Chapter 7

Kenny stripped off his clothes down to his boxer-briefs and grabbed his toiletries. Chad, having changed into his matching pajama shirt and pants, slipped on his slippers.

"You going to the bathrooms?" He asked.

"Yeah." Kenny answered.

"I'll come too."

Chad and Kenny marched down the dirt path toward the bathrooms in the dark. The girls were in bed already, so they didn't worry about them seeing Kenny in his underwear. Chad figured he wouldn't have cared anyway. Kenny was never really shy.

"I'm glad you got the job." Chad started.

Kenny looked at him puzzled. "Why's that? I thought you wanted it."

"I did. But I didn't get it." Chad shrugged. "I'm just glad you got it and not someone else."

"Thanks." Kenny placed his arm around Chad and pulled him in tight as they walked. Chad became immediately uncomfortable, but at the same time, liked it. It felt like something was sparking between them. A real friendship. For years they had just been good acquaintances on the verge of being friends. Maybe now they were friends. "I was so glad when you told me you'd be here early. Of all the counselors, I know you the best."

"Same." Chad smiled awkwardly as his head was pressed against the side of Kenny's chest. "So what's up with that Adam guy?"

Kenny looked down at Chad and shrugged. "Don't know. Why?"

"I don't know. He just seems like some wannabe tough-guy. It's laughable, really." Chad looked down at the ground while forcing out a mocking laugh. He was never a very brave guy and knew it, but that didn't always make it easy to admit in front of others. But for some reason, this moment felt like a bonding moment, like he could share anything with Kenny. "He's a pretty big guy, and seems so... I don't know. Maybe dangerous? I don't see why the camp would hire him. He's probably got a criminal record."

"You think he's dangerous?" Kenny asked through confused eyes.

"Well, the leather jacket. The torn jeans. Plus, I noticed a large pocket knife in his back pocket earlier." Chad tried to puff up his chest. "I'm just worried about the girls. Y'never know what someone like him is going to do."

"Well, I agree that he is different than the typical counselors, but this year's a weird one. We've got most the returning ones, but we have Adam, the new stranger. But we also have Deborah. Like, who woulda' thought she'd ever be here?"

"Not I." Chad admitted.

"Plus, we have A.J." Kenny laughed lightly. "I'd never have guessed that she'd ever step foot in a camp."

"True, but they both seem harmless."

"Don't worry, dude." Kenny said, giving Chad's shoulder an affectionate squeeze. "I won't let anything happen to you this week. You're perfectly safe with me."

"Thanks, but I'm not really worried. I just don't think a criminal should be working here. Especially carrying around a knife." Chad said haughtily, but then got a bit more real. "Don't tell anyone about this conversation, okay?"

"Afraid your fearless reputation will be harmed?" Kenny laughed.

Chad laughed too. "Just don't, please?"

"Promise. Not a word."

Together, they brushed their teeth, peed, and headed back to the cabin. Once they had crept into the cabin, everyone was in bed except Adam. "Lights off?" Kenny asked.

The guys all gave mumbled affirmation. With that, Kenny turned the lights off. "Good night, guys."

As he approached his bed, Adam, who was still wearing his jeans and jacket, but had removed his wife-beater under the jacket, grabbed Kenny by the arm. "Can we talk?"

"Sure." Kenny said, nodding a good-night to Chad. "What's up?"

"Outside?"

Kenny nodded. "Sure." They both stepped outside and sat on the elevated porch that only the counselor cabins had. "What's up? Is everything okay?"

Adam sighed. "Yeah." He answered hesitantly. "Sorry. I'm not usually like this."

"It's cool." Kenny assured him. "You can talk to me about anything. That's my job." Kenny smiled. "Even if it wasn't, you could talk to me."

"Right." Adam said. "Anyway, it's about another counselor."

"Someone have drugs or something?"

"No, it's nothing like that." Adam shook his head. "It's that girl with glasses."

"About this tall?" Kenny said, placing his hand just shy of the five-foot mark, several inches below the bottom of his chest. "Wears a sweater?"

"Yeah, Deborah."

"Deborah Kim." Kenny said. "I go to school with her. Well, I did, but I graduated this year."

"What's she like?" Adam asked. "I had a nice talk with her today and she seems really nice."

"She is really nice. Shy, though. Likes to keep to herself." Silence fell for a few seconds. "To be honest, I couldn't believe it when I saw her name on the registration form. And I couldn't believe it even more when I saw her walking into camp."

"She's not a regular here?"

"Hell, no!" Kenny laughed quietly. "She's more into reading and sitting inside with some quiet music on."

"What kind of music?"

Kenny shrugged. "Sorry, I'm not that close to her. I know I've heard her humming Sweet Dreams. So, maybe the Eurythmics?"

"Okay." Adam nodded. "Could be worse."

"Why?" Kenny asked. "Something bothering you about her?"

"No. Actually, I think she's kinda' hot. But I wanted to get another guy's opinion. Y'know? Just to make sure she's not crazy or something. She looks kinda' nerdy, but in a sexy way."

"Especially with that red lipstick, huh?" Kenny smiled.

"Exactly. But, y'know, nerds are usually, well..." He leaned in and whispered to Kenny. "More like J.R." He gestured back toward the cabin. "I just wanted to make sure she's not creepy and greasy like him.

"Gotcha." Kenny snickered. "I don't think she is. She doesn't always have the nicest clothes like Tiffany or Jenny, but she's grounded in reality. She's a pretty real girl."

"That's good to hear."

"But, hey." Kenny said straightening up. "No romance during camp week. Save it for after. Seriously. If I catch you romancing anyone, I have to fire you. It's in my contract."

Adam placed his hands in the air. "You'll see nothing more from me than talking and laughing."

"That better be the case." Kenny smiled.

"Thanks, man." Adam stood up. "Let's head to bed." Adam headed in without waiting. Kenny rested on the porch and looked out to Crystal Lake. The moon shimmered across the rippling waters. He loved camp. Nothing could ruin another wonderful year at Camp Crystal Lake.