Read Online There's a Bat in Bunk Five by Paula Danziger - Free Book Online Page A

says. She smiles, waves, and leaves.
    Being close to other people isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it.
    Vacation. I need a vacation. All of this dealing with feelings. Working. Living with thirteen other people in the same small area. Being helpful. I’m wiped out. If I’ve got to finish off one more lanyard, I’m going to scream. Swimming. Hiking. Working on the camp paper. Cookouts. Getting ready for the talent show. Trying to keep the kids from killing Ginger when I’m not sure that I really want to stop them. Thinking of ways to try to reach her even though I’m afraid to try because she’ll be mean. She’s only ten, but she can be deadly. At night I’m so exhausted it’s hard to fall asleep. The kids giggle. Corrine snores. I stay awake waiting for the sound of rushing mice feet and the swoosh of bat wings. I’d almost like to go off someplace alone and sleep my time off away.
    But I’m going to Woodstock with Ted. He’s managed it so that we’ve gotten the time off together, and he’s even arranged to borrow a car. A date with Ted, the use of the car. I wish everyone back home could see me now.
    Corrine walks in while I’m getting ready. “Marcy, why are
all
of your clothes on your bed? Are youplanning on running away and can’t decide on the proper wardrobe for your flight? Please don’t desert me.”
    I grin. “I can’t decide what to wear.”
    â€œIt’s Woodstock. Denim,” Corrine says. “Wear blue jeans or something like that. You’re not going to a prom.”
    â€œI’ve spent the entire time up here in blue jeans,” I say. “I want to wear something different. After all, it’s my day off.”
    â€œYou just want to show Ted how pretty your legs are,” Corrine teases.
    Janie runs in. “Would one of you please remind the powers that be around here that I’m going to take the next bus back to New York City if they don’t stop bugging me about learning to swim. If I were meant to be in water, I’d have been born with gills.”
    Corrine says, “Marcy, it’s your time off. I’ll handle this,” and she takes Janie outside.
    I think about going to Woodstock. For years I’ve heard about it and I saw the film about the rock festival, which wasn’t even held there. I’ve always wanted to go. It’s supposed to be this special place for the arts, for all different kinds of people. And now I’mgoing . . .and with Ted. I’m so excited that my stomach hurts.
    I decide on my denim wraparound skirt, a light blue blouse, panty hose.
    I grab my purse and walk out of the cabin.
    â€œStockings.” Corrine raises an eyebrow.
    Janie looks at me. “You look nice. Big day off, huh? Bet you’re going out with Ted. Be good. And if you can’t be good, be careful. . . .”
    I can’t believe she said that. When I was her age, I knew nothing. As a matter of fact I still don’t know much.
    Risa and Linda come running up to us. “Did you see Nick? Did you? Did you?”
    We shake our heads.
    They’re all out of breath.
    We assigned them the job of camp gossip columnists, and they take their jobs very seriously. Only they spread the word before it’s printed.
    â€œSome of the kids bet Nick he didn’t have enough nerve to shave his head. Now they’ve got to pay up.”
    â€œYou mean Nick, the counselor, or Nick, the kid in bunk nine?” Janie wants to know.
    â€œThe bunk nine Nick.”
    The bunk nine Nick is coming up the hill, surroundedby a bunch of kids. Only now he’s the bald bunk nine Nick.
    â€œI only hope his parents aren’t coming up on Visitors’ Day,” Corrine sighs.
    I look at my watch. “I’ll see you all later. I’ve got to go.”
    I’m glad everyone’s paying attention to Nick. Now I can make a fast getaway without any