Chapter 2

As I drove past the front of the main building, I stopped abruptly and turned off the ignition. I stepped out and shut the door, looking around. It then hit me that I should probably check in. With a determined sigh, I walked up to the front doors. I walked in cautiously, and almost immediately, a frown crept over my lips. There were long lines in front of the several desks. It looked like I would be standing there for awhile. I could hardly hear myself think it was so loud.

A large group of people started squeezing past me to get out of the door. My petite frame was almost pulled with them, but I managed to find my way out. As I turned my head to look forward, I saw another familiar face striding towards me

"Baby! Long time no see! Your father never told me I'd be expecting you!" Max replied as he made his way towards me.

"Yeah… Heh. Well, he gave me enough to stay for the whole summer…" I replied quietly, smiling up at him.

"Oh." Max said, realizing that meant a lot of money. A quick smile was plastered onto his round face. "Well, follow me, then. I don't want you to have to wait forever to get checked in." He put his arm around my shoulder and led me up the front of the line.

"Excuse me." He said, turning himself to a plump middle-aged man and his wife. They grumbled quietly as he budged right in front of them. He then turned to the lady at the front desk.

"This is Baby. Her family has been one of our finest customers…" He said, squeezing my shoulder as he presented me to the woman.

A friendly smile danced across the woman's crimson red lips.

I dug into the pocket of my jeans and managed to pull out an envelope. I handed it to her, and she opened it, her eyes widening slightly. She turned around on her rolling chair and grabbed a key. She looked me with that same smile and handed it to me across the desk.

"She's paid until the end of the summer." Max added, a hint of greed in his smirk.

I looked up to Max for a moment as I grasped the key in my hand.

"Oh, yes. I'll have someone help you find your cabin and carry your luggage" He said, turning around, hoping to find a guestless bellhop.

"Ah, Corey!" He called out to a tall, lanky guy with blonde hair.

"Yeah?" Corey said, turning towards the both of us. He walked over, his blue eyes drifting from me to Max.

"Help Baby with her luggage, and then take her to cabin… Eh." He turned towards me. "What's the number on your key, Baby?"

"213" I said as I glanced at the small key in my palm.

"Yeah, 213. That's up a ways, towards the south side.." He said, pointing in the opposite direction.

"Alright." He said, turning towards me with a smile. "213 it is."

"If you need anything, don't be afraid to ask" Max replied before turning to assist other people.

"Wanna lead me to your car, then?" Corey said, looking at me.

I nodded and we both walked out, and back to my white Chevy. I opened the door and he took a few of the bags in his long arms. I grabbed a suitcase and the other large bag. I kicked the door close with my hip, and then looked over to Corey.

"Uh.. What about my car?"

"Are the keys still in it?" He asked, raising his thick brows slightly.

"Yeah."

He turned to a passing bellhop, in an identical white suit.

"Hey Jerry. Go park her car over in the west lot. The keys are inside." He replied to the slightly shorter man.

"Okay." He replied simply, walking around to the driver's side.

"Well, let's go then. 213.." He said, turning. He started to walk down the path, and I followed.

Everything was the same as I'd remembered it. I smiled, turning my head slightly to look around. We passed the beach, where I could hear people splashing in the lake, laughing and yelling. The activity fields were just as I remembered as well. I saw a large group of people painting the lake and trees. I was so glad to be here…

After a ways of walking Corey stopped so quickly that I almost bumped into him. He turned to me for a moment.

"Here we are." He said, nodding towards a cabin a few yards ahead. There were stone looking steps leading up to the single cabin on a small hill. Leafy trees surrounded the white cabin. He started up the steps, and I followed him, beaming towards my new home.

As we made it up the steps and to the door, he turned and asked for the key. I reached around him and slipped it into the hole. Corey opened the door and stepped in first. I followed after him, setting down my luggage. It was nicely furnished.

Inside there was a queen sized bed and a night table next to it. A few chairs were set on the other side, along with a coffee table and a small sofa. There was a door a few feet from the bed. I assumed it was the bathroom. There were various paintings of country hillsides and grassy plains. The room color was a crème/beige, and most of the fabric on the furniture was a lighter color.

"Well, thanks.." I said, as he set down my bags and suitcases.

"Yep. No problemo." He said with a wink. He then turned and walked out, shutting the door.

I blinked some and took a few steps, looking around. A grin teased at the corners of my lips. I was finally here!

With a happy sigh, I grabbed a few of my bags and set them near a dresser drawer. I pulled a drawer open and then unzipped a bag. I started setting the neatly folded clothes inside. Pretty soon, my dresser was full and I started hanging up the other things in my small closet. I also piled my shoes neatly into the bottom of my closet. I listened to the birds outside as I unpacked, empty bags and suitcases getting tossed into a pile. Soon enough, everything was in its place. I set the empty luggage into the spare place in my closet.

I turned swiftly and plopped onto my bed, laying back. I giggled softly as I realized that I was finally at the place I'd longed to be at for almost a year!

Then it hit me!

I had to find Johnny.