Free The Camp by kit Crumb Page B

took another sip of her coffee. “Better. Do you have any questions?” She took a long sip. “Here at Hiouchi, everyone has a companion and I’m yours. Got a complaint, bring it to me. Happy, sad, mad—any emotion that bubbles up and might disturb your routine, you bring to me. We’ll sit right here and talk it out.”
    Ellen was beginning to get the idea that Jane had delivered at least part of this lecture before.
    “We have fifteen girls and fifteen boys here. The boys live across the river. Like I said, I’ve read your file and I know that it was a boy that caused you to have a lapse of judgment. I don’t want to hear about that relationship. But if you get an itch—and you know what I mean—scratch it any way you want, but don’t cross that river.”
    They left the office and Ellen was given a complete tour. It took over three hours. Strange thing was that she was introduced to all the adults they met along the way, but none of the kids. She learned later that it was a sign of respect, that if the other girls wanted to meet her, they would seek her out during their free time.
    Her cooking duties would be tested the very next day and if she passed the scrutiny of the chef, she would began cooking the day after.
    They ended back in Jane’s office.  
    “I will be your one-on-one counselor and am the teacher. Your group counselor will be Mr. James. Because you are the oldest girl at Hiouchi, you will have a private room with its own bath.”
    They were up again. Jane walked her across what reminded Ellen of a parade ground, over to her room. “I will be inspecting your living quarters each morning after your day has begun. Please leave it clean.” She opened the door to her room with a key and gave it to her. “Keep it locked at all times. I’m the only other person with a key.”
    She marched across the tiny room to a small writing desk, opened the drawer and pointed out the pens, pencils, envelopes and letter-size paper. “I will expect you to write to your mother at least once each week. Drop the letter off at my office. I’ll stamp it and see that it goes out with the day’s mail.”
    Ellen waited until Jane left then looked around the tiny room. Someone had brought her suitcase up and placed it by the desk. She dragged it to the foot of the bed, climbed under the covers, curled up, and cried herself into a restless sleep.

Chapter Fourteen
    Rye entered the kitchen, walked past his wife, and placed a box on the counter. He looked over to where she sat at the table, totally engrossed in several letters and a brochure. He picked up the box and set it down again with a little more gusto and gave a groan.
    “I see you.”
    He turned around and with a hand on either side of himself, hopped up on the counter. “What do you have there that has you so engrossed?”
    “Requirements for the river rescue course. We’ll be working out of Agness at the confluence of the Rogue and Illinois Rivers.”
    He slid off the counter and began unpacking the box. “I found the blender, salad bowl, and utensils.”
    The announcement of his discovery of the kitchen items didn’t get a response, so he walked over and sat across from her.
    “Any surprises?”
    When he sat down, she raised the letter she’d been reading up in front of her face. At his question, she dropped it, revealing a broad grin.  
    “I thought you’d never ask. I’m a victim in the final scenario.”
    He reached over and slid several letters and the brochure to his side of the table. “What, pray tell, is the victim’s plight?”
    Her voice softened and became dramatic. “I’m paddling down the river when my raft hits a rock and catapults me into a category Five hole.”
    Rye looked up from the brochure. “How exactly are they going to simulate that?”
    Her grin widened. “I haven’t the faintest, but it sounds like fun.”
    He frowned, then held up the brochure for Lucas Lodge and looked at her with a questioning squint.
    “Big doings.