Gray had been one hundred percent cringe worthy. But was everything ruined now?

I’d loved every minute of my morning with the kids. It was the community project that dreams were made of. I almost couldn’t believe I’d stumbled upon it. It ticked all the boxes—God, working with kids, and fun. While participating in a summer camp required a level of responsibility, for some reason, these types of short-term projects didn’t drain me. If anything, they recharged me.

Not to mention Gray. Initially, I thought his kindness towards me was him flirting, but after watching him this morning, I could see he treated everyone with the same heartfelt kindness. He was fun, charismatic, and confident. The kids and other leaders gravitated toward him. I mean, I was drawn to him.

I resumed walking and navigated through the beachgoers, their laughter and chatter fading into the background, as I wrestled with my conscience. The right thing to do would be to tell Gray the truth. But, if he knew I’d hit his car and ignored his emails, I’m sure he wouldn’t be so keen to have me hang around. Then I’d have to find other accommodation. It would likely be some horrible hole of a place inland. No kayaking either. Oh goodness. Everything I wanted was right here.

I passed a beach café where aromas of coffee and baked goods wafted through the air. I should tell him. Shutting my eyes, I visualized the conversation. No, the conflict and awkwardness would be too much for me. Leaving didn’t sit well with me either, though.

Perhaps I didn’t have to tell him? Thankfully sixteen-year-old me—deep in my poetry era—thought [email protected] was a clever email address. So at least I was anonymous. If I corresponded with him via email, I could quietly sort out the insurance stuff and he would never know it was me. Could I do that? It wouldn’t exactly be lying.

Staying at the campgrounds was the easiest option, and I deserved a break after the yucky start to my road trip. Can you give me a pass here, God, if I don’t outright lie?

By the time I’d made my way back to Mabel I’d made up my mind. I’d mentally juggled every possible scenario, trying to fit the pieces of my dilemma into a neat puzzle. “It’s fine,” I said to myself, the words sounding more like a chant than conviction. “Everything will be okay as long as Gray doesn’t know it was me.” It was a shaky solution, but it was all I had.

The van door creaked as I opened it, the familiar sound a small comfort. I slid into the driver’s seat, the cushion hugging me like an old friend. My hand, almost on autopilot, reached for my phone in the cup holder. His emails were calling to me.

With my heart thudding against my ribcage, I tapped on the email icon and opened his first message. My eyes hungrily scanned his words, searching for something, anything, that would make things better.

Email 1:

Subject: Regarding My Smashed Taillight

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Hi,

Saw your note on my windshield. Straight to the point—do you have insurance? Dropped my car off at the shop a few minutes ago. I’ll send you the quote when I get it.

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