Chapter 25

The first week of camp went well. Working with Trent everyday was a blast. My CIT, Dustin Carter, turned out to be an excellent teacher. I gave him a top write up at the end of the week.

Ed, Trent, Andy and I ran passing drills everyday after lunch. My ankle was fully recovered by Tuesday. Andy and I took turns catching passes while Trent tried to cover us. This year we didn't need to hide anything from him. He wasn't going to play us anymore.

Ed, Andy, Trent, Will and I lifted weights each evening after our duties were done. By the end of the week I was able to keep up with my friends on our evening runs out to the camp entrance. Ed, Andy and I stopped off at the staff lounge after our run each night to read e-mails from our girlfriends and send off our replies.

Saturday afternoon brought our weekend group of Cub Scouts. Trent, Dustin, Kevin and I spent the afternoon rowing the cubs around the lake. After dinner the Pioneer Scout staff ran a capture the flag game for the cubs. We did our opening campfire for them before they went bed. Trent, Andy, Ed and I tossed the football after the cubs went home before lunch on Sunday.

The Aquatics staff hung out at the pool and relaxed while the next week's troops checked in at their campsite, did the medical recheck with Abby at the Health Lodge and got their orientation at the dining hall. The first troop completed that process around 2:30 pm. We spent the rest of the afternoon doing swim tests for the scouts. We tested 277 scouts and leaders in just over 2 ½ hours.

Micah Knowles was my CIT the second week. He barely met the age requirement to be a CIT. He had finished eighth grade a few weeks earlier. He was small for his age. He worked hard for me but wasn't very good at teaching.

The second week was considerably easier than the first week. My classes were smaller. Trent and I reviewed our lesson plans with each other. Trent wanted to teach canoeing at least one week. He wanted me to know the program for rowing.

Tuesday was the first of July. I didn't imagine that would be significant in the morning when I got up. It was. I didn't find out why until after sixth period was over. I got a message from the camp office to stop by when the free boating was over. I had an urgent message to call home.

I reached Mom when I called home. The message wasn't really urgent. I had two phone calls from college coaches. Both hoped I would call back after dinner. One of the coaches was Al Golden, the head coach of Temple University. The second message was to call Coach K. C. Keeler from the University of Delaware.

I teased Trent during dinner about his coach calling me. I tried returning both calls from the camp office phone between dinner and 7 pm. Will wanted me to help him with the BSA Lifeguard candidates then. I didn't reach either coach. I left them messages.

I received a surprise e-mail after my evening run. I received an e-mail from Zack Hayes in addition to my daily e-mail from Penny. Zack's e-mail said:

?

From: hayeszr05@psu.edu

To: fastwr87@redroses.net

Date July 1 18:38:02

Hey Kyle

The gag rule is off. I wanted to share this with you.

Top Ten Reasons to come to Penn State:

10. They don't have Peachy Paterno ice cream anywhere but the Penn State Creamery.

9. They make your favorite, Mint Chocolate Chip, at the Creamery too.

8. Grilled Stickies – You had them, you understand.

7. Centre County has a nice mix of the rural and cosmopolitan. Country boys like us fit in here.

6. Lasch Football Center provides excellent training facilities, academic tutoring and physical therapy. You won't find better facilities anywhere.

5. The Penn State Nittany Lions are committed to making sure you get a great education along with invaluable football experience. We have an 85% graduation rate.

4. State College is a lot closer to the University of Pennsylvania than Los Angeles. You can visit a certain veterinary student frequently when the football season is done.

3. In spite of his age, Coach Paterno is one of the best coaches in the country. I believe he has another national championship or two in him.

2. You and I have something special together on the football field. One year together wasn't enough. Let's add a couple more years as teammates.

1. Coach Burton has the best offensive mind in football that I have ever seen. With his offensive game plans he can make you a superstar.

Your buddy,

Zack Hayes

Wednesday brought another message to call the coach of the University of Connecticut. Mom said that Coach Golden had called again. The coach of the University of Pittsburgh left me a message to call on Friday. With my limited opportunity to use a phone in camp I hadn't been able to actually speak to any of the coaches yet. I didn't even have time to try to call any of them on Friday night. Between finishing merit badge cards, serving the barbeque and getting ready for the closing campfire I had zero free time that night.

Saturday morning after breakfast the aquatic staff reported to the pool for the weekly cleaning. Will assigned Andy and me to vacuuming the bottom. We were just starting when Andy asked, "Did you hear about Derek Hurley? Mr. Holloway canned him this morning."

"Where did you hear that?" I asked.

"Some of the guys were talking about it. Supposedly he snuck out of camp last night after the campfire to screw his girlfriend. The Ranger caught him when he was coming back to camp."

"Don't believe rumors, Andy."

"He wasn't at breakfast. Where was Derek?"

"I don't know. Just let this be. If it is true, Mr. Holloway will let us know what is going on. Let's get back to work."

I doubted Andy was right. Derek was my age. He started out as a CIT the same summer as me. He worked in the Nature area. He was considered to be a good instructor. There wasn't any way he would do something that dumb.

Will dismissed the Aquatics staff around 11 am. The pool and shower house were cleaned to Will's satisfaction. Trent, Andy and I headed back to our tents to hang out until lunch time. Ed joined us when he finished checking the troop out of his campsite.

The dining hall was nearly empty as usual for Saturday lunch. The Boy Scouts had left and the Cub Scouts hadn't arrived yet. It was just the staff at the front tables. When we were done eating Mr. Holloway called for quiet.

He announced, "I have some difficult news to give all of you. Derek Hurley is no longer working on camp staff. He packed his things and left early this morning. The reason for his dismissal is personal between Derek and me. Please do not speculate or spread rumors about this unfortunate episode."

Andy nudged me in the side and said, "Told you." I nodded.

Mr. Holloway continued, "I want each of you to remember the Scout Oath. You have pledged to be morally straight. Each staff member is expected to set a good example for the campers. I want every one to remember the following: Possession or use of alcohol, drugs, or tobacco are grounds for immediate dismissal. Leaving camp without authorization is grounds for dismissal. Entertaining a girl in camp is grounds for dismissal. Does everyone understand?"

Jim Stopford, one of the staff's jokers asked, "Exactly what do you mean by 'entertaining'?" Jim smirked as he asked.

Mr. Holloway gave Jim the 'eye'. The one that warned the unwary that they were treading on dangerous ground. "Let me explain it like this: If you and your girl are comfortable doing it in front of her parents, it is OK here. Remember a scout is clean in thought, word and deed. Let the Scout Oath and Law guide you." Mr. Holloway dismissed us.

Andy had been right. Derek must have done something stupid to get himself thrown out of camp. I thought back to the chance Julie and I took last summer. There but for the grace of God go I.

Ed, Andy and I talked with Mr. Holloway later that day and got permission to stay with our troop the next week while they were in camp. I was happy to see my friends and troop mates when they arrived on Sunday afternoon.

Andy happened to be stationed at the end of the pool where scouts started their swim tests. I was pleased as I watched my brother work. He was totally solicitous of the younger kids. He greeted each of kids in his patrol as they came through the line and promised to see them in a few hours when he was done with work for the afternoon. My brother was turning out to be a very good Troop Guide.

Christian's troop came through for swim tests about a half hour after my troop. Christian and I had a chance talk for a few minutes after he finished his swim test. Christian said he was going to join us for our nightly runs and our after lunch passing drills.

I moved my stuff up the hill from the staff area to our troop's campsite just before dinner. Ed, Andy and I ate with our troop while we stayed with them. I chose to eat at Andy's patrol's table. I wanted to keep an eye on Gary Harrison. Sometimes I shuddered when I looked at Gary. He was the spitting image of his brother. This was his first year in camp. Gary seemed to enjoy it.

Andy and I headed out after dinner for Merit Badge sign-ups. Will had Andy working with Swimming Merit Badge this week. I had 79 kids sign up for my four Canoeing classes. The staff gathered for prepare for the campfire while my troop headed back to the campsite. The campfire came off without a hitch. The campers laughed like crazy when the Aquatics staff did the "Mortgage on the Cow" skit.

Ed, Andy and I helped clean up after the fire, stopped by to see Rob for any schedule changes for tomorrow and then headed up the hill to our troop site. We arrived in time for our troop's cracker barrel (snack). Ed and I stayed up for the Patrol Leader Council meeting that Hal and Mr. Clark ran. It was after 11 when that meeting was over.

The patrol leaders and the adults headed for bed. Hal, Jeremy, Ed and I stayed up for a little while to talk. Hal started off with, "You aren't going to believe the phone call I had last week."

Jeremy added, "It's totally shocking."

I asked, "OK. It's shocking. Who called you?"

"Greg Schiano, the head coach of Rutgers University," Hal answered.

Ed exclaimed, "What? You got to be kidding!"

"No, I'm not. He offered me a full athletic scholarship to Rutgers."

I said, "Hey man. That's great."

Hal continued, "It gets better. They want me to kick for them. They are willing to use the same arrangement I have with the Wolverines. I can play soccer too. They can't promise me that I will make their soccer team, but they will give me a try-out and let me play both sports if I make the soccer team."

"Of course you're going to take the offer," Ed said.

"Maybe. I scheduled an official visit for me and my parents in September. I'll probably accept it, but who knows? Maybe someone else will want me as a kicker too." Hal said.

Ed asked, "Do you still think football is a wussie sport? You remember – play for ten seconds then take the forty seconds off?"

"Yeah, I still do and I play the wussiest position of all. You guys take the ball down the field to the end zone. I come in and kick a PAT or field goal and then jog to the other end of the field and kick off. After that I get to sit for ten or fifteen minutes."

I said, "I guess your parents are happy about this."

"You bet. They're delighted," Hal answered. "They don't have to pay for college."

Our talk turned to my weekend at Penn State. I told them about getting to be friends with Bill Robinson and Chip Brinton. We finally went to bed around 11:30 pm.

I ended up quarterbacking for the week during our after lunch passing drills since Christian and Jeremy were added to our normal mix. I needed to be ready in case Ed and Jake went down during the season.

Wednesday was the 9th of July, my seventeenth birthday. I thought Will was done teasing me on my birthday when he didn't make a big fuss last summer. Wrong! Abby, Andy and Will all got up to lead the song in the dining hall after lunch. I knew I was in trouble. Sure enough they called me to the front and made me stand on a chair in front of the whole camp while they sang "Happy Birthday" to me. The only good thing about this was that Abby gave me a hug and kiss when the song was done.

My friends teased me when we got together after lunch. The kids in my fourth period class teased me too. I did my best to accept it all with good humor.

I reported to the pool as usual after dinner to help with the quarter mile swim. Lifesaving Merit Badge students, BSA Lifeguard students and anyone who wanted to swim the Mile Swim on Thursday had to swim. It usually took us an hour to get everyone through the swim. We opened the pool for a night swim afterward. Will surprised me by giving me the rest of the night off.

I was leaving the pool when I saw her. Penny! My parents and sister Liz were about fifty feet behind her. I ran to her. We hugged and I gave her as passionate a kiss as I thought I could get away with. We pulled apart a little, still holding each other.

I stared into Penny's eyes. "God I've missed you," I said.

"I've missed you too," She answered. She gave me another hug. "Happy Birthday."

My parents came up to us. Reluctantly we separated. Mom said, "Surprise. Your Dad and I thought it was about time we were around for one of your birthdays."

"Thanks for coming," I answered.

"We brought ice cream and cake for the troop's snack tonight," Mom said. "I hope you're free this evening."

"Will gave me the night off."

"I hoped he would be able to swing it. He thought it was possible," Dad said. He looked around. "Is there somewhere we can sit down for a few minutes?"

"Sure. Why don't we go over to the pavilion by the pool?" I suggested.

The four of us walked over to the pavilion and sat at one of the picnic tables. Dad said, "Your mother and I wanted you have this birthday gift right away." He handed me a 10" by 12" gift wrapped box. I opened it.

I exclaimed, "My own cell phone!"

Mom said, "Your Dad and I thought it was time. I know how hard it is with all the coaches calling you this month."

Dad continued, "We will pay for the calling plan for the next year. We have you set up with a 900 minutes a month plan. If you go over that amount, you pay."

"Holy cow! 900 minutes a month, I don't think that will be a problem." I got up and hugged Mom. "Thanks, Mom." I gave Dad a hug too. "Thanks, Dad." I sat back down beside Penny.

Liz said, "I bought this for you." She handed me an envelope with a card in. It was a Snoopy birthday card. It had a certificate in it for a ring tone download.

"Thanks, Liz," I said.

Liz asked, "Do you have somewhere to download it here?"

"Sure. We have computers in the staff lounge," I answered.

Mom asked, "Will you have somewhere to charge your phone? We charged it before we came but you'll need access to electricity in a day or two."

"We're not in the boondocks, Mom," I answered. "I can charge it in the staff lounge or at the shack at the boatyard."

"That's good," Mom said. "What shall I tell the coaches who call home looking for you? When is a good time to call you here?"

I considered for a moment. "I guess between 1 and 2 pm or between 3 pm and 5 pm would be best."

Dad asked, "Have you returned all the messages from the coaches that called this past week?"

"I returned the calls but wasn't able to speak to any of the coaches yet."

Mom said, "I'll call them tomorrow morning and let them know how to get in touch with you."

"Thanks, Mom," I said.

Dad said, "Your Mom and I need to get the ice cream and cake up to the troop site. Liz, you can help us. Kyle, why don't you show Penny around camp?"

Mom added, "We're going to serve ice cream and cake around 9:30, Kyle. Make sure you're back to the campsite by then."

"OK, Mom, will do," I said.

Mom, Dad and Liz headed off for the parking lot and my troop's campsite. I showed Penny around the pool, the staff area, the dining hall and finally the boat yard. We walked together, my arm over her shoulder, her arm around my waist.

When we got to the deserted boat yard, Penny asked, "We have 45 minutes before we need to meet your parents. Is there anywhere we could get some privacy?"

"I wish, honey. I really do." I hugged Penny against my body. We kissed deeply. Penny squeezed me tight to her chest. The feel of her nipples pressing against my chest stoked my deprived and overactive libido. We kissed again. My cock started to harden. I broke the kiss.

Penny kissed my cheek and then kissed my neck a few times. THINK OF DEREK! Penny's kisses felt great. My cock was fully erect. DON'T GET FIRED. Penny started nibbling on my ear. I stammered, "I ... I just ... can't..." I pulled away from Penny.

"I can't do this, Penny."

"Please..." She reached down and rubbed the bulge in my pants. "Just a little bit, Kyle. What can it hurt?" Penny continued to run my erection.

"A guy got fired last week for this. We can't do..." I shuddered as she grasped my cock through my shorts. "Please stop." I pulled her hand away.

"Ohhh ... I miss you so much, Kyle." Penny exclaimed.

"I know. I miss you too. We have to wait until camp is over." I said. "Let's just sit at the picnic table and watch the sun set over the lake."

"I really hoped we could do something tonight, Kyle. It's been so long."

"I wish I could, Penny. I like my job. I don't want to get fired. Mr. Holloway, the camp director, is serious about that. We can cuddle and watch the sun set. Let's behave."

Penny slid against me. I put my arm around her. She laid her head on my shoulder. We spent the next half hour just sitting together talking about our summer. Penny and I headed up to my troop campsite at dusk. We stopped by my tent to pick up a flashlight on the way. Mr. Clark and Mr. Good were there with Ed and my Dad. The rest of the troop was at the pool for the night swim.

The six of us hung out until the troop came back from the pool. The kids were in their tents changing when Mom and Liz came up the hill with the ice cream. Mom had picked it up from the dining hall freezer where she had left it earlier in the evening. Mom and Mr. Clark set up the cake and ice cream while Hal and Paul rounded up the troop. Andy, Abby, Will and Trent arrived just as my friends prepared to serenade me with Happy Birthday.

I blew out the seventeen candles on the cake after the troop's slightly off-key rendition of the song. Mom served the cake while Mr. Clark dished up the ice cream. Mom had brought my favorite, red velvet cake from the bakery in Bird-In-Hand. It was fantastic. Ten minutes later the only evidence of our snack was a trash can full of dirty paper plates, bowls and spoons.

All the soon–to–be eighth graders hung around Liz, fawning over her. I hadn't seen her in a month. She's definitely a teenager now. She was noticeably taller than in the spring. She's my sister, but even I noticed how much her breasts had grown. Most of the guys her age noticed too, I caught them staring at her chest.

After my friends had given me their well wishes, Dad called our family together. Dad announced, "I wanted to talk to all of you about a family vacation. I talked with the staff at USC. I can bring the rest of the family to L.A. next month if I pay for the extra airlines tickets and hotel rooms. I'm including you, Will and Abby. I'd like the whole family to have some fun together this summer."

Will asked, "When is this trip?"

Dad answered, "We leave on Friday evening, August 15th."

"That leaves Abby and me out. We can't leave here until camp is packed up. The Camp Health Officer can't leave until the staff leaves. Tentatively that is on August 20th. I can't get away either. We hold staff swims every day after we finish the day's work packing up camp. I'm the only one in camp that is certified to run the pool this year."

I asked, "How long do you want to make this vacation?"

Dad said, "I thought Mom, Liz and Andy could do some touring while you and I visit USC. Go to the beach, visit Catalina, and go to Disneyland. You and I could join the rest of the family for more fun on Monday and Tuesday."

"Monday and Tuesday? I can't do that Dad. I have football practice then." I said.

"You missed the first couple days of practice last year. What difference would it make if you miss them again this year?" Dad asked.

I responded, "I wasn't a team captain last year. I'm supposed to set an example for the rest of the team. How would it look to the younger guys if I blew off the first couple days of practice?"

Andy added, "Kyle's right, Dad. I need to get to practice too."

Dad seemed a little put out. "I don't see what harm it would do if..."

"Dad, you always preach that we need to fulfill our responsibilities. I'm one of the captains. I need to be at football practice. It's part of my job," I said.

Dad sighed. "I thought it would be nice to have a family vacation for everyone before all of you are grown."

Mom answered, "It might be a bit late."

Will said, "We'll be together for Labor Day Weekend at Cape Henlopen."

Dad said, "I know, but..."

I interrupted, "Just because Andy and I have to get home from L.A. doesn't mean the rest of you can't stay a few more days and have some fun."

Dad protested, "No! We can't do that. How would you boys get home? By yourselves? No!"

"Dad, it wouldn't be a problem. You get Andy and me to the airport, all we would need to do is find the right gate and get on the airplane. When we get to Philadelphia, we get our luggage and I drive us home. No big deal," I said.

Andy added, "We could do that, Dad."

Dad responded, "No. You are too young to be flying across the country."

"Dad, you didn't have a problem with Julie flying from Nebraska last summer. I'm a year older than she was. It will be fine."

Mom added, "You know Kyle is right, Dan. It would be all right."

Liz eagerly added, "We should do this, Dad. The beach, Disneyland; we could have a lot of fun out there."

Dad hesitated for a few seconds and bowed to the inevitable. "OK. You and Andy can fly home on Sunday evening." Andy, Liz and I cheered. "You do realize that you'll have to come to the airport to pick up your mother, sister and me on Wednesday night when we fly home."

"That's no problem, Dad. I can do that," I answered.

Andy asked, "I have one question, Dad. Can I tour USC with you and Kyle? I'd rather do that than go to Disneyland."

Dad said, "I'll find out, Andy."

"Thanks, Dad," Andy answered.

The family talked about the trip for a couple more minutes before they headed for home. Will, Abby and Trent went back down the hill to the staff area while Ed, Andy and I went to the Patrol Leader's Council meeting.

Dustin Carter approached me at lunch the next day. He asked, "You know how you, Trent, Ed and Andy toss the football around everyday after lunch? I noticed you added some more guys this week. Would you mind if I joined you?"

"We're not just tossing the ball around Dustin. We're all on our varsity high school football teams except for Trent. He's on the University of Delaware's team. We're practicing passing routes and coverages. We're pretty serious about this, I doubt you'd enjoy it."

Dustin replied, "It would be good for me. I am ... well, at least I expect to be varsity this year. Practicing pass coverages would be good for me."

"What position do you play?" I asked.

"I play free safety."

I asked, "What team do you play with?"

"The Drumore Tigers."

"Drumore? I'll guess we'll see each other in the fall. I'm on the Wolverines. I know we play some time this September."

Dustin asked, "Is it September? I don't know our schedule."

"The game is in September. Come over to the parade field after lunch. We can talk to the other guys and see if they mind if you play with us."

"Cool! Thanks, Kyle," Dustin exclaimed.

The rest of the group decided to let Dustin join us when we practiced. He worked with Jeremy to provide over and under coverage for who ever I was throwing too. It wasn't a big deal for either Andy or Christian. Both were used to being double covered in games.

Dustin worked with Jeremy to cover Andy while I quarterbacked. Trent and Jeremy gave Dustin some pointers to help him. But he did a decent job for the first time facing a receiver with Andy's speed. It was more challenging for me to get the ball to Andy too. I was used to throwing the ball deep and letting Andy outrun Jeremy for the completion. Now I had to put the ball dead on target to avoid Dustin or Jeremy intercepting the pass. It was good practice for me in case we had another emergency like last year.

Practice was interrupted by the coach from the University of Connecticut calling me on my cell phone. I thanked him for calling me but indicated that I wasn't really interested in his college. We played a few more minutes before my phone rang. I turned it off. The voice mail could take the message. I would call back during fifth and sixth period while Trent and I supervised the free boating.

--oooOooo--

Thursday afternoon I managed to return all the coaches' calls. I was polite to them, but Division I-AA wasn't what I was aiming for in college. I was about to give Coach Baglino of the University of Pennsylvania the brush off too when he asked me a question that made me think.

Coach Baglino asked, "Exactly how many Division I-A schools are offering you a scholarship?"

I admitted, "One ... well, actually none. Coach Golden would offer me one if I was interested but I like winning and..."

"So do I. My teams have won 72% of their games and we're 18-12 over the last three seasons. We have a string of Ivy League championships extending back fifteen years. Kyle, the big boys are afraid of your knee. You may not have an option of going to a Division I-A school. You should take a good look at us. We are a perfect fit for you."

"Why do you say that?" I asked.

"We have an explosive offense. We average 342 yards a game passing. A receiver like you would fit in here. Your grades and SAT's are excellent. You could get accepted here without any help from football. You're smart and I like that. Your brother is already a student here and is planning to get his Masters with us. Your future sister-in-law plans to go to medical school here. I even understand your girlfriend wants to attend Penn."

I was shocked at just how much Coach Baglino knew about me. Hesitantly I admitted, "She does. She wants to be a veterinarian."

"Perfect. We have the best veterinary school in the country. Does she have the academic skills to get into this school?"

"Penny's SAT score beat mine by twenty points. She had straight A's too except for a B in chemistry the first quarter. That was before the two of us started studying together all the time."

"If she's as good as you say, she'll be coming to Penn next year. You should too. Your coach tells me that you're exactly the kind of smart, hard working football player I like on my team. Family here, a girlfriend here, our strong academics; Penn's a perfect fit for you. In four years would get an Ivy League education. With that, you can do anything in the world."

"I don't know. After I'm done playing football I plan to become a football coach. I think playing in a Division I-A program would be a big help."

"I won't say that it wouldn't help, but big program experience doesn't prevent you from being a coach. I graduated from Central Connecticut State 32 years ago. I've been coaching ever since," Coach Bagnoli explained.

"That's interesting, Coach. I still think I want to try to get a scholarship with one of the major schools."

"I can respect that, Kyle. Can you promise me something?"

"What is it?" I asked.

"Promise me that you'll consider Penn if you end up looking at Division I-AA schools," Coach Baglino asked.

I smiled. "I can promise that, Coach. I'll keep Penn on the list if I go to a I-AA school. My girlfriend wouldn't give me a choice anyway."

"I appreciate that. I hope things work out for you next year, Kyle."

"Can I ask you one more question, Coach? How did you find out so much about me? You know: my girlfriend, my brother and his fiancé and all of that?"

"I had a nice long talk with your mother this morning. She is a very nice lady," Coach Baglino replied.

"She is. Thanks for your time, Coach. I have to get back to work. I'll keep your school on my B list of schools. Good Bye." I said.

"Good luck, son," Coach Baglino said before he hung up the phone. I thought a little more about attending Penn. It might be a good place to go to school. I certainly wouldn't mind keeping Penny as my girlfriend.

The week of camp with my friends went too fast. Friday was there before I knew it. Half my troop showed up sixth period for the open boating. They remembered the water battles, swamping each other, and general goofing around they had on Friday afternoon the previous two Fridays at summer camp.