Chapter 10
It takes a lot to know what is love
It's not the big things, but the little things
That can mean enough
The Perfect Fan
"There is no way in heck you're getting me in that flimsy excuse for a boat", said Angela, with her arms crossed.
"Where did you guys get this anyway?" I asked.
"It was my parents' neighbors', they were kind enough to lend it to us" Nick answered.
"Lemme guess, this was used in World War II?" remarked Sam.
"C'mon you guys, we all can swim, can't we?" Howie said as he got into the board.
"Actually", said Angela," I can't"
Nick stifled a laugh.
Her eyes grew angry, "I grew up in Arizona, ok, there was no water in sight"
"Just get in the boat, Angela, you have a life vest, you'll float" said Howie, good-naturedly.
"Ok, but if I go down, I'm taking you down with me." she replied as she gingerly stepped into the boat. It rocked as she got in and she lost her balance. Nick, who was already sitting down, caught her, before she fell in the water. She muttered thanks and sat down in the corner of the boat.
We all got in after her, and we rowed to the campsite.
After getting out of the boat, we hiked up the mountain, to the campsite.
We walked for three hours, and we still didn't find the trail that was supposed to be marked for campers.
Angela stopped and bent over to stretch her legs.
"What's going on, you guys?" asked Sam, "Is this hiking supposed to be taking this long."
"You know that tree looks awfully familiar." I said.
"I think we've been here before" observed Howie.
Sam looked upset, "You mean, we've been walking around in circles?"
Kevin consulted his map, "Well, according to the map, we should have been there an hour ago."
"Give me that!" Sam snatched the map Kevin was holding.
"Wait a minute, " she said, "This map's for trail B. We're going to trail A. I can't believe you!" She threw the map back at Kevin.
"It's not his fault, Sam" I told her, "The ranger handed us the wrong map."
Angela asked, "What are we gonna do now?"
Howie set his bags down, "I say we just camp out right here. We're near a stream, and this place looks safe enough."
"Safe enough?" Sam asked.
"You know, bears and stuff."
"Oh man, this not how I pictured camping" she put her head in her hands.
I was determined not to make this trip a complete failure. I clapped my hands together, "C'mon you guys, this place is as good as any. We'll still have fun."
Sam raised her head and gave me a threatening look.
"Yeah" agreed Nick, "Besides, my feet can't stand anymore walking.
The other guys just sighed and helped set up.
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"Finally!" me, Sam and Angela cried as our tent stood up on its own. After painfully trying for an hour, it didn't fall down as we let it go.
"I'm going in" Angela grabbed her things and moved into the tent. Sam came in after her.
"Night guys" I called to the boys and went in.
The night was quiet and it was a little windy.
"Cathy?" asked a voice in the dark.
"Yeah, Angela?"
"What's that shadow behind you?"
I turned around, "It looks like a huge hand..."
"Ohmigosh, is it an animal or something?"
Sam got up and rubbed her eyes, "Looks like a tree branch to me."
Suddenly, the wind blew and the branch started shaking. Angela pulled me out of the way as the branch came crashing down our tent."
"Oh no" we said out loud. There was a gaping hole in the canvas, and we could see outside.
"What's going on?" asked Kevin as he peeked out their tent. We waved to him through our new window.
"Whoa", he said, "You guys are in trouble now" Nick and Howie also got up to see what all the fuss was about.
"That's why I offered to put your tent up for you. But no, you girls have to put it up yourselves, and right next to an old tree too" said Nick, laughing.
"You guys could sleep here tonight, if you'd like", offered Howie.
"But that's made for only four people." I objected.
"So, it would be a tight fit, who cares?" said Sam and she and Angela got up, collected their things and moved into the adjoining tent. I hesitantly followed them.
"Here, Angela" said Howie as he patted the space beside him. Angela giggled and laid out her sleeping bag next to his.
Sam stretched out her sleeping bag between Nick and Kevin, who was at the edge.
I sighed and laid mine between Nick and Angela.
"Night everyone" called out Kevin as he turned out the lamp.
The night was calm and quiet. Until, that is, it started. Howie fell asleep and started snoring.
