Page 93 of Mr. B

“Between eleven and one.”

“So, no lunch?”

“Just breakfast.”

She sighed. “The last day of camp. It’s kind of sad.”

“For me, this year, I’m not all that sad it’s over.” She raised an eyebrow, and he held up a hand. “Because of the sick campers and my near-traumatic experience, not because I found my way back to you.”

“Okay.” She smiled. “Do you need help getting to the bathroom?”

“Probably.”

She put his clothes in the bathroom, then came back to help him. When they got to the bathroom door, he smiled. “It probably wouldn’t be a bad idea to have some help in the shower, too.”

She laughed. “Wow.”

“I’m serious. You wouldn’t want me to fall, would you?”

“You’re going to be fine.”

“I just hope you can live with whatever might happen in there.”

“Weston, go take your shower.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

The crutches made a huge difference in Wes’ mobility, and when he and Cassandra arrived in the mess hall a few minutes late, the kids all stopped eating, stood, and clapped.

Wes held up a hand. “All right, all right, thank you, but I’m fine.” They continued to the table, and Lester pulled back a chair and took the crutches from Wes when he sat down.

May and June had gone all out for the final breakfast, and the smell of bacon filled the hall. Cassandra remained on her feet. “You want a little of everything?”

“Except bacon. I want a lot of bacon.”

“Okay.”

“And coffee.”

She left to fill their plates, and when she returned to the table, Wes stood and whistled. The chattering voices and clanking silverware stopped as the room fell silent. “This has been an interesting week. We faced a few obstacles we don’t normally encounter. But we made it, and I hope you all had a memorable experience.” Everyone clapped and cheered. Wes held up a hand. “I want to thank you all for handling the poison berry situation with maturity, which let us focus on getting the sick campers taken care of and on their way home. I’m sure you’ll see them all at school on Monday, fully recovered.” He patted his knee. “Me not so much. But I’ll be there. All things considered, it’s been a great week. I hope you all agree.” More cheers and clapping. “Okay, eat your breakfast while it’s hot. Your parents will start arriving in a couple of hours.”

Bailey stood up. “Mr. B, we, the senior class, have something for you.”

“You do, huh?”

“Yes.” She approached the table. “It’s, um… maybe it’s not your thing, but it’s very acceptable for men these days.” She shook her head, then took a multi-strand leather bracelet with different colored beads strung between knots and several square copper beads. “Everyone picked out a bead to put on it.” She glanced back at the kids. “We raided the craft supplies.” She handed it to him. “We made it as… masculine as we could.” She blushed, then stepped back.

Wes looked at the bracelet. “Goodness. This is…” He looked at Bailey, then at the rest of the kids. “Thank you. I…wow. Really, I appreciate it. It’s awesome.”

Cassandra took it from him and wrapped it around his wrist. He looked at it, then held up his arm. “Plenty masculine. I think I can totally pull it off.” The kids whistled and cheered as Bailey returned to her seat. Wes swallowed the lump in his throat, then picked up his coffee and took a sip.

Cassandra leaned close to him. “What a lovely gift.”

“Yeah.” He smiled at her. “Damn kids, this is why graduation is so hard every year. You spend four years with them, then…”

She patted his thigh. “They love their Mr. B.”

After lunch, the kids packed their things and gathered on the grass near the parking area. Cassandra and Bailey had loaded their things, along with Wes’ into the Wagoneer so they’d be ready to leave as soon as the last camper was picked up.