Aunt Ellen didn’t even drive with us to camp. Uncle Tony dropped us off. At least he carried the bags to our cabins, but once he did, he simply gave an artificial nod and waved us off.

The counselor tried stirring conversation from him and us, but none of us were in the talking mood. She looked sixteen and an obvious overachiever. Her smile was so perky it squirted happiness. I wanted to punch her.

“Kevin, I hope you find Tochoco Cabin comfortable,” she said, “and Kaylee, I’ll walk you across the court to the Hootah Cabin.”

“Yay!” Kaylee clapped.

“There’s a Hooter’s Cabin at Chokachickin?” I said smartly.

“Ha, good one, Kevin. No, it’s Hoot-tah, and staying there is a real ‘hoot’!” She laughed, gently elbowing Kaylee in the ribs. Kaylee giggled. I winced. That’s when she pulled out the kazoo. Brr-ba-brr-brrrr. She trumpeted a modest fanfare and announced to the empty cabin. “Everyone welcome Kevin to Camp Chokochakee, newest member of Tochoco Cabin.”

“Thanks,” I muttered.

“Now, you’ve already missed most of today’s activities, so you can hang out, or take a walk. That’s my favorite. Dinner starts at 5. Just listen for the bell.” And she threw her arm around Kaylee and walked her out the door. I watched them bounce across the yard to another cabin in the distance.

Tochoco Cabin smelled like farts, and the only empty bunk was the closest to the bathroom. I took the top bunk, figuring any wandering smell would miss me. Out the one window I saw a group of kids swinging butterfly nets as if the local asylum had been let loose. And I heard a distant fanfare. Brr-ba-brr-brrr.

I looked at my watch. It wasn’t even close to the end of July.