Chapter 19 - part 2
Part 2
As the last day of camp loomed, life went on as normal, but with an added sense of time passing by and the end drawing closer. Ennis ensured all the projects started in his class were either finished or almost done, with the objects in question going home in a semi-reasonable state. Justin had began another gift for Robyn, an exquisitely carved bird that he wanted to give to her for when she returned home, which turned out to coincide with the day he would leave camp. Ennis had noticed a positive change in Justin, particularly since Ryan left, and he was grateful for that. He had worried that Justin would go home as insecure and lost as when he first arrived, but felt now that the young boy was a little stronger in confidence and that would make Ennis feel better when Justin left camp.
Ryan continued attending his class despite what happened between them, so Ennis developed a strategy of avoiding Ryan without drawing attention to the fact. Ryan, for his part, kept quiet and got on with his tasks, the previous annoying talk and disruptive behaviour non-existent.
After Ennis had cleared out the few remaining children in his class, he stayed behind and cleaned up the workshop. He looked through the window and saw Jack heading his way. Jack’s visits were rare, but always an unexpected joy. Since declaring his feelings, Ennis often felt like he was floating high on a cloud, and knew it was all down to the boy walking towards him right now.
He waited expectantly for the door to open and to hear Jack’s welcoming voice, but was surprised when he heard another voice instead outside the door. When it opened, he saw Ryan standing with Jack, who looked as shocked as he felt.
“Found Ryan waiting outside,” Jack explained, trying to say more without actually using the words. “Says he’s got something he wants us to hear.”
Ennis managed to tear his eyes away from Jack to look at Ryan, who stood awkwardly by the door. The boy was looking down at his feet, and was shifting uncomfortably, making Ennis feel nervous.
“Well come on in, if you got something to say,” Ennis said gruffly.
“’M here to say sorry,” Ryan mumbled, his voice so low Ennis had to lean forward a little to hear him. “Figured I wasn’t welcome in the cabin, and I was outside when I saw Jack coming over here, so thought I’d say it now.”
Ennis didn’t know what was more of a shock: hearing Ryan apologise or knowing Ryan had seen Jack coming over to the workshop, clearly to see Ennis. Surely the next thing out of Ryan’s mouth would be “How come Jack’s come to see you here when he’ll see you in five minutes back at the cabin?”
Ennis caught Jack’s eye, who was looking at him with a puzzled expression on his face. Maybe Jack was thinking the same thing. But after a couple of minutes passed, Ryan had not said another word.
“Well, Ryan, that’s big of you to do that,” Ennis began, clearing his throat. “Shame it had to get as far as it did, but it’s all water under the bridge now.”
“Yessir,” Ryan muttered, looking sideways at Jack. “I’m sorry, Jack. Sorry for the trouble I caused.”
“Well, as Ennis says, it’s best forgotten now, but we both appreciate you doin’ this, know it musta been hard. Huh Ennis?”
“Wha? Oh yeah, Ryan, I can see it took a lotta courage, so thanks for that.”
Ryan looked at Ennis, then Jack, then back again. Ennis was sweating and needed some air but he wasn’t going to leave at the same time as Jack and Ryan. Would they have to make small talk until Ryan went one way while they went another?
“Okay, well I’ll go then.” Ryan turned to go, but stopped suddenly. “Oh, I apologised to Justin too. Thought you’d want to know.” He left the workshop and Ennis and Jack stared at each for a few silent moments.
“Never expected that,” Jack said. “Wonder who’s been talking to him? Apologising don’t come natural to that boy.”
“Yeah.” Ennis bit on a thumbnail absently. He caught Jack looking at him and stopped as quickly as he started.
“What’s eating you over there?” Jack asked. “I know seeing Ryan here was a surprise, but you looked as if you’d seen an elk with three heads.”
“You think he knows? About us, I mean?”
“What’s it matter if he does? He’s just apologised. If he was going to cause more trouble, I doubt he’d drag his sorry ass over here to face us two. Now quit your worrying and let’s get. We gotta change fast and eat even faster cause it’s Justin’s performance tonight.”
Ryan’s visit had unsettled him, but he left the workshop feeling relieved he had something more positive to think about.
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Jack was giving one more lesson to his favourite water babies before they were due to leave, and he was enjoying it as much as they were.
“Now listen up, sweet peas,” he began. “As it’s your last lesson with me, I give you complete permission to push me in the water.” The squeal of giggling delight from the girls caused Jack to laugh too. “But, you have to jump in and rescue me, without using any water wings, okay?”
“Can I push you in, Jack? Can I? Can I?” Louisa shouted the loudest and as she was secretly his favourite anyway, he winked at her and let her know that she had the special privilege of being the first one to do it. She gave him no time to prepare and rushed over and pushed him in the water, causing ripples and splashes to cover them and send them into even louder squeals of excitement. Jack didn’t mind; he was just happy to be making these little ones smile.
Jack saw Bob watch from the side of the dock, his wide brim hat covering his eyes but Jack could see he was smiling, too. When he’d repeated the pushing in and being rescued game with the small group, he gave each child a certificate and a tight hug. He hadn’t anticipated feeling so bad with them leaving, but now the time had come, his emotions were getting the better of him.
“Will you be here next year, Jack?” Louisa asked, her big brown eyes welling up as she looked hopefully at Jack.
“I don’t know sweetheart, I might be back, if the sharks don’t get me.” He felt bad for not telling her the truth, but couldn’t face letting her down completely.
“I don’t want anyone else to teach me, you’re the best at falling in the water, and you never shout.”
By this time, Bob had come over and joined Jack who was crouching down to talk with Louisa.
“I want Jack here next year too, sweetie, so if we both wish hard enough, maybe the sharks’ll be real nice and leave him alone.”
“Can’t you just tell him he has to come back, you’re the boss?”
“I’m the boss here, but not anywhere else. Jack has to go home too, just like you do. But you keep those fingers crossed, and we could be lucky.”
“Okay. I have to go now.” Louisa accepted Bob’s reassuring words and hugged them both again and trotted off with the rest of the young ones. Jack stood up and stretched, trying to focus on something other than the departing kids he’d taught all summer.
“You know I was telling the truth there, I will be keeping my fingers crossed you’ll come back.”
Jack knew Bob had meant it, too. It made him feel special and torn. If Ennis hadn’t happened, maybe he would be back. But things were different now.
“But I know you’ve got different priorities now,” Bob said, as if reading his mind. “I’ve had a few chats with Steve’s late addition to his cabin. Seems he’s finally learned the art of keeping his mouth shut. His parents threatening to withdraw his allowance for the rest of the year if he didn’t buck up might have had something to do with it.”
Jack laughed, shaking his head. “That explains his grovelling apology the other day. No way would he have done that just cause his conscience was pricking him.”
“We can hope that he’ll see the error of his ways, eventually. He’s just an ignorant kid, who doesn’t know any better.”
“Yeah, but that ain’t no excuse. I really can’t see him changing, and I don’t feel like waiting to see if he does.”
“I can understand that,” Bob said thoughtfully. “Hope everything works out for you, Jack. At home.” Bob turned and Jack followed his eyes where they fell on Ennis’s workshop. “And with everything else. You’re the best worker I’ve had, and hope we can keep in touch. Would like to know how you’re doing.”
“I’d like that too, Bob. Thanks for everything.” The words were inadequate, but he hoped Bob would understand what they meant.
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Ennis made one last check in the cabin, making sure no one had left anything behind. He stepped out and made his way to the parking lot where parents of campers had been arriving and leaving all day. Jack was already there, greeting the parents of the kids in their care, and reassuring each one that their child was going home unscathed but enriched by the camp experience. Ennis knew this because he and Jack had gone over what they’d say the night before, editing it so many times they decided the less said the better.
He looked around and noticed Justin hovering quietly by the side, looking anxiously towards the main entrance to the camp. Ennis noted that his parents hadn’t arrived yet. But Justin’s wait seemed to be over when a blue car came through the gates and caused Justin to break into an open and rarely seen smile. Ennis held back, wanting Justin to have a few private moments with his parents. He watched as first Justin’s mother, and then his father took turns in embracing him warmly, talking animatedly with expressive hands. Justin looked a lot like his mother, and he could also guess where he had got his love for the theatre from.
Justin turned and caught his eye, urging him to join them. Feeling self conscious, but knowing Justin would want him there, he made his way over, just as Jack came and joined them.
“Mom, this is Ennis and Jack, my counsellors - remember?”
Justin’s mom broke into a wide smile. “Well, of course I do! Thank you so much for taking care of Justin so well. I know he thinks a lot of you both.”
“Thank you ma’am,” Ennis said bashfully. “He was no trouble.”
“Ennis is being modest,” Jack interrupted. “All thanks should go to him more than me.” Jack smiled proudly at him.
“I’m sure you did your share of the hard work, too,” Justin’s dad said to Jack, “But, we do know how much Justin thinks of Ennis, and we won’t forget it, especially with everything that’s happened.” He held out his hand and Ennis took it, feeling awkward in the light of such praise.
“Dad! You’re embarrassing Ennis.” Justin rolled his eyes and his dad held his hands up in surrender.
“Okay, okay! I won’t say any more, although we do need to go and see Howie before we leave. Say your goodbyes and we’ll come get you when we’re ready to go.”
“Sorry about that,” Justin said as his parents moved through the crowd. “They tend to overdo it a bit sometimes.”
“It’s cool,” Jack said. “Better being patted on the back by parents than being told we ruined their kid’s life.”
“Yeah I guess. I had the best time, and I don’t think I would have if it hadn’t been for you and Ennis.”
“That’s good to know,” Jack said. “Hope you’re gonna keep in touch, I know we’d both like to know how you’re getting on.”
“Yeah,” Ennis added, “you need to let us know how Robyn’s doing, and how you get on in your acting class in school.”
“I’d really like that,” Justin said, bringing out a piece of paper from his back pocket and handing it to Ennis. “Write me your address and I can send you letters and pictures.”
Justin’s mom came into Ennis’s sight and she waved, holding back and waiting for Justin to go to them.
“I’d better go,” Justin said sadly, hugging Jack quickly. He then wrapped his arms tightly around Ennis’s waist, leaning his head against Ennis’s shoulder. “Thanks for everything,” Justin whispered. Ennis felt a sudden pang of sadness sweep through him.
“Justin, honey, we need to go. Robyn’ll be waiting for us.” Justin pulled away from Ennis as his mom came and grabbed the last of Justin’s bags that lay on the ground.
“Bye Ennis, bye Jack,” Justin said, walking away. “I’ll never forget you.”
Ennis waved, not having any adequate words to offer, and not sure if he’d be able to say them anyway.
As the car left and made it’s way out of camp, Ennis felt Jack step closer to him, their hands brushing slightly against each other.
“You okay cowboy?” Jack asked gently.
“Yeah, I’m okay.” Jack’s ocean-blue eyes shone brightly as they looked directly into his own. They gave him the understanding and support he needed, and he knew that he really was okay.
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End of part 2 - to read part 3, please click here http://poppyhoney-67.livejournal.com/9384.html