Dinner was where the scheming began. Pete sat across from me, shoveling the lumberjack dinner down his throat.

“How do we make it into town?” I whispered.

“Not by walking.”

I scanned the room for my sister. She was surrounded by her fellow Hootah cabin mates, who were congratulating her for something. As Pete choked down his mashed potatoes, I watched the group start singing to her. I couldn’t make out what, but she was the center of their attention.

“By the river,” Pete mumbled.

“What?”

“Take a canoe,” he said, “river goes right into town.”

“Oh.”

“Are you listening to me?”

“Hang on,” I said as I weaved my way through the dinner tables to my sister. The encircled entourage had finished their song with a round of applause. I peeled the girls away to reveal Kaylee smashing a cupcake into her mouth.

“Where did you get that?” I asked.

She grinned as usual, her mouth packed with cake and icing. “It’s my birthday.”

“You’re birthday is in October.”

“Shhhh,” she said as bits of cake spit out her teeth.

“Well, we’re meeting up with dad tonight.”

“Really?” Her eyes blew up, cheeks puffed with excitement.

“Yeah, so pack your bag,” I said. “I’ll come get you after lights out.”

“Yay!” she shouted, taking another healthy bite of her cupcake. I smiled. My sister always managed to ignore all the bad stuff my father brought about us. And with all the friends she was making at camp, I almost didn’t want to bring her with me.

“Happy birthday.”