Elaine Wolf - Camp

How could I tell her I didn’t know, that I’d have to borrow something from Erin? When cornered about the package my parents had sent, I’d told Rory it was sheets and towels— anything to get her off my back.

“She hasn’t decided what she’s wearing yet,” Donnie said.

“What’s the matter, Amy?” Rory teased. “Cat got your tongue again? You need ol’ Donnie-girl to talk for you now?”

“Leave her alone,” Donnie answered for me.

“Well, I’ll be,” Rory said. “Look who’s back-talking me now.” She pushed her nose in Donnie’s face, then stepped away. Rory tilted her head to the side as she studied Donnie’s blouse. “Here’s the deal. I do like that shirt, and it’d look real nice with the pink pants I’m wearing to the dance. So off with it, Donnie-girl. Hand it over.”

“No!” The word ripped loose from a place deep inside me. How dare Rory order Donnie to take off her shirt. Donnie, who looked out for my safety. A hot wave of hatred moved through me. “Don’t give it to her.”

“Ah, so Amy can talk after all. Well, la-de-da. Listen to that. Amy’s giving orders now.” Rory turned to me, her face flushed. “And just who do you think you are, telling Donnie not to listen to me?”

“I’m sorry, Rory,” Donnie said. Why was she apologizing? Was Donnie afraid for herself, or for me? “And Amy’s sorry too. So you want my shirt? No problem. I’ll lend it to you. Just leave us alone.”

“I’ll tell you what,” Rory said as she paced the length of the cabin. Back and forth, then back again while Donnie and I retreated to our beds. Fear returned, yanking my heart to my throat. How stupid to have challenged Rory. What would she do to us now?

Rory glared at me when she finally spoke. “Time for a little deal here, I say. First we see what Amy’s gonna wear, and then I choose: Donnie’s blouse or Amy’s outfit. One of you gets to keep your clothes, and one of you gives them to me. Though I can’t figure out why I’m being so nice, punishing only one of you. But hey, I’m a nice person. So let’s see it, Amy. Time for that little fashion show.”

“Listen,” Donnie said. “I’d be happy to lend you my blouse. You said it’d be perfect with your pants.” She started to unbutton.

“Hold it right there. The deal is, I choose. So first I have to see what Amy’s planning to wear.”

Donnie still tried to rescue me. “But why not—”

“Jesus H. Christ! Don’t you understand plain English? So come on now, Amy Becker. Let’s have a look.”

Donnie caught my eye and shrugged.

“I’m not sure what I’m wearing.” My voice came slow and measured. “I haven’t decided yet.”

“Oh, is that so? Well then, Jess and I will help you decide. So let’s see the choices.” Rory walked toward me. She drew in close. “Shove off,” she ordered, then sprawled across my bed as if she owned it. “And don’t just stand there. Get your clothes from your trunk. We’re ready to choose an outfit for you—or for me, if you catch my drift.”

I stood frozen at the foot of my bed.

“Tell her the truth,” Donnie said.

“The truth?” Rory smirked. “That’s a good one. Your friend here’s a freakin’ liar. You should know that by now, Donnie-girl.” Rory put her hands behind her head and sunk into my pillow, pulling muddy sneakers onto my blanket. “See, lie number one: Amy said she met Andy and Jed before the initiation. And number two: Amy told me tennis was just all right. But I know she roped Andy into being her partner, even though he wanted to play with Marcy. So tell me, Donnie-girl, why in the hell should I believe Amy now?”

“Because now she’s telling the truth.”

Donnie’s effort to save me made Rory sit up. “Yeah, right. Like I just might believe that. So go on, Amy Becker. Show us what you’ve got.”

I had to tell Rory the truth. “I don’t have anything to wear.”

“Didya hear that, Jess? My oh my. Nothing to wear, and the social’s the day after tomorrow. Why don’t I believe that, Amy Becker? Why do I think that maybe that package you got was filled with clothes after all?” Rory leaped off my bed and pushed me back to the window screen on the other side of the cabin. Her breath was hot in my face. “So are you gonna show us what your parents sent, or do I have to find it myself?”

If I pulled out the dress and shoes, Rory would make me the laughingstock of senior camp. My gang might come to my defense, but they wouldn’t be able to stop all the giggling.

I poked at the truth. “Really. I don’t have an outfit.”

Rory turned toward Jessica. “Looks like it’s time for a little scavenger hunt then.” She pulled her sidekick to my trunk, then ordered Jessica to open the lid, revealing the top cardboard tray. “Well, lookie here.” Rory fingered my socks, bras, and panties— folded and stacked as if in a dresser. “Why, little Miss Prissy must think we’re in some kind of fancy hotel or something.” Rory faced me and chuckled. “So let me show you how we live at camp, Amy Becker. Jess, take an end.”

In an instant, they lifted the tray and flipped it to the floor. Socks, balled in pairs, tumbled with my underwear. Rory trampled the pile. “You’re a riot, Rory,” Jessica said.

“Then why aren’t Donnie and Amy laughing?” Rory marched on my panties. “Where’s your sense of humor, girls?”

“It’s not funny,” Donnie told her.

“Oh, is that so? Well then, how’s this for funny?” Rory hurled a pair of socks at Donnie’s face. “You shut your trap or your trunk’s next.”

Donnie didn’t look at me then. Somehow we both knew eye contact would make us even more ashamed. So we didn’t look at each other, and we didn’t say another word until Rory tossed every item from my trunk onto a heap on the floor.

She nearly choked with laughter when she uncovered the red dress. She held it up to Jessica. “Lookie here, Jess. How’d you like to wear this getup to the social? And she’s even got shoes to go with it.” Rory pitched my party shoes to the front of the cabin. “Now where do you suppose Little Miss Amy thought she’d be going all dressed up and fancified? Is this what you’re planning to wear to the social, Amy Becker?”

“No.” I said the word, but I wasn’t sure Rory heard.

“Excuse me, Miss Fancy Pants. Or should I say Miss Fancy Dress? I asked you a question.”

“No,” I said louder.

“See,” Donnie added in a last-ditch effort to save face, to save me. “She told you the truth. She doesn’t have anything to wear.”

“Are you just about finished?” Rory asked. She laughed as she fiddled with a strap on one of my bras, then twirled my panties on her index finger. “’Cause I’ve got two things to say to you, Donnie-girl. One: I’ll take that blouse of yours now. So hand it over. At least one of us will be set for the social. And two: As soon as you give it to me, you’d better leave. Amy and I have unfinished business, and I won’t have you standing around, getting in my way.”

I prayed for someone to come in then. Anyone. Even Patsy. Or Fran and Karen, who were visiting in Bunk 8. Rory couldn’t have been clearer. She was out to hurt me, and no one but Jessica would see it happen.

Donnie changed her shirt, then held out her blouse to Rory.

“Now get outta here,” Rory demanded. She snatched Donnie’s top with her fingertips, as if the blouse had cooties.

Donnie eyeballed her and grinned. It was then I knew what Donnie would do. She would find someone else to rescue me.

“Now, Amy Becker,” Rory said as soon as the door closed behind Donnie, “time for that little chat.” She plopped herself on my mountain of clothing. “You lied to me again, about the outfit, I mean. About what was in your package. See, I keep telling you I’m not stupid. Sheets and towels, you said. But all your things are right here.” Rory pointed to my belongings, flowing around her. “And guess what? No new sheets. So I’m thinking what they sent you was this dress.” She scrunched the red fabric and hurled it toward me. “And while I’m thinking about how to punish you for lying again, you’re gonna put all your things away before anyone sees how messy you are.”