Page 6 of Ring Around the Rosie

I looked around the cabin some more and noticed the worn furniture and cracked windows. There were so many screamingrepairs. It was baffling. “Does Willie not have someone to maintain the camp?” I asked.

The woman shook her head. “No. I mean, well, we all chip in during the summer.” She sighed. “I’m afraid the camp hasn’t exactly been the most profitable these last few years. Camper attendance has dropped drastically, and we’re barely filling cabins like we used to. Most of the camp is boarded up due to the lack of care. With the lower attendance and rise in the costs of living, we can’t really afford any more extra hands at the moment.”

“Why is attendance low?” I probably shouldn’t be asking, but I was genuinely curious. Yes, this place needed some major fucking help, but it was just like she said, it was oddly charming. As a kid, I wouldn’t have let leaky roofs or squeaky doors stop me from wanting to go camping.

The woman looked down and picked at her nails. “Parents don’t want to send their kids away with how scary the world has become. Too much evil hidden in the shadows and cracks of society. Things just aren’t the way they used to be. And kids don’t care to spend their summers outdoors anymore. They’d rather sit inside and play video games or watch movies than stare into a fire. I guess parents prefer them closer to home, even if it means rotting their little brains away.” She hesitated and walked towards the front cabin window. The moonlight peaked through the dark clouds from the storm and highlighted her features. She might have been older, but she was beautiful. Terrifyingly beautiful. Like a poisonous flower that pulls you in to trap you for dinner. It was a bit unnerving. The woman sighed, and her voice fell low with a hint of warning in her tone. “Not to mention the mysterious history and constant rumors surrounding these old and ancient redwoods. They always seem to drive people away.”

“I’m sorry?” I turned to face her. “What rumors?” Was she talking about the same stuff the semi truck driver was?

We both turned as the sound of heavy feet. A man, probably in his mid-thirties, entered the room carrying a small bucket and look of annoyance. “About time you returned, Thisbe.” He hustled over to the roof leak and placed the bucket beneath it. “There.” I watched as he placed his hands on his hips and grinned as if collecting the rain water was some grand accomplishment. His hair was a light golden brown color and consisted of wild curls. He seemed extremely athletic by the looks of his toned muscles constricted by the tight t-shirt and jeans he wore. A typical man you’d see trotting out in one of these old towns. The only unique thing about him were his powder blue eyes that popped against his sun damaged skin and thick mustache. He wore a silver whistle around his neck and I noticed an old tattoo. It peeked from the short sleeve of his t-shirt, but I couldn’t tell what it was.

The woman, presumably named Thisbe, stepped forward. She gently scooted me closer, and the man’s pale eyes fell down to me. I could tell he was taken aback from my appearance. “Willie, I believe you were expecting someone?”

So, he was the head counselor. Willie.

Willie sucked his teeth and looked me up and down. It made me a little uncomfortable. “Yeah. You’re the one who called this morning about the ad in the paper. Asher?”

“Aster,” I corrected him.

He nodded. “Right. Thanks for helping her in, Thisbe.”

Thisbe nodded. “I’m going to head back to my cabin. See you in the morning Willie. Oh, and it was a pleasure meeting you, Aster.” Her eyes twinkled as she spoke my name. “I do hope you can stay with us this summer. It’ll be an experience like no other.”

Me too.

And just like that, the woman left the cabin.

Willie cleared his throat. “So.” I turned back to look at him. “What makes you want to be a camp counselor, Aster? You got any experience?” I shook my head. He raised a brow. “Then why the hell are you applying here? I mean, working at this place isn’t exactly the most ideal way to spend your summer. Just look around.” I didn’t like his attitude.

“Maybe not toyou.” I grabbed my bag and hauled it over my shoulder. “But for me, a job like this is perfect. Flaws and all.” It really was. Sure, the place smelled old and looked ancient, but it was secluded and tucked away from the world. Away from prying eyes. And that was exactly what I needed. Not to mention, if hired, it would give me a place to stay, food to eat, and some cash in my pocket. A runaway couldn’t ask for a better way to spend their summer.

Willie crossed his arms. I could tell he was hesitant. “And why would someone likeyouwant to spend their summer way out here, isolated from everyone? I mean, come on, no one wants that.” There it was again. Someone like me.

I stepped closer, and he watched me closely. “You don’t know anything about me, Willie. If I’m not the kind of person you’re looking for, then just say it. But don’t waste my fucking time. What I have is borrowed, and I can’t go wasting it on people like you.” I turned to leave but stopped as I heard him laugh.

My head looked back over my shoulder at him. He just smiled and laughed. “Oh, you got a real temper, don’t you, Asher?”

“Aster,” I snarled.

“Yeah, yeah. Look.” He walked towards me, and I turned to face him. “I won’t bullshit you. Working here isn’t exactly the vacation you may think it is. The food sucks, the cabins are barely standing, the pay is shit, and don’t get me started on the fucking campers. But—” He took my bag from my hands andtossed it over his shoulder. “I’m short staffed and you obviously need a place to stay. So, let’s go.” Willie grabbed a lantern and walked out onto the cabin porch. I quickly followed him. The storm had apparently softened into a gentle sprinkle. Thank God.

“Wait!” I tried to keep up with Willie’s wide strides as he trampled down onto the muddy road. “You mean, I’m hired? I got the job?”

Willie turned around. “No. I’m just taking your bag to a random cabin in the woods so I can chop you up.” I made a face, and he laughed. “Oh, chill out. I’m just fucking with you. Yes, you’re hired.” Willie resumed walking.

“Your joke wasn’t funny,” I shot after him. He simply shrugged his arms. I walked beside him down the long and winding path. “So, I’m really hired? But what about my lack of experience? Do you have more questions? Do I need to know certain things? Or is there training?”

Willie stopped me in my tracks. He raised the lantern to his face and spoke down to me. “Aster. This camp is barely standing, barely getting by financially, and sadly short staffed. I could care less if you know what the hell you’re doing. As long as you can keep the campers alive and not burn the place down, I’m chill. As for those questions, well I ask those to keep Thisbe happy. She’s a bit old school and prefers things more organized than the rest of us.”

“Why would she care if you asked me questions?” I asked.

Willie smiled. “Because Thisbe doesn’t just work here, she owns the camp. Not to mention the redwoods surrounding it. She’s the boss.” I had to process that information. “Look, I know they were really annoying, but I had to ask them. You didn’t have to go busting my balls, though. That was a pleasant surprise.” He grinned, and I blushed. “I think you’re going to fit in well here, Aster.”

I really hope so.

Willie continued to walk down a winding path, and I did my best to keep up. “So, the woman who brought me here, Thisbe?”

He nodded. “Weird name, right? Kind of like yours.” Rude. “Thisbe wears many hats around here. She’s the owner and camp nurse. I call her by her name, but everyone else here calls her Nurse B. I suggest you do the same.” He side-eyed me. “Out of respect.” Weird, but okay.

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