Give Me a Sign(26)
But Phoebe, the camper holding Simone’s bag and wearing sunglasses past dark, scoffs. “We can hear them perfectly well from farther away. It’s not like we need a closer vantage point.”
I chuckle. The way the sun is setting, I have to strain my eyes through the glare over the water to see Ethan, Oliver, and Ben. The lifeguards are in standard red swim trunks paired with gray crewneck sweatshirts. Almost every day we’ll take the campers to either the pool or the lake, if not both, but I wonder what the Brits are supposed to be doing in their free time.
When everyone finds a seat, Ethan hoots and throws his hands up. “Attention,” he says and signs. “I know we’re excited, but we need to focus before we can start tonight’s beach games. Even though we’re not swimming, we’ll be at the lake a lot, so it’s important to know the rules.” He steps to the side and gestures for the lifeguards to speak.
“Right,” Ben says, but he turns and looks at Ethan. “If I just, then you’ll ——。”
Ethan nods, already interpreting what Ben is saying.
“Carry on,” Oliver chimes in.
“I’m Ben,” he continues. “And this impatient fellow is Oliver. We’ll be your, um, lifeguards this summer. The rules are— I’m sorry, should I slow down?” He turns back to Ethan. “I mean, can they hear me or do you need ——？”
Ethan nods for Ben to keep speaking, giving a cheerful smile to hide any irritation in his eyes. Interpreting done well doesn’t need to be slowed down. Oliver looks my way and offers an apologetic smile. I bite my lip to keep a neutral face. After Simone’s comment the other night, I can’t stop thinking about how Oliver is cute, if in a “not exactly my type” kind of way.
Oliver takes over for a stumbling Ben. “It’s pretty simple. No running on the beach, unless we’re specifically playing beach games, like tonight. Don’t go into the water unless we lifeguards are present.” He’s got plenty of admirers already. The two giggly girls with Simone take turns whispering into each other’s ears. Oliver isn’t oblivious to this, and smiles my way again, continuing his litany of rules. “If you’re going past the roped-off area of the lake, you must be wearing a life jacket. In fact, if you’re not a strong swimmer, you should wear a life jacket at all times, anywhere on the beach.”
After going over the rules, Ethan reminds the lifeguards of a few basic signs he taught them during training week, namely “no and “stop.” Finally, we’re released, and the campers descend upon the beach.
Isaac flags down Ethan, who asks the lifeguards something. Then Oliver jogs back to the shed attached to their cabin and returns pushing a beach wheelchair. He holds it steady while Isaac helps one of his campers transfer from their usual seat to the bigger-wheeled, more sand-friendly chair. Isaac nods a quick thank-you to Oliver, then hurries off.
On the beach, Ethan divides us all into teams, and the games begin.
* * *
The rope scratches against my palms. Couldn’t we wear gloves or something during tug-of-war? The relay races we started with were more my speed.
Ethan tried to form six evenly matched teams, but of course Blake decided she had to be on my team, so one of the older boys took her place. I don’t want to say we’re the weakest team, but most of us are tiny humans. And the other team, which Isaac is on, is easily going to drag us across the finish line.
“Is anyone else even pulling?” Bobby shouts from a few feet behind me. He’s standing in the loop at the end of the rope, trying to step backward, but he’s sliding in the sand.
“Ah!” I shriek when Bobby accidentally pulls on my hair.
“I don’t want to lose!” Blake shouts, stomping her feet.
“Then pull,” I shout back.
The beach is chilly. Most of the campers put on jackets, but I thought my long-sleeved shirt would suffice. Paired with shorts, it’s not the warmest style, but it’s my favorite summer camp look. At least it’s protecting my arms from rope burns.
My team inches forward. With each pull, my hands end up painfully sliding back. There’s maybe only a foot left until our tape marker crosses the middle line, deciding our losing fate. Ethan is standing by, waiting to declare the winner.
But the rope slacks, and I stumble backward. Somehow my team gains a few steps.
“Whoa, who hulked out?” Bobby shouts. “We’re back in this thing!”
Isaac has released his grip on the rope and is now running to our side. He squeezes between me and Bobby and starts pulling for my team.
“What are you doing?” I shout, turning my head back to look at Isaac.
He just smiles and nods for me to face ahead.
“Let’s go, team!” Bobby barks out, shaking the rope for emphasis.
We’re holding on and making gains, but my hands are on fire. I can’t take it anymore. I have to let go, throwing my arms up in the cool air.
Our opponents go in for a big pull right at that moment. My team flies forward across the line, and Isaac’s face makes direct contact with my elbow. We collide and fall to the ground.
There’s sand all over me. Clumps of damp sand everywhere. It’s in my shorts, up my hair, and on my face. I spit out a few grains at the crease of my lips.
The other team is celebrating its victory, and everyone moves aside to make room for the next match. Isaac gingerly inspects his forehead, which is bright red. He stands, extending one hand to help me up while the other holds the side of his face.