Chapter 9
Kill ‘Em With Kindness
As Katie lay in bed thinking about her first day of camp, she was filled with mixed emotions. She had never been shy about sleepovers at her friends’ houses. Although she loved her parents, she had never really gotten homesick. She liked an adventure, and so far, it looked like Camp Wickamonga had plenty of those to offer. Katie had connected with Erin very quickly, and all the girls loved Ava. Alicia, although pretty as a porcelain doll, had surprised them all with her tomboy ways. Libby and Rachel had already paired up like she and Erin. They were both wild about horses and couldn’t wait to sign up for horseback riding. Though she knew all of the other girls by name, she hadn’t had a chance to get to know them yet; however, they appeared to be friendly and ready to have fun. Katie realized she was getting sleepy. The last thing she heard was a quiet reprimand from Lou to Libby and Rachel telling them to “rein it in for the night.”Unfortunately, her sleep did not last long. Around 2:00 A.M., she was awakened by the sudden movement of her bed. Startled, and perhaps a little frightened, she hung on and waited. The movement stopped and Katie determined she must have been dreaming. But no sooner had she convinced herself of this, than her bed began to move again. It was a sort of jiggle. Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, stop. Katie waited. Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, stop. During this second
series, the bed began to squeak as if playing an accompaniment to go along with the movement. Trying to ignore it, Katie rolled onto her side and placed her pillow over her head; however, it was useless. The jiggling began again. Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, stop. The intervals between movements grew shorter and shorter. Finally, Katie rolled onto her stomach, leaned her head over the edge of her bed, and glared at Caroline. The movement of the bed matched Caroline’s every move as she scratched first her right leg, then her neck, her left leg, and then her back.
“Psst!” Katie whispered. “What’s going on down there? Are you rockin’ yourself to sleep or what?”
“Yeah, that’s it, Nerdburger, I’m rockin’ myself to sleep . . . or just maybe, the Benadryl Nurse Kim gave me just wore off. I’m thinkin’ it’s the Benedryl.”
“Gee,” said Katie, “That’s going to make the rest of the night miserable…for both of us…”
“Yeah, well, I’m really sorry,” hissed Caroline. “Somehow I think it’s going to be worse for me. I’m going to be awake and itching, but you’re just going to be awake. Think you can handle it?”
“What I was thinking,” continued Katie as she quietly climbed down from her bunk, “is that I might be able to do something to help. I had a bad sunburn once, didn’t put sunscreen on like I was supposed to, and it really itched. My dad put cool compresses on it, and it felt much better. Maybe that will work for poison ivy, too.”
“Well, you’re the one who got me in this mess, so I guess it’s only fair for you to try and help me out.”
“My thoughts exactly!” Katie said, thankful for the dark that hid the exasperated look on her face. Why do I even try? she thought as she tiptoed through the cabin to the washroom.
Any other time Katie might have said what she was really thinking, but at 2:00 in the morning it wasn’t worth the effort. Besides, Caroline was bound and determined to be disagreeable. She’d probably been like this her whole life, so Katie figured it wasn’t going to change overnight. Dad always said, ”Kill ‘em with kindness,” and that was what Katie decided to do with Caroline."
“I’m counting on you, Dad,” Katie whispered to the air as she placed the wash- cloth in the sink of cool water.
Returning to their bunk, Katie miraculously found Caroline fast asleep. Katie shook her head, placed the damp washcloth on the dresser, and climbed ever so carefully back into her bed. A fresh pine scented breeze blew through the nearby open window and the night sounds quickly lullabied Katie to sleep.
* * * * *
Katie was having a nightmare. A big pink monster with a terrible roar was chasing her through the woods. Just as a large pink claw reached out to grab her, she awoke to the sound of Reveille playing over the camp speaker system. Grateful to escape what would no doubt have been a gruesome demise, Katie jumped out of bed and headed for the washroom. She quickly showered, brushed her teeth, and fastened her ponytail with a scrunchy. Slowly the other girls began to rise.
“Mornin’,” grunted Erin as she scuffled past Katie in the hall. “Don’t tell me you’re a morning person.”
“Actually I am,” winced Katie, “but I’ll try not to let it show.”
The pink monster was just pushing her covers back as Katie returned to dress for the day. Caroline’s face was so swollen there were just tiny slits where her eyes should have been. It was impossible to tell whether her eyes were open or closed. Her mouth on the other hand left no room for doubt . . . definitely open.
“Don’t tell me we have to wake up to that noise every morning for the next six weeks. That’s enough to ruin your whole day,” complained Caroline.
“I kind of like Reveille,” remarked Katie as she turned to eyeball Caroline, “And I refuse to let any other noise I may hear ruin my day.”
Zipping her shorts and pulling her orange Camp Wickamonga t-shirt over her head, Katie was dressed and out the door. Lou stood just outside with a clipboard, checking off each girl’s name as she left the cabin. With only one person unaccounted for, Lou stuck her head inside the door and yelled, “Everybody out. Two tardies at breakfast and you’re assigned Kitchen Duty.
As Katie reached the top of the hill, she looked back to see poor Caroline hopping out the cabin door with one leg in her shorts and the other still out. Her hair stuck out at odd angles, obviously uncombed, and . . . she was still pink.
Chapter 10 - Make “Em Laugh
Katie seated herself and Erin slipped in beside her just as Ms. Vanden Bosch asked the campers to join her in a moment of silence. A large bowl of scrambled eggs was passed around the table followed by a basket of bread and a plate full of crisp bacon. As Lizzie, their server, poured juice for the girls she entertained them with her quirky humor. “Have you heard the one about a waitress who walked up to a guy to take his order?” Lizzie asked.
“No-o-o,” said the girls.
“But I bet you’re going to tell us,” moaned Alicia.
“What can I get you, Sir?” the waitress asked.
“I’d like an undercooked egg, some cold greasy bacon, and an order of burnt toast,” the man replied.
“I’m sorry, Sir, but we don’t serve that kind of food.”
“Well, you did yesterday,” the customer snorted.
The girls rolled their eyes and chuckled.
“That’s just the kind of joke my dad would love,” said Katie.
“Mine, too,” exclaimed Erin. “What is it with dads?”
The girls were just finishing up as Caroline arrived at the table.
“That’s one tardy, Caroline,” said Lou. “You’ll have to do better tomorrow.”
Caroline opened her mouth, ready to launch a tirade on camp rules, but for once thought better of it and just said, “Could somebody pass the bacon . . . please?”
Startled, all of the girls reached for the bacon at the same time, anxious to reward such civil behavior. While Caroline was finishing her breakfast, Lizzie returned to begin clearing the table.
“Hey, Sunshine,” Lizzie quipped, “I thought we were missing one smiling face. By the way, have you heard the one about the girl in the restaurant?”
“No-o-o,” said the girls.
“But I bet you’re going to tell us,” the group moaned in unison.
“A waitress walked up to a girl to take her order. The girl said, “How much is a soft drink?”
The waitress answered, “99¢.”
The girl then said, “How much for a refill?”
“Refills are free,” replied the waitress.
“Well then,” said the girl, “I’ll just have a refill.”
“On that note, I think we’ll leave,” announced Lou, smiling at Lizzie. “If you’re thinking of becoming a comedian, my advice is, don’t quit your day job.”
“See ya, Lizzie,” the girls said as they pushed in their chairs and headed out the door.
Chapter 11 - Rock Climbing
Once outside, the girls made their way to the campers’ kiosk where they found their activities for the next two weeks posted. Each camper would have three activities she had chosen on her camp application. In addition, she would have one activity selected by the camp staff. Everyone would enjoy free swim in the afternoon.Katie loved rock climbing and was pleased to see it was her first rotation activity. Even better, Erin was in her group. As they joined hands and celebrated, they heard a familiar groan followed by a disgruntled complaint.
“Oh, joy,” complained Caroline, “Somebody has rocks in their head, and I have to climb them. I didn’t sign up for rock climbing. Nobody in her right mind would strap on that flimsy harness and scale a wall that high with everyone watching. I doubt that it’s safe. My parents definitely wouldn’t approve.”
“ ‘Scuse me,” Caroline said grabbing the nearest counselor. “There’s been a mistake. I’m on the rock-climbing list, and my parents won’t approve. You’ll need to reassign me.”
“Not to worry,” said the counselor. “All schedules were reviewed and OK’d by parents at registration. Aren’t you Caroline? Your mom was especially pleased that you would be trying something new. So I guess you’re good to go.”
Erin and Katie listened to the conversation and grinned at one another.
“Hey, Caroline,” they said. “We’re in rock climbing, too. We’re headed that way. Want to come with?”
“What choice do I have?” grumped Caroline. “My future seems to be set in stone.”
“Good one,” chuckled Katie.
On the way to the wall, Katie and Erin shared rock-climbing stories.
“My first climb was at the mall,” said Erin. “My brother bet me a Cinnabon that I couldn’t make it to the top, so I had to do it. I did the beginner wall, but I rang the bell and I got my Cinnabon.”
“We have a rock wall in our gym at school,” said Katie. “Last semester I finally mastered the advanced wall. It was pretty scary. The footholds were hardly wide enough for your feet, and the handholds were much smaller, too. My whole class stopped what they were doing to watch. It was pretty intense, and I might not have made it, except Josh Wapner yelled, ‘Come on down, Katie. I’ll show you how it’s done.’ Like I was gonna let that happen! So, I pulled myself together and made it to the top.”
“Wow, Katie, you’re way ahead of me. I only made it half way up the intermediate wall the last time I tried,” said Erin. “Of course, I didn’t have Josh Wapner motivating me.
“How about you, Caroline, have you climbed before?” asked Katie.
“Yeah, sure,” answered Caroline sarcastically. “Don’t you remember? You were there, Katie.”
“Huh,” replied Katie, thoroughly confused.
“Last night, when my poison ivy was itching so badly; I definitely was climbing the walls then.”
“You’ve got a point there,” giggled Katie.
“You’re pretty funny when you’re not complaining,” said Erin.
“For real,” agreed Katie. “But no joke, Caroline, have you ever climbed?”
“Never,” replied Caroline. “There’s a reason why you got the top bunk. I’m scared to death of heights.”
“AHA,” thought Erin, “Tough girl has a chink in her armor.”
“Look,” cried Katie, “There’s the wall. Wow, it’s a lot higher than the one at school.”
After a demonstration by the instructor and a brief review of the safety rules, the girls were ready to begin. At least, Katie and Erin were.
“How many of you are beginners?” Lindsey, the instructor asked.
No one answered.
“That means everyone has climbed before,” said Lindsey.
Katie and Erin quickly turned to Caroline.
“Tell her,” they urged. “You don’t want to start with intermediate. Hurry up!”
“Right,” hissed Caroline. “I’m not going to be the only one on the beginner wall. Everyone will laugh at me.”
“So what,” said Erin, “They’ll be laughing because you’re pink, not because you’re a beginner.”
“And that’s supposed to make me feel better?” said Caroline. “If I’m going to do this thing, I’m going to do it right. Don’t either of you dare say a word. I’m on top of this, or at least I will be,” she hissed as she pushed to the front of the line. Once again, Katie and Erin rolled their eyes and shrugged.
“Some people have to learn the hard way,” whispered Erin, “and you can’t get much harder than a rock wall.”
“So, who would like to go first on our intermediate wall?” asked Lindsey.
“I will,” volunteered Caroline.
“Great,” said Lindsey, “So you’ve climbed before?”
“Sure, lots of times” answered Caroline with a bit of a swagger. I’ve climbed the wall at the mall, and my school has a rock wall, too.”
Erin and Katie looked at each other and mouthed, “Huh?” as Lindsey handed Caroline her harness.
“You can slip that on, Caroline, while I get my next volunteer started on the advanced wall. I’ll be back to check your couplings in just a sec. “Who wants to go first over here?” Lindsey asked as she turned her back to Caroline and headed toward the remaining group of girls.
Katie was anxious to climb, but she didn’t want to miss Caroline’s ascent, so she didn’t volunteer. Instead, she and Erin turned to watch Caroline just as she began pulling the harness awkwardly over her head.
“Pssst! Caroline!” they whispered loudly. “Not over your head. Like this,” Erin said as she mimed stepping into a harness.
Confused, Caroline looked at Erin questioningly.
“Take it off your head,” hissed Katie, as she too acted out the proper procedure.
Caroline untangled the harness from around her neck, and attempted to place her legs correctly, but she only managed to get the first leg in. As she lifted her second leg, she lost her balance. Having nothing to brace herself against, she began hopping around on one leg, making an occasional attempt to get the second leg in. Just when Erin and Katie were sure she would topple, Caroline managed to slip the other leg in place.
“Great,” said Lindsey, returning from the advanced wall, “I can see you’ve done this before. Let’s just check those couplings and you’ll be ready to hop to it.”
“Oh,” whispered Erin from the corner of her mouth, “She has hopped to it, and around it, behind it, and through it.”
Both girls convulsed with giggles as Caroline turned and glared. The glare was immediately replaced with a look of sheer terror as Caroline turned back to face the wall. Mustering all of her courage, she placed her foot on the nearest ledge and groped around looking for two good handholds. As she grabbed the second and highest hold she bravely lifted her one secure foot into the air and felt around for a toehold. Her knuckles were clinched tightly, and she could feel her hands losing their grip. Suddenly, her hands slipped and she dropped, a whopping six inches to the ground.
“Has this wall been inspected recently?” Caroline quizzed. “That rock was loose and caused me to slip.”
“Try again,” said Katie. “You almost had it.”
So, Caroline reached and stepped, stretched to grasp a higher handhold and pulled her second leg up above the first. Eyeing her next handhold, she reached and grasped it firmly. Almost automatically, her foot found its next placement. Gaining her confidence, she managed two more upward maneuvers. Quite pleased with herself, she turned and looked down to grin victoriously at Erin and Katie.
“I should have started with the advanced wall,” Caroline boasted. “You all made it sound like rock-et science. I could do this with my eyes closed.”
As Caroline turned to continue, her right foot slipped. The sudden jolt caused her to lose her handholds, too. Instantly, she found herself swinging wildly through the air.
“Get me down,” she yelped as she flailed her arms and kicked her feet wildly. “Somebody get me down!”
Lindsey had hold of the guide rope which normally raised or lowered the climber, but for some reason it wasn’t budging. “Caroline,” she said soothingly. “You’re going to be fine. We have a small problem, more like a glitch, but it’s nothing we can’t handle. You may be up there a while, but I won’t let you fall. Take deep breaths and think pleasant thoughts.”
“Great,” mumbled Erin. “I was pretty sure she’d be okay until Lindsey said that. If Caroline’s safety depends on her having “pleasant thoughts”, she’s in desperate trouble.”
“Katie,” snapped Lindsey. “I can’t let go of this rope. You’ll have to run get help. Kiefer’s an expert with this gear. Run to the pool house and tell him we need him to come. And Katie . . . hurry!”
With a knowing nod, Katie dashed off. She could hear Caroline’s high-pitched shrieks as she made her way quickly down the path to the pool. She barged into the guard house and, seeing Kiefer, gasped, “Rock wall. . . Caroline . . . HELP!”
Kiefer needed no further explanation. The look on Katie’s face said it all. He was out the door and halfway up the trail before Katie could catch her breath.
“Kiefer, thank goodness you’re here. There’s a snag in the guide rope and I can’t lower her,” explained Lindsey. “She’s freakin’ out, and I don’t know what to do. I’m not sure how much longer I can hold this rope.”
Kiefer looked at the group of girls that had gathered to watch. “You two,” he said, “Help Lindsey hold this rope. I’ll climb up and talk her down.”
In short order, Kiefer scaled the wall to where Caroline was dangling. “Caroline,” he said as she swung wildly by. “You’ve got to quit screaming and listen to my instructions. I’m here to help you. You have to calm down or you’ll never stop swinging. Quit kicking your feet.”
“I’m not kicking my feet,” wailed Caroline as she swung past once again . . . kicking her feet.
“Caroline,” cajoled Kiefer. “If you calm down, I will be able to grab you and have you on the ground in no time. Just relax. Take slow deep breaths and focus.”
Gradually, Caroline’s wails became whimpers. The arc of her swing became smaller and smaller, until finally, Kiefer was able to reach out and grab her. She clung to him like a drowning victim to a lifeguard.
“OK, Caroline,” said Kiefer. “You’re going to have to let go of me and find a foot hold and a handhold. We have to unlatch your harness because the guide rope has a snag, but I’ll be right beside you all the way. You can do this.”
“No,” pleaded Caroline. “Don’t unlatch my harness. They’ll be nothing to catch me if I slip again!”
“I know you’re frightened,” soothed Kiefer, “but unless your want to remain suspended up here for the rest of your life, this is what we have to do."
Not liking the alternative Kiefer had offered, Caroline slowly removed one hand from around his neck and felt along the wall for a handhold.
“I’ve got one,” she exclaimed as her left foot found a secure place, too.
Still harnessed, she released her hold on Kiefer and found places for her right hand and foot.
“That’s great, Caroline. Now all we have to do is undo the harness and climb slowly down.”
For one instant the panic returned to Caroline’s face. Her mouth opened as if to scream, but the realization that all the campers’ eyes were on her caused her to rethink her situation. And so, she gave Kiefer a nod, which said, “Go ahead. I’m ready.”
Cautiously, Kiefer unlatched the harness with one hand while holding onto the rock wall with the other. Together they felt for a lower handhold and a matching foot placement.
“You’re doing great,” encouraged Kiefer as they continued their descent. “Just one more step and you’ll be close enough to jump the rest of the way.”
Caroline’s heart was racing like a wind-up toy, but she listened to Kiefer and found her footing. When she looked back over her shoulder, she could see that she was just inches off the ground. With a sense of accomplishment and a sigh of relief, she stepped down to feel solid earth beneath her.
Suddenly, all the campers were swarming around her, giving her hugs and congratulating her. Anxious to regain her dignity, Caroline wormed her way out of the huddle of girls. With a flick of her hair and an upward tilt of her nose, Caroline shrugged her shoulders and headed for the cabin.
“They really should have that wall inspected,” she called over her shoulder. “A less capable climber might have been killed.”
“You’re welcome,” murmured Kiefer as Lindsey, Katie, and Erin rolled their eyes and shook their heads. It was going to be a very long summer.
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