Chapter Text
David’s least favorite time of year is the end of the summer. Camp is over, the kids leave, the counselors leave, and he never knows who he might see again, if anyone. Being home never feels like he’s where he belongs. Just himself and the apartment to keep him company? He would rather be at Camp Campbell where his family is. David knows every year that the summer has to end, but gosh darn it he’s going to make it the very best day of the whole summer. The kids even seem a little more down as the last day approaches and it motivates David’s decision to make the most memorable day the most worthy day of remembering.
When all the campers retire, David sets to work. The different camp stations are relatively easy to work with. Nothing at Camp Campbell is very well made, and so he can easily move them around. The stage and extreme sports camp’s ramp are the heaviest items that can’t be budged alone. He could enlist the help of his favorite co-counselor, but this is a surprise for Gwen as well. David can’t wait to see the look on everyone’s faces. This is the best idea he’s had all summer.
David works through the night until the soft glow of the morning sun begins to reveal his handy work. It almost doesn’t happen, but he manages to finish before the campers wake up. He quietly sneaks into the Counselor’s cabin and his heart jumps when he nearly bumps into Gwen. She looked completely unfazed by his sudden appearance. Gwen barely acknowledges his presence, her eyes appeared to be glazed over. He wonders if she didn’t sleep well.
“Gwen! Good morning!” He chirps at her. “I hope you slept well because boy do I have a treat in store for you!” A piece of him knows that something isn’t okay, but he’s too excited about today to acknowledge it. All he can think about is how much fun today will be!
“David.” Gwen sounds as exhausted as she seems. For a brief moment, David thinks she’s going to say something more but she doesn’t. It’s not unusual for Gwen to be groggy or grouchy in the mornings, but she looks completely sapped of everything that makes her who she is. Although he’s excited about the surprise he has in store for everyone, he can’t ignore this.
His voice drops the chipper tone and David asks seriously, “Gwen? Is something wrong?”
“What? Oh, uh, no, nothing’s wrong, David. Just tired.” She waves him off dismissively and steps around him. He doesn’t believe her, but David doesn’t want to pry so he lets it go. Gwen isn’t one to keep quiet if something is really getting to her, so David isn’t too worried yet. She’ll let him know when she’s being pushed to her limits. Reliable Gwen! When he turns around she’s filling up her mug with coffee.
“So,” Gwen says, “what’s this about a treat?” David’s good mood is revitalized immediately. Gwen peers at him over her mug, waiting for him to explode and explain himself.
“Well, Gwen, I’m glad you asked!” He grabs her wrist and tugs her towards the door until she follows of her own will. She keeps an easy pace behind his erratic one. Every few steps he takes involves a pause, a hop, or a little spin. He just can’t help himself! The look on everyone’s faces is going to make his night without sleep worth his exhaustion. When they reach his masterpiece, the whole camp is awake and they’ve taken notice. “I spent the whole night working on it! On our last day of camp, I want everyone to have as much fun as possible before they have to go home!”
“What is it?” Neil asks.
“It’s beautiful!” Nikki proclaims, raising her arms in excitement.
“It’s a clusterfuck,” Max says.
“Max!” David protests with a whine, “It’s an amalgamation!” Every camp was separated, standing on their own spot, where only those who participate in that camp spend their time. Normally, David thinks that’s fine, but for today why shouldn’t they be one collective camp? Why not bring them together? It wasn’t easy, but he managed to find a way to bring all the stations together. Science camp is on Theatre camp’s stage, magic camp is now combined with arts and crafts camp. Everything is as mushed together as David can get it. If it had a station, it’s somewhere in the Camp Campbell Camp Combo. “We all learned so much this summer, so I decided for our last day we’re going to show something we learned from each other’s camps!”
David rushes to the front of the crowd of kids. “It’ll be fun! Come on, it’s our last day as a camp together! Shouldn’t we do something we can all have fun doing?”
Without a word, Max turns around and walks to the Mess Hall. Everyone watches him leave. When the door closes behind him, Space Kid turns back to the camp camp hybrid, his muffled voice brings everyone’s attention back to David’s creation, “Is there a spaceship in there somewhere?”
“Why don’t you all go get some breakfast?” Gwen encourages them, falling behind until she and David are the only ones left outside. “I think it’s a good idea,” she assures him gently as they walk to the Mess Hall. He isn’t so sure anymore. David glances in through a window at the group of kids all eating their breakfast and chatting. It’s hard to believe he’s doing an acceptable job when the kids all seem so uninterested in everything he says. But he won’t give up! He smiles at Gwen and takes a deep breath.
“Thanks, Gwen, I can always count on you to make me feel better! And you know, we have to do it too,” he says, “It’s for everyone .” Gwen doesn’t answer him but she doesn’t look annoyed either, which isn’t what he expected. David’s smile falls when she walks past him into the mess hall. Whatever is bothering Gwen, he won’t forget to ask about it before they both leave by the end of tomorrow. This is the second time he’s noticed her acting strange just this morning. David glimpses back at his combination of the camps for a moment, appreciating his work if no one else will, then ducks into the mess hall for some breakfast.
When he enters the room no one pays attention to him. He doesn’t mind. David takes a seat next to Gwen. Today is going to be a marvelous day , he tells himself.
“This is stupid,” Max complains when it’s his turn. “You want to know what I learned? Nothing ! All I learned is that I hate all of you.” David raises a finger to point out the contradiction of what he said, but Max continues, “Every one of you here, all of you, I hope I never have to see any of you again. You’re all losers. Especially you, David.” Max hops off the stage, shoves his hands in his hoodie pocket, and for the second time today he storms off.
“Is it just me, or is Max even more unhappy than usual?” He glances to Gwen who waves him off. She already knows what he’s thinking about doing. David rushes off and finds Max in his tent. He’s shoving his cycle of clothes into his bag. Before David can even open his mouth, Max breaks the silence.
“Go away, David.” He sits on his bed. “I’m not interested in whatever you’re going to say.” His shoulders are hunched, and he won’t look away from his bag of clothes. “Seriously,” He presses the point as hard as he can against David’s heart, “I don’t care.”
“But Max… You don’t even know what I’m going to sa-”
“You’re going to ask if I’m okay.. Or what’s wrong. If I don’t answer you’ll just try harder to get me to talk. But it’s not happening. Just leave me alone.”
David stares at Max for a few seconds, at a loss of what to do, and doesn’t say anything. Max is right, that was what David was going to say. The seconds continue to tick by. Leave the tent? Stay and keep showing he cares? Give Max space? Ask what’s on his mind? Would that make him a good or bad counselor? It’s a difficult question and David doesn’t know the answer. He’s torn but he comes to the conclusion that the best thing to do is leave Max alone.
It goes against everything David knows to leave a kid hurting and alone, but he hasn’t given up. He’s going to do his best to offer Max whatever he needs to make him feel better, but first Max needs to cool down. He backs out of the tent and as he returns to the demonstrations his stomach is turning.
The last of the campers is up. “And that,” Space Kid concludes, “is what I learned from extreme sports camp.” The activity took longer than David thought it would. Everyone really seemed to have paid attention over the summer! Just thinking about it makes him grin ear to ear, his mood soaring, but it crashes quickly.
What does it matter if the camper who needs it the most doesn’t care?
“I just don’t understand,” David confesses to Gwen as he lets his weight collapse onto one of the log benches, his chin dropping into his palm, “Max’s mood just keeps getting worse and worse. I spent the whole summer trying to make it as fun as possible. And now he won’t even tell me what’s wrong.” It’s not that unusual that Max doesn’t want to talk to him, but David feels hopeless anyway. Max leaves tomorrow around ten and time is always running out. He waits for Gwen to answer but she is silent. He hopes maybe she’s trying to find the solution too, but in the end she says nothing. David doesn’t mind. “I’ll just have to think of something before his parents pick him up,” he concludes resolutely.
Gwen continues to be silent, and David notices she seems to look through him.
Even if he doesn’t know what he’s going to do, even if he has to do it alone, David is going to help Max. He checks his watch. He’s going to need his energy, and if he plans on getting something accomplished, he’s going to need lunch. David follows the campers into the Mess hall for lunch.
They’re one camper short when David walks in. Perfect! This is exactly the kind of opportunity he’s searching for! He gathers two meals and leaves the cabin. “Max!” He chirps as he arrives at the tent, “I noticed you weren’t in the Mess Hall so I brought you some lunch! I hope you’re hungry!” David has to fight to keep a smile on his face in spite of how he feels seeing Max sitting alone.
Max is in a hurry to shove his hands in his pocket when he hears David. His eyes are downcast, his shoulders tense up, and he makes no move to talk to David. Neither of them say anything, leaving David standing there with nowhere to put the plates of food. The longer they wait the more sure David is that something more is on Max’s mind. He takes a deep breath and sits on the edge of the cot next to Max. “You really don’t want to tell me what’s wrong?” He asks. It’s not a matter of getting a confession. If Max won’t open up, he’s failed. Counselors are supposed to be there to help the kids. What use is he if he can’t do that? David knows that Max isn’t all bitter, he’s seen another side of Max, but getting past Max’s barriers is one of the most difficult things David’s ever had to do.
“No. I don’t,” he replies. David can see the gears turning in Max’s head when he stops to think and refrains from saying anything. This could be David’s last chance to make an impact on this child’s life and he isn’t about to let that go to waste. Max seems to shrink when he hunches his shoulders more and continues to avert his gaze. He is persistent but David is a patient man. However long it takes, he’s willing to wait. He’s encouraged by the fact that Max hasn’t told him to leave yet. Maybe , thinks David, maybe he’ll open up .
Minutes pass and Max still hasn’t said anything. David silently offers Max a plate. If the plate is just a plate of food or if it’s an offering of deeper meaning, he’s not sure, but after staring at it for a long minute, Max finally takes it. Progress! David can’t help but smile.
“Stop smiling,” barks Max even though he’s staring at his food. “How are you so happy all the time?”
The question takes David completely by surprise. Max has asked this question before, but usually when David is in a particularly good mood. The reminder that Max thinks it’s unusual to be so happy makes his heart sink. Why? Why doesn’t Max think it’s possible?
“Max,” he says, trying to find the right words, “I just like to be happy. But that doesn’t mean I don’t feel sad or mad or other things sometimes.” He watches as Max takes a bite out of his lunch. “Are you sure you don’t want to tell me anything?” It’s worth trying, David decides, it’s worth letting Max know that he’s there for him.
“No,” Max repeats between bites. Even though the conversation ends there, David feels lighter. This is easily the most meaningful chat they’ve had all summer! As relief ebbs off David’s shoulders, his mind starts to go fuzzy and his eyelids feel heavy. Staying up all night probably wasn’t the best idea in hindsight. He joins Max in eating his meal. The tent is quiet but Max tolerates David until he’s done eating.
When the last of his food is forked off his plate, Max drops his on top of it and leaves the tent. David sighs, and while he tries to think of how else to get Max to reach out to him, Gwen pulls back the tent flap and pokes her head in. “David? There you are. Kids need to pack up and I need your help getting the bonfire ready.”
He stands up and smiles, “Sure thing, Gwen, let me just put these plates in the Mess Hall and I’ll join you!”
The bonfire is a Camp Campbell tradition. On the last day of camp the campers get to pack their things and relax at the fire until it’s time for bed. They have s’mores to celebrate their last night together. It’s a good way to end the summer, David thinks. Of the seven years he’s been a camp counselor, the bonfire has always been a success. This one is no different. Chatter fills the air, and it’s one of David’s favorite sounds. He loves listening to the kids having fun between the crackling and popping of a fire. Maybe, he hopes, maybe Max is having a good time too. He can’t see Max from where he’s sitting but he hopes anyway.
Eventually, the kids dismiss themselves. When one leaves, more follow. They’re tired and excited to go home, and he sooner they can sleep the sooner they can leave in the morning. David spends most of the night talking to Gwen about her plans after camp. When the campers thin out entirely, the counselors yawn simultaneously. “I should get some sleep,” Gwen sighs, “don’t stay up too late.”
David watches her leave and sits silently by the fire, taking in the last Sleepy Peak nighttime sky. He’s reluctant to leave but he’s been biting back yawns and needs to get his rest. Just as David decides to call it a night and put out the last of the fire, he notices a familiar face on the opposite side of the embers. How long had he been sitting there? David frowns.
“Max?” He’s genuinely surprised to see that Max is not only still awake but he’s sitting at the remains of the fire. Although he knows Max heard him, he doesn’t get a response. Yet again they’re faced with silence. They both know that Max wants to say something, otherwise he wouldn’t be sitting there, but neither of them know when he’s going to say it. David doesn’t know how much longer he can stay awake but he’s willing to do his best for Max. This may be his last chance to help, he doesn’t want to waste it.
Max drops his gaze, staring at the embers, and doesn’t look up when he finally speaks. David has to really strain to hear him. “They won’t come tomorrow.”
The weight of what Max says hits David with an unexpected blow. His heart sinks like lead in his chest. He knows his parents sent him to camp so they wouldn’t have to deal with him, but this is a very serious claim. “Don’t say that, Max, of course they’ll come,” David says as gently as he can muster. He doesn’t want to be wrong, but he also doesn’t want to make Max feel like he doesn’t believe him either. So he adds, “why do you think they won’t?”
Through the last of the light provided by the dying fire, David can see Max look up at him over the pit. He looks so torn up. It’s the blank expression Max always has but there’s no energy, no anger, no drive to ruin David’s day, nothing there that makes Max who he has been all summer. He’s seen this look before. David hasn’t forgotten what happened halfway through the summer when he invited all the parents out for Parents’ day.
Until that moment, David thought the worst heartbreak he’s ever felt was when Bonquisha broke up with him, but that didn’t even begin to compare. David shifts his weight forward and begins putting out the fire. The pair of them fall back into silence.
Even if he tried to fill the space with comforting words, David doesn’t know what to say. The only thing real enough for David to focus on was the feeling of his stomach turning. Mr. Campbell was still gone and he didn’t know if the camp would be operating the next year. Who then, would have to take on Max when his parents sent him away again? Would they be able to handle him? Would they care enough? Would they know how to get him to eat? Would they think to leave cold water bottles for him so he didn’t overheat in his sweater?
The fire dims and just beyond the reach of the light that’s left Max has pulled his knees up to his chest and he’s focused on the firepit. Everything sinks in. Max really doesn’t think his parents will come to get him. It’s one thing to not show up for parents day, it’s another thing to send your child to camp just to have them gone, but it’s another to abandon them completely.
“Try to get some sleep, Max,” David says. “We can figure it out tomorrow.” Nothing about this will be easy, but all they can do is wait to see what happens. “It’ll be okay, just let me worry about it.”
He doesn’t look up, but Max nods. A moment later he stands up, his eyes still downcast, and quietly walks to his tent. Hey, thinks David, at least Max finally opened up. If only it weren’t about to be goodbye so soon after making progress. It’s taken a few years but they’re finally getting somewhere. If only it wasn’t because Max is miserable.
Later, David has trouble falling asleep.
One by one the campers are picked up. Last to leave on time is Neil around half past ten. Max sits between the counselors, watching the long road out of camp without breaking his concentration once. Several times David opens his mouth to break the quiet air around them but nothing comes out. Is there anything worth saying? As time continues to tick past, he considers that he might actually have to accept that Max might have been telling the truth. David had to convince himself that it was just Max’s imagination in order to finally fall asleep.
Noon passes by and the three of them are still sitting on the ground outside the Mess Hall. Gwen and David are past due to lock up and leave. And with Max still there, David thinks it’s best to try and wait a little longer. He isn’t about to give up. Maybe Max’s parents just got lost or were delayed by some unforeseeable incident!
Max is less optimistic, as usual. He stands up and turns to look at the counselors. “Well?” He asks. Gwen and David exchange a doubtful glance.
“Gwen?” David asks, standing up, “can I have a word with you?” He offers her his hand and pulls her up. They walk into the Mess Hall. Gwen leans against the door when it closes and David paces through the room.
“I just don’t understand,” He says, “this has never happened before! Maybe they’re just lost?” That had to be the answer, it made the most sense. He still wasn’t ready to believe Max was right that they weren’t going to show up.
A sigh heaves out of Gwen and David remembers he thinks she’s been acting strange the past couple of days. “I guess we’ll wait,” She says, “But what are we going to do if they don’t show up?”
He’s been thinking about it since last night. David stops pacing.
“Gwen is everything okay?” He decided he was going to ask if she was okay before they left, and he’s keeping that promise to himself now. “It seems like you’ve got something on your mind, and you usually say something...” He studies her face, it seems like everyone has had a lot on their minds lately. “I’m worried. And. Well. You don’t have to deal with everything alone.”
The air is a little more serious than David would like. He doesn’t approve of how negative everyone is feeling, himself included. “Yeah, everything is fine,” Gwen doesn’t seem like she’s telling the truth and that just makes David feel worse. Is he not trustworthy enough? Does she think she has to deal with her problems alone? Is it really something he can’t help with? David thinks that at the very least he can offer some advice. But if Gwen tells him there isn’t anything wrong, he won’t argue.
“I’ll wait here with Max until his parents pick him up. Go home, Gwen.”
Last year Gwen left as quickly as she could, leaving David to do all the clean up. That was her first year with Camp Campbell. David was so happy when he learned she was going to be his co-counselor again this year. He wants to ask if she will be coming back next summer, but Gwen has been so stressed this year that he thinks it’s best to just wait and see.
“He’s gonna love that,” she sighs quietly.
David looks out the window at Max who sat back down in the exact same spot they left him in. He has his shoulders hunched and he looks dejected, even from the back. The co-counselors exit the cabin. Gwen knocks on the Quartermaster’s door and David returns to sit next to Max. Not a word is said between them.
The engine of the bus roars to life and David spots Gwen give them one last look before she climbs onto the bus with her things. She doesn’t say goodbye, and David finds that comforting. He never knows when it’ll be goodbye forever when it comes to co-counselors. The bus pulls down the long road and leaves Max and David alone. They’re stuck there until either Max’s parents pick him up or the Quartermaster returns and can take them into town.
After ten minutes, David peeks at Max. Just waiting around is too depressing, and even though camp is technically over, it’s David’s job to make every camper happy! David stands up. “Max!” He announces, “I have an idea!”
Max sighs, still staring down the road, and doesn’t ask what the idea is.
“Look around,” chirps David, “we have the whole camp to ourselves! We can do anything!” He throws his arms in the air. “Isn’t that exciting? Isn’t there something you wanted to do while you were here that you didn’t get to?”
“Leave for good.”
His arms fall back to his side. “Come on, Max, don’t you want to.. I don’t know.. Break something?” The suggestion makes David cringe but he’s on a mission and he won’t stop until he gets what he’s after. “Or we can just put everything back where it belongs.” He isn’t serious, but he does need to move things back at some point.
“Pass.” Max glares up at him, his brows knit together. “David sit down.”
He doesn’t like the way Max sounds and he wonders how much Max actually slept last night. David still isn’t ready to give in just yet. He jogs off, and when he returns he’s holding a pack of cards. “We can at least pass the time! Come on, Max, what’s your favorite game?”
Much to his surprise, Max gives in. The two sit together on the side of the dirt road and play card games until they hear tires driving towards them. David’s ears all but perk up like a dog’s, looking to see if it’s Max’s parents, but the large yellow school bus rattles into view.
Three hours pass since Gwen left and there is still no sign of Max’s parents. When, David wonders, is too soon to give in? He’s worried that making Max wait around will make him feel worse when he finally admits Max was right.
Eventually neither of them can remember whose turn it is and they have to set the cards aside. David tries to think of a way to bring up what Max does with a very simple statement.
“I told you they wouldn’t come.” David can barely hear him say it he’s so quiet. Max pulls the postcard that came in the mail halfway through camp out of his pocket. It’s blank on the front and the writing on the back isn’t even handwritten. There’s a well worn fold down the middle of it. Max’s gaze is on the ground just beyond his sneakers, the expression he’s making is a familiar one. It’s amazing, David thinks, the difference between an annoyed grimace and a melancholy stare. He hates seeing Max like this. He hates it with every fiber of his being.
Poor Max! What must he be feeling? He wishes that Max would cry a little, with just the two of them there, surely he knows he doesn’t have to act like he’s okay?
“What now?” Max asks, completely defeated.
Although he had worried about this, he hadn’t thought about what he was supposed to do if Max’s parents didn’t show up. Now that he’s thinking about it, only one thing makes sense to David. He leaps to his feet, raising a finger, his face alight with joy. “Max! I just had the best idea ever !” He beams down to Max whose expression shifts as he realizes what it is that David is about to say, he even tries to protest but David talks over him. “I’m going to take you to my house and you can stay with me!”