Page 16 of Until Next Summer
“No. I…well, we haven’t spoken in years.”
“Really?” He sounds surprised. “You were so close.”
I can feel my smile fading. “You know how it is. Camp ended, and we…drifted apart.”
“Life does that, right?” he says, then claps his hands. “Thanks for your help—I’m going to start dinner prep. I’ll ring the bell when it’s ready.”
—
I’m walking across the big lawn toward the campfire with Dot when I hear a voice call, “Jessie! Dot! Is it really you?”
I turn to see a tiny woman, her dark hair flying behind her as she runs. When she reaches us, she throws her arms around me and squeezes.
“It’s so good to see you!” I say, a little breathless.
Zoey Takahashi was a CIT during my first couple years as an assistant director. She’s bubbly and sweet, and though she can sometimes come across as ditzy, she always took herresponsibilities seriously. She and her husband Zac are fresh from their honeymoon, here to run our waterfront—they’re both certified lifeguards, and he’s a sailing instructor.
“Welcome back to camp,” Dot says, then grunts when Zoey gives her a hug, too.
Zoey motions to the man who’s come up beside her. “And this is my husband!”
“Zac Takahashi-Zimmerman. Or Zimmerman-Takahashi. We haven’t decided,” he says, smiling. He grabs my hand in his meaty palm and gives it three big pumps. “Nice to meet ya.”
“You too,” I say, extricating my hand before he bruises it.
I recognize Zac’s Australian accent from our phone conversations, and he looks like I pictured: tall, blond, and broad-shouldered.
“This is Camp Chickawah, baby!” Zoey says, putting an arm around her husband’s waist. “What do you think?”
Zac looks around and whistles. “I think you were right—this place is a beaut!”
“I’m so glad we’re doing this!” she says, smiling up at him.
“Me too.” He leans down and gives her a kiss on the lips, but the quick peck quickly turns into more. And more. Andmore, until they’re wrapped in each other’s arms, kissing so deeply I’m surprised they can breathe.
I glance over at Dot, who grimaces. We wait awkwardly for them to finish, trying not to watch.
When they break apart, Zoey turns to me, oblivious to any possible discomfort. “Do I have time to show Zac around? He’s never been to a summer camp before.”
“It’s such an American thing,” he says. “It’s surreal—like being on a film set.”
“I’ve given you two the big room in the Lodge,” I tell them. “Your names are on the door. You can get settled whenever.”
Zoey squeals and grabs Zac’s hand. “Let’s go down to the lake.”
They run off, hand in hand, their laughter echoing in the evening air.
“They’re…cute,” Dot says.
“Really cute,” I agree. “That was a lot of kissing for the middle of the day in front of two people they don’t know super well, though. Right?”
Dot’s mouth twitches in a silent laugh. “Let’s hope Cooper and Hillary are deep sleepers, because you know those walls are thin! Oh, and speaking of Hillary…”
“What about her?”
“Are you sure you’re going to be…okay? Seeing her again?” Dot asks, her voice unexpectedly gentle.
My eyes prickle with sudden tears, and I turn away before she can see. “Of course! It’ll be just like old times.”
