Camp Menace to Society-Chapter Four-A Camp Girlfriend for MBF?

By Me, Steve Walters

[ Hey there...If you would like to hear more about MBF and all the kids at Camp Minatosati...just drop me a line in the comment section below! They have hundreds of camp adventures lined up and waiting for them...at this...the last summer for MBF to be a camper! ]

MBF sat up on the Waterslide...at it’s highest point...waiting for the “go ahead” to slide down from the Activity Counselor...up there with him. As he waited...he began to stare up into the sky around him. The same sky…which over an hour ago…had thrown a huge stick down at him. The same sky which had also been prepared to unleash a torrential storm above him there…while he was standing at the “No-Name Marker” in the Cemetery. MBF couldn’t quite figure out what he had done to be a target for something’s certain wrath. After all…what had he done anyways…but make up a silly ghost story…to an obvious mysterious marker there in that old Cemetery. It was very odd...and now more frightening...then it had ever been before making up the story. The water sloshed around his Waterslide mat…the rushing water sounded great. The water rushing by was begging him to follow along with it...down to the end. "What a great, relaxing sound to hear on a hot summer day," MBF thought...still perched in front of the opening of the chute ready to begin this exhilarating ride. The crickets and the “katy-dids” (another name for locusts down South) were chirping loud from the nearby woods. Together...the chirping sounded more like a low roar coming from over there. A few birds sung out…but not too many…in the midst of the heat of the afternoon. From this vantage point…he could hear all the commotion coming from the Pool...back a few hundred yards away behind him…and he could see a thin blue line of water over the edge of the treetops…where the lake was showing itself...down below.

“Go”…the Activity Counselor commanded…all was clear down the whole chute.

MBF pushed himself off by pushing along the top of the large PVC half pipe...at the top edge of the slide. His push helped gain a mile or two an hour more in speed on his start…as the current and the steep down hill grade...took him straight down into the beginning of the wild water ride. MBF had slid this familiar slide so many times…that even though it was his first time back on it this summer…he still knew exactly when to bank for a turn…and how far to go up on the safety banks on each curve…to gain top speed...while he manuevered all the way through the course's design. By his third twisting turn...going down this huge slide…he was flying at speeds that felt like someone competing in a bobsled run on ice during the Olympics. He was having a great time…and once more...forgetting about his earlier encounter with the huge angry stick from the sky. Well…at least for the moment...he was too busy having fun...to think about it. He was really getting into enjoying his trip down the Waterslide. The first half-pool stopping point was starting to come into view...at the end of the curved PVC pipes below. After his last big spiraling turn on this part of the ride...he shot down into one last quick drop...and then into the small pool at the end. “SSPPLLAASSHH!” He hit the half-pool...while sending a wall of water before him. He slid all the way across the top of it...before slowing to a stop. From there in the half-pool…he started wading over to the entrance of the last leg of the Waterslide course. The next part to the Waterslide...that began at that half-pool...was a cement run which was built into the slope of the hill. It twisted and wound all the remaining way down to the bottom of the hill…about a full city block of rough concrete waterslide fun. The rider just weaved side-to-side through the set course...all the way down to the end of the ride. This part of the slide was made of highly shellacked grunite (pool cement)…and had slow arcing turns all the way down the hill. Hence, the need for the raised PVC half pipe chutes (the first part of the Waterslide) for the first run above the half-pool…to make for much needed additional excitement.

Still…the cement lower part of this waterslide was a fun way to get to the bottom of a hill. You absolutely had to be on the plastic waterslide mat though…or you wouldn’t have your swim trunk or a layer of skin left on your rear…by the time you got to the end of it. From the start of the cement slide part…MBF could see his R.L. meeting with the other Older Campers that had been on the trailride with MBF. They were in a meeting down on the deck of the bottom half-pool...underneath umbrellas that were part of the picnic tables there. MBF climbed back onto his waterslide mat…and let the current of washing water from the top half-pool he was in…carry him into the opening to begin the slide down the second half of the waterslide run. MBF then started sliding through this part...gradually to the bottom. At each twist and turn the rider would get soaked by the slides swirling waters which gave a slightly exhilarated thrill to this simple run of waterslide fun. Finally...he slid through the last slow "Snake" pattern turn and headed down the steep long stretch at the bottom of the hill. Here...he was able to gain up some more speed...before coming to the very end of the ride...with a big "SPLAASHH!" He hit the bottom half-pool...creating less of of a wall of water…then previous. But...still splashing water over the edge of the half-pool...and sending a small wave in the direction of his Cabin mates. The group of guys in the meeting…turned towards MBF looking a little envious. They gave an indication...by their facial expressions...that they were slightly perturbed at the R.L. and his questioning…when they could be sliding. The R.L. knew he had lost their attention at that point…and told them to grab a mat and get moving up the hill. “WALK!” He shouted at them next….because they were about to cause an extreme amount of melee as they rushed to grab mats…there on the deck of the bottom half-pool.

The R.L. waved MBF over to him from the picnic tables. “Oh Brother…” MBF thought. He really just wanted to slide on the Waterslide…at this point…and not think about ridge business for awhile. MBF must have had a look on his face that said he didn’t want to bother with this at the moment…because his R.L. said, “Don’t Worry, MBF…this will only take a minute!” Which in R.L. language meant somewhere between 10 and 60 minutes. “Yes Sir….?” MBF reported in. "The rest of the Cabin told me the same thing you did about the huge branch falling down…nearly on top of you…” The R.L. stated. “See…I wasn't exaggerating R.L...” MBF stated on his behalf….almost with a slight testiness. “Look MBF…This might come as a big surprise to you…but Lead Campers are still considered Campers…and thus are still someone’s responsibility…like mine for instance. I still have to have some knowledge of what happens to you…and all the Older Vets…should I be called on by one the Directors. Those same Directors who tend to hear everything that is going on...and may want an accounting of any rumors they might be hearing...at any given moment. Which…by the way…you excellently curbed down a huge wave of camp rumors for about 24 hours by inviting the Youngers on an Overnite. That is...if they keep their mouth shut. Really Outstanding Work, MBF!” The R.L. congratulated him, then said, ”...And I know in advance that you forgot that you were still my responsibility…and that you’d rather be sliding right now…ya’ know…I was Lead Camper once too…way back when…remember?” he finished talking...and trying to make a point...while reading MBF's mind...like usual. MBF knew that 6 years ago…his R.L. had been Lead Camper. He remembered it well. One of a long line of Campers that were given the name “Menace to Society”. They were named after the original MTS from the Camp’s first years. The original was a legendary Camper, a funny comedian, and Camp Prankster…as well as immortal in the eyes of all campers...for all time. His R.L. also had a very distinguished summer…as a Lead Camper. It was that Summer…under his R.L. being the Lead Camper…that the Mud Slide Bath came into being. But…that’s another Camp Legend Tale for another day.

“Listen MBF I’ve been thinking…” the R.L. said. That meant something big involving work was about to happen…for MBF. MBF stayed quiet. “Look…I’m going to ride out to the Cemetery after Dinner and see this broken branch for myself…If you want you can ride along and bring STC with you….I’ll let Wrangler Dave or Jeannie know. Also…”Hint, Hint”…This would be a great opportunity for you to ask Laura Williams out on a little extra camp outing. I heard you talk about her the other night…and I’m going to ask her Lead Counselor to go along with us…What say you…Lead Camper Many Blue Feathers? Are you ready to step it up this Summer Already…and ask her out on an evening trail ride? I bet she would be pretty impressed…even for a rich high school type like her…if you asked her out on something like this…so soon into the summer. It would sure carry a lot weight with her…and Girl’s Ridge…you know!” the R.L. had pulled a fast one on MBF…he hadn’t even thought along the lines of a Camp Girlfriend yet...this Summer. “It sure seemed like everything was already going faster this Summer…” MBF thought to himself. “Laura Williams…!” MBF was kind of set back by this. “On the one hand…his R.L. had really challenged him…by using her name as one of the girls to ask. On the other hand…MBF had only just joked and teased around with Laura…in summers past…never thinking she would go for the smart, cool, calculating Lead Camper type. Still…Laura had been here for about 10 summers…like MBF. Who better to get her attention than a Lead Camper…with the only exception being a C.I.T. near her age…but they usually stuck to their own little group, " He continued in thought. "Alright, Laura…It would be (at least…as far as…the one he would ask) !” MBF had weighed and milled this all through in his thinking...and concluded it was a good idea. After he had thought it through...he was now determined to ask her on this impromptu trail ride excursion, immediately. His R.L. had helped influence him…yet again. He looked at his R.L....who now looked even wiser to MBF…both for looking out for him…and for encouraging him to ask Laura Williams out. “Ok…R.L….I’ll Ask her!” MBF finally replied back to his superior.

All the sudden…Riding down the Waterslide…didn’t seem as important to him as before. He looked to his R.L….who read his mind yet again…”You have my permission to go wherever you need to…” His R.L. stated. “Waterfront!” MBF had a partial schedule memorized in his head of where key people should be during the course of the day…at all times...and Older Girls Ridge was a part of that list. MBF slipped his waterslide mat into its’ appropriate slot in the Older Kids rack…and grabbed his shirt and tennis shoes. He left his jeans hanging...that he had needed for the stables. Either, STC would bring ‘em or he would find an Activity Counselor to come unlock the gate for him to the Waterslide…later. He couldn’t run in them. Besides his swim trunks were soaked. He’d look goofy slipping them back on over ‘em. Half-way down the steps to the road to the Waterfront…he started slipping on his shoes. MBF hit the road…and started getting a good stride going...to jog all the way to the lake. MBF rounded the long winding turn down to the lake…and saw the water ahead. “Better play this cool…” He thought. Perhaps running up into the middle of the Girl’s Activity may appear a little over anxious. MBF slowed to a hike…and looked down. He noticed his laces could use a little better job of tying. He reached the dull roar of kids having fun at the lake’s edge. “What am I doing here…All the Girl’s are going to take notice if I walk up to Laura…in the midst of this crowd,” He thought...getting a little nervous. MBF thought another second…”Maybe...that wasn’t a bad thing!” he re-calculated to himself. After all...getting attention...is what Lead Campers do! He knew that Laura and he were both friends. He had talked with her when she arrived on Opening Day…and up on the Balcony the day before…so it wasn’t that he was shy….or for that matter...worried that she would turn him down, either. They would still be friends...no matter what happened with this simple little evening offer to go out on a trail ride.

“All out approach and ask mode...Nothing less!” MBF told himself. He had to think and act like the Lead Camper at all times. If he botched it...he might as well go home for the summer. “No Guts…No Glory!” He motivated himself into correct thinking. A couple of the Younger Campers of Older Girl’s Ridge turned to look at MBF. Now…was the time! “Where is Laura? (No need to ask for last names…they knew which Laura he was referring to.)” He asked. "She is on one of the Yellow Sunfish boats (Small Sailboat)," One of the Older Girls replied. Well, MBF had already made his move. From this point on...all the Girls on the Waterfront would be curious as to why the Lead Camper was asking about Laura. Subtle approach was out the window now! The Girls would all be watching to see what he did next. This is the kind of stuff that breeds camp heroes and legends. “Why is he asking for Laura?”; “Are they going together?”; “I’ve seen them talking on the Balcony!”; “They’ve known each other for years!”…MBF could already hear the girls that were close-by...whispering. It was Go Time! MBF scanned across the Lake Shore Line and found what he was looking for. One of the Waterfront Activity Counselors was trolling up to the Dock…with a boat load of Older Girl Campers.They were coming in from a round of Water Skiing. MBF ran to the Boat Shed. He had a feeling why they were coming back so soon with more than a ½ an hour left in the Activity Period. MBF jumped up into the shed…and grabbed a portable gas tank for the Boat. “...Hey!” One of the C.I.T.’s who was working in there...hollered out to him. MBF stared him down…about the same time the C.I.T. figured out...who had just yelled at. Generally…a Lead Camper out ranks a C.I.T….unless the C.I.T. is on a specialized detail per Camp Admin. “Oh…it's you MBF…I thought you were across camp this afternoon?” The C.I.T. mentioned to him. “Urgent Business!” MBF stated back. “Help Me take some tanks to that Ski Boat...coming in…Chop, Chop!” MBF commanded. Almost as much fun as bossing the little campers around…were the C.I.T.’s . It always confused them…whenever he bossed them around. They knew he outranked them when it came to having the Staff and Campers backing the Lead Camper…for years and years...of a long Camp History. Still…he wasn’t Staff. But...this “Newbie C.I.T.” wasn’t in the mood to question MBF’s authority…so he grabbed a heavy gas tank and followed MBF out to the boat.

The Counselor driving the Ski Boat was from the Navajo Cabin…one of the Vet Ridge cabins…so MBF knew he would cooperate with him. It was good to move about Camp as the Lead Camper! It carried a lot of weight…on many occasions! MBF hurried over to the dock. He was trying to keep everyone in the boat in place...before they started shuffling around...to get out on the dock. “Dan…Can you get me out to that Yellow Sunfish!” MBF yelled out from across the dock...as he approached it. “Ladies…!” MBF politely addressed to the girls onboard...as he lowered himself down into the Ski Barge (Ski Boat). They were all smiling with interest at his request to go out to…where they knew to be…the Yellow Sailboat of three of the Older and Senior Girl Campers. Some of which...were Girls that MBF had been seen talking with on the Balcony before. “Anyone need to get off the boat?” The Older Counselor asked. All the Girl’s on board shook their head “No” at the same. They were too interested in seeing what the reason was for MBF having to rush out to see the girl’s on the Sunfish. “They want to stay!” MBF said as he smiled...with a slight sneer. He knew that these Girls would want to see what he was up to. “Ok…Let’s go!” Counselor Dan said. MBF reached back up to the dock from down in the boat and grabbed the other gas tank. Then, he handed the C.I.T. the two empty ones that had been used up on the boat. “Shove us off…” MBF instructed the C. I.T. MBF walked one tank at a time to the back of the boat...while the boat drifted back away. Dan took the first one...and secured it back down in the back of the boat. Then, he started to connect the gas line. The "ever-present" smell of gasoline was easy to smell throughout the entire Ski Barge. However…no need to worry. Any gasoline drops that may have dripped out before the gas line connection was complete...would mix in with the 1 and 1/2 inches of water that was always sloshing around in the extreme rear part of the barge. The Counselor primed the fuel line with the fuel pump...and reached up to turn the key to start the ignition for the boat...at the same time. The boat fired right back up...again. Meanwhile...MBF was securing the second tank. The boat had drifted far enough in Reverse to clear the dock...by this time...So...Couselor Dan throttled it Forward to Idle speed. Dan looked over to MBF as a signal to hold on...so MBF grabbed the chrome rail of the middle pilot console to the boat...and they were off. The Counselor throttled away from the dock. After they had moved far enough away...the Counselor slowed down to lower his wake...until they cleared some of the Campers in slow moving canoes...that were close to the dock. Then, he punched it…and they were underway. The boat's flat bottom design...let the back underside of it...rise up to ontop of the water... while on its' journey...which helped it to speed along.

They were zipping across the water towards the Yellow Sunfish. MBF moved to the front bow of the boat…and prepared something in his head to tell Laura. He couldn’t think of anything too clever as they barreled across the North part of the Lake...So…he would just have to let his charm and smarts take over…and hope he didn’t come across as a dork. MBF stood at the front of the boat...looking like George Washington crossing the Delaware. Once the Yellow Sunfish saw the Ski Barge was headed directly for them. The "Coxswain" (Sailor in charge of steering a small boat.) brought the sailboat about…tacking it ...and let the boom out. They prepared their little Sunfish perfectly on the water...to meet with the "Stand-On Vessel". (That vessel which has right-of-way during a meeting, crossing, or overtaking situation.) By letting the sailboat glide freely adrift..."Windward" (Toward the direction from which the wind is coming.)...there would be no concern for any type of collision. And thus...performing a procedure exactly the way all Campers were taught to sail at Camp! Counselor Dan couldn't resist and did the "lead-in" to the reason for this meeting "out at sea". He announced out early, “Your up…Romeo!”...taunting MBF. By now...the Counselor had already figured out that MBF wasn’t trying to get an important message to the sailing crew…but that he had other reasons for his urgency. The giggling girls on board had obviously done their part to help the Counselor figure this out. “Ahoy…Laura…’Tis I…Many Blue Feathers…Asking if you would like to go on a trail ride tonight after dinner…to Thomas Hill Cemetery…with your Lead Counselor and my Ridge Leader…and perhaps an Arapaho…and a Wrangler or two?” He blurted out…the "Ahoy-Tis-I" part...just like a dork…but enjoyed the drama of it all...for her sake. Now…if she only would say “Yes”...after this dramatic of an invitation. She gave a slight gigglish "HMMM..." there amongst the other girls on her sailboat...while one of the girls onboard the sailboat...leaned over and whispered something in her ear. “Why, MBF…I did not think you ever had it in you to ask me out…for anything?” She jest back at him. “Well, Laura…It’s a brand new Summer…with a brand new Lead Camper…in me. What do you say to my invitation?” MBF boldly asked her again. The other girls pushed at her. MBF took this as a sign she was going to say “Yes”. However...she returned with a: “Maybe…next time!”...thereby slamming MBF’s hopes and dreams of the moment. MBF would not live this one down for awhile…especially after creating such an audience. “AAAAGGGHHH…!” He clinched both his hands over his chest...and fell backwards from the boat into the water. He fell in...purposefully lined-up...to make sure that his splash would point right directly at the girl's sailboat. “Splaaaaassh!” went MBF into the water. His splash did a really good job of hitting those on board the sailing Sunfish. He began to fake having a hard time swimming. “Help, Help…Oh Laura…Only you can save me!” he hollered out towards the sailboat a few feet away.

“Sorry…Hot Shot…this boat can only hold three adults…and no children!” Laura slammed him yet again. Determined now…more than ever...and knowing that "the friend" Laura…would play games with him…naturally...he realized that all was not lost. As all the Girls on the Ski Barge peeked over the edge of the boat...to see how MBF was handling this much rejection…MBF dove down under the water of the dark brown Texas Lake. “OOH!” They all collectively mumbled. MBF dove down deep...and swam underneath...towards the back side of the sailboat...where Laura was. He held himself under the boat for as long as he could. The silence he felt under the water…was not the same as above the surface. As it began to approach a time that was getting dangerous for him to be gone...he could hear a few muffled cries for his welfare...coming from above. MBF sprang up the side of the Sunfish...to about ½ way out of the water…and put a big hug around Laura in the boat. “Come with me tonight…Fair Laura…or my heart and body shall plummet to the depths of this ocean!” He said, right in her face, eye to eye. Laura was impressed with his persistence…and started to almost say a “yes”. But...that's when MBF stole a quick playful peck of a kiss on the tip of her lips. Laura automatically brought her arm up to let him have it. MBF laughed..and dove back down under the water. Kissing of any kind was not allowed by anyone on Camp. That’s a big “No-No”…even though MBF had just been playing. It made Laura a little impressed that he was so bravishly-charming out here...with everyone looking on. She liked braveness in guys…and she knew from Camp Legend Tales that Lead Campers have to be brave and in charge. She was suddenly beginning to see MBF in a new light.

“What say thou, Laura?” MBF asked again...as he surfaced his head back out of the water. “Is this a new side to you, MBF?” She asked. “No…just one that you’ve never bothered to see before!” he told her. MBF pulled himself back onboard the little sailing vessel. This wasn't over yet...by any means! He put one knee on the raised aft section...next to the rudder...and stood up with his other leg in the crew's cockpit...slightly enough...to not make the boat start to tip. “Come with me on the trail ride tonight, Laura…or lose me forever!” He bravely and dorkishly...asked again. “What the heck…It was all or nothing at this point…!” He thought to himself. He had truly embarrassed himself...beyond all hopes of recovery by this point...without a victorious “Yes” from Laura. “What Time?” Laura asked. “Let’s say 7:00 pm…at the Stables,” MBF said…unsure of the time…but wanting to answer her...regardless. “I’ll see you there…” She said. “Now…If you don’t mind, Mr. Lead Camper. We need to sail back to the dock…before the end of our activity period,” She said playfully. “Very Well Then...!” MBF jokingly said...then stood up all the way...and fell backwards into the water...once again. And of course...directing his splash towards the sailboat...yet again. MBF came back up with his head poking out of the water...also once more. He had a big smile on his face. But…it was wasted on Laura and her crew…as they had pulled the boom back in on the sailboat...filling the sail up with wind once more. They were gone! The Girl’s on board the barge were all smiles…and the Counselor was doing a nice golf clap for him. “Why don’t you hop back in the boat…Romeo Blue Feathers…These girl’s just shot ½ of their last activity period out here watching you make a fool of yourself!” Counselor Dan stated. “I know…but it was worth it…No?” MBF said, while sidestroke swimming to the ski boat. “Si!” the Counselor answered him....reaching down to give MBF an arm up. “Girls can I take a Victory Slalom Lap back in for Laura...answering "Yes" to my heart?” MBF said...joking a little...when he got up close to the boat. “Oh…Brother...now that’s milking it!” The Counselor stated. However...the Girl’s all said “Yes”! MBF looked up to Dan with a smile. Dan froze for a second…then stood up and threw a Ski Vest at MBF..still in the water. “Ok…but we’re gone in two minutes…Super Camper. Trick or Speed?” Dan asked. MBF thought for a second...while inserting himself into the ski vest. It was obvious. “Trick!” MBF answered…and the wide "Trick" slalom ski shot by him…across the top of the water.

“That’s my favorite ski…MBF…so stay out of the shallows!” The Counselor instructed him. “No Problem!” MBF said…while back pedaling away from the boat towards the ski. He grabbed it…and swam back some more…until he had a good distance between himself and the Ski Boat. He then set the bindings for what they should be…and slipped the single Slalom Ski on. It was a little loose so…he tightened up the binding settings a ½ click for each foot. Now with the ski on…he gave a thumbs up…and Dan threw the tow rope...expertly out right over the top of his head. Dan bumped the throttle a little…and the rope handle started sliding in towards MBF. MBF let the rope slide through his hands...as he timed the handles approach. He threw the Ski tip high...and straight up in the water...as the handle started to come on by him. He grabbed it quickly and held on. The boat and skier lined up just right...after MBF dragged the boat to a slow stop. “Ready?” Dan hollered out. MBF gave a thumbs-up momentarily with his free hand before grasping the handle with both hands...and stuck the tip of the ski straight-up once again out of the water. Counselor Dan stood on the throttle. The boat roared forward into a quick launch speed...and MBF leaped out of the water instantly...and then lightly touched atop the glassy surface of the water...at the boat's top speed. “Sluuusch!” The only noise you could hear over the Boat's motor...as the single ski rushed over the water. MBF curved out of the wake...and slid all the way out...wide on a curve. He let himself go out as far as possible...then he leaned in sending a wall of water "spray" straight up in the air. As he came to an almost stand still for the tiniest of a second…he blew a kiss to Laura in the Sailboat nearby. And then... shot back away from her and her crew...in a perfect semi-arc…while jumping over the wakes behind the boat…like a kneeling missile. Then he began...sliding around again on the opposite side of the boat…and leaving another wall of water "spray" ...way up in the air. “Now…this is Summer!” MBF told himsef. He had taken a Slalom Skiing practice run…three days ago. When...the R. L. had taken some of the Older Campers...that were early arrivals to Camp...out for some water skiing…while killing time before Camp started. But…that was nothing compared to Counselor Dan’s hand behind the Ski Barge wheel…and Counselor Dan’s Trick Slalom Ski. He zipped back behind the boat…this time letting the speed carry him way out in the air…and jumping high off the boat's wake. As he landed...he pulled in on the ski handle to turn back in. Counselor Dan made a signal with his hand that he would take him in behind the canoers…and up near the dock. He signaled to MBF to break-off...and land next to the dock. Then Dan pointed...and made the visual sign that looked like someone... “grabbing their nose and jumping in the water off of a diving board”...to show MBF exactly where he wanted him to go...and land.

After they cleared going around the canoes...which were still a good ways off from the dock...Dan sped up on slow arcing turn…then he spun the boat hard left (port)…and cut his speed. MBF was ready for it...and took every bit of the momentum that the boat was throwing him around with…and then he headed around the back of the boat...for the dock. When he had gotten all the swing he could get out of the tow rope…he threw it away. MBF bounced alone now out on the water…flying along on top of it...and skiing away now...far from the boat. He travelled clear across the far lake shoreline…in front of the camp waterfront…where no one is allowed to swim (because of the overgrown wild floating hydrilla there...clogging the shoreline). Zipping across the water...still at a good speed...he turned more towards the dock…still no longer attached to the boat. The dock started to come up quick. MBF aimed for the nearest pier on the dock...and where the ladder was on it that went down into the water. As he came up on it very fast…he leaned back…and pointed his ski tip straight into the sky...“K-SSPPPLL-AAA-SSSHHHH!” He came to a stop right in front of the dock...with a gigantic stopping splash. As MBF looked into the sky…right before sinking back into the water…he knew that he was already having the best Summer of his life! He climbed the ladder up onto the dock. He was slightly beaten-up on a little... by the pounding waves from his recent ski ride...and all the afternoon's full activities. And more then...slightly victorious...with a trail ride date which Laura had agreed to go on. And also...remembering that he would always have a great story to tell for forever at Camp. The story of MBF and the “Falling Branch” out at the "Witches Grave" of Thomas Hill Cemetery. The story which...by now...had already started to spread around camp...despite his own best tactics being used against the Youngers to try and keep them quiet for awhile. Even after his R.L’s own strong wishes...that no big rumors would start flying...the "Falling Branch" out at the "Witches Grave" rumors were about to jump start into high gear very shortly…this very evening at the Dining Hall...without fail! As MBF stood himself up on the dock...he realized that he was probably the luckiest camper on the face of the planet...and that he was definitely...going to have the best Summer of his life!