Battle on The Home Front Pt 2

Janie texted me after lunch to let me know Cottage #3 had been vacated and had to be prepared for the next renters. Hmm. So, Matt and his creepy friends were finally gone. Good riddance!

After leaving off paper supplies and trash bags at Cottages #1 and #2, I pulled into the driveway at #3. Yep, all the vehicles were gone and the fancy speed boat had left its perch on the lake. I let myself in and was surprised that it was even cleaner than when they moved in. Truthfully, I expected it to be turned upside down out of revenge.

That was a nice surprise on a day full of nice surprises. On the shiny coffee table was an envelope. Inside was a pile of dollar bills and a note from Matt: 'Hey, Carol, I'm sorry I acted like a dick last night. I hate being laughed at and I handled it like a baby. You're a hell of a woman and a great mom. Take the girls out somewhere fun on me, Matt. PS, my cell # is 602-967-1023. Please call me so I can apologize properly.'

I counted out one hundred and twenty dollars in ones. Wow! Maybe I was too quick to judge him. Not that I'd ever date him. But, this was nice. Everyone has bad days.

The trash was neatly bagged and left by the kitchen door. I hauled it to the van and decided to take five minutes just for me. I carefully picked my way through the weeds to the lonely, little boat pier, which had been calling to me all week. I tried it with one foot and it seemed sturdy enough, so I ventured out to the very end, taking my shoes and socks off, and dipped my feet in the cool water.

Setting the timer on my phone, I pulled out earbuds and found my favorite playlist. Then, I laid back on the dock, soaking in the sunshine that I was usually too busy to enjoy. I must have drifted off to sleep. A faint buzzing noise fought its way through the earbuds and interrupted Beth Hart's raspy voice. I jerked awake and saw a motorboat zipping toward the dock, raising swells in the small bay.

Someone was standing up in the boat motioning to me. I pulled out my earbuds and heard, "Hey! Baby! Want to go for a ride?"

There were about four guys on the boat waving to me and the boat was getting uncomfortably closer. Yeah. No. I scrambled off the pier in record time, almost leaving behind my shoes and socks. Sheesh! A boat ride with five strange men. I don't think so.

I ran to the van, regretting taking my shoes off, and sped out of the driveway quickly, hoping the guys in the boat didn't see the lettering, 'CAMP LEISURE HONEY POT.' I didn't want those creeps following me to work. At the first stop sign, I yanked my sneakers on, after pulling a sliver out of a bloody big toe.

My heart was still pounding when I pulled into the campgrounds. Remembering that Janie and Linda would clean the upper restrooms and showers today, I sighed in relief. It was a good day, indeed. Even with my happy boaters encounter.

As I returned the supplies to the closet in the camp store, Janie took me by the hand and led me to the back door. "See that cute, little VW Bug?"

"Yeah, the dead one?"

"It's dead no more. Tyler fixed it this afternoon. He said the thing-a-ma-jiggy was disconnected to the hoodad and he repaired it for you."

"Seriously? Could this day get any better? I just got a hundred and twenty dollar tip!" I told her.

"Well, Girl! Go enjoy it! Oh, By the way, Mike wanted me to give you his cell number in case your bug dies again," she said, handing me a piece of paper, arching her brows.

"What? We're friends. He's nice. I didn't realize he could talk," I joked.

The girls were in the pool enjoying their last swim of the day. I leaned on the fence and watched them splashing and laughing with the other kids. Forgotten were the tears from yesterday and poor Katie's sadness about missing her dad. Too bad every day couldn't be fun and carefree. It was a tough battle, but I would try my best to keep them from adult fears and pain.

Taking the first aid kit down from a shelf in the laundry room, I applied some Neosporin to my big toe, then wrapped it in a bandaid before tucking my foot into the blood-stained sneaker.

I walked back to the pool fence, waving to the girls, "Kiddos! We have to leave!"

Beanie was hanging on the lifeguard chair, gazing lovingly at Jeff. He reached down, patted her tousled mane, and told her he'd see her in the morning. She put her hand on her head and walked dreamily over to the fence to inform me she would never wash that part of her hair again.

Katie had met some new girls and reluctantly told them she'd see them tomorrow. When they both finished getting dressed and looked somewhat respectable, I told them I had a big, huge surprise for them.

"What? What?" They begged in unison.

"Someone gave me a tip today. That means they liked how I cleaned for them and we have some extra money. Does anyone here need a new bathing suit or shorts? Maybe some sneakers?" I hinted, as I pointed my blood-stained sneaker up in the air.

"Ew! Mommy, what happened to your foot?" Katie asked.

"I stepped on a pricker bush. I think Mommy needs new sneakers too."

"Can we eat here? I'm starving!" Wailed Beanie.

"Nope. I have an even better surprise for you," I promised.