[I think this story is ready to publish. I've really gotten to like these kids. I know it's all a bit idealistic, but there are a few good relationships in the world, and idealism is what romance is all about. --GP] ------------------------------------------------------------ Camp Reward -- Prologue Jeanette was one of those girls that never really stood out. She was seventeen, a B-average student, and a middle child. She was on the roster of the volleyball and swim teams, but with a status tactfully referred to as "reserve". She stood 5' 4", weighed 130 pounds, and barely filled a size 34-B bra. Her looks were usually described as "cute" or "wholesome", and her mouse-colored brunette hair was typically tied in a ponytail as she quietly and competently went about her work at the community center. This was her first summer working there, and though hired as a lifeguard, the college students who dominated the summer staff generally bumped her to less glamorous tasks on the roster. Therefore her duties today, as on most others, had consisted of securing wristbands to squirming little arms, picking up discarded towels, and cleaning the women's locker room. It was a slow evening, and the rest of the staff had taken off right at 8:59, after practically pushing the last clutch of middle-schoolers out the door, to dash off to Lindsay Martin's 19th birthday party. This was THE "Everyone will be there" event of the month, so naturally, Jeanette was not invited or even informed. Nevertheless, it was this event which ultimately ensured that this evening would be a turning point for Jeanette's life. At 9:05, Jim Walker, the center manager, arrived to oversee the closing. He was displeased, though not surprised, to find that he had only one employee left to supervise, but remarked that Jeanette seemed to have everything under control, so retired to his office to reconcile the cash drawer and check messages. A few minutes later he poked his head out. "Jeannie?" "Jeanette, Mr. Walker." "Yeah...sorry, Jeanette. Listen. I just got a call from my brother, Bob. He runs a summer camp up by St. Cloud, and he's found himself short a couple of counselors. He especially needs certified WSIs right now. He's got two weeks of Cub Scouts starting this Sunday, then four weeks of church girls after that. He's also looking for a call back tonight. Would you be interested? It leaves me a bit short-staffed, but I guess Lindsay and her little posse can stay late for the rest of the summer. What do you say?" "It sounds ok--I really don't have any other plans, but let me call home quick and check." The call went as she expected. Her dad answered the phone, said "Sure honey, whatever you want", and hung up. Sometimes she wondered if it was a surprise to him to be reminded that he had a second daughter. Her older sister Colette was the apple of his eye, and a master manipulator. He had been blind to her wild side, even as she was sneaking a different boy into her room every weekend through high school. Somehow he'd even managed to ignore the aroma of marijuana in the basement hallway--that was until their little brother, Phillipe, stumbled on her stash and brought it to Mom asking why Colette had a bag of "spices" in her room. Phillipe was the "baby", as well as the long-awaited son, and highly doted-upon. Just to complicate things, on the night of Jeanette's 12th birthday slumber party he came to them with a nosebleed, and was soon diagnosed with acute leukemia. He was fortunately in full remission, but for many months family life revolved around doctors, hospitals, and treatments. Jeanette would often come home after school to an empty house, make herself a can of soup for dinner, go to bed, and leave again for school the next day without being acknowledged by anyone. Even now, more than five years later, when she went to Mass, or walked certain blocks in the neighborhood, she'd be greeted by elderly well-wishers inquiring as to how her brother was doing. Jim returned his brother's call and let Jeanette complete a short interview over the phone. He added his own words of reference--"reliable", "punctual", "meets every expectation"--and she was hired on the spot. Bob gave her directions to the camp, with a quick rundown of her duties--swim lessons, lifeguarding, other logistical help as needed--in return for a change in scene, free room and board, and a somewhat higher salary. She wondered if it would also come with a similar social heirarchy, and whether she'd wind up mopping a locker room while others partied. Saturday noon found her chugging up a dusty road, scanning the many "mom and pop" resort signs for the promised arrow directing her to Camp Reward. Colette had agreed to drive her, since it would give her an excuse for an afternoon tryst with an old boyfriend in St. Cloud. She dropped hints most of the way up about the size of his penis and the number of times she expected to orgasm, but Jeanette tried to change the subject. It wasn't that she wasn't curious about sex, or ignorant--being "invisible" at home had left her a lot of time to explore online--it was more that she wasn't sure she wanted that much information about her sister's intimacies, and besides, she wasn't looking to emulate what she did know about Colette's sexual behavior. Colette had finally sensed Jeanette's irritability and clammed up, but as they pulled up at the building marked "Camp Office" she cleared her throat to try to get her attention. "Jeanette, I know that you probably think I'm not a good person to be telling you this, but I do care about you. You're a good person, a cool kid. I know you get short-shrifted a lot at home, but sometimes I kind of wish I could be like you--more even-tempered and unruffled, you know. Just, um, look--just don't let other people define you. When you walk into that camp office, no one knows you--you can be whoever you want to be this summer, or at least try to figure it out for yourself, OK?" Jeanette was dumbfounded. She couldn't remember the last time that Colette had actually acted like a "big sister" toward her. "Umm--thanks. I'll keep that in mind. No, really--I really will." Colette smiled uncomfortably. She really wasn't all that used to being the Wise One, herself. "Hey listen--you uh, never know what might happen, so like the boy scouts say--'Be Prepared'!" With that she dug in her purse, produced a three-pack of condoms and handed it to Jeanette. "You've got to be kidding! What kind of camp do you think this is, anyway?" Colette shrugged and laughed. "Hey, look--I know you're not going to run out and use them--yet anyway--but just take it in the spirit of the moment, OK? A little gift to remind you of your big sister. " Jeanette raised an eyebrow and smiled back. "OK, but what about your afternoon plans?" Colette grinned. "Don't worry--there's a drug store on his street. I'll make a stop there on my way over. Hug?" Jeanette reached for her sister and gave her a squeeze, then a peck on the cheek, and climbed out of the car. At the last minute, she stuck her head back in the door, grinned back at Colette and teased, "Have fun this afternoon! LOTS of fun!" She then pulled her duffel from the backseat and waved with her free hand, until she realized that she was waving goodbye with a pack of condoms. She quickly popped them into her duffel pocket with a furtive look around. The camp was pretty quiet. Bob had told her that Saturday was the counselors' day off, and there were only a couple of vehicles in the lot. She dropped her duffel on the office porch and tentatively opened the door. A young man was lounging behind the desk, simultaneously reading a book and following a baseball game on the small TV behind him. He jolted up to his feet when she entered, and offered his hand with a wide grin. "Kurt Walker. You must be Jeanette." "Yes. I'm one of the new counselors." "THE new counselor, I'm afraid. My dad filled the other waterfront opening with my sister Jennifer, and we're going to be herding cub scouts this week short two cabin staff. Fortunately boys that young come with parents, but we'll be real busy." "So--this camp is a family thing? You're a Walker, too, and Jennifer--wait. Jen Walker? Freshman? She's only fifteen!" "Yep--family thing. Grandpa built this camp to try to make some money out of a bad land deal, and we've all kind of grown up around here in the summers. So you know Jen from swim team, I bet?" "Yeah--how'd you know I was on the swim team?" "Hey, I pay attention. I was also in your third period biology class two years ago." "Oh god, there's no way I would have remembered that. But you're not in my year?" "Yeah, I just had to retake bio as a senior. We were homeschooled until I was in tenth grade, and I didn't have that credit when we moved to town. But I remember you--always agreeing, nodding, writing things down, never speaking up." She blushed and tried to change the subject. "OK--it's kind of coming together now. So you're Bob's son and my boss's nephew. And what do you do when you're not pretending to watch the camp while everyone's away?" Kurt laughed. "Sophomore at St. Cloud State. Computer science. Here I manage the office and mow the lawn, and basically do whatever else dad says. And I watch baseball, but only if it's played outdoors--because baseball under a roof is an abomination to God." Jeanette giggled at the unprovoked dogma. "OK--well, I don't know baseball, but I do think that playing outdoors is a good thing. As long as you put on an SPF of at least 30." "So noted. I will make sure that the guard shack at the waterfront is adequately stocked to your needs. Here, let me get your info in the computer so Bob can print off the personnel forms for you tomorrow." He pulled up a database window and entered "Brown, Jeanette", then paused. "Got a middle name?" "Marie". "Hmm. Jeanette Marie. Is your mom french?" "Quebecois." "Ahh--well with a sister Colette, and brother Phillipe..." "Hey! How do you know so much about me?" "I just pay attention to people. Your sister was a year above me, and she...oh well, let's just say that she was somewhat legendary in her own way." Jeanette's face clouded. Kurt, true to his words, noticed. "Shit--sorry. Hey listen, I wasn't one of her conquests, if that helps." Jeanette sighed. "Yeah, well. I'm not going to be defined by her either." Maybe this is what Colette had meant in her parting words. But Kurt was almost scary in how closely he was pegging her. They were small things--swim team, biology, the not speaking up, her sister--but maybe she was so used to not being noticed that that was enough to be frightening. Didn't she need to change radically to be noticed? Or was there a way to be herself and be worthy of someone's attention? Kurt finished taking her information and escorted her to her cabin. He re-introduced her to Jennifer, who had decided it would be more fun to live with the other counselors than with her family up the road, and offered to show her the rest of camp. Jeanette declined, stating that she thought she might like to wander about herself a bit first, and Kurt bowed and backed out the door. Jennifer grinned at Jeanette and rolled her eyes at her brother, then flopped back down on her bunk with the latest People magazine. Jeanette put a couple of things away and realized that she knew nothing about the routine. "So Jen--are there any meals for us or anything today? Anything on the schedule?" "Oh well, no. The cooks leave sandwich stuff out for the counselors who stay in camp, and we'll probably need to meet with my cousin Jimmy tomorrow--he's in charge of the waterfront. If you want to come up to the house this evening, I'm sure mom will feed you, if you want more than sandwiches." "Thanks--I'll let you know." In the end, Jeanette found the sandwiches left out in the dining hall kitchen more than adequate. She'd wandered around and gotten the layout, paying special attention to the waterfront area where she'd be working. On the way back she met Barb, her other cabinmate, and was relieved to learn that she had no relation to the Walker family, though she'd worked for them last summer and had good things to say about the experience. They chatted aimlessly about everything, and Jeanette realized that Barb was listening to her, taking her seriously, and was seeming to like her just as she was. She relaxed into her bunk with a easy contentment that night. Sunday morning was a flurry of preparation. Barb warned her to eat up at breakfast, as scouts would start arriving at noon, and lunch would be on the run, if there was time for any at all. Breakfast was hearty, though. There were twenty or so other counselors, most of whom were paired as cabin leaders and had various duties with arts and crafts or nature studies. Jen, Barb, Jeanette, and Jimmy made up the waterfront staff, and Kurt filled in as jack-of-all-trades. His dad, Bob, offered a short devotional in lieu of a formal Sunday service, and led them in prayer for a safe week. Jeanette crossed herself automatically as he closed, and blushed sheepishly as she realized that no one else had done so. As they filed out of the dining hall, Jimmy beckoned the three young women into a huddle. "You know that our area is one of the main reasons these kids come to camp, and the one with the most at stake if something goes wrong. We've never worked together before, and today we've got eighty-plus 8-, 9-, and 10-year olds showing up with every intent to run down to the lake and drown themselves. Today we've got to test their swimming skills, schedule them for lessons for the week, and drill into their heads that we are in charge and that they shouldn't take a step onto the beach unless they're committed fully to water safety. So you ready for this?" They nodded solemnly, and Jen added, "You got it, cuz. We're a team." "Team!" Barb and Jeanette spontaneously shouted, throwing their arms around the others. "And we're looking out for each other, OK?" urged Barb. "That's what I like to hear," smiled Jimmy, "let's get to work." The waterfront was in pretty good shape after last week's relatively small session with a church group, so the girls spruced up the beach and grounds with some quick raking as Kurt mowed the boat landing. About an hour later, Kurt showed up again pulling a trailer of canoes that needed to be unloaded. After they had all been placed onto the lakeside racks, he reached into the pickup cab and pulled out a bag, tossing one of the contents to Jeanette. "SPF 36, per your request Miss Brown! And one for each of you, too!" as he passed the tubes around like baseballs. "I don't want to see any sunburn on you lovely young ladies this week. Nor you, dear sister." Jen rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue at him. "I hope you picked up one for yourself, too." "That's right, Lawn Boy," chided Jeanette. "And if I see you out without a shirt, you'd better be slathered in it!" "Of course! And if I fail your inspection, I would even allow you to apply it personally anywhere you wished!" "You'd better watch yourself, Kurt, you don't know what you're getting yourself in for, messing with Team Waterfront here," warned Jimmy. "I'm already a little scared about being outnumbered." "I consider myself warned. You know, Jimmy, I think I'll see if Dad thinks this fence and guard shack needs a new coat of paint. That way I can be around a bit more to help you keep an eye on them. Quell any potential mutinies." "Hmmph", interjected Barb. "Your 'government' rules at the consent of the governed here. We'll have both of you set adrift in a canoe without a paddle the minute you try anything. Right girls?" Jen and Jeanette gleefully exclaimed their solidarity, and Jimmy shrugged and called for a truce. It was just in time, as Mrs. Walker drove up in the electric cart with sandwiches, fruit, and a cooler of drinks to deliver the warning that the first pack of cubs had arrived and would be at the waterfront as soon as they finished their site orientation. The rest of the afternoon was spent repeating the same stern safety warnings each half-hour to a different clutch of fidgety boys. They then had to pass a fifty-yard swim test and float for a minute to earn the privilege of swimming out to the raft anchored 20 yards off the dock. It seemed each group had at least one youngster who overestimated his skills and had to be pulled out prematurely, with assurances that they could try again in lessons later in the week. After it was all done, they secured the area and trudged up the hill to the dining hall, now buzzing with excited scouts. After a brief program introducing all the staff, the packs went back to their cabins and tent sites, and the girls were free to retire to their cabin for hot showers and an early bedtime. The rest of the week went by pretty much in the same way. The girls would get up and eat together, then give lessons at the waterfront until lunch time. Afternoons would be for open swim and lifeguarding, all of which fortunately proceeded without incident. Kurt did show up to paint, and did, as promised, seem to spend much of his time "observing" them. He would also join them for meals and assist them making slushies and selling candy at evening commissary duty. Jeanette was enjoying his casual banter, but was most impressed with the close relationship he seemed to have with his younger sister. Both were quick to tease and jibe each other, but she recognized an honest warmth and caring between them as well. On Friday evening, the three of them had closed the store after the last scouts left for home and were enjoying a small campfire in the Walker's backyard. Barb and two of her friends who worked as cabin staff had left early to spend the night back in Minneapolis, where they apparently all had boyfriends, but Jeanette had made no plans. She was enjoying hanging with Jen, even under the watchful eye of Kurt, and accepted an invitation to eat with the family that night. This was a new experience in many ways. Kurt, Jimmy, and Jen gathered with Mr. and Mrs. Walker and helped with the final meal preparation. They all sat down together to talk together more like close friends would. Bob had them join hands as he said a prayer, and as they said "amen" together, Jen and Kurt, on either side, squeezed her hands. "So Jeanette," said Mrs. Walker, "Jen tells me you're going to be a senior next year. Any plans after that?" "Well, I'm thinking about education--probably social studies, maybe combined with PE or coaching. But I really like history the most." "No kidding?" responded Bob. "I was a history major--medieval and renaissance Europe, mostly. Got interested in the Protestant Reformation. What part of history do you like?" "Well, actually, more modern stuff--I'd like to learn more about social movements--Civil Rights, Women's Suffrage, how societies change from the bottom up with grassroots movements. I suppose the Reformation was like that too. I ummm, don't know much about it--I guess my family was on the wrong side in that one," she added sheepishly. Bob laughed heartily. "Kurt told me he thought you were Catholic. But as far as I'm concerned we're still both on the Right Side, you know. My dad was a High Church Anglican, married a Norwegian Lutheran, and Jim and I turned out alright..." Jeanette turned to face Kurt with a quizzical, vaguely dangerous look. Now it was his turn to blush. Bob ended his monologue, perhaps perceiving that he'd lost his audience. "I don't believe we've discussed religion this week. Tell me, Bob, is it from you or from your wife that Kurt inherited his astounding perceptual skills? Are there any other personal details of my life that Kurt would like to tell us about tonight?" Jen stifled a giggle, and Jimmy quickly requested that someone pass him the butter. Kurt started to speak, but then raised his hand in surrender. "I'm sorry, Jeanette. I made an assumption, and didn't talk about it with you personally. I shouldn't be talking about you behind your back." "Well let's talk about this face to face, OK? But maybe in private. Deal?" "Deal." "You're forgiven then. By Grace through Faith, or through Priestly Absolution, you have your choice." Kurt grinned and Bob guffawed yet again. Jen punched Jeanette's shoulder and got a high-five in turn. Later as the three of them relaxed by the fire, Jeanette raised the issue again. "Kurt--ever since I got here, I've felt like you're reading my mind. It's like--scary. That's why I got p.o.'d at dinner. What is it with you?" "Sorry--I don't mean any harm. It's not like supernatural or anything. I just noticed that you cross yourself at grace, and later with Dad the topic came up, so I stated my conclusion, I guess. Same with Jen and swim team, and knowing your family. I just watch people, make connections, that kind of thing. I was wrong about a couple of things though." "Like what?" "Well I thought I had you pegged as a quiet type, not one to stand up for yourself. Definitely wrong about that! You just needed an opportunity, I guess." "Is that OK with you?" "What? That I was wrong, or that you stand up for yourself?" "Well--both. I like a man who can admit that he's wrong, but does it offend you that I stand up for myself?" "Well, as far as the former goes, I get plenty of practice. And as far as the latter, well it's like the bumper sticker says: 'Well-behaved women seldom make history'. Keep speaking up, and I think you're going to go places, Jeanette Marie Brown." She was glad that the firelight camoflagued her blushing. No one in her memory had ever expressed that kind of confidence in her. They may have seen her as reliable, dependable, and competent--but never as "going places". She felt flustered and a bit numb, a little confused. She fell silent. "You OK?" asked Jen. "Yeah. Just tired I guess. We should probably head back to the cabin pretty soon." She turned to Kurt. "What kind of places do you see me going?" "Hey, I'm just an observer--not a fortune teller. But if you decide what you want, and act on it--look out world! I'll never bet against you getting it." In that instant, Jeanette made a decision and acted on it, though hardly one Kurt expected. She rose from her chair, stepped over to him, placed a hand under his chin, and leaned down to kiss him. Hard. On the mouth. Stunned into silence, he stared into her smiling face, and then did the best thing he could do, given the circumstances. He pulled her head back down to his face and kissed her back. The heat from the fire was against her back, but still Jeanette shivered from head to toe. "Ok then." They both said simultaneously. "See you tomorrow?" "Tomorrow", replied Jeanette. "G'night Kurt. Shall we go Jen?" The equally stunned younger girl just nodded, open-mouthed, and rose to join her, leaving the young man to sit by the fire and try to work out for himself what had just happened to him.