“You, Riley Banks, will be staying put in the same place all summer?”
I cross my index and middle fingers and bring them to my lips, kiss them, and drop them to my chest, drawing an X over my heart. “Cross my heart and hope to die.”
She breathes out. “Okay then. I can work with that. Do you have anything in mind?”
I didn’t think this through this far out. “Anything. Hit me with it.”
“I’m gonna suggest something, but if it’s too much responsibility, let me know.”
“I can handle it.”
She cocks her head to the side.
“I can!”
“I need someone to run the activities for the camp. The schedule you made was incredible, and after I posted it on ourwebsite, we’ve gotten our enrollment up by thirty percent. People keep referring to it and some video online; I think they might be mistaken, since I haven’t posted anything in that area.”
“About that…”
“What?” she asks, eyebrows shooting up.
I pull my phone from my back pocket and scroll to the page I created on social media for the camp. The truth is, it has gotten way more attention than I thought, and I don’t even have videos or anything from the past couple of years.
Is she in shock? I’m not sure what this expression is. Is she mad? Is she happy? Surprised? “Say something.”
“Riley…this is…”
Oh, she hates it. “Stupid? I can stop. I figured it wouldn’t hurt, but if it doesn’t fit the vibes you have fo?—”
“Perfect. It’s perfect.”
I could keep giving her things I can do—wait? Did she say perfect? “Wait, really?”
“Really. This is wild. So this is what’s driving people to it?”
I shrug. “Maybe, but it’s what we have to offer that keeps them enrolling their kids. Team effort and all.” Putting that communications degree to good use, I guess.
We stand in silence, just smiling at each other. This is the type of silence I’ve never had near Lilly. I usually feel judged or like I’m annoying her, but I’ve come to realize it has little to do with that and a lot to do with how I’m interpreting her actions. I need to stop doing that.
“I can keep going if that helps. I’m hoping once camp starts, I’ll be able to get more footage and increase attendance week by week.”
She nods. “Would you consider maybe not being a counselor?”
“No! I can do both! And run the activities. I’ll be fine.”
She shakes her head. “No, you won’t. You’re here telling me I need to find time for myself, and I’m telling you, if you take on all those responsibilities, you’ll never find that time foryou. I would love for you to be a counselor, but I think running and organizingeach activity, leading the counselors in doing what you have as a vision, and continuing with whatever sorcery that is will help more in the long run.”
Now that she puts it that way... “And you trust me with that?”
She smiles. “I do. Just please, let me know if there are any issues, okay? I’ll try not to be mad.” I run around the desk and toss myself into her arms with an oomph.
“I’ll make you proud!”
“I’m already proud. You’ve grown a lot in these past few years. Sorry I didn’t give you the benefit of the doubt.”
I could cry. I could, but if I let one tear out, I won’t be able to stop them. “Thanks, Lils.”
I let go of her, knowing damn well she hates hugs and her clothes getting wrinkled.