Chapter 17

Saturday, July 3, 2032, Day 6, Philmont Scout Reservation, Cimarron, NM

David had the crew up at their standard time, 6:00 AM. The day’s hike would be long, but not difficult like yesterday. They had an eleven-mile hike down the Greenwood Canyon and then the Middle Ponil Canyon to Rich Cabins.

Penny noted as the crew got up that Colton climbed out of a tent with Ben Stone rather than a tent he used to share with Jackson. A couple minutes later Jordan came out of another tent right after Jackson. Colton and Jackson had been best friends up until now. Penny decided that she needed to have a talk with Colton when there was time for a quiet and private discussion.

Breakfast took longer than usual. Breakfast 3 included oatmeal and hot chocolate. The hot food hit the spot on a cold morning.

David called out, “Hike on,” a little after eight o’clock. The hike wasn’t difficult and along the dirt road they had followed to Upper Greenwood Canyon Camp. A couple hours later they dropped from 10,300 feet to 8,400 feet in elevation when they passed through Greenwood Canyon Camp, six miles later.

The group still had plenty of water, so they did not stop to fill their Nalgenes at Greenwood Canyon Camp. They hiked another 4.6 miles down the remainder of Greenwood Canyon, took a right and followed the Middle Ponil Canyon down to Rich Cabins, arriving a little before 11:30.

Rich Cabins was staff camp, busy like Baldytown had been, quite unlike the various trail camps they stayed at other nights. David and Kyle checked in at the main staff cabin. The staffer invited the rest of the crew up to the porch of the cabin. The staff was dressed in late-nineteenth century garb, rather than the normal Philmont shorts and staff polo shirt.

They were scheduled for a 2:00 PM tour of the homestead cabin and barn. The commissary was open from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM for food pickup. The crew was welcome to check out the cows, pigs, goats and chickens anytime while they stayed at the camp.

Joe, the staffer doing the check-in, took them down to their campsite. The crew got their campsite setup and then headed over to the commissary to pick up food. They received almost four days of food. The new food went up in the bear bags before the crew headed back for the cabin tour.

It was interesting to see how the homesteaders lived 150 years ago. The crew played with the cows, pigs, goats and chickens. Penny demonstrated how to milk the cow.

The crew headed back to the campsite around 3:30. A few minutes later David came over to Kyle. He had a day pack slung over his shoulder. “Hey, Pop, some of us thought we’d like to do a side hike before dinner. We’ll be back before 4:30, plenty of time to get dinner ready for tonight.”

“That would be a bad idea,” Kyle replied. “We are in a staff camp that is quite open and with way too many crews for you and your friends to do a ‘side hike’. Some of your ‘activities’ on your side hike would reflect badly on our crew, and your mother, Mr. Robertson and myself. I think discretion would be wise today.”

“We won’t get caught, Dad,” David replied.

“There is a second consideration,” Kyle added. He pointed towards the dark cloud off to the south. “That storm may hammer us. I think it best if you and your friends hang out in the campsite this afternoon.”

Kyle watched as David gave the bad news to Sara, Logan, Kaylie, Jessie and Jackson. Them staying at the campsite was fortunate. The storm Kyle pointed out hit the Middle Ponil Creek Canyon forty minutes later. The thunderstorm dumped a boatload of rain on the canyon for about half an hour, like many storms in the southwest. By the time the crew sat down to Teriyaki noodles with salmon for dinner, the sky was blue again.

A little before seven o’clock, Kyle and Matt grabbed their cups and spoons. The crew was almost finished with the dishes then.

“Penny?” Kyle asked. “Advisor’s coffee is in about ten minutes.”

“I’ll be along in a few minutes, Kyle,” Penny replied. Kyle and Matt headed down the canyon to the staff cabin. Penny hung with the crew until things were finished.

“Colton, could you hang out with me for a moment?” Penny asked. The crew had finished hanging the bear bags and this was a very public place. Penny would not violate the BSA’s child protection standards talking with Colton one-on-one. This conversation needed to be done privately, without any of the teens knowing about it.

“Have a seat,” Penny offered as she sat down on the grass near their bear bag ropes were tied off.

“What’s up, Doc?” Colton asked as he settled down, sitting with his legs crisscrossed. By this point in the trip, most of the kids called Kyle “Coach” or “Coach Martin”. Penny was “Doc” or “Doc Martin.” They hadn’t settled on a nickname for Matt. He was either “Mr. Robertson” or Mr. R.”

“I wanted to take a minute and talk,” Penny said, smiling. “Are you enjoying this trip?”

“Enjoying this?” Colton laughed. “Philmont is amazing! The feeling I had standing on top of Baldy two days ago. That was out of this world.”

“It was pretty special up there,” Penny agreed. “How about our crew? Are you getting along with everyone?”

“We have a great crew, Doc,” Colton replied. “David does a good job as crew leader. He’s fair but makes sure we get the job done. We are so lucky to have him with us.”

“You get along with everyone?”

“Everyone?” Colton said. He shifted a little and appeared less comfortable. “ ... mostly.”

“Mostly?” Penny asked. “I saw you and Jordan swapped tents last night. Is there an issue?”

“Um ... uh...”

“You and Jackson are having a disagreement?” Penny asked. “About what?”

“I don’t know if I can talk about this ... with you,” Colton said. Penny waited patiently for him to say more. Colton shifted uncomfortably. Penny’s mom instincts were spot on. Finally, Colton added, “She’s your daughter. How can I...”

“I know both you and Jackson asked her for a date after the trip is over. You are both interested in her and that is fine if you date Jessie.”

“Like that’s gonna happen now,” Colton snapped. His previous good humor was gone. “I’m not going to have a chance to date her”

“Oh?”

“She and Jackson ... they’re uh ... together,” Colton blurted out. Penny had to suppress a grin. Together was a good euphemism for Jackson having fucked Jessie silly yesterday afternoon in the woods. She did not say anything, waiting on more from Colton.

After an uncomfortable fifteen seconds of silence, Colton let slip, “He stabbed me in the back. He fucking stole Jessie when he knew I liked her too.”

“Did he?”

“Yeah, of course,” Colton responded. “They’re together now and I can forget that date Jessie promised me.”

“What is the purpose of a first date?” Penny asked.

“Um ... you get to know each other better,” Colton responded.

“You get to know each other better,” Penny repeated. “You’ve gotten to know the members of this crew pretty well on to Philmont, didn’t you?” Colton nodded yes.

“We’ve been together twenty-four hours a day for almost eight days,” Penny explained. “We have gotten to know each other quite well. If you count each day as a date, Jessie has been on dates with you and with Jackson seven times. How many dates do you think she needs to pick whether she prefers you or Colton, is seven enough?”

“I guess seven is a lot.”

“Unless you and Jackson planned a three-way relationship with Jessie until you finished high school, Jessie was bound to need to choose between the two of you at some point in time,” Penny suggested.

“True,” Colton acknowledged.

“I understand,” Penny said. “This hurts. A girl you like chose your friend over you. Did Jackson do anything to cheat or fool Jessie into choosing him?”

“No, not really,” Colton replied.

“Give Jackson a break,” Penny counseled. “Would it hurt Jackson if Jessie picked you over him? How would you feel if Jackson was mad at you because she picked you?”

“I guess you’re right.”

“You and Jackson seem to be such close friends,” Penny said. “Don’t lose that. Good friends can be forever.”

“Why does it hurt so much?” Colton asked. “Why did Jessie pick Jackson over me?”

“Jessie is my daughter but I have no explanation for you,” Penny replied. “Why does anyone fall for someone? Why did I fall for this tall, skinny 14-year-old who was always falling over his own two feet? I do not know.”

“I hope it happened to you years ago,” Colton commented before chuckling. “Someone your age could get in trouble hooking up with a fourteen-year-old now. Did anything come with this kid?”

“It took a while, but I ended up marrying him,” Penny replied.

“You’re talking about Coach?”

“I am,” Penny answered.

“Thanks for giving me a lot to think about, Doc,” Colton said.

“You’re good?”

“I am ... I think,” Colton said. The two headed back to camp.

Penny grabbed her cup and spoon and hurried down to join the advisors’ coffee. There were about twenty-five advisors crowded on the small porch. Kyle had been recognized. He was holding court, talking about the Broncos and the Eagles.

Penny found the kettle with hot water and made herself a mug of tea. She saw another female advisor who was avoiding the crowd around Kyle. She had a seat on the railing of the porch beside the other female.

“I’m Jennifer,” the lady said.

“Penny.”

“I take it you aren’t a big football fan,” Jennifer said. “Can you believe all the guys fawning over Kyle Martin?”

“Maybe I should give you my full name,” Penny laughed. “I am Penny Martin. Kyle is my husband. I do like football, but things like tonight can be a pain in the ... butt. One of the things I’ve enjoyed here in the backcountry is avoiding scenes like this.”

“I guess I can understand that,” Jennifer said.

“This is a price my family pays for all the good things Kyle’s career has done for our family,” Penny said. “What day is your crew on?”

“Day 8,” Jennifer responded. “We’re short-timers now. We head down to Ponil tomorrow, Indian Writings the following day and then catch a bus out of Six Mile Gate.”

“We’re on Day 6,” Penny said. She recited the list of camps remaining for their trek. The two talked for a while as Kyle held court for his fans. Youth showed up at the cabin around a quarter to eight for the evening show.

The advisors rejoined their crews below the porch as the Rich Cabins staff came out to perform. The talented staff included two guitarists, a sax player and a violinist. The show featured some campfire stories and a lot of songs. Most of the songs were folk songs but they did a few old country tunes too. Kyle was moved by “New Mexico Rain.”

It was dark and almost after their bedtime when the crew headed back to the campsite. The crew did a quick Roses, Thorns and Buds. Penny was pleased to hear that Colton’s rose was how much he enjoyed being with everyone in the crew. As the group was heading to bed, Penny saw Jackson and Colton talking. They parted with a friendly fist bump. Perhaps everything was better between the two of them.

Sunday, July 4, 2032 – Day 7, Philmont Scout Ranch, Cimarron, NM

David rousted the crew from bed at 6:00 AM, per what was becoming their standard wakeup time. Breakfast was simple – granola, brown sugar pop tarts, turkey bites, an almond & pumpkin seed bar and a mix of dried fruits. David and Sara kept after the crew to get camp torn down and packed up. Logan led the group doing a quick police line to pick up trash and ensure no equipment got left behind. It was just past 7:30 AM when Ben yelled out, “is anYONE Not ready?” and the crew hiked on for Elkhorn Camp.

Kyle noted their departure with satisfaction. Crew 628-J4 was now in the final stage of group development – performing. David provided guidance but everyone knew and performed their tasks with a minimum of fuss or drama.

The trail south took the crew up the east side of the canyon, about a 700-foot climb to the top of the ridge. The crew followed the ridge south until a couple switchbacks took them back down to the road and the Middle Branch of the Ponil Creek. Philmont discouraged Scouts from hiking on roadways, but the crew had little choice now. The followed the stone road south for a third of a mile, wading through the creek just before they found the dirt road that led to the top of Wilson Mesa.

The rutted old road twisted and turned as it climbed to the top of the mesa. Kyle called for the caterpillar almost as soon as they turned onto the road. The crew slowly worked their way up the steep, dusty road for the top. The road leveled out after 0.9 miles as they went across the crest of a ridge. The crew took a 2-minute break for water, closed up the line and went back to normal hiking. The crew cruised along for half a mile before Jackson, their navigator, found the trail to Flume Canyon Camp.

The crew cruised along the trail, rounding the end of a small hill. Ben abruptly stopped and stared ahead.

“Holy cow!” Ben gasped, staring ahead at Baldy Mountain. “We were on top of that three days ago.”

Everyone pulled cameras out and shot pictures of the mountain, six or seven miles to their west, looking majestic at this distance. After the short break, the crew headed down into a canyon that led to Flume Canyon Camp. Was this Flume Canyon? The maps did not name it, so they were not sure.

They dropped down to their first camp after winding 1.4 miles back and forth around the canyon. The group picked up the trail out of camp and headed west briefly until the met the main trail from Ponil to Pueblano. They turned and headed for Ponil for a quarter mile, until they found the trail up the south side of the South Ponil Canyon.

The trail to Elkhorn was an old trail, not in keeping with Philmont’s current standards of no more than 8% grade. They caterpillared up the 700-foot climb in about three-quarters of a mile, a grade of almost 18%. The top of the ridge was bare. Few trees had taken hold since the North Country fire in 2002. Burnt trunks of trees remained standing from that fire.

The crew crossed the ridgetop east-to-west dirt road and hiked down a gentle slope a quarter mile to a sparsely wooded hollow where Elkhorn Camp was located. The crew checked over the five campsites and chose the one with the most shade.

The dining fly and tents went up quickly. They enjoyed a leisurely lunch. Crew 628-D2 hiked in while they were eating. Their sister crew moved into the adjoining campsite. Neither crew had any plans for the afternoon. It was time for napping, playing cards or hacky sack or visiting with the neighbors.

There were a few crew members that had another idea for afternoon fun. Jackson took David aside and quietly asked, “Do we plan to ... uh ... you know, go for a side hike this afternoon?”

“This place is pretty deserted,” David replied. “I think my dad would be OK if we took a little hike. Does Jessie want to hike with you?”

“Maybe?” Jackson admitted. “Maybe I better ask her before you announce the hike.”

“That would be smart,” David replied. Jackson found Jessie and pulled her aside.

“David, Logan and the other girls are thinking of taking a hike,” Jackson said, trying to give off a confidence he wasn’t sure he had. “Would you like to hike with me?”

“Hike with me?” Jessie laughed. Jackson face fell. She gave him a kiss on the cheek. “I do not know if I could explain to anyone that hasn’t been here about ‘taking a hike.’ Yes, Stud, I would like you to fuck me silly this afternoon.”

Jessie headed over to David. “Hey, big bro. You up for a side hike this afternoon? I know Kaylie and Logan are up for it. Jackson and me too.”

David agreed. He, Logan and Jackson stopped off at their tents and reappeared with day packs slung over their shoulder. David reported their plans to his dad. Kyle nodded and raised no objection.

The six horny teens hiked down the trail towards Dean Canyon for a quarter mile, until the trail curved behind a rise that would keep them out of sight of Elkhorn.

“Let’s meet here in an hour,” David suggested when they felt they had the needed privacy.

“An hour?” Jessie asked. “What’s up with that? We have nothing to do all afternoon.”

“Kaylie and I will find something to keep us busy if we have more time,” Logan commented.

“Three o’clock?” David suggested after checking his watch. “That gives us around ninety minutes of privacy for fun.”

They agreed to David’s timeline. David and Sara headed into the trees on the east side of the trail, looking for an isolated place with privacy. Logan, Kaylie, Jessie and Jackson headed to the west, up a small draw. Jessie and Jackson claimed a spot out of sight of the trail, among some small trees and brush. Logan and Kaylie headed further up the draw until they were out of sight of Jessie and Jackson.

Jackson pulled his Therm-O-Rest mat out of his day pack and inflated it. “So ... how do we want to get started?” Jackson asked.

“Sit down,” Jessie replied. “We can start like we did two and three days ago. Making out is great foreplay for what we have planned.”

“It is,” Jackson agreed as he sat down on the mat beside Jessie.

“Tops off,” Jessie giggled as she pulled off her T-shirt and sport bra.

“Me too?”

“I won’t be the only one topless this afternoon,” Jessie replied. “Anyway Stud, I would like to see some muscles.”

The two embraced and deep kissed. Soon Jackson’s hands were fondling and massaging Jessie’s titties. Her hands rubbed his sides. She thumbed his nipples, surprising Jackson. He did not realize they were among his erogenous zones. They made out for a good ten minutes or more.

Jessie upped the action when she slipped her hand down and felt the outline of Jackson’s big erection through his shorts. Soon his hand slipped into her shorts as he explored her cleft and hole.

“Too many clothes,” Jessie purred as he stimulated her. The two paused making out briefly to kick off their camp shoes and remove their shorts and underwear. They lay down on their sides, hugged and resumed deep kissing. The two squirmed and rolled around as they played. Soon, Jackson slipped a leg between Jessie’s legs. A minute or two later, Jackson rolled over top of the Jessie, sliding his other leg between hers. He spread his legs, splaying Jessie’s legs apart. His huge boner slotted in her cleft and he rubbed it up and down.

“Sweet,” Jessie cooed as he rubbed against her. They humped together for a couple minutes. Jackson slipped a hand between their bodies and shifted his dick until it notched against Jessie’s hole.

“Jackson, why don’t...” Jessie purred. He gave a hard thrust and buried half his erection into Jessie. “ ... I give you a...” Another thrust buried the rest of his hard-on into her belly. “ ... blow job.”

“Huh?” Jackson grunted. “Why?” He pulled out a little and thrust in again.

Having his thick dick stuff her was so sweet. She giggled and accepted that she wasn’t getting Jackson to pull out until he was finished.

“Getting you off before we do this will give you more stamina,” Jessie responded. Jackson gave her another thrust. She smiled and added, “I’m guessing you don’t plan to pull out.” Jackson pulled away a bit and thrust again. “If you don’t last long enough, I will make you do this again until you get it right.”

Jackson laughed and continued pumping in and out. “I guess I can live with that.”

Jackson thrust and pumped in and out, reveling in the feelings he was experiencing. In a way, what happened two afternoons ago seemed like a dream, or more accurately a fantasy. Having sex while wearing a rubber was still sweet, but sex without need for the rubber was so much better. The feeling of sliding his dick in and out of the hottest girl in his school was sublime.

Jessie enjoyed being reamed by Jackson’s thick dick. He might not be the most experienced lover she’d had, but he was enthusiastic and seemed to take direction fairly well. Her concern about his stamina proved correct. Jessie saw him scrunch up his face. She reached down to massage his balls to try to calm him but it was too late.

Jackson frantically bashed his dick in and out, desperate for relief. Mid-stroke, his dick erupted. He bashed it deep into Jessie, pressing against her cervix. He blasted some of his load into her pussy and more into her uterus. He slumped down on top of her when he was spent.

The two cuddled on the mat as they recovered from their coupling. Quick kisses escalated to deep kisses. Jackson soon was hard and rubbing his erection against Jessie’s belly.

“Want to try doggie style?” Jessie giggled when she had enough of the rubbing.

“Um ... sure, if you help me get lined up,” Jackson stuttered. ‘How had he lucked out like this?’ he wondered as Jessie reminded him of the details of doggie style sex. Jessie kneeled on the mat and Jackson took position behind her. He thrust his dick between her thighs.

“Um ... now what?” Jackson stuttered as he probed for her hole. Jessie reached between her legs and positioned Jackson’s pole at her opening. He thrust forward, burying it deep into her pussy. His hands went to her hips as he started thrusting in and out.

‘What had he ever done to deserve to be this lucky?’ Jackson wondered as he drilled the hottest girl in his school. He listened as Jessie counseled him to pace himself so this would last. She massaged his balls a few times to calm him when he came closer to his climax.

Jessie loved being reamed by Jackson’s huge dick. After a couple minutes, she reached between her legs and began diddling her clitoris, to try to climax too. Jackson’s powerful thrusts collapsed her left arm and planted her shoulders and face against the mat.

Jessie felt dominated now by this man-boy. Her ass was in the air while he gripped her hips and pounded his dick in and out of her. Her diddling was bringing on her own climax. Jackson lasted far longer than Round 1 of that afternoon’s tryst. Jessie got off first, just before Jackson lost control. The two ecstatic, blissed out youths collapsed in a heap on their mat.

The two stretched out and cuddled once they recovered their senses. They exchanged little kisses for a bit. Jackson felt philosophical. “What does all this we are doing mean?” he asked. “Are we couple?”

“Here and now?” Jessie responded. She gave him a kiss. “Most definitely we are, here and now, while this trip lasts. Beyond that, we have a date. I think we go out, have some fun on the date and see where we are after that.”

“I guess I can live with that,” Jackson chuckled. “It’s not like I have a lot of other options for girlfriends out here.”

“But I do,” Jessie responded. “Between you, Colton, Ben and Jordan, I chose you for my partner.”

“Ben and Jordan wouldn’t have a fucking clue if you got one of them out here alone,” Jackson commented.

“I am sure one of them would be willing to be trained, if I offered,” Jessie giggled.

“I am sure Ben or Jordan would be delighted to try this,” Jackson responded. “But you would need to gather them up off the ground when they faint at the suggestion of them coming out here and fucking you.”

“Perhaps,” Jessie allowed.

“How much time do we have left?” Jackson asked.

Jessie checked. “About forty minutes.”

“Time for Round 3?”

“Sure, why not,” Jessie agreed.

“Can I be on top this time?” Jackson asked. “I like to taking the lead in what we are doing.”

Jessie rolled on her back while Jackson crawled between her legs. Gaining in experience and confidence under Jessie’s tutelage, Jackson notched his dick against her hole and thrust deep into her belly. There was considerable sweating under the hot, late afternoon New Mexico sun, more than a few groans and grunts as the two libidinous teens coupled. Jackson, going to his third orgasm in a little over an hour lasted and lasted.

Jessie felt the power of this strong, virile man/boy stuffing her. God, she loved how his big dick reamed her as he dominated her.

Neither teen, preoccupied with their screwing, heard the shuffle of footsteps behind them. Logan and Kaylie stopped abruptly as they found themselves face-to-rear end of Jackson and Jessie. Kaylie’s eyes went wide as Jackson pulled out part way, exposing his long, thick shaft. Jackson grunted as he plunged it into her best friend again.

Logan yanked on Kaylie’s sleeve to jolt her out of her reverie. The two quietly scooted around the preoccupied lovers. They reached the trail a couple minutes later. David and Sara were already waiting for them.

“Where are the other two?” David asked.

“They’re still busy,” Logan laughed. “Very busy at the moment.” David looked at his watch and shrugged. What could he do?

“Can you believe the size of his cock?” Kaylie asked Logan quietly, so David and Sara couldn’t hear them.

“He looks normal when I see him changing for gym class,” Logan commented. “I guess his cock swells a lot when he gets hard.”

“It seems so,” Kaylie giggled. “I see why Jessie picked Jackson over the other guys in our crew when she got horny.”

Back in the brush, Jackson continued humping Jessie wildly. She loved every penetration and movement of the big dick stuffing her almost to bursting. He may have been working towards his third climax of the afternoon, but even a sixteen-year-old cannot last forever, especially doing it skin on skin. Jackson grunted as he bashed his dick frantically into Jessie half a dozen times before groaning and blasting another load of sperm into her belly.

Jackson, completely spent, collapsed on top of Jessie. Six inches taller and forty pounds heavier than his lover, that could not last.

“Up!” Jessie insisted as Jackson tried to rouse himself from his stupor. “We need to catch up to the others. I’m sure we used all ninety minutes of our time alone.”

“Yeah,” Jackson agreed languidly. He climbed off Jessie. The two dressed quickly. Jackson rolled up his Therm-O-Rest and stuffed it into his day pack. They headed through the brush for the trail to meet the other “side hikers.”

“Do you think our parents realize what we are doing while we are out ‘hiking’?” Jackson asked as they walked through the brush.

“I am sure our parents know what we are doing,” Jessie responded.

“Shit!” Jackson snapped. “I do not want my dad knowing about this.”

“Chill ... all our parents know,” Jessie responded. “Hell, they were out here doing the same thing when they were our age. Teens have been screwing since ... well, forever.”

“I suppose,” Jackson agreed as he pulled up his shorts. The two headed back to the trail to meet up with the others. “Do we have a trail camp tomorrow? I forget.”

“Dean Cow is a staffed camp,” Jessie said. “We go to Harlan, another staffed camp the next day.”

“So, we won’t get to do this again for a while?”

“We’ll see,” Jessie answered. “I am sure David and the others will keep an eye out for opportunities.”

The six teens hiked up the trail back to their campsite. About half of kids from their sister crew were in their campsite, playing hacky sack with Ben, Jordan and Colton. The six joined the circle, done with their adult activities and back to enjoying being kids again.

David sent Sara and Jessie over to get dinner started around 4:30 PM. The kids from their sister crew took that as notice to head back to their own campsite. The cooks had everything ready for dinner less than an hour later. Dinner was cheesy mashed potatoes with chicken, salted peanuts and chocolate chip cookies.

Jordan, who had no clean shirts and only the pair of shorts he was wearing that did not go up in the bear bag at night, was trying to not spill food as he ate. If he made it through the meal, it would be the first dinner where he did not have to pick food off the ground, brush it off and eat it.

David had dished out the last scrapings from the pot to get rid of the meal. Jordan had a big spoon full of mashed potatoes. He turned to say something to Jackson, not paying attention. His spoon tilted and the mashed potatoes rolled off the spoon, down the front of his shirt and splatted on his pants.

“Shi ... CRAP!” Jordan exclaimed as he stared down at the mess in his lap. The crew struggled not to laugh at him, not completely successfully. “What am I going to do now? This was my last non-smellable pair of pants.”

“Wear your long pants?” Kyle offered

“My long pants are zip-offs and I am wearing them now,” Jordan responded. He put his hand up like he was in class at school and wanted permission to speak. “Mr. Crew Leader, may I be excused from helping with bear bags in the evening for the rest of the trip? I literally have nothing to wear. I doubt anyone wants me running around in just my boxers.”

“OOohh ... a show,” Kaylie giggled.

“Show us some skin, Jordan,” Jessie couldn’t resist adding. The poor boy turned beat red.

“Girls ... enough,” Penny warned, her voice dropping to her “stop-fooling-around, take-no-prisoners,” tone.

“Sorry,” Kaylie and Jessie responded immediately.

“I guess I can excuse you from end-of-day bear bag duties,” David agreed. “I doubt any of us are looking for a strip show in the evening.”