A New Counselor
All that night David was unable to sleep. He’d interviewed a woman on the phone a few days who sounded eager to work there and he’d be DARNED if he wasn’t gonna give her an AMAZING first day when she arrived. As soon as his alarm went off, the man hopped out of bed with a smile on his face. As quick as a bunny, David dressed up, showered up, brushed his teeth and hair and saluted his camp flag. He had excited bubbles in his belly and he was eager to share his positivity.
When David saw the car approaching, he clapped his hands and danced on his feet in excitement, biting his lower lip before excitedly waving to Sunset as she got closer.
David’s face practically lit right up as he looked at her, “Y-Yeah! I’m-… I’m so glad you agree with me!” This was the tone of a man who hardly ever got agreed with. His grin stretched a little further, hands going to his cheeks and squishing them in as he bounced on his feet.
“A tour! Right! Yes!” He bounded forward, leading her to the mess hall and opening the doors, “This is where the kids eat and we set up indoor crafts! It’s nice and spacious… kind of… and the Quartermaster is cooking breakfast! Hi, Quartermaster!”
“These children will break you, girl.” Said the man, looking straight at Sunset.
“I-… Thank you… sir…” he took Sunset by the hand and gently led her away with an uncomfortable smile on his face.
Sunset smiled as she was tugged along by David but she paused, tugging her hand gently out of David’s. She walked over to the Quartermaster, a smile on her face, but it looked strained and forced now, almost like that of a broken woman. She gently grabbed him by the collar, hissing at him in an almost sinister voice, and did her eye go… black? “I’d like to see them try…” she said, her voice a low whisper.
She let go and walked back over to David, her smile more genuine now. “Sorry about that. Where were we?”
Being pulled forward wasn’t something The Quartermaster expected, but when she let go of him, the man couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle. He nodded his head at her to signify his respect and returned to his cooking. Poor David was left with a look of pure confusion, “I-… Don’t worry about him. These kids can be a handful, but it’s always worth it in the end when you see them having a fantastic time here.”
He led her back out the door, shaking off his uncomfortable feeling and letting go of her hand to gesture forwards, “This is the recreational area. We set up stages and and huge props the kids may need for the different camps they chose. Like Harrison and Nerris. Nerris needed a tower for her SORCERER and DND games, while Harrison needed a stage for illusionary magic. Both similar titles and yet totally different needs. These are the small details we pay attention to for our kids. Each one of them is precious and unique! None of them are least important because they all need our time. It’s why we so desperately needed a new counselor.” He admitted.
David pulled out his phone and casually began scrolling through the pictures he took of all the kids playing together, “This is what we need to remember. Adults can always make the best of things because we have more life experiences, but kids need a little help in that department. Their minds are being shaped and we have to love and cherish each one so that they turn out the best they can be. Even if they don’t have a good home life, they can always think of the things we taught them. And some of them… don’t have a great home life and learned the harshest life lessons far too early…” said the man, voice wavering into thoughtful sadness as he paused on a picture of a boy with poofy black hair and green eyes.
Sunset drank it all in as she was led along by David. The camp it’s was… something to be desired. Old wooden boards and shelves were everywhere, and every station looked like it would fall apart with the slightest touch. But still she trekked on, only slightly grimacing.
“Oh, nice. I’m actually a bit of a magician myself, and a couple of… old friends of mine taught me D&D, so I’m pretty versed in that too.” She said with a small smile.
But when David pulled out his phone and stopped, she had almost run into him. With a chuckle and the faintest hint of a blush, she wiped herself off, going to apologize, but soon noticed he was starting at a picture in his hands. “Um, David… you ok?”
TheWanderingSunset2 