I straightened my back. I guessed I’d read Faith wrong. Just like me, she could smell a bad fish from a mile away, and she considered me a stray to Lola. In her eyes, I was a moocher. I wasn’t really a part of Lola’s world.
Bitch, please. She would see.
She gave me a kind smile, and I relaxed—only a little.
“You seem like a nice girl who could be spending her summer doing something else. How’d you get into volunteering for the charity?” she asked me.
“Oh well, I’ve always been interested in Ladies with Passion. I actually told Lola my story, and told her how I found the charity inspiring for young mothers and wished I would have found this foundation a few years ago.”
“Aw, that’s sweet. It’s always good to know we have charities like this, right? Makes women feel good. You know they have a story night every year at camp. Lola sets up sparkling juice and we light a fire, and those who are interested tell their story for others to hear. It’s inspiring. If you tell yours, I’ll be looking forward to hearing it.”
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
She turned when Arabel asked her for something, and I took it upon myself to stick my earphones in my ears and look out of the window. I wasn’t in the mood to make friends with any of Lola’s entourage.
My only focus was Mrs. Maxwell, but with these women in the way, it was proving to be difficult. They were lucky I didn’t mind a good challenge.
CHAPTER TWELVE
We arrived at camp, where the cabins were made of thick, brown logs and a mixture of palm and live oak trees surrounded each one. After everyone was off the bus, we were directed to the main hall, where we picked up name badges in the cafeteria and were offered water bottles.
Noah, Olivia, Vonyetta, and two other women were sitting at a table in the hall when we arrived, greeting people and ready to sign them in. Volunteers signed up at one table and picked up their blue volunteer shirts, while the pregnant guests took up another.
After I collected my name badge, I took a sweep of the main hall. For it to belong to a camp, it was pretty damn fancy. Seafoam-green walls, sparkling, waxed floors, and picture windows that revealed the outdoor scenery.
Of course Lola dearest wasn’t going to settle for some average place to camp. There still had to be some luxury involved. “Glamping” is what people call it, you know? Never knew it was a thing until Lola mentioned it during the volunteer meeting. I could only imagine how the cabins looked inside.
I looked at the front table, and Lola was chatting with Noah and Vonyetta. I realized then that it was going to be tricky getting Lola alone this week. How naïve of me. The only times I was going to catch her was in her cabin, or between activities.
We were all escorted to an outdoor stadium, where the seats were made of smooth logs. To my surprise, they were handing out blue pillows to the guests so they wouldn’t have to sit on the hard wood. Everything had a touch of Lola to it, from the blue name badges to the pillows.
I grabbed a pillow myself and went to the front row, and as we all settled in, Lola and Vonyetta stood up front and welcomed everyone with wide smiles, chipper voices, and microphones in hand.
I felt someone looking at me and glanced over my shoulder. Keke was looking my way. She put on the fakest smile for me, batted her fake-as-hell eyelashes, and turned away. I rolled my eyes, focusing on Vonyetta, who was talking about camp safety.
I guess I could say the first day wasn’t so bad. Lola was so busy with the camp rangers, and Noah and Olivia had my hands deep in the volunteer stuff, which I actually found enjoyable.
They had me helping the expectant moms design onesies for their babies. I was certain the onesies would never be put on the babies because of all the hot glue we had to use and the way the permanent markers leaked through the fabric, but it was entertaining for the time being. It would make a good keepsake for the moms.
I overheard Keke being sent to help get the paints ready for belly painting in the room next door. I saw her walk around a corner thirty minutes after the first round of activities had started. She’d changed into clothes and shoes that were more comfortable, and I laughed. Why she’d even worn a dress and heels astounded me. It wasn’t like she was going to find a man among this sea of pregnant women.
When dinner rolled around, I found Lola sitting at the back of the cafeteria. She waved at me, and I was glad she’d spotted me. The seat beside her was wide open, and praise the heavens, Keke was nowhere in sight.