We spend the late afternoon getting things in order for our trip home. The guys come over and coat the roof with some weird rubberized RV roof treatment that will hopefully help Waldo make it home with few leaks. They also give us some stuff that will help us remove leak stains inside. Beverly manages to get Waldo scheduled to have his air-conditioning looked at the next day, and she tells us the window and screen we ordered are now at the shop and ready to be installed, so we plan to stay over one more day with Beverly and have the RV fixed before we go.
By the time we gather at the fire pit, Beverly pulls out all the stops, insisting that everyone indulge in s’mores. She unpacks bags of marshmallows, graham crackers, and candy bars. Millie passes around the photographs she’s taken of our trip up to now, only freaking out slightly when someone forgets to hold them by the edges or mixes them out of order.
When they come my way, I manage to slip in her pajama picture with the rest. Hey, it’s too good not to share.
As people start to snicker, Millie gets suspicious. Her gaze locks with mine, and understanding dawns. She dashes over to Eric, who is laughing and pointing at a picture. Upon seeing the photo, she snatches it from his hand.
“That’s not funny, DeDe,” she says, ripping it to tiny shreds and tossing the pieces into the fire.
“Oh, come on, Millie, it’s a great shot—well, all except for your swinging arms got in the way.”
The others laugh out loud, and despite herself Millie finally grins and laughs along.
The guys bring their instruments—though they wisely encourage Millie to leave her horn behind—and we enjoy more singing around the campfire. Millie snaps more pictures, and finally the instruments are laid to rest and our time together winds down.
“Though it’s hard for everyone to go home, I’m sure you all will be glad to get back to your regular routines,” Beverly says.
“I admit I’ve missed playing my nightly game of basketball.” Eric takes on an all-American jock look here.
“You should have told me—I would have taken you on,” Steve teases.
“And where would we do that?” Eric wants to know.
Steve looks around. “Oh, I don’t know. Right when you come in, just past the office, there’s an open space. Sure would have been nice to have a cement slab there.” At this he stops, his eyes grow wide, and I can almost see a “think bubble” pop over his head.
“What?” Eric asks.
“That’s what’s missing.”
Beverly scratches her head.
“Sports!” Steve practically comes out of his seat. “What if we make this place into a sports-mountain-adventure-type place? You know, with basketball—”
“Yeah, and football—”
“Soccer—”
“Lacrosse—”
“Waterskiing—”
“Batting cages—”
The guys toss out one idea after another, while the women sit openmouthed.
“Excuse me, I hate to rain on your parade, but are we forgetting something?” Millie cuts in.
Steve looks at her. “What?”
“Money. We need money to prepare a football and soccer field. We need money for tennis and volleyball courts, sports equipment, batting cages. We need money to buy the campground. Those things don’t just magically appear.”
“I know.” Steve rubs his jaw.
“We could form a corporation,” Millie says matter-of-factly.
“What did you say?” Steve looks at her as though she’s announced a major rise in the stock market.
“I said we could form a corporation.”
Steve smacks his hands together. “That it!” He scoots to the edge of his hay bale. “We all want to see this place survive, right?”
We nod.
“Millie’s right. We could form a corporation. Those of us who want to participate could be shareholders. We could share in the cost according to our capabilities and go from there. I’d be willing to handle the lion’s share of the investment, if need be. I totally believe in this sports concept, and I think it would be an awesome way to draw kids in to hear the gospel message.”
“You know, I’ve been wanting to get involved in something that could make a difference. I mean, all my life I’ve been living for myself. This would be contributing to the future,” Eric says.
It’s really cool to see Eric getting focused on something other than his hair. Besides, that will soon be gone, and then what will he have?
“Dude, I feel the same way,” one Biker Boy says. “It’s like you hit forty, man, and you start asking yourself, what am I doin’ here? Will anybody even care when I’m gone?”
“Right, that’s it,” Millie joins in. “I mean, you work and work, and where does it get you? Who cares that I’ve cataloged thousands of books in my lifetime? No one. But if I could contribute toward a camp that would change the future of a kid’s life, well, then it’s all worthwhile.”
One comment after another shoots through the night air, hope sparking everyone to life. We’ll let other alumni know and see if they want to help in the cause. The quiet biker, Yosemite Sam, pipes up and tells us that he’s an attorney. I almost fall off my hay bale. He talks to us about the ins and outs of incorporating, and before the evening is over, we’ve elected a president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer and made up our minds to make an offer on the camp.
Later when we’re back dressing for bed, the three of us are so excited, we can hardly sleep.
Lydia’s hair is wrapped in a white terry towel, and she’s sitting cross-legged, pretzel-style, on her bed. “Who would have thought things could turn around like this?” She unscrews the lid of her cold-cream jar, dips her fingers inside, and starts applying the cream to her face and neck. “It’s just wonderful. I love the idea of contributing to such a worthy venture, playing a small part in helping kids.”
“I know, me too,” I say, shrugging on my pajamas. “I just hope my business survives our move and things work out so that I’m able to continue helping.”
Millie grabs her things in the other room and goes to the bathroom without saying a word. Lydia and I exchange a glance.
“Wonder what’s wrong with her,” Lydia whispers.
“I don’t know. She seemed excited out at the campfire.”
Lydia nods.
“I’m going to make some popcorn—you want some?”
“Sure,” Lydia says.
Grabbing a bag of popcorn out of the cupboard, I place it in the microwave. Next, Lydia joins me in gathering ice cubes from the freezer, and we plunk them into glasses for iced tea. Soon Millie joins us, and we settle at the table over bowls of popcorn.
“You all right, Millie?” I venture.
“Yeah. Just thinking about the library and all that I have to go back to. I’m not even sure I want to go back anymore.”
“What are you saying, Millie?” Lydia asks incredulously.
“I’m saying this trip has made me see I’m ready for a change.” She looks at our wide eyes. “Yes, Ms. Stability, Millie Carter, is ready for a change. I’d say it’s about time after, what, thirty-five years? Same old job, same old life, day after day, night after night. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying being a librarian is boring. It’s been a great job for me, and I’ve loved it, but now I’m ready for a change.”
“But what will you do?” Lydia asks like a fretful mother.
“I don’t know, but something different.”
“You’re not doing something different just to escape the computers, are you, Millie? Because computers are everywhere these days,” I say.
“No, that’s not it. I just want to think about what I really want to do and go for it. If I don’t go after my dream now, it will never happen. I don’t want to end up on my deathbed with regrets for the missed opportunities.”
I nod. “That’s easy enough to understand,” I say, thinking about Steve and wondering where our friendship will lead.
“I don’t want regrets either,” Lydia admits. “While I was in the woods, I asked God to take care of my boys, and then I thought of all the things I wished I’d done but instead let my fears keep me from experiencing them.”
“Such as?” I probe.
“Traveling, for one thing. Deep down inside, I love to travel, but my fears have held me steadfast at home. Don’t get me wrong, I love to be home, but now that everyone is gone? Well, it’s just not the same. I’m not ready to roll over and die.”
“That’s right. My goodness, we talk as if we have only a few years left in us. Who knows what we’ve got? Why, there’s a lady who comes into the library who is eighty-seven years old, and do you know what she did?” Millie asks.
We shake our heads.
“Just before I left for this trip, she came into the library to show me her new braces.”
“On her teeth?” I ask with disbelief.
“That’s right.”
“Unbelievable,” Lydia says.
“It’s the truth. She said she’d always wanted to have straight teeth, and she decided if she didn’t do it now, she’d die with crooked teeth.” Millie laughs.
“Good grief, I’d be happy just to have my own teeth at eighty-seven.” Chewing on my popcorn, I’m thankful to have teeth.
We giggle together.
Just then my cell phone rings. “It’s Rob,” I say, looking at Millie and Lydia. I click on the phone. “Hello?”
“DeDe, please talk to me,” I hear Rob plead.
“Rob, the only thing I have to say to you is that I want you to leave me alone. I’ve prayed about everything and finally got my life straightened out. I would advise you to do the same. Now please don’t ever call me again.”
“But we were so good together. Are you sure that’s the way you want it?” he asks.
“It’s exactly the way I want it.”
“Okay, I get the picture. I’ll miss you, precious. Bye.”
I click off and look at the worried expressions on Millie’s and Lydia’s faces. “Don’t worry. It’s okay. I’ve never felt better about anything in my life,” I say with a wide grin.
Only then do Millie and Lydia dare to breathe and talk excitedly about what the future may bring for us all.
“Funny how this trip has changed some things for us,” I say after we settle down.
“Isn’t it, though? It will be interesting to see where we all end up,” Millie says.
“Only God knows,” I say. “Only God knows.”
Morning sunlight sprays across the forest leaves as we gather around the fire pit one last time to say good-bye. Millie clicks away on her camera, catching our candid shots, our smiles, our tears, our hugs. She steps aside when Eric approaches Lydia.
“It’s been great to see you again, Lydia.” Genuine sincerity covers his face. It’s easy to see Eric had hoped for more than friendship from Lydia, but it’s just not there for her. Still, he seems happy to be friends.
“You too, Eric. And believe it or not, I actually enjoyed those jaunts on your bike,” she says with a laugh.
“You’re more of a traveler than you think. You ought to consider the RVer’s life. You just might enjoy yourself.” Eric winks and gives her a hug. “Take care of yourself, okay?”
“Okay.”
“And let’s stay in touch. One can never have too many friends.”
“You’re right, Eric. Thanks for everything.”
Beverly walks over to us. “So what are you going to do now that the camp is closing?” Millie asks.
“I’m not really sure. I’d like to travel, but, well, I’m not really keen on doing it alone,” Beverly says.
“Sounds like someone else I know,” I say. We all look at Lydia and laugh.
She smiles, then her face grows serious. Suddenly her eyes grow as wide as walnuts. “Beverly, what would you think about traveling with me?”
“What?”
We all look at Lydia as though she’s lost her marbles.
“What’s to stop us from traveling together? We can try it out, see how it goes. If it doesn’t work out or we prefer to go back to our homes, no big deal. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”
“Call the police. An alien life-form took over Lydia’s body while she was in the woods,” I say.
Lydia smiles. “Well, why not? You guys are always telling me I shouldn’t let my fears run my life. My family is gone; there is no better time to see a little bit of the country.”
“Now you’re talking,” Millie says.
“That’s a great idea,” I agree.
We all turn to Beverly. “I would love it! I don’t have to work for the money. I have enough to get by, but I want to keep busy.” She claps her hands.
Before I hear any more of their plans, Steve approaches me and leads me a few paces away.
“Will you come with me for a minute?” he asks.
“Sure.”
The excited chatter of our friends fades to mere murmurs as Steve leads me away from the crowd to a secluded spot beneath a canopy of pines.
He faces me, taking my hands in his. “I know we’ve just gotten reacquainted, and we’re merely friends, but I’m looking forward to whatever the Lord has in store for both of us, DeDe.”
Heat climbs my face, and I wonder if I’m going to have another hot flash.
“It’s no accident that we met up again. Who knows where it might take us?” He holds up his hand. “But no pressure, I promise.”
“I’m glad we had this time to get together too,” I say, meaning it.
His eyes hold mine. “I’ll miss you.”
His words, the look on his face, his eyes, stir an emotion inside me that I had thought forever gone. “I’ll miss you too.”
He steps closer. His eyes search mine with such intensity, my knees start to buckle. Before I have a chance to fall, his arms reach around me and gently pull me to him. With his gaze fixed on mine, he lowers his head toward me until his lips touch mine with a sweetness that I’ve never known before.
By the time we pull apart, I feel as dazed as a seventeen-year-old after prom. Steve holds me in an embrace, and I surrender to the warmth of his strong arms around me. I think of Lydia’s and Greg’s initials carved on the camp entrance logs. This camp changed their lives, their future. Maybe it’s doing the same for me.
It’s obvious we don’t want to say good-bye. Our little group lingers, no one wanting to be the first to leave. We still have a few hours before we take Waldo in for repair, so we continue to visit, hug, and laugh with the others.
Steve walks over to Millie, who is standing beside me. “You know, Millie, the guys and I were talking. This may be a little premature, but if we pull off buying this place, we’re going to need someone to help us run it. They’ll have to employ counselors, workers; there will be all kinds of things to do.”
“That’s true. We have a little time before we have to worry about that. We can put an ad in the paper or something.” Millie’s professional voice takes over.
Steve seems to consider this. “Still, it would be great if we could put someone in charge we have complete confidence in.”
“Yes, it would,” she agreed.
I’m wondering where he’s going with this until I see the amusement in his eyes.
“You have anyone in mind?” Millie is completely clueless.
“Well, the boys and I talked it over, and what with Beverly deciding to travel, we thought you would be the perfect fit.”
Millie’s jaw drops like the mouth of a nutcracker.
Steve holds up his hand. “Now, I know you’ve been at your job for years, and you probably don’t want to give it up. I’m just asking that you think about it. I’ll call you, and we can talk further if the sale goes through.”
“Will you have computers?”
I purse my lips to hold back a giggle.
Steve fingers his jawline. “Probably.”
Millie grimaces.
“But since you’d have a small office, they wouldn’t be all that hard to learn,” he says. Millie looks away a minute, and Steve winks at me. “Well, I’ll be in touch.” He pats her arm and walks away.
We lock eyes.
“What do you make of that?” Millie asks.
I smile. “This could be the very thing for you, Millie.”
She scans the area, seeming to take in every inch of the place. A look of excitement replaces the concern on her face. “You know, you’re right.” A grin lights up her face. “It could very well be just the thing.”
Lydia walks up to join us. “So are you and Beverly going to become world travelers?” I ask.
“We are! Can you believe it? I’m going home, get things ready for travel, and she’s going to fly to my place after we get the corporation set up and she ties up the loose ends.” Lydia flicks a pine needle from her shoulder. “We’re going to try it for a month or two and see how it goes.”
“Any idea where you’re headed?” I ask.
“We’re going to think about it and discuss it once we get together.”
“When the weather turns cold, you could always come to Florida for a visit,” I say, flashing a grin.
Lydia brightens. “We just might take you up on that.”
We continue making the rounds, hugging others, saying our good-byes, until one by one we reluctantly head toward our vehicles to leave.
Steve comes over to me once more. “Hey, keep me posted on your business, okay?”
“Sure,” I say. “Thanks for your help on that.”
He grabs my hand, giving it a lingering squeeze. “I’ll be in touch.”
I squeeze back. “I’ll look forward to it.” One glance at Lydia and Millie, and embarrassment warms my cheeks.
“You girls stay out of trouble,” he says to Lydia and Millie.
“You’re barking up the wrong tree,” Millie says, pointing to me.
His eyebrows rise. “Oh, that’s right. Stay out of jail, DeDe.” He winks and grins.
“No promises.”
“No promises?” he asks as if there’s a double meaning. His eyes hold mine, and my pulse stumbles.
“Hey, we’re over here. I believe you were saying good-bye to us,” Millie says with an ornery glint in her eyes.
Lydia tries to hide her grin behind her hand. Now Steve turns red, and we all laugh.
A shy grin lights Steve’s face. “Talk to you soon, Dee.” He turns and walks away.
Lydia, Millie, and I make our way back to Waldo.
“Hmm, that little exchange was interesting. Do I detect a bit of romance in the air?” Millie asks.
“Maybe.” A smile touches my lips, and my feet feel so light, I think I’m floating.
“This from the girl who insisted she would never love again?” Millie pushes.
“I’m surprised too. Like I said, this trip has changed me in more ways than one.” I look at Lydia and Millie. “In fact, I think it’s changed all of us.”
Lydia nods. “So true. My little jaunt into the woods got my attention in a real way. The entire trip, I’ve been rethinking some things, but my time in the woods just made me all the more determined to make some changes.”
I pick up a stray cup from the picnic table at our campsite and throw it in the trash. “How about you, Millie?”
“Well, I’ve rethought some things. Made a lot of mistakes with Bruce. I’m not in the market for another husband, but I realize if I’m going to enjoy anything in this life, I need to do my part to make it happen.”
“Like maybe considering the new job that might open here at the camp?” Lydia asks.
“Right. I’m going to go back to the library and throw myself into the new computer system, but if we all buy the camp and a position materializes, I’m very open to it. In other words, I’m not running from the library job and the computer stuff. I’m just allowing myself the freedom to change if my dreams take me there.”
“Okay, who are you and what have you done with Millie?” I tease.
A chuckle escapes her. “You know, I was just thinking the same thing.”
My thoughts turn serious. “I’ll be praying for you, Millie.” I squeeze her hand.
A look of appreciation shines on her face. “Thanks.”
“Well, it’s just about time to take Waldo in for repair. Beverly will pick us up from the shop in a few minutes so we don’t have to stay there,” Lydia says, opening Waldo’s door. We step inside.
“So where we going next year?” Millie asks. The shock on Lydia’s face matches my fear. “I think we should go on a trip together every year, don’t you?”
A smile tugs at the corners of Lydia’s lips and spreads into a full-scale grin. “And why not?”
“In Waldo?” I can’t believe I’m actually calling him that. Please say no.
Millie brightens. “I was thinking something a little different next time.”
“Why is it I have this sinking feeling that I don’t want to hear this?”
Millie waves her hand. “Oh, DeDe, you’ll get used to the idea.”
Uh-huh, that’s what they said this time.
Millie leans in, eyes sparkling. “I was thinking a houseboat.”
I gasp.
She steps back and looks at us as though she’s just announced the answer to world peace. Trust me on this one. The three of us on a houseboat does not spell world peace.
“You, Lydia, me—us in a houseboat, away from civilization, traveling down some forgotten waterway, in the heart of a thick jungle. Haven’t you ever seen Anaconda?”
Millie gives me a hard stare. “I was thinking more along the lines of a nice, peaceful river.”
“Leave it with Huckleberry Finn,” I say.
“I think it’s a great idea,” Lydia says. “And if Beverly is still traveling with me, she could join us.”
“Right,” Millie says with a snap of her head. The two of them walk down the hall, and I watch after them, wondering what in the world my future will hold.
If I’ve learned anything on this trip, it’s that every day is a journey. And one thing I know for sure, the journey is easier when traveling with friends—well, most of the time.
Still, if I have my way about it, I’ll be spending my next vacation at a spa. And call me spoiled, but I have every intention of getting there in less than one day in the comfort of an airplane.