It's A Dirty Job

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After being shit on and dumped by my soon-to-be ex-husband, landing a job cleaning at Leisure Camp Honey Pot was like a warm hug. Sure, the hours were killing me and the work was beyond exhausting. But, the camaraderie and the love shown to me and my two girls was exactly what we all needed.

After a particularly grueling day of cleaning units and bathrooms in 90-degree heat, Janie, the afternoon shift manager, had taken it upon herself to arrange for us to have a good meal at the camp restaurant that evening. She even set aside a stream-side cabin for us so the girls could attend movie night while I finished the last of the cleaning.

Unbeknownst to me, Beanie had invited a special guest to join us for dinner; Jeff, the ‘cool’ life guard. Jeff couldn’t have been more than 21 or 22, so I wasn’t certain if Beanie invited him as her date or mine.

Beanie was my tousle-headed four-year-old, who charmed everyone she met with her bubbly personality and freckled grin. She could splash in the mud one minute, then play fairy princess the next. Everyone around her went along with whatever fantasy she was selling, because, well, Beanie was a great salesperson.

Katie, her serious and cautious seven-year-old sister was tasked this Summer with keeping an eye on her while I worked. The staff at Honey Pot Camp was watchful of both girls. But, Katie never let Beanie out of her sight and would report to me everything, good or bad, that Beanie had accomplished while I worked.

When Jeff arrived for our ‘date’, Beanie immediately announced that he would sit next to her, removing no doubt about whose date he was.

“Mommy, this is Jeff. He’s the cool lifeguard an he’s gonna teach me how to swim this Summer,” the Bean announced.

Jeff turned several shades of crimson and looked over the menu before saying, “The girls are so well-behaved. I wish all the kids here were like them.”

Beanie was looking at him adoringly, hands under her chin, while Katie cautiously glimpsed up at Jeff from under her long, dark eyelashes, blushing from ear to ear. Well, well. Katie thought Jeff was cool too!

“Jeff, I appreciate you keeping such a good eye on them when they’re in the pool. Beanie was never interested in swimming before. Maybe you’ll turn her into a swimmer this Summer.”

“Lessons begin in August. Katie will probably be in the intermediate/beginner’s class and Beanie will be in the Tadpole class. My girlfriend will be helping with the classes and she’ll be teaching the Tadpoles. Beanie, you’ll love my girlfriend, Sherry. She’s lots of fun!”

Beanie’s face froze in horror when Jeff said he had a girlfriend. Tears began welling up in her eyes and her lips trembled. Jeff was oblivious and gave the cook his order as though he hadn’t just pulled the planet out from under poor Beanie’s heart.

I quickly ordered our meals, unsure how to sidestep this catastrophe. While I panicked, Katie leaned into Beanie’s ear, whispering something magical that immediately turned the tears and hysterics off. Beanie grinned at her sister and nodded her head.

Katie to the rescue. Jeff teased the girls about how much they ate, asking them where they put it all. Beanie giggled and pointed to her belly and Katie just blushed.

Jeff and I cleaned the table and before we left, I stopped to thank Mike, the cook, for treating us to a great meal. He was a taciturn man with just enough gray in his trimmed beard to make me think he was over forty. He was staying in a camper for the Summer and picking up a paycheck while he saved to open his own restaurant.

I rarely saw him smile, so I was shocked when he grinned at me and wiped his brow with the bandana he kept in his back pocket. “Uh, thanks. Cooking keeps me sane. Your kids are cute.”

That was it. That was the sum total of words he wasted on me in the six weeks we’d worked together. I got it. I was the divorced mom. Too much baggage and too much responsibility. Which was too bad because he was sexy in a dark, troubled way. Kind of a bad boy who was too old and serious to be truly bad.