Page 42 of Sass in the Grass

Jovian stood in amazement as every person in the line hurried outside the Mess Hall and the sheets were clear. “Go, hurry, before they figure out I was lying.”

Jovian hopped a little and ran over to it, getting the pencil on the piece of twine, writing his name on one of the sheets. “There. Should I add a little butterfly or something? You know, so he is sure to see my name.”

“He’ll see it. Let’s go. Those people are going to be mad.”

Finally getting to the shower, he spent enough time to look his best, or the best he could, while at the camp, and he went back to Alan, who had just finished breakfast. “Hey. Aren’t you going to eat?”

Mike told Alan, “He rarely gets breakfast. He usually won’t come in here until he does the shower and primping thing.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Are you two done with the judgement?”

“Yes, Jovian. What’s up?” Alan asked.

“Do you know where Dixon’s…you know, where he stays?”

“Sure,” Mike said. “He’s taken groups near there to learn to smoke meat. He has an entire outbuilding to smoke meat to preserve it.”

“Really?” Alan asked. “That’s awesome. I’d love to see it.”

“I’d bet he’ll show your team during your survival course. It’s part of the course if someone is gone for longer than a few days.”

“That’s incredible! Or for people, like him, that want to live out here.”

After clearing his throat to get their attention, Jovian sniped, “This is about me, not your wet dreams about roughing it.”

They both laughed and Jovian sat down, stealing a piece of Mike’s toast from his tray. “Carbs. That’s all they serve. I’m going to get so fat.”

“Um, Jovian, one, yes, you can have my toast and two, you were saying?”

“Oh, right! So, you’ll take me there?”

“To Coach’s cabin? Isn’t that a little stalkerish?”

“Stop giving off Judge Judy vibes and just tell me. Will you?”

“Sure, it’s not like it’s a secret, but…what are you planning?”

“Well, if you want to catch a guy, you make sure you always look your best and, while looking your best, give him the chance to see you looking your best. Get it?”

Alan nodded. “I know I’m boring looking, but that is how I got all my men. Rub it in their faces that they couldn’t possibly get a guy that was as boring as me.”

Jovian’s head cocked to the side. “Really?”

After pushing his tray away from him, Alan let his head drop to the table.

“You finally did it, Jovian. You killed him.”

“He’s obviously not dead.” He reached over and moved Alan’s head up to face his. “Are you coming?”

“Why not?”

It was no easy, short trek. Dixon’s cabin wasn’t next to the lake like the camp was, it was up in between two tall hills.

“This is beautiful,” Alan said as they topped a rise. His hands were on his hips as he spun around to take in the view.

“Seriously? Who wants to walk that every day?”

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