Free Cool Campers by Mike Knudson Page A

Wouldn’t you like to hear the entire lodge chanting our names after dinner?” I thought about it for a minute. That would be pretty cool.
    â€œIt would be awesome to be the most popular kids at camp,” I told Graham. “But I don’t know if I’m willing to eat that junk to make it happen.”
    â€œOf course you are, man!” Graham got up and stood right in front of me. “We can do this. We’re a team, like Mark and that other guy.” Graham paused for a moment. “Wow, he’s the second most popular kid in camp, and no one even knows his name. It’s always Mark Herron and that other guy.”
    â€œYeah, weird.” I shook my head.
    â€œWait, that’s it, Raymond,” Graham said. “This is what we’re going to do. I’m going to be the other guy, and I’ll announce you after dinner. Then I’ll mix up a bunch of stuff for you to eat.”
    â€œWhat? Why me? Why can’t you eat that stuff and I’ll be the announcer?” I wasn’t sure how this conversation suddenly turned from Graham being willing to eat the gross mixture to him announcing and me eating it.
    â€œIt has to be you,” Graham said. “It’s just like in baseball. I was the catcher trash-talking behind the plate, getting the batter nervous, so you could come in for the kill with your awesome fastball.” I wasn’t sure that these two situations were the same, but somehow hearing about my fastball made me feel strong, like I could do anything.
    â€œYou’re right! We have just as much right as Mark and that other guy to be popular. Tomorrow night those guys are in for some competition.”
    Graham and I swung our hands up in the air to give each other a high five, but we missed. “It’s just getting dark,” Graham said.
    â€œOne thing though,” I said. “I know no one can tell us not to say dude , but I kind of agree with Carl.”
    â€œNo problem. I hate to admit it, but I’m getting sick of it too,” said Graham. We went into the cabin and said goodnight to BB and Tiny without using the word dude at all.

11
    Raging Raymond
    UNLIKE THE NIGHT before, we slept like logs. We were so tired we didn’t even hear Toad’s song in the morning. He had to come into our cabin and wake us up.
    We were all excited about today. This was our day at the lake. After breakfast, David’s patrol would be on their hike most of the day, so we wouldn’t have to see them at all. I was hoping I’d get to retake my swim test. My foot felt completely better, and I knew I could pass it this time.
    We got dressed and went to the mess hall for breakfast. It was cereal, muffins, and fruit today. The Muscular Monsters walked in behind us.
    â€œHey, Toad Claws. You’d better save a pair of clean underpants for Friday. You’re going to need them.”
    We just ignored David and sat down by the Fighting Eagles. Graham sat next to me and told me I should practice mixing my food up and eating it.
    â€œGood idea,” I said. I had a banana, so I cut some pieces up and put it in my cereal. Then I put in a couple of strawberries too. “Okay, here goes,” I said. I put a big spoonful in my mouth, prepared for the disgusting taste. It was actually pretty good. “Hey, I’m going to be good at this. It’s not bad.”
    â€œWhat do you mean? You just have cereal and fruit. That stuff always goes together.” Graham shook his head. He grabbed the salt and pepper shakers and started sprinkling them in my bowl. Then he pulled off a piece of his muffin and dropped it in.
    â€œTry that.” He took my spoon and stirred it all up.
    I looked at the soggy mess and decided to pass. “I’m kind of full,” I said. “Plus, I don’t think you’re supposed to eat too much before you go swimming.” I picked up my tray and brought it over to the cleaning area. Then I grabbed