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“Is it weird that forest shade has a smell all its own?”
“Now that you mention it, it kinda does. Like a cool earthy scent.” The green leaves above you rustled in a warm breeze, uplifting your hair.
You sat with David during your lunch break beside a babbling brook. Dragonflies swooped down for lunch as birds and frogs made calls to each other in the distance. He pulled sandwiches from his knapsack and handed you one. Unfolding the tinfoil, you noticed the crusts were cut off of the fresh white bread. “You didn’t have to.”
“I wanted to,” he smiled, warmly. His freckled face was summer itself. His eyes were the color of life renewed.
You savored the first bite and took a swig from your canteen. It was still cool from the water fountain. You’d opted for that, not knowing what Max and crew put into the lemonade they’d offered. “Thanks,” you swallowed. “I was hungry since arts and crafts.”
“That long, huh?”
“You’ve got some mayo on your cheek.” You reached up to wipe it off for him. You could feel his heat and the salt of his sweat.
“…Thanks.” His hand touched the spot yours had been. When he loosened his neckerchief you could see a tan line. He was getting sunburned.
You rolled onto your belly on the checkered picnic blanket he’d put out. You plucked a reed of grass from nearby and tore it down into strips before you tossed them to float downstream.
“Have you ever learned to play grass like an instrument?”
“I tried,” you shrugged, “but I was never any good at it. Just like whistling with your fingers. Hey, I’ve seen you do that before. Are you good at playing grass, too?”
“I could show you how. Just watch!” He put a blade between his thumbs and made it sound like a duck call.
You laughed. “Not bad. Maybe I can finally do it now that I’m the counselor and not the camper.” You attempted, unsuccessfully, as the next strip of grass blew into the water.
It was David’s turn to laugh. “You know you have to hold onto it to make it work.”
“I know, I know.” You tried again.
“Here,” David folded his arms around you, his hands moving over your thumbs. “Is this okay?” He said by your ear.
“Yeah.” Your stomach fluttered. “’s fine.”
His hands cupped yours, moving them up to your lips. “I’ll keep mine here. Just blow.”
“What? And get spit all over you?”
“No! Not if you do it right.” You could feel his words reverberate through your back. His chest was warm against it. His legs were on either side of you. A worn Band-Aid over one red knee. His socks held little brambles from the forest path. His shoes were abandoned on the edge of the blanket, aside yours. “Go on. Try it. I won’t mind a little spit if you do.”
You leaned forward a blew. Nothing happened.
“Almost,” David encouraged. “Make your lips tighter and try again.”
You took another breath and followed his instructions. You were rewarded with a funny sound that vibrated against your lips. “I did it!” you laughed, feeling a thrill of accomplishment. “Thanks, David!”
“You did it!” David took his hands from yours and easily wrapped them around your midsection into a pulling hug. “I’m so proud of you.”
“For something that small?”
“For anything. For everything.”
"You're too sweet, David." You leaned your head back onto his shoulder. “I wish that I could teach you something. You seem to know everything related to camp.”
“Maybe… you already have.”
“Ever caught any crawfish in this creek?”
“A couple.”
“Want to see who can find more?”
“You’re on!”
You both stripped off your socks to wade in the water. The rocks were slippery underfoot.
“It’s cold!” you both said at the same time. The water came down from somewhere up the rocky mountains where the weather wasn’t ninety degrees. You playfully kicked some at David, who splashed back. The chill offered you some relief as you got used to it.
“You’re just trying to distract me because you know I’ll win.”
“Oh? You think so,” you held up a rock and pointed at the lobster-like creature, “when I’ve already got one up on you?”
“Well, I found a-” David lifted a rock, “a turtle?” He knelt down. “Hey there, little fella. Aren’t you cute?”
“Now you’re distracting me,” you walked over. “A red-eared slider; cute and invasive.”
“Well, if he’s invasive, should we keep him as a pet? You know, like a camp mascot?”
“David, you know what happened to Larry.”
“I know…” he sighed.
“But at least this one has a shell to protect him. Come on,” you held out a hand to help him up. “Lunch time is about over. Let’s go show the kids.”