Sunday Snippet: Getting Schooled

April 22, 2018

Whew. What a week. We had prom catastrophes averted and a halfway decent Saturday for the big event. My daughter's dress needed some alterations and my wonderful aunt and my next door neighbor came through like the awesome women they are and got the dress in prom-worthy shape. I'm biased, but my girl looked lovely.

Even with all the crazypants running around, I got a lot of television watched. Finished the second "season" of Vixen and enjoyed the episode. Finished up the first season and started the second of Blindspot. I like the introduction of Jane's family and having more of her background in the mix. Not sure about the addition of the NSA character, but I'll hold off on judgment. Definitely interested in who the new mole in the FBI is. I have a feeling I know who it'll end up being and not sure I like it. LOL

Got an episode of Gotham in and, seriously, season four is kicking so much ass. It's twisty and turny and I love how many levels of crazy there are. I truly hope there's another season of the insanity.

I still have so many mixed feeling about this season of The Flash. I want to love it, I really do, but I'm just not there. We'll see if how things play out in the finale. Maybe it'll have the elusive element I'm looking for to turn things around.

Missed both Black Lightning and Riverdale this week so I'll have to play catch up. I'm looking forward to both.

Arrow rocked. It's nice to get the full backstory of a villain. That said, Felicity and Diggle could use some of that love. We know a few of the things that shaped both characters and that's terrific, but each could use some additional rounding out. Just saying.

Started a new for me series called Ghost Squad. The premiere episode hooked me and I'm definitely interested in catching the full first series. Also started Endeavor and I like it. Nothing beats a good BBC crime drama.

Last but not least, I started Syfy's Krypton. Loved the first episode. Here's hoping the momentum continues and I fall in love with this series!

That's it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Getting Schooled, a novella that features a summer camp setting. This is something I always wanted to do as a kid and never got the chance.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Tamsin and Ike are resident leaders at neighboring summer camps. Tamsin works with upper crust girls and Ike has underprivileged boys. When a grant program director suggests bridging the gap, neither is very excited by the prospect, but once they meet, both get schooled in by how well the kids get along.

And a snippety peek…

Ike Kennedy finished loading the new laptops he'd purchased for this year's campers into his Jeep. His mom fussed and fretted over what the neighbors would think when he drove through the resort town where their summer home loomed over the rest of the populace. He'd filled the vehicle full and had two trunks strapped to the luggage rack on top.

Frankly, Ike didn't care. He'd volunteered as a counselor at Camp Carlson for going on eight years, mainly to get away from the stifling confines of the oversized lake house his parents inherited from his dad's side of the family. The closest neighbor couldn't see the Kennedy home unless he happened to be on his boat deck.

Which didn't give him a view of the front drive.

Closing the back of the Jeep, Ike brushed his hands off on his beat-up cargo shorts. "Can't wait to get out of here." He checked over his shoulder, making sure his mother didn't hover by the front windows.

With the coast clear, he jogged to the pool house, the place he considered his sanctuary, and grabbed his satchel, a messenger bag he used on campus. His essential lifeline, the case contained his phone, keys, wallet, and the roster of his campers this year. Ike liked to have an idea of which boys would need some extra support during their six-week stay. Most of the kids came from underprivileged homes and some through the foster care system. Ike kept a close eye on the guys who didn't have the benefit of trust funds and wealthy parents to make life easier for them.

Strolling back to the Jeep, he hopped behind the wheel and started the engine.

On cue, his mom opened the front door and ducked her head out. "You're leaving already? You don't have to be there until after seven tonight."

Ike gave her a wide smile. "I know. Thought I'd get there early and scope out the changes Hank planned to make over the winter." He also wanted to drive by the neighboring camp to see if Tamsin Kane might be back for another year.

Laurie Kennedy frowned. "I'd hoped we might have an early dinner before you left." She exited the house, walking toward his vehicle.

Ike shifted into gear. "Yeah, sorry about that, Mom. Maybe we can do something when I get back before fall?" He took his foot off the brake and rolled forward.

Laurie shook her head and lifted a hand in farewell. Ike gave a sigh of relief. He loved her, but she drove him utterly batshit sometimes. Her idea of an early dinner would be drinks on the wharf followed by a strategically reserved table close to a family with a daughter she wanted him to meet. By the time he extricated himself, he'd be scrambling to make the move-in time for counselors.

Yeah, no thanks.

He could find dates without his mother's help. And he didn't need or want a preapproved match—one designed to either increase their various stock portfolios or the chances of giving Laurie the future grandchildren she so keenly desired.

Driving through town, he grinned. The weight of being Laurie and Frank Kennedy's wonder child diminished and the mantle of being the coolest camp counselor ever settled over him. He loved the kids and more than two-thirds were returning for their second year.

Every one of them had some kind of hardship they faced and coming to camp helped expose the boys to things they'd never have a chance to do otherwise. Being a part of the process gave Ike some much-needed grounding in his life. Especially since his Grandpa Ivan had passed five years ago.

The elder Kennedy taught Ike rock-solid values, lit the fire of his thirst for knowledge, and provided balance, showing him the benefit of taking time to have fun and enjoy life while working hard for his fellow man. The old man also set up a trust fund for Ike to pursue his altruistic leanings, but not before the age of thirty. Until then, Ike planned to continue his education and figure out what he really wanted to do with his future.

He left the outskirts of town and drove along the northern edge of the lake. Camp Carlson sat about an hour north of Rockshore. Far enough from the resort town to make it an inconvenience for his mom to drop in yet close enough to the largest city for kids to be brought in for six weeks.

Ike chuckled. "Kind of perfect for me."

He slowed down when he drove past the neighboring camp for girls. Sure enough, a splash of red peeked through the woods. Grinning, Ike gave a slow nod of satisfaction.

He'd enjoyed watching her scramble during last summer's prank week. And she'd been a good sport, too.

Ike shook his head. "Can't say I'd have been as accommodating if the tables were turned."

He sobered. Which they might be. She'd had a whole year to plot revenge.

Lifting a shoulder, he sped up to drive the last few miles to Carlson. "Show me what you've got, Tamsi. I'll be ready."

Not sure if my outline is going to stay on task with this story, but I'm having fun with Ike and Tamsin.

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin