Page 9 of Lovebug
“No, April, I amnothigh right now.
“‘Say no to drugs, kids!’
“‘You use, you lose.’
“‘No need for weed!’
“‘Crack is whack.’
“‘Choose to be jolly, stay away from Molly.’”
Why am I rattling off anti-drug slogans?
“Why are you rattling off anti-drug slogans?” Emily asks.
“That’s an excellent question. You know what I think it is, Emily? This is my first summer being head counselor, and it’s incredibly important to me that I become the role model you all deserve and impart wisdom that will stand the test of time and stay with you for the rest of your lives. I’m here for you, friends. Please feel free to call me anytime if you have questions. I purposely put my digits at the tippy top of your orientation packets so you’ll always have a way to reach me.”
“Did she just say ‘digits’?” Dante snorts.
“Wow.” April chuckles. “You’re earnest AF, huh?” she asks with her head cocked to the side as though she’s studying me. Sizing me up.
“I suppose?” I’m suddenly self-conscious. “But earnestness is cool, right?”
“I guess?” Emily chimes in now, looking at April for her approval. In our short time together, it’s clear that Emily is always seeking April’s approval. April just looks down at her nails and studies a chip in her polish.
I feel ya, Emily.
Geez, why do I want these kids to like me so much?
Time to take control.
Be the boss.
“So!” I say, perhaps a bit too boisterously. “You’ve had a solid week of training alongside your senior counselors. I’ve been observing you all in the group, but today it’s my job to hang out with you—our wonderful CITs—exclusively and gauge your readiness for the kids’ arrival tomorrow. I may give you a few tips as you dive into the summer. I’ll also be looking to determine who might be a good candidate for working on the senior staff next year. Sound good?”
Silence and shrugging ensue. Except for Chloe, who smiles and nods.
“Great! We have a lot to cover. If we all stay focused, then by the end of the day today, I fully expect that we will be a five-person counseling dream team ready to make magical nature-inspired memories with today’s youth! Yay!”
More silence.
CITs are tricky. They’re almost always former campers who have aged out of our programs, but don’t want to miss out on the summer fun with their camp friends. That, or their parents are forcing them to get their first summer job, and coming back to the arboretum is the easiest way to get their folks off their backs while also making a small—and I do mean small—amount of money. I myself was a camper here back in the day, then a CIT, a counselor, and now here I am… head counselor. In my camper days, though, there were different owners, and there was a performing arts spin to the place. Now it’s all nature all the time. I don’t miss the musicals. I’ve always been in it for the bugs.
I clap my hands enthusiastically and hope for some cheers and whistles to accompany my excitement. What I get instead is a slow-motion thumbs-up from Emily, a shy smile from Chloe, and a smirk from April. Dante seems to be practicing some kind of dance move.
Whatever. I’ll take it. I forge ahead. Because that’s what I do.
“Everybody wearing sturdy shoes? As CITs, this is your summer to learn on your feet, so let’s get that particular party started right now. It’s hiking time, friends! Let’s take this show on the road.”
I start marching toward the trail, assuming they’ll follow.
Thankfully, they do.
Slowly.
“We’ll chat while we take in the sights and sounds of our beautiful arboretum and get to know all the beauty and wonder she has to offer.”
Dante raises his hand. “What the hell is an arboretum? I’ve been wondering that for years.”
