IT'S A DIRTY JOB

I’d been cleaning the disgusting toilet in cottage number 3 when the new campers showed up and surprised me. One had made a lewd comment, suggesting they all take turns with me. All I had for a weapon was a shit-covered toilet brush.

I thought carefully before making a scene. If I laughed the comment off, it would give the creeper a chance to pretend he was joking. If I made it a thing, he and his friends might panic and do something crazy. The cottage was set off by itself in the woods at the lake's edge. There was no one to help me if things went sideways.

I turned around, brandishing my dirty toilet brush, and said sarcastically, “I’ve got a shit-covered brush here, and I’m not afraid to use it. Who wants to be first?”

At that, the group began laughing hysterically, the awkward ice broken by my faux threat. I took a deep breath and introduced myself, apologizing for not being able to finish the cottage cleaning before they got there.

“That’s okay, Karol. Did you say that was your name?” The alpha dog replied.

I could tell he was the boss because everyone looked at him to see what would happen next—even the creeper, who looked a bit ashamed at his crude comment.

“Evan, don’t be an asshat; apologize to the lady,” Alpha commanded.

Like a good little beta dog, Evan said, “I’m sorry. I was joking. I say stupid things.”

With the air cleared, the toilet cleaned, and four other cottages waiting for my attention, I began hauling the cleaning equipment out to the van. One of the middling members of the group held the door for me and offered to lug the cleaning tub to the van.

“Nope. I’ve got it,” I replied, not used to men being helpful.

“Yeah, I know you’ve got it, but I’d like to help you,” he insisted, his bright blue eyes twinkling at me and his bronzed, brawny arms looking like they were aching for a workout.

“Well, okay, then. Thank you?”

He cocked his head and chuckled as he hefted the tub into the van and helped load the vacuum cleaner. “Matt. Nice to meet you, Karol,” he said as he walked away.

Glancing at the boat launch, I saw a flashy, red speedboat bobbing in the water next to the dock. Must be nice to be spoiled as shit.

The rest of the cottages were a piece of cake compared to number 3. Plus, I finished them all before the new campers arrived. When I returned to the campground, the little Honey Pot Tribe, including my girls, were lined up, waiting for the bears to visit.

Today was Popsicle Tuesday, and the bears handed homemade treats to all the outstretched, sticky little hands. I waved to Katie and Beanie on my way to the equipment shed, where I emptied the vacuum and rinsed off the mop and broom. There was still laundry to wash, and then, I’d take a break with the girls in the snack bar for dinner before finishing the showers and bathrooms on the main campgrounds.

The evening office clerk and store manager, Janie, met me in the laundry room. “Hey, Karol, I know you still have so much to do. We have an empty cabin tonight. Why don’t you and the girls stay over? It’s movie night, and they were begging to go. We’re playing Inside Out in the pavilion with popcorn and soda pop. Take whatever you need from the store room for the bunks. Oh, yeah, dinner and smores are on me. It’s all paid for. The cook knows, and your smores stuff is behind the desk.”

“Oh, wow. Janie. Thank you so much. Yeah, it’s been a long day already, and I still have the laundry, showers, and bathrooms to finish. That sounds like a good idea,” I said, again tearing up at the kindness I had found there.

The girls were sitting on a swingset when I found them. Katie delicately nibbled on her popsicle while Beanie’s pop dripped down her grubby arm as she tried to lick it off.

“Beanie, no. Eat the pop, not your dirty arm, please!” I scolded.

“Hi, Mommy. Do we have to go home?” Katie asked, fearing the answer.

“Nope. We’re staying for movie night!”

“No. Really? REALLY?”

“And we’re having dinner at the snack bar and staying in a cabin tonight. Janie bought us marshmallows and chocolate for smores,” I said, feeling like Santa Clause and the Easter Bunny all rolled up in one big, sweaty mess.

“Cool! Cool! Cool!” Beanie shouted, jumping off the swing and hugging me with her slimy, green popsicle hands. Hearing one of the lifeguards say ‘cool’ made it one of her favorite new words.

“I have to finish the laundry. I’ll be right next to the pool house if you need me. Then, we’ll have dinner, go to Flag Pole time, and watch the movie. If you’re really good, we’ll have a campfire and smores before bed. How does that sound?”

Beanie, of course, said, “Cool, man!”

Katie was thrilled but busy with her popsicle, so she gave me a thumbs-up and a big grin. Katie had to grow up too fast this Summer. But there were worse places to grow up. She was tasked with keeping track of Beanie, even though the counselors were attentive. I didn’t want to take advantage of them.

For a reward, I made sure Katie had spending money for treats at the camp store during the day and let her know how much I needed her help and appreciated it. She sort of enjoyed being in charge while I was working.

Folding the last bed sheet, I arranged all the clean linens in the closet, then grabbed two sets of sheets and pillows for our cabin. The girls were playing tag with a few other kids whose families were camping for the week. When they saw me head their way, they ran over and asked to see the cabin we were staying in. It was one of the riverside cabins with a bathroom.

As Beanie would say, “Pretty cool!”