Chapter 4

I had spent the week with a group of grumpy, underfed boys, who didn’t enjoy my persistent efforts to get them to exercise. They were all lethargic and hungry. Even Big Mike was acting grouchy, and he was always delightful.

The whole week Yuri and Tony gobbled down my plentiful leftovers and on the Saturday night before I planned to go into civilization, Faiz and Colin addressed me. It was shocking because neither ever said much to me.

“Huh?” I asked, looking over to where they were seated on Colin’s bed. Colin stood up and came to sit on the bed next to me.

“You like us better than those two from Cabin Honesty, don’t you?” He looked at me with sad green eyes. He wasn’t being serious. I almost laughed. Why did it matter if I liked Tony and Yuri better than Faiz and Colin?

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I said gently. “What would make you guys think that? They’re nice, but I definitely like you two better.”

“If you do, why the hell are you given them your extra food every day?” Faiz said angrily.

“It’s just food.” I said quickly. “They asked for it, it’s not like I went up to them and offered it. Even if I had it shouldn’t have mattered! And you know what? I do like Yuri and Tony better than you guys. They don’t treat me like garbage and…and…and…ugggh!” I grabbed my car keys, wallet, and sneakers and left the cabin, slamming the door behind me.

I was in my car before I realized I probably pissed off every single one of my bunkmates. I didn’t want to yell at Mike and Colin. They never did anything to me. I started my car and drove to town early. I parked my car in the lot of a mega-store and slept there.

I woke up and realized I’d be spending my free day in my pajamas. I got out of my station wagon and went inside of the store to find an ATM. I took out fifty dollars and was about to go back out to my tuck when I saw a sale display. Economy sized bag of potato chips were only two dollars each. I picked up three without even thinking.

I grabbed an empty cart and piled in more and more food. Peanut butter, jelly, four loaves of bread, chocolate snack cakes, golden snack cakes, four sodas, a large bag of miniature chocolate bars, ten pounds of trail mix, and enough spray cheese and crackers for at least two weeks. I went through the checkout and realized I spent $43.94. I put the rest of the money towards gas and drove back to camp.

Why had I wasted all that money? I mean, I guess I was thinking about the guys and how they were upset I was giving my food to Yuri and Tony, but still… I hadn’t really thought this out. What if they didn’t want it?

I had to wait until later to tell them I had brought so much junk food back with me. I couldn’t have anybody finding out I was smuggling in treats. I arrived back a couple of hours before lights out, but I didn’t dare go and see them yet. I talked with Yuri and Tony who said they were starving since I wasn’t around to give them my breakfast and lunch leftovers. I told them I’d get dinner and they could have the whole tray.

That’s a sad sight, when the offering of a complete tray of tasteless food can bring tears of joy to somebody’s eyes. I grabbed four of the mini chocolate bars and handed them over. “Thanks so much Rory.” Tony said looking like the tears of joy were just waiting to well over.

“You fucking rock man!” Yuri opened his chocolate bar quickly and shoved the whole piece in his mouth. At dinner I gave them my tray and went out to my car. Everyone usually stays in the dining hall for thirty minutes.

I carried all of the grocery bags from my car into Cabin Self-Discipline and hid them in the corner of the room. I still hadn’t seen any of the other guys and I was a bit nervous. I heard them coming and sat on my bed, waiting to apologize.