Chances and Changes: My Journey with Molly

The Lost and Found is in the attic of the Recreation Hall. Molly leads the way and she and Linda say hello to everyone we pass. I only manage a nervous smile. I’m still struggling to make sense of what has happened. I feel like the awkward new girl.

We thunder up the steps, and in no time, Molly and Linda have dressed me in a uniform just like theirs. I slip my gold pin into my shorts pocket, and Molly notices the shorts are a little loose around the waist, so she bunches my shirt up in the back and tucks it in. It’s perfect! Linda hands me a pair of pajamas. I start putting my other clothes, along with the swimsuit Molly found me, into an army green rucksack. Then, I notice Linda is looking at my neon green running shoes with pink fluorescent laces. She asks where I got the shoes.

I don’t answer, but Molly hands me a pair of blue and white saddle shoes. I’m reluctant to give up my running shoes, but when I put the saddle shoes on, I’m glad because they’re kind of cool in a hipster way. Now I look like a camper.

Molly and Linda say they can’t wait to teach me all about Camp Gowonagin and the songs and cheers. Linda adds there’s traditions like campfires and ghost stories and All Wet Day. Linda says they swim every day, and I say that I love being in the water. There’s an overnight hike, too. Molly nods towards a sleeping bag, canteen, and a small aluminum pot with a lid called a mess kit. She suggests that I can use these.

Molly explains the two-night camping trip in the woods always ends up at a secret pond. They weren’t old enough to go last summer, but we should all be able to go this year. It would be all of us on the hike, and some other campers and counselors. But there’s only one chance to go, and the group leaves today. Molly asks which I would like to do. Go on the hike or stay at camp.

I know Molly is being polite by asking my opinion, but she doesn’t know how much I hate making decisions. I admit that I’m terrible at making decisions, and I don’t want to disappoint anyone. I explain that Bea calls me Margaret Maybe.

Molly interrupts and says it’s not annoying. It means that I look before I leap. It’s always good to stop and think before we act. Linda agrees. She says if you don’t stop to think about what other people might want, that’s annoying. I grin. I never thought of it this way. Molly says that we’ll be happy no matter what I choose.