Breakups are never easy. Vincent knew this and he was not taking it well. His relationship with Emma had ended badly and their friendship seemed doomed as well. He felt he had devoted himself for the better part of six, nearly seven years and in the end, he had nothing but a bruised ego and an aching heart. He hadn't done much in the way of socializing with friends in many years and he wasn't sure how to start over. He made a call and he and his friends decided to get together for drinks. He had mixed feelings about it since he felt they had abandoned him years before when he needed them. He was going in expecting a bit of a backlash, but also armed with his thoughts. He was prepared.
That night ended with out many fireworks and he felt as if he had rekindled whatever lost ties there had been. He was gleefully drunk and thinking about his future. Vincent had just returned to school that year and laughed at the irony that he was now single and surrounded by single women, but unfortunately for him, he was nearly ten years their senior. At 27, he was the old man in school. Old at 27, how did this happen? He sat in a drunk daze and started searching the Internet. The next morning, he awoke, still sitting in front of the screen, drool crusted in the corner of his mouth, sand in his eyes, the half eaten container of nachos, he had purchased from 7-11 by his side. His gaze was blurry and he wiped his eyes. He tried to focus on the bright screen in the darkened room, but couldn't. Finally, after a few seconds, the screen came into focus with the words "application sent."
A few days later, the phone rang and a gentleman introduced himself as the recruiter for a New Hampshire sleepaway camp. Vincent had never gone as a child and wondered what this man was calling him for. "We received your application and would like to ask you a few questions." Vincent obliged and within about four minutes, the man offered him one of two positions at the camp. He chose to be the second in command of a group of ten year old boys over coaching baseball, his true love. He wanted more of a challenge. So there he was, 27 and about to become a camp counselor. He laughed at how silly that even sounded. "Who knows?" he thought. It could be fun.
Weeks later, the camp had started and Vincent was truly enjoying himself. He had made a few new friends and was loving his time with the kids. He took the job seriously during the day, but the nights were spent in sorrow, his thoughts were with Emma and wondering what she was doing and who she was doing it with was tearing at his soul. He played hard with the kids and partied harder on his day and nights off. He was trying to escape, but her image was unshakable. One night while coming back from the town bars, he ended up sitting next to a young girl named Dani. Dani was about five years younger than Vincent and also from New York. She explained she had been a camper at the camp and that she loved the place like a second home. For whatever reason the conversation continued as they got off the bus and as some people went to their cabins and others went to hook up, the two stayed in the area the bus had dropped them off and talked.
The next morning, their paths crossed during breakfast, they exchanged pleasantries and returned to their prospective groups. Vincent felt funny. He couldn't put his finger on it, but something wasn't right. That night, long after the kids had fallen asleep, he lay in bed, staring up at the dark. It was his first time to reflect on the day and all he could think about was Dani. Not once, during the entire day did Emma come into his thoughts. He looked forward to the next night and knew the day would drag. The next day, seemed like torture, he couldn't bear it. After dinner, he took his kids to their evening tennis, slipping away early to shower and get ready for the night. He got on the bus early and sat in the front, and empty seat beside him. Emma got on the bus and said hello, but walked to the back with some friends. He was a little put off, but was happy she said hello. They entered town and he went off with a group of guys and she went somewhere else. The night was spent drinking and laughing, but his mind was elsewhere. He couldn't wait to go back.
The bus pulled in that evening and people said their goodnights and made their way back to their cabins. Vincent sat and talked with a group of people and Dani made her way over them. As the crowd lessened in size, Dani remained. They didn't talk, but a few times shared a glance. Everyone slowly scattered and the next thing he knew it was just the two of them. They walked down the center of the massive field and stopped at the bottom of the steep hill separating the upper and lower fields. They sat down, laying their backs against the hill and gazed at the stars. The sky was crystal clear and the stars seemed to blink at them as if to say, "we know." They sat and talked. For one, maybe two hours. Maybe more. Time had stopped for Vincent. He was happy again. The conversation covered everything from silly jokes to future plans. Vincent was finally able to open up and then it happened. Dani very quietly said "are you seeing anyone?" Vincent became quiet. He didn't know what to do. A million thoughts going through his mind and he began to feel ill. He realized then he still loved Emma, but he really liked Dani. His lips trembled as he knew this was it. He said "No," but he didn't stop. His honest nature kicked in and he continued, "but I'm still in love with my ex."
Weeks went by and three nights a week, Vincent would return from his night off and pick a spot on the hill. Dani would be by his side and they'd share everything. He knew her innermost secrets and she his. She did everything in her power to let Vincent know it was OK. She wanted to be with Vincent, even if he did still love Emma. She didn't care. She explained over and over that this was camp and nothing that happens during the summer can be taken very seriously. Vincent was scared. He was falling for Dani, but he couldn't risk being hurt again. He pushed her subtle advances away and as the summer passed by, he knew, his nights with her were fleeting. He wasn't sure what to do. He knew she was going to Israel for a year and couldn't stand to lose her.
Summer ended and on the final night, Dani, exhausted from a summer of waiting, found someone for a fling. Vincent knew and was fine with it. He wasn't emotionally ready for it to be him and he wasn't mad. She was upset he found out, but as the secret motto of the camp went "we live in a fishbowl." Ironically only a handful of people knew about Vincent and Dani's late night chats. They had somehow bucked tradition and kept everything a secret. That morning she was leaving and Vincent made sure to walk to her bus. He held her tight and she started to cry. She apologized and he assured her it was alright. She promised to write and so did he. They promised to stay in touch and to remain friends. Vincent had moved recently and he knew those types of friendships never last, but he swore that theirs would. He watched as she entered the bus, the tinted glass hiding her from his sight. The door closed and he waved. He sulked as he walked away and tears built up within his eyes. He felt as if she'd been taken away forever.
A few months later, Vincent was home. Life was back to normal and he was finally over Emma. He missed the companionship, but he also liked his freedom. He went out with his friends, occasionally met girls, but he never got too serious. One day he went down and grabbed the mail. He thumbed through the bills and brochures and came across the most elaborate, colorful envelope. He flipped it over and saw his name. He checked the return address and noticed it was from Israel. Dani had written. He carefully opened the envelope to reveal a three page letter. The letter told of the fun she was having and how hard the work is. She told him how rewarding the experience was and that her life was changed after this experience. He read on and on about her life now. He smiled from ear to ear. As he turned to the last page, the letter changed. It went from tales of the present to feelings of the past. Dani told him how much that summer meant to her. She explained how much she liked him and how hard it was for her that he wasn't ready. She said she understood, but she felt hurt. She wished him well and said they'd meet again. She asked him to write, but he never did.
Years later, Vincent was long detached from the camp as an employee, but went for a visit. He met up with old friends and spent the day drinking and reminiscing about great times. He told them of his life and they of theirs. A friend turned to him and said, "Vincent, I still have one question. Who the hell was the secret girl you kept meeting your first summer?" Vincent smiled and shrugged his shoulders. The friends teased, but he wouldn't tell. His friend Beth, pulled him aside a little later and whispered in his ear, "Guess who just happens to be visiting this weekend?' Vincent's eyes lit up and his heart started to pound. Beth knew and she laughed and gave him a hug. He wasn't sure if she was serious. He didn't know what he'd do or say. He hadn't spoken to her in over years.
Night came and they all retreated to one of their cabins. As they laughed and drank wine, a figure came to the door. "Knock Knock," a woman's voice said. Vincent's entire body perked up. Brushing off his lack of sobriety, he collected himself. Dani, swung open the door and entered. She looked first at Beth and ran and gave her a hug. She scanned the room and smiled at everyone. Her eyes locked onto Vincent's and they paused. Her face dropped. She politely made her rounds and said hello. When she finally got to Vincent, she extended her arms and they hugged. Vincent knew there was something missing. As he released, his arms slid slowly down her arms, til they were reached her hands. His fingers gently brushing across what he knew was a wedding band. She quickly pulled her hand away and looked at him the same way she looked that day they said goodbye. Vincent was crushed at first. He then realized just how special that summer was.
Hours went by and people were starting to fade. Most had work in the morning and Vincent, who had tried to sober up for his 15 minute ride back to the motel was exhausted. He started saying his goodbyes and then came to Dani. He leaned in and whispered in her ear. He then kissed her gently on her cheek and walked out. He waved goodbye to everyone and told them he'd miss them. As he walked out the door, he stopped. Dani was still sitting. He smiled, then walked out and paused briefly before continuing. As he walked back to his car, he stopped for a moment and and took a few steps off of the path onto the field he had spent those wonderful nights with Dani. He stared at the stars and smiled. Just then, he heard a door slam and a figure approached him. He squinted to make out who it was, but as the figure came out from under the shadows of the huge pines, onto the moonlit field, he realized it was Dani. She looked sad. He smiled and asked her if she was OK. She looked down and started thumbing her ring. He laughed and said "I guess you're not asking what motel I'm staying at." She looked up and laughed. She started to apologize for not keeping in touch and he assured her it wasn't her fault. She told him how much of a shock it was to see him and how happy she was. She walked closer and looked into his eyes. He looked at her and thought about how he'd never kissed her. Never held her hand. Never done anything but talked. For a brief moment, he felt regret. She stared for what seemed like minutes and asked "Did you ever think about me after that summer? It meant a lot to me and I've never really known." Vincent smiled and nodded. She was a married woman now and he wasn't sure what to say. It wasn't fair to him or her to relive those times. He decided to just stay quiet.
Vincent took Dani's hand in his and walked from the field, towards the trees, closer to the cabins. He stopped, a step away from trees, still able to see the starry night. He stood besides her and they both looked up. He then turned, holding both her hands and looked at her. He smiled. He told her he had to get going and he was happy they caught up. He gave her a last hug and kissed her gently on the lips. She turned and walked away and he watched as she got closer to the cabin. A tear rolled down his cheek. As she reached for the handle of the door, he called her. "Dani," he said, "You asked me before if I ever thought about you. Well, it's been 15 years since that summer and I have to be honest. There hasn't been one night that I've looked up at the night sky and not thought about you." And that was true.
That night ended with out many fireworks and he felt as if he had rekindled whatever lost ties there had been. He was gleefully drunk and thinking about his future. Vincent had just returned to school that year and laughed at the irony that he was now single and surrounded by single women, but unfortunately for him, he was nearly ten years their senior. At 27, he was the old man in school. Old at 27, how did this happen? He sat in a drunk daze and started searching the Internet. The next morning, he awoke, still sitting in front of the screen, drool crusted in the corner of his mouth, sand in his eyes, the half eaten container of nachos, he had purchased from 7-11 by his side. His gaze was blurry and he wiped his eyes. He tried to focus on the bright screen in the darkened room, but couldn't. Finally, after a few seconds, the screen came into focus with the words "application sent."
A few days later, the phone rang and a gentleman introduced himself as the recruiter for a New Hampshire sleepaway camp. Vincent had never gone as a child and wondered what this man was calling him for. "We received your application and would like to ask you a few questions." Vincent obliged and within about four minutes, the man offered him one of two positions at the camp. He chose to be the second in command of a group of ten year old boys over coaching baseball, his true love. He wanted more of a challenge. So there he was, 27 and about to become a camp counselor. He laughed at how silly that even sounded. "Who knows?" he thought. It could be fun.
Weeks later, the camp had started and Vincent was truly enjoying himself. He had made a few new friends and was loving his time with the kids. He took the job seriously during the day, but the nights were spent in sorrow, his thoughts were with Emma and wondering what she was doing and who she was doing it with was tearing at his soul. He played hard with the kids and partied harder on his day and nights off. He was trying to escape, but her image was unshakable. One night while coming back from the town bars, he ended up sitting next to a young girl named Dani. Dani was about five years younger than Vincent and also from New York. She explained she had been a camper at the camp and that she loved the place like a second home. For whatever reason the conversation continued as they got off the bus and as some people went to their cabins and others went to hook up, the two stayed in the area the bus had dropped them off and talked.
The next morning, their paths crossed during breakfast, they exchanged pleasantries and returned to their prospective groups. Vincent felt funny. He couldn't put his finger on it, but something wasn't right. That night, long after the kids had fallen asleep, he lay in bed, staring up at the dark. It was his first time to reflect on the day and all he could think about was Dani. Not once, during the entire day did Emma come into his thoughts. He looked forward to the next night and knew the day would drag. The next day, seemed like torture, he couldn't bear it. After dinner, he took his kids to their evening tennis, slipping away early to shower and get ready for the night. He got on the bus early and sat in the front, and empty seat beside him. Emma got on the bus and said hello, but walked to the back with some friends. He was a little put off, but was happy she said hello. They entered town and he went off with a group of guys and she went somewhere else. The night was spent drinking and laughing, but his mind was elsewhere. He couldn't wait to go back.
The bus pulled in that evening and people said their goodnights and made their way back to their cabins. Vincent sat and talked with a group of people and Dani made her way over them. As the crowd lessened in size, Dani remained. They didn't talk, but a few times shared a glance. Everyone slowly scattered and the next thing he knew it was just the two of them. They walked down the center of the massive field and stopped at the bottom of the steep hill separating the upper and lower fields. They sat down, laying their backs against the hill and gazed at the stars. The sky was crystal clear and the stars seemed to blink at them as if to say, "we know." They sat and talked. For one, maybe two hours. Maybe more. Time had stopped for Vincent. He was happy again. The conversation covered everything from silly jokes to future plans. Vincent was finally able to open up and then it happened. Dani very quietly said "are you seeing anyone?" Vincent became quiet. He didn't know what to do. A million thoughts going through his mind and he began to feel ill. He realized then he still loved Emma, but he really liked Dani. His lips trembled as he knew this was it. He said "No," but he didn't stop. His honest nature kicked in and he continued, "but I'm still in love with my ex."
Weeks went by and three nights a week, Vincent would return from his night off and pick a spot on the hill. Dani would be by his side and they'd share everything. He knew her innermost secrets and she his. She did everything in her power to let Vincent know it was OK. She wanted to be with Vincent, even if he did still love Emma. She didn't care. She explained over and over that this was camp and nothing that happens during the summer can be taken very seriously. Vincent was scared. He was falling for Dani, but he couldn't risk being hurt again. He pushed her subtle advances away and as the summer passed by, he knew, his nights with her were fleeting. He wasn't sure what to do. He knew she was going to Israel for a year and couldn't stand to lose her.
Summer ended and on the final night, Dani, exhausted from a summer of waiting, found someone for a fling. Vincent knew and was fine with it. He wasn't emotionally ready for it to be him and he wasn't mad. She was upset he found out, but as the secret motto of the camp went "we live in a fishbowl." Ironically only a handful of people knew about Vincent and Dani's late night chats. They had somehow bucked tradition and kept everything a secret. That morning she was leaving and Vincent made sure to walk to her bus. He held her tight and she started to cry. She apologized and he assured her it was alright. She promised to write and so did he. They promised to stay in touch and to remain friends. Vincent had moved recently and he knew those types of friendships never last, but he swore that theirs would. He watched as she entered the bus, the tinted glass hiding her from his sight. The door closed and he waved. He sulked as he walked away and tears built up within his eyes. He felt as if she'd been taken away forever.
A few months later, Vincent was home. Life was back to normal and he was finally over Emma. He missed the companionship, but he also liked his freedom. He went out with his friends, occasionally met girls, but he never got too serious. One day he went down and grabbed the mail. He thumbed through the bills and brochures and came across the most elaborate, colorful envelope. He flipped it over and saw his name. He checked the return address and noticed it was from Israel. Dani had written. He carefully opened the envelope to reveal a three page letter. The letter told of the fun she was having and how hard the work is. She told him how rewarding the experience was and that her life was changed after this experience. He read on and on about her life now. He smiled from ear to ear. As he turned to the last page, the letter changed. It went from tales of the present to feelings of the past. Dani told him how much that summer meant to her. She explained how much she liked him and how hard it was for her that he wasn't ready. She said she understood, but she felt hurt. She wished him well and said they'd meet again. She asked him to write, but he never did.
Years later, Vincent was long detached from the camp as an employee, but went for a visit. He met up with old friends and spent the day drinking and reminiscing about great times. He told them of his life and they of theirs. A friend turned to him and said, "Vincent, I still have one question. Who the hell was the secret girl you kept meeting your first summer?" Vincent smiled and shrugged his shoulders. The friends teased, but he wouldn't tell. His friend Beth, pulled him aside a little later and whispered in his ear, "Guess who just happens to be visiting this weekend?' Vincent's eyes lit up and his heart started to pound. Beth knew and she laughed and gave him a hug. He wasn't sure if she was serious. He didn't know what he'd do or say. He hadn't spoken to her in over years.
Night came and they all retreated to one of their cabins. As they laughed and drank wine, a figure came to the door. "Knock Knock," a woman's voice said. Vincent's entire body perked up. Brushing off his lack of sobriety, he collected himself. Dani, swung open the door and entered. She looked first at Beth and ran and gave her a hug. She scanned the room and smiled at everyone. Her eyes locked onto Vincent's and they paused. Her face dropped. She politely made her rounds and said hello. When she finally got to Vincent, she extended her arms and they hugged. Vincent knew there was something missing. As he released, his arms slid slowly down her arms, til they were reached her hands. His fingers gently brushing across what he knew was a wedding band. She quickly pulled her hand away and looked at him the same way she looked that day they said goodbye. Vincent was crushed at first. He then realized just how special that summer was.
Hours went by and people were starting to fade. Most had work in the morning and Vincent, who had tried to sober up for his 15 minute ride back to the motel was exhausted. He started saying his goodbyes and then came to Dani. He leaned in and whispered in her ear. He then kissed her gently on her cheek and walked out. He waved goodbye to everyone and told them he'd miss them. As he walked out the door, he stopped. Dani was still sitting. He smiled, then walked out and paused briefly before continuing. As he walked back to his car, he stopped for a moment and and took a few steps off of the path onto the field he had spent those wonderful nights with Dani. He stared at the stars and smiled. Just then, he heard a door slam and a figure approached him. He squinted to make out who it was, but as the figure came out from under the shadows of the huge pines, onto the moonlit field, he realized it was Dani. She looked sad. He smiled and asked her if she was OK. She looked down and started thumbing her ring. He laughed and said "I guess you're not asking what motel I'm staying at." She looked up and laughed. She started to apologize for not keeping in touch and he assured her it wasn't her fault. She told him how much of a shock it was to see him and how happy she was. She walked closer and looked into his eyes. He looked at her and thought about how he'd never kissed her. Never held her hand. Never done anything but talked. For a brief moment, he felt regret. She stared for what seemed like minutes and asked "Did you ever think about me after that summer? It meant a lot to me and I've never really known." Vincent smiled and nodded. She was a married woman now and he wasn't sure what to say. It wasn't fair to him or her to relive those times. He decided to just stay quiet.
Vincent took Dani's hand in his and walked from the field, towards the trees, closer to the cabins. He stopped, a step away from trees, still able to see the starry night. He stood besides her and they both looked up. He then turned, holding both her hands and looked at her. He smiled. He told her he had to get going and he was happy they caught up. He gave her a last hug and kissed her gently on the lips. She turned and walked away and he watched as she got closer to the cabin. A tear rolled down his cheek. As she reached for the handle of the door, he called her. "Dani," he said, "You asked me before if I ever thought about you. Well, it's been 15 years since that summer and I have to be honest. There hasn't been one night that I've looked up at the night sky and not thought about you." And that was true.
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