Rest in Peace

After walking for no more than 20 minutes from the bus depot, we arrived at an opening, just slightly uphill at the campground with a path that showed signs of traffic.  Our section was a bit isolated from the other tents, which made the camping experience surreal.  It was no joke!  I am into the woods and the only way out is down the hill that we came.  My counselor motioned us to a particular tent that would be our castle.  It looked a bit forbidden, but Jacky gently pulled the flaps apart, and peered inside as if she was afraid of the unknown.  She sighed with a smile of relief and waved for us to enter.  Our tent was pitched on a sturdy plywood based platform, that was high enough to keep us from scrapping up soil into the entrance, and to keep any little critters from finding a home.  There were four sets of bunk beds with two on each side with enough space to rock and roll.  I struggled to lift my suitcase that contained every clothing, except my dressy clothes.  Again, I wondered if I would ever return back home.  With no time to linger on that thought I tried to lift my suitcase.  My campmate saw my cheeks puffing as I held my breathe to lift the butt of the suitcase off the ground.  I am sure my suitcase was grateful for the lift.  With a hard thump, the swollen belly of my suitcase was standing like a tub right smack in the middle of the bunks.  To avoid further embarrassment, I claimed the bed where I stood.  Next, like a sailor who drank his last Dark Rum and Coke, I unbuckled my plaid red coat.  Yes, the beginning of the journey has ended, yet another would soon take its place.  My eyes flickered in the dim setting as the sun was also eager to get us all to bed.  Interesting how the other girls were so happy and eager to claim their bunks.  Some jumped others rolled another even did a cartwheel on the floor. But I couldn't fathom why everyone, except myself, was so thrilled.  In the meanwhile, I began to take inventory scanning with my eyes the bunk frames.  They were the reproduction of the body of some type of sturdy tree, possibly of pine with stains of green embedded in the creases of the wood.  Also, the mattress was thinner than the one on my bed at home.  After examining, I concluded this was a trap and my mother will be coming for me soon, but that was wishful thinking.  For the next three weeks this will be home.  Next, we were instructed by Jackie (my counselor) to introduce ourselves.  She was very pleasant, as I stated, so it was easy to oblige.  We were assigned draws to place our garments.  Again, the girls quickly ran to their bags and started to unpack their belongings as if we were all placing bets at a betting shop.  Patiently, I stood in place waiting for them to claim all the draws when Jackie pointed for me to start as well.  My mother told me to leave all my things in the suitcase, as if there were built draws and pockets.  I left her orders, as an echo in my mind, and placed a few items in the draw.  There was a moment of silence as my unzipping of the suitcase caused everyone to slightly pause.  The only thing missing was an orchestra to introduce the next scene.  I slowly pulled out my nightgown and a quilted sky blue robe with ribbons that buttoned down the front.  My slipper, I placed on my bunk with the fleece pajamas, being careful that they did not land on the dusty platform.  One camper pointed, and with bravery inquired if I will wear that outfit to bed.  I never turned to look, but shook the back of head with a nod of "yes".  Like a magician ready to pull a rabbit out of his hat, they stood still wondering what was next.  I had not the courage to dare venture out another garment as most of them were a bit worn.  Finally this was my chance, as I played the moment of silence in my head, to bury the dreaded red plaid Westminister Abbey coat deep into the draw, finally it can rest in peace.