“Being aware of this fact of life, Mr. and Mrs. Myers decided not to reopen the camp next year.”
A small cluster of whispers started to spread.
Sarah raised her voice slightly. “This will be Bays Beach Summer Camp’s last season”
The chattering and whispering got even louder.
“I realize this is a shock and definitely a conversational item, so I will finish with inviting you all to Tom and Nancy’s retirement party at the Admiral this Saturday night. We will also be inviting a few club regulars and some parents who have made large contributions to the camp over the years. We hope to see you all there.” With that Sarah took off to her office.
CHAPTER 26
The Admiral was a stunning venue. After the valet had taken Peter’s car, we walked down a stone pathway surrounded by potted flowers and rosebushes generously coated with tree lights. The entire outdoor pathway was covered with white tentlike material. I walked into the dimly lit, luxuriously sized ballroom. The interior was truly breathtaking. The grand chandelier hung miraculously under the high, rounded ceilings. Tables were covered with gold and burgundy cloth. The shiny ivory drapes hung over the large windows and were elegantly pulled to the side with braided ropes. It was clearly a black-tie type of place, but Tom and Nancy Myers insisted we wore what we wanted, other than camp uniforms. But it was pretty much understood that we were to bring our A game. Rachel and I had gone shopping, since neither of us had anything to wear to such an elaborate place. She wore a silver off-the-shoulder dress, and I had picked out a black minidress with thin straps. The only reason Rachel was okay with me choosing black was because of how fitted it was and that it looked amazing on me, despite her dislike of black dresses.
“There’s our table.” Peter pointed out to the far end of the circular room, opposite the front entrance.
As much as I hated to admit I was doing it, I subtly scanned for Rick and possibly Haley. There was no sign of them, and I hoped it would stay that way. I wanted to be here for Sarah, for the camp, and for Tom and Nancy.
“You guys go ahead,” I said to Rachel and Peter. “I’m going to go say hi to some people.” I wasn’t sure who I was supposedly making rounds to, but I certainly didn’t intend on trailing Rach and her boyfriend all night.”
I stayed back and looked around the room for familiar faces. There were very few. Sarah spotted me and walked over. She was only an inch or so taller in her heels and wore a loose navy-blue dress.
“Amy. You look great!” she said with a smile, then almost immediately turned serious. “But also a little lost. You looking for someone?”
I shook my head. “No. I just didn’t want to spend my night tied to the lovebirds.” I glanced in the direction of my table.
Sarah looked over and nodded. “Well, I’m glad that I have you alone for a second. Take a walk with me.” She led us to one of the enormous windows. As I leaned against it, I spotted a girl in a fiery red dress. Her hair was up and styled so I didn’t recognize her right away. Until I saw who opened the door for her. Rick.
Maybe in the past, seeing Haley or someone as beautiful as she looked would have made me feel self-conscious. But in my newly discovered aspirations, I felt more confident than ever. I just smiled to myself as they walked through the door. It may have hurt to see Rick with someone else when I knew he belonged with me, but I wasn’t going to let this make me feel inferior or less worthy. I blinked and focused on Sarah.
“Amy, I imagine I’ll be extremely busy the last three weeks here. And in case I don’t have a chance to do it later, I wanted to tell you that it’s been a real pleasure having you here at the camp. You know, I was skeptical of you when you walked through my door, but you’ve been amazing. The kids adore you, the staff fell in love with you,” she paused. “And I don’t just mean one of them.” She raised an eyebrow. “You’ve helped the kids create some amazing artwork just by taking them out to be inspired by nature.” She squinted a little and smiled at me. “I’ve got to tell you, when you walked in and pitched the idea, I thought you were full of it. But then I remembered, no one ever says anything by accident. It’s always in their heart.”
“Sarah, thank you. It’s been so great, and I’ve loved every part of it.”
“I’m glad.” She took in a breath. “And listen, I wouldn’t worry about that over there,” She nodded toward Rick and Haley as they made their way to their table. Rick looked wholly miserable. It could have been my imagination or that he was upset about the camp closing. “They dated last summer, and he ended it. She’s just trying to get the last word in.”
Just like he’d ended it with me?
“What you’re seeing over there is a girl who won’t accept being dumped and a guy who’s just trying to keep his mind off someone else.” She turned to me and quickly changed her tone to one of a chipper cheerleader. “So we’ll see you next year?” She said with a strong clap of her hands.
I lightly shook my head. For a minute, I thought Sarah must have been so used to inviting people to come back next year after one of her speeches, but then she grinned at me slowly. “The Myerses signed over the camp to me.”
“What? How—did you buy it?”
“No sale necessary. They didn’t want to sell it to me. When I asked them if I could buy it, and that I had the money saved up, they said to use it on redecorating my office.” She laughed. “Tom and Nancy signed it away to me. All they want is for me to take care of it and keep it going. Obviously, I’d assume all expenses, insurance, and responsibilities, but I can keep the camp open.” She was near tears, and I hugged her.
“Why didn’t you tell us this on Thursday? Why didn’t they tell you?”
“This didn’t happen until this morning. They said they were waiting for me to ask. Ugh, I’m not supposed to cry. I have to make the announcement later tonight.”
“Okay, well don’t drink too much. I’ve never seen you in heels, but you look very uncomfortable.” I looked her up and down with half a worried smile.
She smiled back and slowly walked away to greet some guests. I walked back to my table.
An hour later, Sarah made a wonderful, heartbreaking speech about losing two of the most influential people in her life and make her chatter-inducing announcement. Sarah talked about life before and after the camp and that how somehow life always takes you where you belong. The cliché of just believing that the path you chose will guide you was making a lot of sense in both Sarah’s past and future and my present and future.
Tom and Nancy danced in the center of the floor. Soon others joined, and I stood to walk. I never liked being the only person sitting at the table when others were dancing. I tried to get around a crowd of people when someone tapped me on the shoulder from behind. It was gentle and subtle.
I turned to find Chris looking down at me.
