Uncle Larry stands at the entrance of the kitchen sipping coffee.
“Good morning, everyone.” He is so formal despite his yard clothes and baseball cap. “Yes, we do have a surprise, and we’re going to need everyone’s full cooperation.”
Uh-oh. The last time I was surprised, I got a trip to the South. I don’t think I can handle another life-altering surprise. I guess my uncle is waiting for little Princess Sally to join us. Finally, dressed neatly like something out of a J.Crew catalog, she saunters slowly down the stairs, sulking as if someone killed the cat she never had. She sure can hold a grudge. Whatever. I’m over it. I’ve already given in to the fact that this is going to be the worst summer ever. But I’m loving that I’ll be eating Aunt Jeanie’s cooking while I’m here. Pancakes. Yum! These fluffy pillows from heaven are perking up my spirits already. I even wave at Sally as thick maple syrup drips from my next bite. No, she didn’t just roll her eyes.
“Good morning, sweetie,” Aunt Jeanie greets her.
“What’s so good about it?” Sally drags her sad face to the refrigerator for water.
“Now, Sally, I hope you’re not going to keep it up with this sour attitude of yours,” Aunt Jeanie replies. “You’re going to spoil our surprise.”
“What surprise?” Sally looks like she’s already disappointed.
“Well,” Uncle Larry jumps in, “we’re putting in a pool!”
The boys go bananas. I’m even excited about the news, and I don’t know how to swim. Sally tries to appear unaffected.
“That’s nice,” Sally says, slicing an apple.
“The other good news is, the boys are going to help your dad with the pool, and you and Kayla are going to day camp,” Aunt Jeanie says, then sips coffee.
“Day camp?” Sally is not happy. “I’m too old for day camp.” Day camp? Really?
“Honey, I hear they’re doing something different this year.” Aunt Jeanie is selling us the hype. “It’s being called the Charlotte Sports Day Camp. It’s about encouraging kids to get moving and playing together. You know, teamwork. I think you’re going to like it.”
“Sounds like fun, Aunt Jeanie.” I’m too old for day camp too, but I can’t hurt her feelings. I just think it’ll be much better than staying cooped up in this house the whole summer.
“You’re welcome, baby,” Aunt Jeanie replies. “See, Sally? Kayla is excited.”
“That’s because she still acts like a kid…and dresses like one too,” Sally says.
“I am not a kid, okay?” I retort. “You’re the one who’s acting like an ungrateful brat.”
“Who are you calling brat?”
“You, Princess!”
“You’re just jealous, Kayla.”
“Whoa! Hey!” Uncle Larry whistles uncharacteristically. “You two, settle down. Sally, take a seat.” Sally plops down at the table.
“Now, look.” Aunt Jeanie sighs. “I don’t know about you all, but I’m planning on enjoying the next four weeks of this lovely summer with a pool and all the fun. You, Sally, can sit in your room the whole time and pout all you want. Or you can cancel that bad attitude and get with the program.” I guess that’s Aunt Jeanie’s way of trying to sound cool or hip, as she might say. Funny. Sally sulks while I snag an extra helping of pancakes. Sally is not spoiling my appetite. “They let me sign you two up even though we were past registration. And I had to pay extra,” Aunt Jeanie continues. “You’ll be a little late, but I think—”
“All right! I’ll go to the camp,” Sally says, caving. “But if I don’t like it, I’ll take the sentence and stay in my room.”
Aunt Jeanie and Uncle Larry share an inside look. They’ve seen this act from her before, I’m guessing. Doesn’t matter. She isn’t me, and I certainly am not sitting in anybody’s room…for four weeks…in the hot South.
—
Later, Aunt Jeanie drops Princess Sally and me off at a huge community center campus. It’s actually what I imagine a country club would look like. Well, I am in the country, so this must be the club. It makes my community center back in Brooklyn look like an old Cracker Jack box. I mean, there’s a fountain out in front of something that looks like a lake beside the main building, and there are huge sports fields surrounding the place. Baseball, soccer—is that a skateboard ramp? Wow! This is cool! I feel like I’m at the summer Olympics. The place is crawling with kids, kids my age—and boys who actually have their pants pulled up over their underwear. Okay, I must admit, I am a little excited.
“This is the camp?” I ask, just to make sure.
“Sure is,” Aunt Jeanie confirms. “Oh, and look. Kids seem like they want to be here.” She directs that to Sally, who is still uninterested.
“Thanks, Aunt Jeanie,” I say, quickly hopping out of the car.
“You’re welcome, Kayla.” Aunt Jeanie smiles and lowers the window. “You two stick together. You’re family, whether you like it or not.” Sally and I share an annoyed look. “And family take care of one another.” As soon as the car is out of sight, I run off to check out the place, leaving Sally standing with her arms crossed.
Inside, everyone scatters about, checking flyers posted on the walls and then running over to a registration table. There’s a guy with a bullhorn announcing what sports are left for signing up. I check out the lists.
Basketball, soccer, baseball, tennis, skateboarding…Really? I continue reading. “No friggin’ way!” Double Dutch!!! What?
I’m at table seven like a lightning bolt struck my butt. I instantly sign up for double Dutch. Yeah! I immediately grab the sheet again and sign Sally’s name to the list.
“What are you doing?” Sally steams. “You can’t just go running off.”
“I’m not your child, and if my math is right, I am five months older than you.” She’s not going to spoil my mood now. “Look! Double Dutch!
