Blazing Lion-heart
Troy stepped outside. He had asked if he could be excused. Inside some of the kids were working on an assignment Ms. Enrile had given to them. They were all asked to write a letter back home to their parents or a loved one telling them about their experience at camp thus far. He sat there thinking for longest of someone he could write too. He thought about writing Sensei Park, or Mr. Mitchell but for some strange reason Troy couldn't get his thoughts together enough to articulate a letter. He had watched many of his peers happily away penning about their experiences at the camp.
The longer Troy sat there the more he felt a longing for his parents wishing he that he could a letter to them telling them about all the good times and adventures at camp. But the longer he sat there thinking about it the sadder it made him feel. Troy wiped away the slight moisture gathering at the base of his eyes. He stepped away from the cabin. With nowhere in particular to go Troy lowered his head letting his feet glide him along one of the pathways...
Troy wondered about through the forests trying to focus his thoughts on something anything other than his deceased parents. He continued striding down the pathway not bothering to pay attention where he was going...
He came to the end of a path. Troy looked around, realizing that he didn't know where he was. He sucked in a long deep breath trying keep himself calm. He tried remembering what Ms. Enrile had taught them to do if they had every got lost in the forests. Troy thought maybe if he retraced his steps he could find his way back to the camp grounds...
He stopped, the area looked familiar to him then it hit Troy that he had made a complete circle and was back in the same place where he started. He clutched his belly feeling the panic rising in of it. Troy was lost and he didn't know what to do. He let out a long sigh wishing he had that whistle Mr. Delgado had given them. He looked over into the skies. From the sun's position he gathered it was probably mid-afternoon by now. Troy leaned against one of the trees trying to hold back the tears. He started scolding himself for his stupidity if he wasn't too busy feeling sorry for himself then he wouldn't have wondered off on his own knowing full and well that he wasn't ready to venture out into the woods alone.
A rustling sound near Troy stirred him from his troubling thoughts. He looked around and saw nothing. Troy wondered if maybe the sound had come from one of the animals roaming about.
"Is someone there?!" He called out feeling his heart racing inside his chest
There was no answer. He heard more of that rustling noise. He felt his body tighten up; Troy had never felt some much fear before. He saw what appeared like a shadow of a man behind some bushes.
Is something or someone is coming to get me?!
What do I do?
"Young man?" a tall man, stout man with long dark hair called.
Troy watched him step out of the shadow of the some bushes. "Are you lost?"
Troy swallowed hard staring at the man, not sure if he should answer the stranger. He wasn't sure who he was, he wasn't dressed in camp gear so he was sure that the stranger wasn't one of the counselors.
He smiled leaning in closer to Troy. "You must be one of the kids from the camp?"
Troy remained mute watching the man's every move.
He chuckled. "My name is Cole Evans…I'm a park ranger."
Troy remained still not sure if he could believe the stranger. He must have read the fear on Troy's expression, as he held out his badge that contained both his name and occupation. After a few moments of awkward silence Cole stepped away from Troy.
"Young man if you're not lost then I'll be on my way…"
"No…wait…" Troy called finally able to find his voice. "I'm…lost…could you please help me find my way back to camp?" he said getting over his fright.
Cole chuckled stepping back over to Troy...
"Troy?!"
He looked up and saw Ms. Enrile. She ran over wrapping her arms around him.
"Where have you been?!"
She pulled away peering at him. Troy could see the worry in her eyes.
"Danny and I have looked everywhere for you," she shrilled.
"Ms. Enrile…I'm so sorry…" Troy stammered, "I kind of got lost in the woods…"
"How did you find your way back?"
Troy pointed over to the Cole Evans.
Alyssa let out a long sigh, "Cole…I can't thank you enough!"
Cole chuckled, "It's not a big deal...just doing my job," he said brushing off his deed.
"Where is Danny by the way?"
"He went out looking for Troy…" she said glancing back at him.
Troy lowered his head turning his attention to the ground.
"Cole since you are down here, why don't you join us for dinner?"
"Sure," he said with shrug.
"Great…dinner will be ready in an hour."
"I have some work to finish up…meet you back here."
"Okay…see you soon."
Troy watched Cole till he disappeared into the forests.
He turned his attention back over to Alyssa. "I'm really sorry…for all the trouble I caused…"
Alyssa sighed, "Troy…it's okay just don't do that again…you literally scared me to death…I thought something had happened to you!"
"Ms. Enrile you know that guy?"
She nodded. "Yeah…Cole is one of my really good friends. He's a park ranger. As a ranger his job is educating people on how to preserve nature and the environment. Cole also helps manage the preservation of all the forests and wildlife around the this area."
Troy nodded, "I see."
"Hey…you go and get ready for dinner while I go find Danny to let him know you made it back here safe."
"Okay," Troy said as he made his way back over to his cabin...
Troy sat down on his bed wrapping his head in his hands. He sighed. He couldn't believe all the trouble he had caused for both Ms. Enrile and Mr. Delgado. If he hadn't allowed his emotions get the better of him then he wouldn't have blindly ventured out into the woods getting himself lost. Troy supposed if there was any solace to the situation was being saved by the tall, unassuming stranger named Cole Evans.
He had led Troy back safely to the campgrounds. Although they didn't make much conversation during the trek back to the grounds he really didn't know what to say but there wasn't the usual awkwardness he felt around people he didn't know. Troy wasn't sure what it was but he felt completely at ease with Cole. He found this very strange and unlike himself. Usually Troy defenses were up with everyone but for some reason once he gotten over the fright he felt safe if that was the right word to use. That was not a feeling Troy felt with someone in a very long time and that scared him. He didn't understand how a complete stranger could make him feel something he hadn't felt since leaving his grandmother's care.
Settling in on those thoughts Troy lied back against his bed staring out of the window...
"Troy…it was really nice meeting you today." Cole extended out a hand.
"It was nice meeting you too Mr. Evans," Troy said gripping his hand.
"You take care young man and have a good night."
"Thanks."
Cole smiled turning away. Troy watched him till he disappeared down the dimly lit pathway that led into the woods.
"Time for bed kiddo," Mr. Delgado said wrapping an arm around Troy...
Troy flopped himself against his bed, with long yawn escaping his throat. He was tired and glad that the day was wrapping up. Dinner was the same expect for added presence of Cole Evans. He had joined both Ms. Enrile and Mr. Delgado at their table that evening. He seemed very comfortable and at ease with the both of them as Troy had taken notice of all the laughter and chatter the trio shared among each other. He sighed; thinking about them got Troy thinking about some of the good times he shared with his friends.
"Guys time for bed…" Mr. Delgado said shutting off the lights.
Troy heard some of the boys still scattering about inside the cabin. Troy turned over on his side shutting his eyes as a wave of sleepiness washed over him. He felt himself slowly drifting off into a peaceful slumber...
As the days turned into weeks Troy really didn't see Cole all that much and if he did he was only passing through or stopping by to chat with either Alyssa or Danny or both of them. Cole did occasionally join him them for dinner at the mess hall. He and Cole did make small talk now and then. Whenever they did chat Cole often would talk about the forests and nature and the different animals that lived out in the woods near the campgrounds. Sometimes Troy didn't understand some of the things Cole talked about nonetheless; he still enjoyed the times he had gotten to chat with him. Cole was someone Troy truly enjoyed listening too and chatting with.
He enjoyed their chats because not only did he feel at ease with him but he enjoyed how passionate Cole was especially when he talked about the preserving the environment and nature. Troy felt the same way about martial arts it became the one and only steady thing in his life that bought him both joy and happiness.
It was one thing listening to Cole passion for the cause but Troy finally gotten to experience it first-hand during another hiking trip into the woods...
"I see you're all ready to go?"
Troy sighed turning to Danny.
"Troy…lighten up it's going to be fun," he said wrapping an arm around his small shoulders.
Troy managed to crack a small smile turning his attention over to some of the boys wrestling and tussling in front of their cabin.
"Danny?!"
"Alyssa!" she called heading over with a group of girls in tow.
"You guys all packed and ready to head out?"
Danny glanced around, "Yeah…I think so."
"Has Cole made it here yet?"
He shook his head, "No…I haven't seen him."
Alyssa sighed looking at her watch.
Troy glanced between both Danny and Alyssa wondering what was going on.
"Hey guys!"
Troy and the others all turned to the familiar voice.
"Cole!"
"Hey man!" Danny called.
"I'm here…I ran into one of the other rangers on the way over here."
"It's cool man…" Danny replied slapping his hand.
"Cole…now that you're here let's head out," Alyssa said.
"Great…I can't wait to show you guys the cove near the hiking trails."
Troy smiled what a pleasant surprise he was not only getting to see Cole but apparently he would be joining them on their hike.
"Troy?" Cole said.
"Yes?!"
"C'mon…I don't want you to get left behind."
Cole stood at the end pathway waiting for him to catch up with him and the others.
"Sorry."
He shook his head smiling as both he and Troy caught up with the others...
"Wow…this beautiful Cole…" Danny said.
"Yeah…really stunning!" Alyssa remarked.
Troy lingered behind everyone else as Cole and the others stepped inside the small cove. As he made his way inside Troy noticed of all the luscious and green grass around the cove. It was some of the greenest grass Troy had ever seen. He looked up peering into the cloudless afternoon skies feeling the warmness of the sun beaming its luminescent rays from high above. Troy turned his attention back over the grounds of the cove. The grass was speckled with white and red flowers. Hovering above many of those flowers were several butterflies some of the most colorful ones Troy had ever seen.
He saw some of the kids inside the cove exploring the surroundings with both Danny and Alyssa. While they were preoccupied with the chattering kids Troy looked over and saw Cole standing alone at the edge of the cove. Filled with curiosity he slowly stepped over to him wondering what he was doing. He stopped standing a few feet away from Cole. He stood still at the edge with his hands behind his back gazing into the cloudless skies. Troy glanced over at him not sure if he should approach him, it seemed as if Cole was daydreaming or lost in thought.
"Do you like this out here Troy?"
He froze clutching his racing heart wondering how Cole knew it was him.
Cole turned to Troy smiling gesturing for him to join him.
Troy swallowed hard slowly joining him at the edge. Cole shut his eyes slightly swinging his head from side to side. "Do you hear that Troy?" he asked cuffing a hand against his ear.
"Hear what?" Troy asked feeling confused.
"Nature?"
"Huh?!" Troy scratched his head trying to figure out what Cole was getting at.
"Her soundtrack…the birds chirping high in their nests…the animals peaceful going on about their way through the grass…along with the buzzing of the bees as they gather their sampling…the rustling of the winds as it stirs the grass, the leaves, the trees…"
"Close your eyes…shutting off all thoughts and worries…relax and listen to sweet sounds around you…" Cole continued.
Still feeling a bit confused Troy did as he was told, shutting his eyes trying to clear his head trying to listen and focus on the sounds of nature around them.
He felt a hand on his shoulders. "Very good," Cole said with a smile.
Troy opened up eyes turning to him thinking that this was the perfect moment to ask him something that had been on his mind.
"Mr. Evans…can I ask you a question?"
"Sure."
"Why are you so in love with nature and wildlife?"
There Troy finally said it he was curious why Cole was so passionate about the environment and nature.
Cole laughed, "Because…I was raised in it..."
"What?!"
"Troy, I grew up here in the wildness." Cole waved his hands out into the air.
"You…did?!"
"Yes."
"How can that be? I don't understand..."
Cole leaned in closer wrapping an arm around Troy. "I'll put it to you this way…these forests were my home and the animals were my family."
Troy crossed his arms stared into his bright green eyes. This must be some kind of joke, and if it was he didn't think it was funny at all.
"Troy allow me to explain. While living among the wildlife out there in these forests...I learned that we must all take care and preserve all this...because this is what helps us sustain life. You know nature provides us with the food and nutrients our bodies need to survive, she provides the air we need to breathe, the nutrients our bodies need to function. By maintaining all this she allows us to stand here and take in all the glorious beauty and tranquility that she gives us in return."
"Okay…"
"I know this is probably a lot for someone your age to understand…but the sooner you learn about taking care of environment and nature I think the better you will understand how allows us to maintain our existence."
"Hey Cole?"
"Yes?" he asked turning to Danny.
"Could you come here for a second?"
"Sure."
Troy sat on feeling the coolness of the grass beneath him. He wrapped his head in his hands pondering on the conversation...
Troy sat along the edge of the swimming pool watching as the kids they laughed, splashed and played about in the large pool and despite the blistering summer heat; he had no desire to get in. Troy didn't know how to swim and he hadn't planned on learning how to do so either. It was enough for him to just sit on the edge feeling the coolness that resonating from the waters. The only thing that occupied Troy's mind was the weird conversation he had with Cole Evans that afternoon. It was certainly one of the strangest yet interesting conversation Troy had, had with anyone.
Troy cuffed his head in his hands. He was still scouring his mind to figure out what Cole meant by living in the forests and the animals being his family. Troy just couldn't connect the pieces together inside his head. He understood that Cole's love for nature and all but still couldn't figure out what it all meant.
How was it possible for someone to live in the forests and have the animals that lived there as their family?
A splash of water broke Troy of his train of thought. Startled he glanced around and stopped once he heard what sounded like giggles coming from the tidal pool across from him. He looked over and saw that it was a girl not just any girl but the same red-haired freckled-faced one from the campsite. Troy clearly remembered her breaking out into a fit of giggles when she handed him that marshmallow stick at the campfire. Troy furrowed his brows peering at the fiery-red head.
He stood up. "Hey what's the big idea?!"
She splashed more water over his way. This time she managed to wet up his entire shirt.
"Stop that?!" Troy protested.
She cuffed her hands over her mouth muffling her laughter.
Troy huffed walking over to the edge of the pool. "Look what you did to my shirt!"
She removed her hands from her mouth, staring at Troy. He knelt down to meet her eyes as he did so she pushed away from the edge. The girl threw up a hand waving as she swam away.
"Hey…come back here!" Troy sat down on the edge letting out a long frustrating sigh. He didn't know what to do or say so he just sat there dangling his feet in the cool waters...
As the afternoon slipped into evening Troy gathered himself from the pool making his way back to cabin to change and prepare for dinner...
Troy lied awake in bed staring into the moonlight that filled the room his thoughts started drifting back to that conversation with Cole. He still couldn't connect everything together inside his head. He was really curious about what he meant about all that stuff he said about living in the forests and his family consisting of the wildlife. Perhaps he would ask him about the next time he ran into him. An involuntary yawn escaped his throat; he felt his eyes growing heavy. Troy shut his eyes, slowly dropping off into a peaceful slumber...
"Look at you all packed up and ready to go."
Troy turned to Ms. Enrile with a wide smile. "I am."
She smiled wrapping an arm around him. Troy pulled his backpack around his small shoulders. He was looking forward to going on the nature hike. He looked around at some of the others kids, many who looked as eager as he was to go. Ever since the strange conversation with Cole Evans Troy started finding himself enjoying the outdoors and he found a fondness for nature too. After that conversation Cole started becoming a constant presence at the campsite for whatever reason. Often-times Cole would take kids on several nature tours throughout the nearby forests. He would help both Mr. Delgado and Ms. Enrile from time to time with activities around the campsite.
Troy had been really skeptical about going back on another hike since he had that conversation with Cole a couple of weeks. But after some reassurance and conceiving Cole was able to get to Troy try another and after that was the point of no return. Troy was mystified by how he was enjoying the outdoors. Perhaps it was Cole's passionate plight that was taking influence on him and that he finally started to understand why he enjoyed being out in nature so much as he started to revel in the comfort she offered. Since then Troy started looking forward to the nature hikes more than any of the other activities offered around the camp.
"Alyssa?"
"Yes?"
"Is everyone here?" Danny asked.
"They are."
"Awesome…if you guys are ready let's get going."
Troy looked around wondering where Cole could be.
"Troy you better hurry or you're going to get left," Ms. Enrile warned.
Troy stumbled out of his head, trotting to catch up with Mr. Delgado and the others...
Cole did eventually catch up with them during their hike. He said that he had to help a small group tourists find their way back to their bus. They had gotten lost in the some of the forests around the park. Troy was happy that he was able to join them he enjoyed his presence and the things he would teach them about the environment and nature.
"Hey kids…I know the perfect place for us to go…there is this little butterfly cove near the lake that I would like to show you guys."
"You lead the way Cole…" Danny said gleefully.
"We'll be right behind you…" Alyssa said.
"Follow me," Cole said gesturing for the group to follow.
Troy smiled running to catch with Cole and the others along the trial...
A couple of weeks into his stay at camp...
Troy stared out of the window sighing. The afternoon had turned into evening and before he knew it both lunch and dinner had passed. But Troy didn't care he wasn't too happy about missing out on the nature hike. Troy had overslept, thus missing out on going hiking with Cole today. Once he realized that he missed out on joining him Troy resigned himself to the cabin all day, not even bothering to come out for dinner. He was too upset to do so. The nature hikes with Cole were the only activities Troy enjoyed at camp. He had grown so accustomed to going out on them that missing a hike threw his entire day off-balance. Sulking Troy shut his eyes wrapping his head in his hands.
"Hey kiddo."
"Huh…oh Mr. Delgado…what's up?" he asked startled.
Danny took a seat next to Troy. "Is everything okay?"
Troy nodded. Danny leaned in closer narrowly his eyes at Troy. He lowered his head to the wooden ground.
"Troy…what's the matter…you didn't show up for dinner…are you feeling sick or something?"
Troy shrugged, "No I'm not sick…I wasn't hungry that's all."
"Okay…Alyssa, Cole and I are playing some board games with some of the kids at the main hall, join us if you like…"
Troy turned to Danny shaking his head. "No...thanks."
"Okay…" he said with sigh.
He stood to his feet shaking his head at Troy.
Turning away he started for the doorway.
"Mr. Delgado wait…"
"Yes…"
"I'll go."
"Great!" he chirped with a smile.
Troy hurried over towards him and together they stepped out of the cabin. Troy decided to go head and take Danny's offer to join them after seeing the hurt and frustration on his face. It seemed like he was really hurt by Troy turning him down. Letting someone down was the last thing Troy wanted, he had experienced it so much in his own life that it was something he promised he wouldn't do to others. Besides Mr. Delgado has been nothing but nice and kind to him, so Troy figured it wouldn't so bad to actually go and hangout with him and some of the others kids for a while.
"Troy…"
"Yes?"
He stopped turning to Troy. "I just wanted you to know that I've really enjoyed having you here at camp."
"Oh…thanks I really like it here at camp."
Mr. Delgado nodded with a big smile. "That makes me really happy to hear…" he said wrapping an arm around Troy.
He smiled feeling the warmth in his embrace.
"C'mon let's go we don't want to keep the guys waiting."
Troy nodded as they both made their way over towards the main hall...
"Hey Danny!" Alyssa called.
"Hey," Danny said, "Look who I bought along." He stepped over revealing Troy's presence.
"Troy?!"
"Mr. Evans!"
"Hey…how's it going?"
"Good."
Cole chuckled.
"Why don't you guys come on over and join us," Alyssa said leading Troy over to the other side of the cabin.
"So Troy take your pick what would you like to play?" Alyssa asked, "We have scramble, checkers, chess, monopoly, uno, regular cards, over there, connect four…over here."
"Troy?!"
He looked up trying to find who called out his name.
"Over here…"
He looked over and saw the kid who he had helped with the bullies. Troy glanced back at Alyssa, Danny and Cole.
"Go ahead…" Danny said giving Troy a slight shove.
Troy stepped over to the boy wondering how he knew his name and why he was calling him over. The round-freckled face kid smiled as Troy stepped closer to the table.
"Would you like to join us for a game of monopoly?"
"Okay…"
"Cool…take a seat." He pulled out a chair for Troy.
"Thanks."
Troy looked around the table, recognizing some of the faces. Some of kids were his fellow bunk-mates. One of the kids scattered some of the pieces on the table telling everyone to pick out which monopoly character they wanted to play. Troy reached over grabbing the iron ship placing it on GO...
"That was really awesome game."
"Yeah it was," Troy said as they both stepped outside the main hall.
Troy turned to his bunk-mate smiling it actually felt good talking and interacting with some of the other kids.
"Hey Troy...how old are you?"
"11 ½ …why?" he asked curiously.
He shrugged "Just asking."
"How old are you?"
"11."
"Same as me."
He nodded, "Oh…" he said trailing off turning in the opposite direction.
"What is it?" Troy asked puzzled.
He turned trying to find what had caught his attention. He saw a girl with long flowing blonde hair and a bright smile chatting with another girl. Troy glanced between him and the girl. He took notice of how flushed his face had grown. Then it hit Troy that girl who grabbed his attention was Lisa the girl from the letter that he had rescued from the bullies. Troy smiled, glancing back at the boy; it was clear from the wide grin on his face that he really liked the girl.
"Bryan!"
"Lisa!" he cried.
Troy watched the girl and her friend run over towards him and Bryan.
"Hey how's it going?"
"Oh…oh…okay…" he stuttered.
She and her friend started giggling. Troy sighed, shaking his head. Their fit of giggles started reminding him of that fiery red-haired girl who would laugh and tease him all the time.
"Bryan, I'm going back to the cabin."
"Okay…later Troy…"
He slipped his hands in his pockets glancing back at Bryan shaking his head. That is exactly why he didn't bother with girls. He believed that they were nothing but trouble. Troy let out a long inward sigh as he made his way back over to their cabin...
He slipped into his bunk with a yawn.
"Troy?"
"Bryan…" he said sitting up.
"Sorry about earlier."
"It's cool…" he said shrugging, "You really like Lisa don't you?"
He froze turning his attention towards the wooden floor. Troy chuckled. Bryan looked up with that same flushed look on his face.
"She's so pretty…" he said falling back against Troy's bed.
"Is that why you like her so much?"
"Yeah…"
"What about you?"
"What about me?!"
"Isn't there a girl that you like?"
"No!" Troy said vehemently shaking his head.
"Why?!"
"I don't know…" he said shrugging. "Girls are…I don't know...I just don't understand them…"
"I don't get it what's to understand?"
Troy shrugged. He didn't know how to answer Bryan question.
"Hey boys…you know it's pass your bed time…" Mr. Delgado scolded from across the cabin.
"Sorry Mr. Delgado…" Bryan said sliding out of Troy's bunk, "Later Troy."
"Later."
A blanket of darkness fell on the cabin. Troy folded his arms behind his head peering out the window reflecting on the unexpected turns of events that occurred that evening...
"Bye guys have a safe trip!"
He heard Ms. Enrile call. He watched Bryan, the boy he had befriended and helped with the bully disappear down the pathway with his both his parents in tow. Troy wondered if he ever gave out the letter that was so near and dear to his heart. Troy leaned against the wood railing of the cabin. Before he knew the summer was slowly coming to an end. As things started winding down, Troy noticed more and more kids leaving the campgrounds. He watched his cabin shrink from 12 boys down to 5 in a mere couple of weeks.
He noticed that more parents starting trickling into the campgrounds. Danny stepped outside of his cabin greeting some of the people. He along with Alyssa started shuffling some of the people over towards the main grounds area. Troy let out a long inward sigh. He stepped away from the cabin slipping through the crowded mixture of kids and adults. He took a seat at the edge of a hill. It was overlooking the forests that surrounded the campgrounds. It was here that Troy often came to escape all the noise and busyness around him. He dropped his head in his hands.
Overwrought with sadness he felt the tears starting to gather at the base of his eyes. Troy sniffled letting the tears flow. The jealously he felt watching many of the others kids leaving with their families only fueled his sadness and anger more. Alone and isolated he sobbed harder into his hands. Troy was so absorbed in his own head that he failed to notice someone calling out his name. He felt a pressure on his shoulders. Troy looked and saw Cole standing over him with a worried expression. Troy turned away Cole wiping his face. He didn't want to him to see him this way nor did he want him to think he was weak for crying.
"Troy what's the matter?"
"Nothing…" he muttered.
Cole sighed leaning closer. "You sure about that?"
"Yeah!"
He took a seat next to Troy on the grassy hill. Troy glared at Cole, feeling himself growing angrier at his lingering presence. Cole glanced at Troy smiling.
Troy scowled his face, what the heck was he smiling for?
Couldn't he see and understand that he didn't need or want his company.
"It makes you sad seeing everyone leave doesn't it?"
Troy turned to Cole. "What?!"
"Watching all the kids leaving…going home to their families…"
Troy gasped wondering how he could have known what he was thinking.
"Believe it or not Troy...but I know exactly how you feel."
"You do?!" Troy challenged.
Cole nodded turning to Troy. He stared at him for the longest before opening up his mouth to speak.
"I'm an orphan too…"
"Really?…you are…but how did know I was one...are you a psychic or something?!" Troy asked pointing to himself.
Cole chuckled, "First off yes I'm an orphan…and secondly I'm not a psychic."
"I don't understand how you know that I'm one."
Cole turned his attention away from Troy staring out into the forests.
"Troy…I want to share something with you if that's okay."
"Okay," he said with a shrug.
"I never really knew my parents. They passed away when I was very young. I have very vague memories of them. When I was growing up I had so much anger and resentment towards them for leaving me to fend for myself. But over time I started understanding that even though they weren't here with me physically so to speak they were here with me inside my heart," Cole said holding a hand over his chest.
"Learning the truth about what happened to them made me understand and appreciate the sacrifice they made for me in order for me to live my life. Their sacrifice has helped me heal and pull through all the tough times. I carry their spirit and vitality with me each and every day," Cole continued.
Troy lowered his head thinking over Cole's statement.
He placed an arm Troy's shoulders. "Troy, I know you may feel alone and isolated in this world but trust me your parents wouldn't want to keep harboring all that hurt and resentment inside your heart. So many things in life happen that's beyond our control and the only thing you can do is control how you react in those situations. I know you're hurting inside but take it from me things will get better. It may not feel like it but trust me they will."
Troy opened up his mouth to speak but his voice became hitched in his throat he couldn't find the words to express how he felt about Cole's admission.
Without warning he suddenly stood to his feet. "Hey kiddo I need to go…but if you anything or just want to talk you know where to find me."
Troy nodded. Cole turned away disappearing down into the cluster of trees at the edge of the hill. Troy wrapped his around his knees resting his head on them while he sat there along the edge reflecting on their conversation...
As the afternoon slipped into the evening Troy slowly trudged back over to his cabin. He slipped inside making his way over to his bunk. The cabin was usually quiet, and then Troy remembered that half of the boys were gone. He sighed. Even through Troy wasn't friends with any of them, he had grown accustomed to their boisterous laughter and chatter. He sat down on his bed staring blankly out of the window...
During the next few weeks Troy noticed more and more kids leave from the camp. Finally the time came for Troy himself to leave camp.
Troy gathered his backpack and small suitcase.
"Do you need any help with anything?"
Troy shook his head. "No thanks Mr. Delgado."
He followed Troy out of the cabin. He sat his duffle bag against the one of the wooden rails waiting for his ride. It was now Troy's time to depart from summer camp. He couldn't believe how quickly the time had gone by.
"Troy you sure you have everything?"
"Yeah…I think so."
Danny sighed shaking his head.
"What is it Mr. Delgado?"
"I'm just so sad to see you go…"
This startled Troy he was quite surprised by his admission. But it did make Troy feel happy knowing that he was going to miss him. He liked Mr. Delgado even if he seemed a bit scattered and aloof at times.
"Bye Troy!" He turned to the voice.
It was that same red-haired girl again. Jessica was her name. Troy threw up a hand he didn't really see her that much again after the incident at the pool which made him happy. He grew tired of all her little antics and random fits of laughter. She had tried sitting with him at dinner at times and whenever she did all she did was just laugh and giggle whenever Troy tried to talk to her. Or she would just simply smile at him whenever they passed. He remembered probably a time or two when she tried grabbing his hand. Troy shrugged feeling indifferent he didn't know what to make of her antics. He saw that Jessica kept turning back sneaking glances at him as she continued down the pathway with her parents in tow.
"Oooh!" Danny wailed.
"What is it?!" Troy asked turning to him.
"Looks…like someone has a little crush on certain someone," he crooned placing a hand over his heart.
"What are you talking about Mr. Delgado?!" Troy asked scratching his head.
He didn't understand what Mr. Delgado was getting at. He pointed at Jessica waving as she and her parents exited the campgrounds.
Troy sighed. "Whatever…" he grumbled leaning against the wood railing...
"Hey guys!"
Troy looked over and saw Ms. Enrile waving a hand coming down from the main cabin areas.
"Troy, your bus is waiting for you at the front so we're going take you there."
"Okay."
He gathered his things following closely behind Danny and Alyssa. He glanced around the empty grounds. Wondering where Cole was, he had promised Troy that he would see him off.
"So Troy we were hope that you enjoyed your time here at camp," said Alyssa.
He nodded, "Yes…I had a great time."
"That's awesome…we were enjoyed the time you spent with us here."
"Yeah it was a real pleasure getting to know you," Danny said.
Troy smiled, he was really happy to hear that they liked him.
"There it is," Alyssa said as she and Danny headed over towards a small yellow bus.
Troy looked up and saw the bus was littered with some kids already inside. They stopped at the entrance of the bus.
"Good afternoon…folks," the grey-haired man called opening up the bus doors.
"You already to go kiddo?" Danny asked.
Troy glanced around feeling the panic growing inside his belly he was really hoping to see Cole before he left.
He deflated there was no sign of Cole anywhere in sight.
"Troy what's wrong?" Alyssa asked wrapping an arm around him.
He remained quiet. He looked into her eyes trying to fight the tears welling up inside.
"Hey guys!" Troy and the others turned to the familiar voice.
"Mr. Evans!"
"Hey…you didn't think I was going to let you leave without saying goodbye did you?!"
Troy just smiled thinking that was exactly what was going on. Cole dropped down to knees embracing Troy in his arms.
"Hey kiddo…I want you to remember what I said. Things will get better just give it time."
"Thanks Mr. Evans."
He pulled away peering at Troy gripping his small hands. "You take care now and be good."
Troy chuckled nodding his head.
"We'll miss you," Danny said giving Troy a high-five.
"Take care," Alyssa said wrapping him in her arms.
Troy grabbed his things stepping inside the bus. Ignoring the stares of the kids already seated inside he took an empty seat towards the back of the bus placing his things besides him.
"Already to go back there?"
Troy nodded. "
"Next stop Silver Hills," the bus driver said shutting the doors.
Troy turned his attention over to the window. There he saw Danny, Alyssa and Cole standing together smiling. He smiled throwing up a hand. The three of them waved back. Troy continued staring out the window till they disappeared from his sight. Troy let out a long sigh leaning back against the hard seat. He didn't know how long the trip was from Turtle Cove to Silver Hills so he pulled out a book from his backpack opening it to the bookmarked page.