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Robin, as tradition dictated, left Granny in charge of picking the winner of the Camden Camper. As a judge, he traveled camp to camp watching and waiting for someone to catch his eye.
Cricket's chirped and the fire crackled in the night. The moon's glow led his way. Laughter and conversation hummed in the air, an owl's cry far off echoed above.
Roland giggled with Ashley's little girl, Alexandra as they pulled their marshmallows out of the fire. Charred black and slipping down, they hurried to place it between their graham crackers.
With a grin, he walked to the West lot and watched as Wil, John, and Graham were huddled around a makeshift table of twigs and bark with a deck of playing cards. Their laughter and taunts shouted inviting warmth.
The east lot held most of the children playing hide and go seek or climbing trees. August, the carpenter's son dangled upside down to impress his audience. Girls in dresses were drinking tea and held tight to their dolls.
The south lot held Henry, Penny, and Carl who were reading a comic book close to the fire. Regina lay lazily against her wicker chair with her eyes closed. "Good evening."
Eyes opening, her gaze shifted behind him before turning to him. "Good evening," she returned bitterly.
Clearly, their conversation an hour before was still raw. It hadn't been his wish to upset her. Brushing his uneasiness aside, he gestured, "The children seem to be enjoying themselves."
"Henry brought his comic books to share with the kids." Acknowledging her, his attention was diverted to hushed whispers and giggles. Their knees tucked under them as they turned pages and pointed.
"I've heard Henry was quite helpful during dinner." It didn't escape him that she fidgeted with her hands and her eyes never ceased to stop scanning the trees. A constant worry that a threat would reveal itself if she stopped to relax.
"I asked him to help the kids and Granny with the food." Steady on her legs, she stood to pace the edge of the trees, her boots scattering dirt. The fire popped, and her body jolted as her head whipped up for an attack.
"It was well appreciated; this year's turnout was more successful than last. It seems we were able to accommodate another twenty or so." Robin glanced her way to see her perched against the tree.
"That's fortunate. I don't think I've eaten enough barbecue and s' mores in the last few years. Henry is having a good time." When she talked about him, her complexion glowed and her eyes warmed.
Wind picking up, the ruffling of leaves rolling along the ground and squirrels jumping gained his attention. A fallen branch fell to the floor leaving new life in its wake. Swaying, the trees whistled a tune.
"That's what this trip is all about, time for our community to let off some steam and enjoy a night out. Are you comfortable?" He drew his attention to her, she averted her eyes.
"We'll be fine, thank you." Though, she wasn't. He sensed a great deal was hiding beneath that composure. To save himself the headache of another rejection, he nodded.
"Let us know if you change your mind. There are supplies in the center campground, we have plenty of food and Dr. Whale has a small tent where he brought his medical bag in case of emergencies."
He didn't wait for a response, instead, he walked to the next camp and tried to ignore his inner conscience telling him something was wrong. Henry's face full of fear and his readiness to bolt ate at his gut.
For there was not much he could do if Regina continued to push him farther away. As he made his rounds, he stopped to check on his son. Mouth full of s' mores, chocolate stained lips, and twinkling eyes brought a grin to his face.
"Enjoying your treat?" Roland's bright eyes and dimpled cheeks stumbled toward him arms lifted to be gathered close. Robin used his thumb to wipe away the smear of chocolate staining his lip.
"I like s' mores, papa. They have chocolate and the marshmallows melt when you put them in the fire. I lost two because they fell off." With pouted lips and somber eyes gave his son the innocence it so rightly beheld.
"There are plenty more. Granny made sure to pack plenty for our trip. Now, into the tent with you. It's time to sleep."
Whining, he begged and pleaded to stay awake a little longer. Standing his ground, he ushered the boy into his sleeping bag and told him stories until his eyes drooped and breathing came in long and deep. With Roland asleep, he slipped out of the tent to ensure everyone had plenty of blankets.
With a stack of folded blankets under his arm, he offered them in greens and blues to camps. Children were tucked into their sleeping bags and zipped up in their tents. Parent's kept a watchful eye as they relaxed in the quiet of the night. A hum of whispers and murmuring of adults.
He silently moved among the campers in peaceful slumbers careful of his steps. He came upon Henry with his hands holding a trash bag. "Hey, there. What've you got there?"
Henry lifted a bag, "I'm just making sure to keep the camp clean. Mom says to put all our food in zip locks to avoid bears coming to raid our tents." He was a bright boy and his mother was right.
"You've got the right idea. I was just coming to remind people of just that. Keep up the good work, son." He winked.
The boy's face sobered and the playful smile flattened, "I'm not your son."
"No, you're not. It was just an expression. I apologize." He made no move to step closer or retreat. "Do you need extra blankets? I'd be happy to drop them by your tent."
"Yea, okay. Mom's cold but she keeps saying she's fine, I'll be there when I finish this." Robin nodded and watched the boy move to another tent to gather stray wrappers on the ground.
With the two last blankets under his arm, he walked by the other camps until he reached Henry and Regina's tent. He took quiet steps to avoid waking up Penny and Carl's parents who were sleeping nearby.
Regina was wrapped in a thermal blanket inside the tent. The flaps were tied to the metal post, not yet closed for the night. The fire still crackled with a very low flame. Her elbows rested on her knees, her socked-feet peeking outside the bundle she'd created for herself. It was a sad sight to see. Her shoulders tensed under covers and her lips shivering.
"I came at the right time, it seems." Setting a blanket on the ground, he opened another and draped it over her shoulders. "There, that should help. I'll get a few more logs to keep the fire burning. The wind has picked up a bit."
"Thank you, this wasn't necessary." Regina's lips pointed down in a frown, oddly embarrassed. The shivering of her lips ceased, and her body seemed to relax into the heat created by the extra blanket.
"It's my job to make sure everyone is warm and well-tended. Henry said you were cold. Let me go grab those logs." In the center of camp, a pile of logs was stacked in small pyramids. Taking two larger ones under his arms, he worked to set a higher flame. The rocks surrounded the pile to avoid spread. He arranged the wood by breaking them into two halves and crossing them. Pulling out his lighter, he set them aflame with dried leaves.
When the fire caught, he set the extra log aside and stood to admire his work. "There, I think that'll keep you warmer." Crouching down, he watched Regina's body quickly relax until a content smile spread across her face.
"Feeling warmer?" He took a step and lowered himself to the ground outside her tent. Close enough so his whispers could be heard and for him to soak in some of the warmth under his coat. His fingers were cold despite his non-stop movement. Rubbing his hands together he held them out to the fire.
"Much. I don't usually sleep on the ground, but Henry was so excited. I couldn't let him down." The fire reflected in her eyes, her cheeks rosy, and lips pulled up.
"Well, that's what we do, isn't it? As parents, I mean. We think outside the box and do things for our kids that we wouldn't do on our own. I never saw myself going to parent groups or standing in line to see the latest animated movie. I guess we have to mold ourselves to fit our child's wishes."
With a burst of laughter, she shook her head, "I suppose you're right. I've done a lot of things I never would've on my own. Henry's sort of my...push." Her face sobered and she scanned the trees worry on her face. "We do what we have to, to protect them." With her last words wistful, her eyes were sad.
His fingers reached out to take hers, "I don't doubt you've done a lot to protect him and yourself." As his eyes met hers, there was an exchange of knowledge. She was hiding something, and he couldn't imagine how that would feel.
"I…" For a moment, she only scanned the trees and stared into the fire dancing with the wind. "I've made sacrifices and I've done what I can to make sure he's safe. That's all that matters to me."
"What about you? Don't you matter?" He tightened his grip on her hand, fingers weaved with hers. It was a small gesture of comfort he was aiming to offer. A friend when she had none.
"I'm happy as long as he's safe. He has friends and he's doing well in school. I can be content with that." It was a lie. He could see her telling that lie over and over to protect that little piece inside herself she seems to have hidden.
"But, is it enough?" He searched her eyes for a reaction. The woman was good. The ability to close herself off when she needed to. Softly, his thumb grazed over the back of her hand. A small gesture she didn't seem to notice. "Is it enough for you? Don't you deserve to have friends and feel like you fit here?"
"I can't think about myself. I'm good at my job and I love helping the kids. I'm glad you pushed me to implement the curriculum because it's making a difference. I take the friendship I'm offered. That's what fulfills me. To know that I can help the kids."
A blanket of tension sat between them. "What are you running from?" He braced himself for the answer he knew would never come. The moment the question breached his lips, she pulled her hand away and he felt the chill. Wrapping her blanket closer, she sheathed herself behind her wall. Openness closed, and words halted.
"Robin." Withdrawing wasn't out of her character. It seemed oddly natural for her to ward off anyone getting too close. Regina shifted and lowered her knees. "I know that you're trying to be helpful, but you're…"
"Let me stop you there." Robin turned to face her. If he was going to stick his neck in, he'd do it right. "I need to apologize, again. Regina, despite my misunderstanding of intent, I want to be a friend." Pausing, he made sure to have her undivided attention. "Whatever trouble you've gotten yourself into, I want you to know you're not alone."
"I…" Clearing her throat, she gazed through the trees. "I appreciate it, but we'll be fine."
"When was the last time you let someone help you?"
"It's not as easy as you might think."
"Explain it to me."
Regina tried to withdraw by pushing off the ground and taking the blankets up with her. In her socked feet, she couldn't walk far without stepping on stones. Instead, she turned her back. "I can't do that."
Robin rose and went to her gently turning her shoulders, taking her face in his hands. "Give me a chance to prove it to you. I want to help." Searching her eyes, he saw a flicker of something.
"It's not safe. I'm sorry, but I can't tell you." Her body trembled.
Taking her in his arms, he hugged her close, "You're shaking." From behind him, he heard footsteps.
"Mom?"
They broke apart and Robin turned to look at the boy. Quickly, he saw her wipe her cheek from the corner of his eye. "Did you get all the trash gathered and food put away?"
"Yea, Granny said she'd finish so I could go to sleep." Slowly, Henry walked forward until his hand took his mother's. "Good night, Mr. Locksley."
Taking the hint, Robin returned the sentiment. "Good night. Regina, I meant what I said. If you change your mind, you know I'm here. I'll see you in the morning. Take care of your mom."
Walking away, he glanced over his shoulder to see Regina usher Henry into the tent and close the flaps.
When he climbed into his sleeping bag next to Roland, he rested his head on a pillow. Closing his eyes, he tried not to see the pain and apprehension in hers. Instead, he focused on the crickets chirping, the whistling of the wind, and the fire crackling as he slid into a dream.