Page 53 of Lovebug
Yeah, a little too much fun.
“Laurel,” I say in a measured tone, “why don’t you go on ahead with the group. April and I are going to hang back and have a quick chat, then I’ll send her down to join you at ornithology.”
“Heh.Hornithology.” April chuckles.
“Ornithology, April,” I scold under my breath. “The study of birds.”
Laurel’s eyes dart uncertainly between the two of us for a split second, then she says, “Sure thing!” and launches into a jaunty rendition of “The Ants Go Marching.” Seven little voices shout back, “Hurrah! Hurrah!” as the group moves steadily down the hill.
I’m left alone with April.
“So. What’s up, boss?” she asks.
Man, is she really this oblivious?
“April. Um. Were you really about to tell a group of four-year-olds the plot synopsis ofThe Human Centipede?”
“Well, yeah. It was relevant to today’s nature walk.”
“How in the world was a horror movie relevant to today’s nature walk?”
“We saw a centipede.” She says this with the unmistakable flavor of “duh” peppering her tone. “Also, aren’t camp counselors supposed to tell their campers spooky stories by firelight and crap?”
Who hired this person? It certainly wasn’t me.
“Maybe older kids at sleepaway camp. But even then,somekind of judgment has to be exercised and…” I stop myself when I see her staring at me blankly. I’m clearly not getting through. “Alright.” I close my eyes and breathe for a moment. “If you don’t realize how unacceptable this is, then I’m sorry, April, but I really don’t know what else to do except—”
“THEY’RE DROWNING MY BUNNY!” a tiny, hysterical voice cries out.
I turn and see Holden sprinting up the hill to me, tears streaming down his face. Chloe, his CIT, is running as fast as she can to catch up with him.
Holden hurls himself into my arms.
“Whoa, buddy, whoa!” I say.
“My bunny… he-he-he—”
“Slow down, kiddo. What’s going on?” I pull back from him slightly so I can see his face. I brush a few of his tears away.
“My bunny—he’s drowning, and no one will help him!” he wails.
I look at Chloe.
Chloe explains, “We were making biodegradable balloon animals with Marcus down by the water. Holden’s bunny fell into the lake and—”
“And now, he-he-he-he’s drowning in the water, and no one will help him!” Holden finishes the explanation.
“Oh, sweetie, I’m so sorry. I’m sure Marcus will make you another bunny!” I try to console him.
“Tried that,” Chloe says.
“But I wantmybunny!” Holden cries. “He’s scared, and he’s alone, and I’m his daddy, and—”
“Did I hear that someone’s bunny is in trouble?” a gruff male voice says from behind me.
I turn around, and The Wall stands with a really sweet smile on his face. I wasn’t sure his face could actually do that. His eyes are trained on Holden.
“Yes,” Holden says gravely. “My bunny.”
