Monday Recap
Oliver believed the first full day at camp had been as successful as he could have hoped. In the morning, Green had pretty much fallen under the control of Ace, that boy was the oldest in the cabin and had a habit of pressuring others to do things his way. Oliver had gone along with it because the others had gone along with it, and it was better to fit in than complain.
They had played a pickup game of baseball against Blue, Ace deciding the positions and lineup, and had won the close contest. Oliver had played third and fielded well, and had gotten one hit. Two of the guys, Tino and Jase, had even said he was robbed of a second hit by an especially good defensive play.
After lunch, Chris, the green cabin's counsellor, had taken them to the lake, and they spent several hours in the canoes, Oliver relearning how to control the watercraft. Swimming followed boating as Green took to the pool in the late afternoon.
After dinner they just hung out in smallish groups. Oliver found himself with Tino and Jase. And Ace, who had them checking out all the girls in camp. And making fairly rude comments. The older boy was already looking for a girl to give his give his wristband, and left no doubt as to what he wanted from her, whoever she happened to be. Oliver had stifled the urge to comment when Ace had made a rude crack about Lilly, who had walked by near enough to be noticed. It was better to fit in than complain. This was a good day, Oliver was part of the group.
Tuesday
The second full day at camp had been less kind to Oliver. The baseball tournament had begun, and Green again faced Blue, this time in an official game. It was again close, but Blue had won. And Oliver had committed the game's only error, a ground ball getting past him, allowing a run to score in what ended as a one run game. Tino and Jase were ok with it, everyone makes mistakes sometimes, but Ace was ticked off.
After lunch, Green had gone on a bike hike, riding through the woods on mountain bikes. The afternoon ended with Green playing Red in the basketball tournament. Oliver had started the game, but worried as he was about errors, had quickly proven to be too hesitant in attempting baskets. The Red players had noticed, and could defend better against against the rest of the Greens, as he was no threat. Chris, as counsellor their official coach, had eventually benched Oliver for Tino. While no better than Oliver, Tino did not hesitate to shoot at any opportunity. Green had won, but clearly no thanks to Oliver, and the boy felt his inclusion in the group slipping away.
Wednesday
This day was proving to be even more trying than tuesday. The morning's basketball game against Blue had seen Oliver not leave the bench at all, and in the after lunch baseball game against Yellow he had found himself banished to left field although he kept his position in the batting lineup. Both games were lost, and Ace seemed to want the cabin to believe Oliver more responsible for the situation than any other teammate.
Oliver begged off the late afternoon group activity and went alone for a walk in the woods, finishing up with a walk around the camp buildings. There he saw Lilly in the mid-distance. He hoped she was having fun at camp, but didn't change direction to go and actually ask. Dinnertime was approaching, and he headed back to Green.