Chances and Changes: My Journey with Molly

Molly, Linda, and I run to meet the counselors. They ask if anyone is hurt, and we tell them that we are fine. Miss Archer nods and uses the walkie-talkie to call camp. Betty says it’s about an hour to get back to camp. How is our water? I tell the counselors that Molly and Linda shared their water with me, so we all have plenty now.

When she’s done with the walkie-talkie, Miss Archer puts her hands on her hips and shakes her head at us. She says that they were all worried. She’s radioed Barbara, so she and Judy and the other hikers know we’re safe. It’s time for us all to get back to camp. We’re probably hungry. I comment that we had some sandwiches from Linda’s rucksack. Linda says that she has about five more sandwiches, too. Betty takes off her rucksack and pulls out some carrots. She asked if we would like some. We each take a big one. Molly says it’s the best carrot she’s ever eaten in her life. I nod and grin, agreeing with Molly. My mouth is too full of delicious carrot to speak.

We’re all pretty tired, so the hike back to camp is quiet, without any boisterous rounds of “Gopher Guts” songs. We march single file, with Miss Archer in front and Betty at the end. The sun is strong and our wet clothes have dried, but they’re crusty with mud. As the Camp Gowonagin flag comes into view, Molly tucks in her shirt and Linda tries to brush off some mud. It’s not much use though. We are a mess.

Miss Archer leads us past the Dining Hall to a square building that reads “Office.” A woman with curly gray hair is waiting in the front door. Molly whispers that it’s Miss Butternut. Miss Butternut tells us to leave our rucksacks here and to come inside. Linda, Molly, and I exchange glances as we peel off our rucksacks. We follow Miss Butternut into a room with two large sofas. Miss Butternut, Miss Archer, and Betty sit on one, and Molly, Linda, and I sit on the other.

Miss Butternut says that Barbara and Judy told her what happened on the walkie-talkie, and Miss Archer filled her in on where she found us. She’d like to know what we’ve done and seen. Linda sits up straight and starts explaining everything from the gymnastics to getting left behind. Molly chimes in about the dog and she tells the counselors that I know a lot about animals and staying safe in the woods. I comment that Molly and Linda helped with the dog, and they shared their water with me when I ran out. I also mention that it’s my fault that we got separated from the group. I’m hesitant to mention the pin though. Will someone want to see it or touch it if I talk about it?