Page 90 of Lady and the Camp
“What is this crap,” Maggie muttered beside me. “Watch—he’ll drop an insult and make a move to steal our staff. Or our campers.”
I was suspicious too, but Brycen had been sincere in every interaction since we’d confronted them about the trespasser. Now he openly referred to the split as a loss. This was new.
“We want these games to be a celebration of what summer camp has to offer,” Brycen announced. “Two camps. Two visions. One day of joy.”
The crowd clapped, mostly the Trail Blazers. If we were going to move on from our grudge, I should model better behavior. I joined in clapping and nudged Twila beside me.
“A big thanks to Camp Junebug Director Lucas for agreeing to our day of games,” Brycen searched the crowd and made eye contact. “Dude, thank you.”
This was embarrassing. Maggie and Twila both muttered beside me. Was this what I sounded like to everyone else—a muttering grump?
I didn’t have time to think further. Brycen bounded from the deck into the crowd. “Now, let the games begin!”
Having the campers with us eased some of the competitive tension, but these girls were down to win any chance they got.
It was neck and neck with a Trail Blazers team versus Camp Junebug for the relay race obstacle course. In the end, the Trail Blazers took the win.
The balloon toss win went to the Junebug camp staff.
After a break for snacks, we moved to Tug of War. With mixed teams of campers and staff, I could tell right away we were out muscled.
Pocket Pete slapped a hand at my shoulder. “We’ve got grit. I can bench one-eighty.”
“Is that good?” I was never much for indoor gyms and weights.
“Yeah, man. Look at me. You call mePocket.”
We assumed our positions. And went to war.
“Yarrggh!” Twila called out like a battle cry.
We moved the Trail Blazers closer to the middle sand pit. Did we have a shot here? Our girls had some strength.
“One, two, three, pull!” Maggie yelled.
We tugged again. Cries of pain and struggle emitted from the other team.
Maggie yelled for a pull again. We were gaining ground, but the other team countered hard. Ground lost.
We struggled back and forth, gaining and losing inches. I put forth every bit of strength in me. All I had left. Maybe running a camp wasn't my strength, but no one could count me out when it came to throwing myself fully into this competition.
My strength drained as the rope war continued.
Hudson, in front of me, called over her shoulder. “We’re losing our grip. I don’t know how much longer we can last.”
“We’re doing this!” Maggie barked. “One, two, three, pull!”
We heaved with all our might. Was it happening? Were we winning?
Voices cried out from the other team. A sharp force yanked us forward. A Junebug camper screamed.
A whistle cut through the air. “Trail Blazers win!”
Cheers erupted from the other team. Our side collapsed. Rubbed our sore hands. The defeat hit hard.
Brycen appeared in front of me with a hand outstretched. “Good game.”
It was the sportsmanlike thing to do. His team filed behind him, each repeating “good game” to our campers and staff.
