Page 45 of Beyond the Summer

"Really?"

"Sure, kid!"

Matt grinned."It's a lot of work.If you want to stay and help, I'd love to have you.Do you have to be back at school?"

"Not until mid-September," I said.

"That seems settled then.Now, can we please eat our dinner before it gets cold?"

"Yes, please," Ben and I said in unison, matching grins on our faces as we reluctantly let go of each other's hands.

As we all dug into the delicious homemade chili Walter had prepared, the conversation flowed easily, punctuated by jokes and laughter.The conversation revolved around the ideas for how to make camp better, and they seemed to assume that the whole internship plan would work out.I soaked it all in—the warmth, the camaraderie, the genuine affection this family had for one another.It was like nothing I'd ever experienced growing up in my own home, where appearances and ambition always took precedence over love.And when Ben's mom bustled in, she greeted me as warmly as she greeted her son and stepson.

For the first time in my life, I felt like I was exactly where I belonged.Like I was finally home.

Ben

Andjustlikethat,camp was over, and I was hugging Parker goodbye on the porch of the cabin we'd lived in all summer.

"You're so lucky you get to stay here.It's so jarring going back to the city," Parker said.

"Well, Eagle Ridge is always here once you graduate from college," I said.We both glanced at Ravi, who was neatly stacking t-shirts in their suitcases.

"He organizes when he's sad," Parker whispered.

I smiled, knowing Ravi didn't really like hugs.Except from Parker, of course."I'll miss you too, Ravi."

He turned and smiled at me."We'll be back.Parker has this daydream about being the camp psychologist."

"And Ravi has this daydream about being a field biologist," Parker added."Promise you'll keep in touch, okay?We better see your ass down at Stanford sometime soon.Take a road trip next break."

I nodded."Same goes for you guys.Eagle Ridge is always open, anytime you need to get away from the stress of school or want to hang out.I have a guest room, and you two are welcome to it."

Ravi smiled shyly."Thanks, Ben.This summer has been really meaningful.I don't think I've ever had friends I felt close to like you guys."

"But he feels closest to me, what with all the sex," Parker said, and Ravi rolled his eyes, huffing out a breath and elbowing Parker.

"Well, I won't miss you.I'll see you every day.But I'll miss Ben," Ravi said.

A lump formed in my throat.Damn, I really wished I'd gotten to know Ravi more.For the few short months of summer camp, we were thrown together in such a unique way, and then ripped apart once again.With one last wave, they turned and hauled their luggage down the path to the parking lot.The familiar, heavy ache of watching people I cared for walk away set in.

I was always the one left behind, and while other campers acted like they were jealous that I got to stay in the beautiful Eagle Ridge, it hurt to see so many people leave.It hurt to know many of them would never come back.College was almost over, and a door was closing on this chapter of my life, and I was nervous about what would come next.

Especially since Sutton was on the phone with his father.

Needing to clear my head, I walked out of the cabin and down to the lake.It was a beautiful Saturday, and my mom, an introvert like me, would be down by the lake somewhere.She didn't participate in camp as much as the rest of us, but the big goodbyes at the end of the season still made her sad.And this was her last day ritual, her way of remaining available to us if we were having a hard time while avoiding the commotion of campers and counselors packing and leaving.

As I got closer, I could make out her familiar silhouette perched at the end of the dock, dark hair blowing in the breeze coming off the water.The water lapped gently at the shore and birds chirped in the trees.I knew why she found it soothing.She had a book in her hand—another way she was like me—but she set it down and turned as I approached.

"Morning, sweetie.Come join me."She patted the spot next to her.

"Waiting for me?"

"I know how you get on the last day," she said, chuckling."Need to get away from it all?"

I sighed."I'm sad to see my friends go, but most of all, I'm worried about Sutton."And we sat there for a long while as I unloaded everything, and she listened.At the end of it all, she sighed and smiled.

"He must be really great to get you this worked up, huh?"

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