Page 10 of Until Next Summer

Also, camp runs from Monday afternoon through Sunday morning, so the standard cost includes dinner on Monday, three meals Tuesday through Saturday, and breakfast on Sunday. Since you’ll be here every day of the week, I assume you’ll need an additional four meals (lunch and dinner on Sunday, breakfast and lunch on Monday). As an apology for the confusion, I’ll cover the cost of those meals for you.

Sincerely and with warm regards,

Jessie

I read the email to Dot. “That’s reasonable, right?”

“Very reasonable,” she agrees, and I press send.

A reply pings back:

I’ll pay for the extra meals. But I cannot share my cabin. I’m writing my next novel this summer and I require privacy.

–WLD

A prickle of irritation runs down my spine. So he’swriting a novel—good for him! That doesn’t give him the right to do whatever he wants with no regard to how it affects the rest of the camp.

Hi again! I understand your concerns, but the cost of those four extra meals doesn’t cover the revenue I’ll lose from not having three other campers in the cabin with you.

How about this: I can offer you the counselors’ quarters in one of the regular cabins. You’ll have a separate room, all to yourself. It normally sleeps two, but I’ll make an exception. I can also find you a quiet room in the Lodge for writing. Thank you for understanding!

With warm regards,

Jessie

I press send as Lisa arrives with our food. Dot and I move our laptops to make room. Before I can take my first bite, though, my laptop chimes with another email.

That won’t work. I need an entire cabin to myself, as promised.

–WLD

Fine. If that’s what he wants, he’ll have to pay for it.

Unfortunately, that means I’ll need to charge you for four campers. I’m sure you can understand we can’t afford to lose that revenue.

Let me know if you’d like an amended contract reflecting this, or if you’d prefer to cancel and be refunded your deposit.

Warmly,

Jessie

Two minutes later:

Eight weeks. Full cabin. Original price. I assume you do not wish to face a lawsuit due to breach of contract.

I feel a scream building in the back of my throat. I hack into my eggs, letting the yolk ooze onto my plate, and take a bite.

“Who does he think he is?” I say to Dot after swallowing. “And no, it’s not your fault. Any reasonable person would understand. I’ve been more than fair!”

“You have,” she agrees, nodding.

“He can’t actually sue us, can he?”

Dot scowls. “I mean, he could…”

“Ugh.Why? Why is he doing this?” Groaning, I put my head in my hands. I’m going to have to swallow my pride and beg.

Dear Luke,

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