Page 4 of Class Clown

“I’m in the bathroom.”

He grumbled. “Gross. I don’t want to talk to you when you’re in the bathroom.”

“Then don’t call when I’m in the bathroom.”

“How about don’t answer when you’re in the bathroom?”

Getting under his skin was improving my mood. “Unless you can provide me with life altering information about why you need me in Arizona, and how you’re going to actually pay me money, and make it more tempting than a summer here with my friends, I’m hanging up on you.”

“The camp is called Camp Windsong and it’s outside of Flagstaff. The state that a registered nurse be on site all summer.”

“And you thought to find a nurse, what, a couple of weeks before it starts?” Now it was my turn to laugh. “Nice, Cole.”

“I had one on staff, actually. But her dad had a stroke last week and is going to need in-home care for a while. She’d signed on with the camp, so technically I could have forced it, but I’m not that guy. Family first, right?” I nodded even though he couldn’t see me. “So, I’ve been reaching out to a few people, but most RN’s have jobs in a health care system that doesn’t allow them to be off for three months. Then, I thought of you.”

“Who is off for three months.” I left the bathroom and sat down on the edge of my bed, feeling a little less resistant to his request as I sank into the soft comforter.

“Mom said you should be free.”

Kids were my weakness. I couldn’t ruin their camp dreams. It’s a simple fact that nature heals, and as a nurse I’m not out here trying to stand in the way of healing. And even though Cole was a jerk level ten for reminding me my friends would be busy with their boyfriends and lives this summer, he wasn’t wrong. I flopped back in my bed, Bodhi’s face flashing before my eyes. The reality was that I could use a distraction. Something exciting and different. Not necessarily because I was heartbroken, but because I could recognize the stink of stagnation on myself.

Same Ruby, same location, up to her same tricks. Find a cutie, flirt, go on a few dates, and get let down before it really went anywhere. It had become my only hobby, really. What a shock that nothing had changed in my life for a very long time. Maybe I could use a jump start in a new direction.

“When does camp start?” I asked.

“Next week. But I need you here in three days. Me and some of the staff are already on site. You’ll need time to set up the health center and take some employee safety trainings.”

“Three days?” I groaned.

“Does this mean you’re in?”

“Give me a minute to weigh my options,” I muttered.

Pros: Kids, nature, a job, adventure, no memories of Bodhi and my other failed attempts at love lingering around.

Cons: Distance from my Thornback besties, having my brother be my boss.

“Do it for the kids, Rubes. Imagine their little faces surrounded by mountains and wildflowers,” he nudged. “Starry nights, campfire songs, s’mores.”

“I do like those things.”

“Please say yes, Ruby. I need you.”

Dagger.

“Alright,” I replied, and grinned at his cheer.

“Send me over a copy of your nursing license, your driver’s license, and verification of your school district employment. I also need your social security number for a background check.”

“And bank information for pay?” I asked, my tone firm. “I’m not doing this for free.”

“Someone else will get with you about that, but yes, you’re getting paid.”

A tiny flare of hope lit my chest. “When nothing goes right, go left, I suppose.”

His laugh was warm. “Thanks so much for this. And, who knows, maybe this guy will recognize his mistake and still be there when you return in August.”

I smiled to myself. “He won’t. But that’s okay. He was never the real thing.”

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