Throughout the entire lunch meal, Ian was the subject of a lot of stares and winces of sympathy. All of the counselors found a reason to come over to Australia's tables, and River was more than happy to tell them all the story of what had happened – especially his part of it – and now that they were certain Ian was okay, the little boys thought it was a funny story, too, and shared the story, too, anxious to show that they knew what had happened. Add to that the fact that Romania's little girls also knew what had happened, and they, too, were eager to tell the story – again, now that they weren't afraid Ian was going to die, it was a funny story to them, too and everyone knew what had happened before the meal was out. Much to Ian's annoyance.
"What's next?" Shawn asked, as he and Brian handed out dessert (cookies and ice cream).
"Activity," Ian said, when River looked at him for the answer. The boys had also figured out that Ian somehow always knew what the schedule was, even though none of them had ever seen him look at the paper. "Doesn't say what."
"I hope we're swimming," Wilson said, excitedly. "The water looks great, and it's hot."
"I don't want to swim," Sammy said, shaking his head.
"What do you want to do?" River asked, munching down his cookie and reaching for another.
Sammy shrugged.
"I just don't want to swim."
Before River could reply, Gary stepped up to the front of the room, waiting for the kids and counselors to notice him and quiet down without actually asking for silence. Sure enough, everyone quieted down.
"Okay, campers!" Gary said, smiling at the excited looks they were giving him. None of them had any idea what they were going to be doing from one activity to the next (which was done on purpose) so it was all new and exciting to them. "Egypt and Argentina; you'll be heading to the fire pit once we're finished with lunch. Australia and Romania? You're going to the corrals. Japan and Peru to the gym, and Russia and Spain report to the lagoon. Make sure you bring bathing suits." He glanced over at Ian, obviously wondering how he was doing, but then turned his attention back to the kids at all the other tables.
"Any questions?"
There were a lot of head shaking and no hands rose, so Gary smiled and clapped his hands together, enthusiastically.
"Stack your dishes, then, and let's get going!"
There was a rustle of activity, then, and the boys of Australia were talking excitedly.
"We're going to be riding!"
"Yeah!"
"I've never done it before."
"Me, either, but it's going to be great."
Ian frowned, looking over at Shawn and River while the boys stacked their dishes.
"Aren't they a little small to be riding horses?"
River smiled.
"You're not worried about them, are you?"
Ian scowled.
"Of course not."
"They have ponies, Ian," Shawn said before the two had a chance to get into it. "Horses for the older kids, but ponies are brought in for this camp group."
"How do you know that?" River asked, impressed.
"I asked Gary."
Meaning he had been worried about the idea of his six year olds riding horses and had brought that concern to the Camp Director.
"How's the head, Ian?"
They were interrupted by Gary's arrival at their table. The Camp Director was accompanied by the camp nurse – whose name was Mandy, Ian knew.
"It's fine," Ian told him, looking at both of them.
"Are you going to be okay to continue with the kids today?" Gary asked. "If you need a break, I'm sure Shawn and River can handle things. There will be wranglers at the corral to help with the ride…"
Ian shook his head. As much as he liked the idea of not doing anything for the rest of the day, he didn't like being coddled, and didn't like the idea of them thinking he needed a break. He'd only hit his head, for shit's sake.
"I'm fine."
Shawn looked at Ian, surprised. He'd actually figured the New Yorker would jump at the chance to get away from the boys for a while.
Hines looked at Mandy, who shrugged. The choice was Ian's, really. If he felt like doing activities, then he could.
"Okay," Gary said, relieved. "Make sure your boys are wearing jeans… shorts won't work well for riding."
Which meant Shawn and River both had to change, too. Ian, of course, was already in jeans.
"Let's go, guys," Shawn said, standing up and gesturing for the boys to head back to the cabin. The boys scrambled out of their seats and rushed for the door, jostling with the other campers who were also heading back for their cabins to change for their own activities, and Gary went over to intercept Ann and Danin to remind them that their girls needed to be in jeans, too.
"This is going to be interesting," River said to Ian as they headed towards the door as well.
"Why do you say that?" Ian asked, curiously.
"I've never ridden before."
Ian snorted.
"Not a lot of horses on the high seas, huh?"
"Have you?" River countered, not at all annoyed at the teasing.
"Of course."
"Bullshit."
Ian smirked.
"I'll loan you my icepack later…"
"What are you talking about?"
"You'll see."