Katlyn Duncan - This Summer

The kids rush the table and we sort them by age group. Will returns to the table, taking the space next to me. He’s grinning, one of those melt your heart kinds. I’m not sure if it’s for the benefit of the campers or he’s genuinely happy. I hope the latter.

Harry and Oliver Yates are the first in our group. Their black hair is cut exactly the same, but they’ve been in my group for three years now, starting when they were in the eight to tens group. And unlike most of the people in town I’ve picked up on the subtle differences between the twins.

“Will!” Harry bellows.

Will leans over the table and high-fives Harry’s outstretched hand. “Hey buddy.”

Harry’s blue eyes find mine, “Did Carter get fired?”

Mrs. Yates, a tall olive-skinned woman, steps up to the table. My spine straightens. I overheard Dad on the phone speaking about Mrs. Yates and her reluctance to send Oliver to the camp this year. He’s behind his brother, looking up at us with big brown eyes. He’s always been a shy boy, but his shyness progressed as he aged, almost as if Harry’s exuberance had sucked it out of him. Polar opposites in personality but they were both amazing kids. Without being asked, I knew I had to work on Oliver a bit to ensure he had a great summer. Pulling a camper out in a small town would be devastating to the program, especially since Mrs. Yates tended to be quite vocal about her thoughts.

“Will,” Mrs. Yates says in a breathy whisper. “I didn’t know you were back.”

He nods politely. “Just for the summer.”

Her lips press together in what I think is the closest that woman will ever get to a smile. Her eyes flick over to mine and all signs of it disappear. “I expect Will to do a better job with my sons.”

I mask my embarrassment for Carter in a reassuring grin. Carter had been a replacement for Will but really only in body. I carried a lot of the weight with the kids last year while he was distracted by his friends rather than them. I didn’t have to worry too much about the girls, but the boys got a little lost in the mix while I juggled everything.

I open my mouth to say something, anything to assure her, but Will steps up. “They’re going to have a great summer, right guys?” He looks down at Oliver who still hasn’t said anything.

“Hi,” a young girl catches my attention away from the Yates.

“Well, hello there,” I say.

She twists her long almost white blonde hair around her finger. “I’m Casey Winters.”

I scan my list. Casey is new to the group this year.

“Will Carson?” says Casey’s mother. I look up at her.

“Sarah?” Will says, as the Yates move away from the table.

Lily chokes and I grab her hand, squeezing tightly.

Sarah Goode. Winters now. How did I not put two and two together? She married Casey’s father nearly a year ago after his wife passed away. He was disgustingly rich and the rumors I heard about his philandering made even Lily blush. Sarah was Will’s last girlfriend in high school.

“Gold digger,” Lily mutters under her breath.

I squeeze her hand tighter. Sarah looks exactly the same, and I wonder how long she can keep that up. Her chestnut hair is cut short, making the lines of her model-thin face even more severe and unnecessarily perfect. I can’t stop staring at her. I never understood their relationship. Well I did from her point of view. Will was gorgeous and kind. Well, she was gorgeous too but as a cheerleader she was anything but kind. She rubs her belly and a little thrill goes through me. She’s pregnant! Thank goodness for small miracles.

Will leans over the table and gives her a kiss on the cheek. She beams and I let go of Lily’s hand, dropping my hands at my sides. Sarah never liked my friendship with Will and she made that perfectly clear to half the school. The rumors of my crush never hit Will but they did carry over the last two years of high school.

I meet Casey’s emerald green eyes. “She’s not my mom,” she says in a low whisper.

I’m so not going there. “My name is Hadley. We’re going to have a great summer, Casey.”

Casey nods slowly and walks past Sarah into the gym. I glance at Sarah. She doesn’t realize that her step-daughter has left the room.

“Excuse me!” A mother calls from further down the line. “Some of us work for a living.”

Lily snorts and finishes checking in another camper.

Sarah stiffens and turns around to see several scowling mothers. She grins sheepishly. Now she knows how it feels to be the butt of a joke.

She spins around frantically looking for Casey.

I want to let her sweat but Will looks at me. I hold back the urge to roll my eyes. “She went into the gym,” I say.

Sarah flashes Will a grateful smile, as if he was the one to direct her, and leaves the room.

“Easy tiger,” Will says under his breath.

He’s smiling as he greets another kid.

I want to say something but there isn’t time. The line is now out the door so I focus on the job, but I can’t help hearing Will interact with the families. I’m distracted by his charisma. He’s been distant since he’s returned but, watching him, it’s as if he’s found his niche. He’s relaxed and carefree and seeing him that way makes my heart ache. Is it just me that makes him clam up? He’s only here as a favor to Dad and to sell the house. Maybe he’s just being polite to me since we have to work together. I steel my resolve. If that’s how he’s going to play it, I’ll do the same.

The room empties almost as quickly as it filled up. Dad enters the room and ushers us into the gym.

Lily tucks her arm into the crook of my elbow. “At least she’s fat now.”

“She’s pregnant.”

Lily shrugs. “Still fat.”

I love this girl.

“Well at least you don’t have one of the Pritcher boys in your group,” she gripes. “Their mother is a major OCD case. Rider has a whole backpack of fricken’ Purell and gloves. And he will tell her if I don’t make him use it.”

The counselors line up on the stage behind Dad, who is at the podium. He has a way of commanding the room and soon enough he even has most of the kids at his attention.

“I just want to welcome you all to Spring Falls summer camp—” he goes on with the same practiced speech I’ve heard for years. It’s not a bad one but there’s only so many times I can hear it before I start mouthing it and I’m sure Dad wouldn’t be too happy. My mind wanders to Will and Sarah, another part of my past that I don’t wish to revisit.

“And here are your counselors!” Dad says, waving a hand to us. The gym explodes with applause and soon enough the parents are saying goodbye to their kids.

Dad turns to us. “You all have your schedules. Head to your first section.”

“Aye aye,” Aiden says, holding his hand to his head in a mock salute.

Dad turns on his professional face and his normal jovial nature is lost. Lily takes Aiden’s hand down from his head and drags him off the stage.

“Hadley and Will,” Dad says. “May I speak with you two for a moment?”

The rest of the counselors assemble into their groups.

Dad turns his back to the kids and crosses his arms. “As you know, Mrs. Yates has her concerns about Oliver. I am hoping you two will be able to bring him out of his shell. Mr. Yates is a significant donor to the department so we show him that our program is above the rest. All right?”

“We’ll try our best,” I say.

Dad smiles tightly. “That’s all I ask for.” He and Will share a weighted glance before he walks away.

I open my mouth to ask Will what that was about, but he is already off the stage before I can.

More secrets Will Carson? This time involving my dad.