“I want Eileen to be our Clan Name.” Mandy looked around to make sure no one was listening. The group of six were huddled behind Cabin Three, a fair distance from the other campers.
“They’re not going to allow that.” Jeremy protested. “They will if we say the prize goes to the Mattons.” Max spoke up. “Martin is a friend of Eileen’s brother. I hear all the time what he’s going through.” “Yeah, I guess if anyone could use cheering up.” Jeremy looked at the others. “We always win every year anyway.” Aaron replied and then sighed as if he would be throwing a race. “I guess we wont be rowing across to Firework Junction this year and stashing our fireworks.” “No. But we will be rowing across to Firework Junction.” Rodney motioned for everyone to stand up. Quietly the group stood up in time see Camp Counselor Jesse walk within earshot. She waved to the group as she walked to the Counselor’s Hut. “Icky Eileen it is.” Jeremy said out loud after she was gone. Mandy glared at him, “I told you, you can’t call her that anymore.” “Well, I’m making it up to her aren’t I?” He defended himself. Rodney saw the board was deserted, “Come on. If we’re going to do this, let’s go.” Martin watched as his brother’s gang walked up to the board, wrote, then walked off to get sodas. He ran over to the board to see what “cool” name they had picked out and see if he could copy it. He felt a chill as he read the Clan Name then turned and ran to his friend. Nick sat with the rest of the group, silently watching them but feeling alone. “Nick!” Martin grabbed Nick’s shoulder and pulled him back. Nick barely moved and made eye contact. “They used your sister’s name for their clan.” Martin’s sympathy and horror drew the attention of the other campers near by. Nick could feel anger rising from the pit of his stomach. He wrestled Martin off and ran towards Max’s group. “How dare you!” He screamed and pointed his finger at them. “You made fun of her, her whole life! And now that’s she’s gone you can’t even let her rest in peace! How Dare You!” “Hold on Nick, That’s not what we mean at all.” Max tried to explain. The outburst had already called half the counselors out of the Hut. Pastor Manning already had his arms around Nick as he squatted down behind him. The guilt on the teen’s faces was apparent to everyone. “I’m sure they didn’t mean any harm.” Mr. Manning tried to soothe the youth. “No!” Mandy walked forward. “We were just trying to honor her. Trying to do something right.” Rodney jumped in, “If we win, we were going to make sure you and your family and group got to go to the 4th celebration.” “We thought it would be nice.” Mandy pleaded for forgiveness. The tears were streaming from Nick’s eyes from the pain they had caused. Not just to him, but to his sister as well over the years. “I knew he wouldn’t understand.” Jeremy started to get defensive. “We’re just trying to be nice to..” Mandy punched him in the arm and glared warning. “I think you teens have done enough damage for one day.” Jesse walked forward. “You can rename your group while you stay confined to your cabin this afternoon.” She glanced at her clipboard, “Cabin four.” Noises of protest erupted from every member of Clan Eileen as they trudged towards the only cabin next to the Counselor’s Hut.Imagination Avolation
