Chapter Twelve: Friday Night and Sabbath
Jason is brought to Bolivia and camp resumes
This is part of a middle-grade fiction series about a group church-camp teenagers who experience a mystical phenomenon. It’s a silly and light-hearted series, but your middle-grader might also find themselves better inspired to practice the fruits of the spirit. If you’d like to read all the chapters, visit here.
Most of the cabins were fine, and none of the campers were severely harmed. After everyone fled to the volleyball court, they witnessed the falling brimstone from only a distance. Only the cafeteria and Tamar’s family’s cabin were gone. The fire department arrived after both buildings were past saving, and not even a wisp of smoke remained. They were puzzled by how the cabin was drenched. The authorities purported to have control of the situation. It was finally determined that the unusual occurrence of tapioca bubbles had somehow drawn several unknown asteroids.
They proclaimed, “There is no more danger.”
A news article would not be written, and the one journalist who showed left without asking questions of anyone. The experts knew this was better forgotten. Insurance claims were filed on all the vehicles, but besides that there would be no paper proof of what had happened that day.
A few families with younger children called an Uber, but the majority decided to stay to celebrate the Sabbath. The youth group slowly returned to the other campers. “I’m sorry again that we judged you,” Declan said. “You see, it’s just that we know the tapioca comes to those who live out the gospel. It’s a sort of outward expression of the fruits of the spirit.”
Tamar nodded. “I understand. I avoided it all week because I thought it looked gross.”
“I knew that’s what it was,” Gretchen said. “I did the same. But the boys didn’t understand how you could’ve managed so long.”
They dispersed and quietly entered the crowd, as if they’d never been gone. Some of the parents asked after them.
“I was in the woods,” Tamar truthfully answered her parents.
Once all the firetrucks and police were gone, Ariel emerged from the group and ran to Tamar. Though overjoyed to see her friend, Tamar felt as if she were lying. She hugged her friend.
“I’m so glad you’re okay,” Ariel said.
But Ariel wasn’t okay. Ariel’s soul was still in danger of fire… hell fire. She breathed carefully. She wouldn’t do to Ariel as the others had done to her. She’d find another way. But it was clear that Ariel hadn’t deceived the others by avoiding the tapioca as she had. Ariel had touched the Tapioca. And Ariel had been around it a lot longer.
“Thanks,” Tamar said. “It was pretty scary.”
“No kidding. You and I both have had a lot of near life-death experiences this week.”
“Yeah,” Tamar agreed.
She wasn’t able to talk to Ariel yet. She wasn’t scared of telling the truth. She was scared to blaspheme it by being unloving. Tamar already knew first hand that being approached that way wouldn't make Ariel willing to listen. But she had to talk to Ariel somehow. She needed her friend to know and love God.
But how?
“I guess your family is going to stay in my Dad’s cabin?” Ariel said.
“Yeah. I heard that. He and your mom won’t mind having us? I have a lot of stinky brothers, you know.” Tamar asked.
“Uh…” Ariel blushed. “My mom isn’t here.”
“She’s not?” Tamar asked, confused. Come to think of it, she hadn’t seen Ariel’s mom which was weird. The pastor’s wife was usually pretty important. She hadn’t seen anyone else’s parents either… she’s spent all her time with her friends. Tamar really hadn’t gotten to know any of the adults.
“My parents split when I was ten,” Ariel looked away. “She doesn’t come here.”
“Oh,” Tamar said.
“Don’t worry about it. I thought you knew.”
But it was all Tamar could think about the rest of the night. She really had a long way to go before she would be the sort of friend she wanted to be.
Pastor Garrison’s cabin was already crowded with other campers. The boys had to sleep two to a bed. But they were all together, and Tamar dared not try to use this travesty as an opportunity to move into the girls’ cabin unless her mother offered. Mrs. Geil didn’t. Tamar and her family had no possessions… no clean clothes, toothbrushes, or bedding. Just themselves and the smoky clothes they wore. Normally Tamar might have had a hard time sleeping without changing, but she knew she was too exhausted to mind tonight.
A couple of the older women came with handfuls of bedding. “We always bring extra,” they said.
For tonight she’d have a pillow and a thin blanket. She didn’t even remember her head touching the bunk.
Gretchen, Rayne, and Faye came over early the next morning led by Ariel. “We should have thought of offering you some PJs last night,” Ariel said. “Want to come over and look at some options to wear today?”
Tamar looked to her mother.
“Go on,” Mom said. “Just make sure to check in with me before breakfast.”
On her way out, Tamar passed a family bringing a box of boy clothes.
“I’d loan you my toothbrush,” Ariel said. “If I thought you’d accept it.”
Tamar chuckled, “Thanks, I would actually.”
Gretchen offered some lotion. Tamar wore one of Rayne’s rainbow colored skirts with a lace blouse from Faye.
“Thanks you guys,” Tamar said. “I’m gonna miss you all so much.”
“Yeah… let’s get a selfie in the mirror.” Rayne pulled her phone out of her pocket. The four girls stood in front of the bathroom mirror, leaned into one another, and grinned.
They left the cabin and joined Tamar’s family before heading to the lake for breakfast.
The camp leaders had gone to town the night before to buy groceries for that day’s meals. Nothing fancy since there was no kitchen to cook in today. A tablecloth was spread over one of the picnic tables and there was cereal and milk, as well as bread and honey. Someone threw some wood into the fire pit by the lake, and Tamar’s brothers grabbed pieces of bread to toast. It wasn’t long before they had charred bits of crusts.
Declan and Cameron sat cross legged on the lawn eating cereal out of plastic cups. They waved at the girls. Rayne, Faye, and Gretchen joined them. Ariel pulled on Tamar’s elbow. “I’m hungry, don’t know about you.”
“Tamar! Ariel! Come sit with us!”
“Shall we sit with them today?”
Ariel frowned. “I thought you all weren’t getting along?”
Tamar shrugged. “I guess scary stuff brings people together?”
“I guess,” Ariel said, unconvinced. “Don’t trust them is all I’m saying.”
“I think it’s ok to give them another chance,” Tamar said.
“Yeah. Don’t.” Ariel walked toward the table to get some cereal. She brightened. “I just love when there’s so many choices.”
As they poured their cereal, the other girls joined in behind and grabbed bowls and spoons. Declan and Cameron came for seconds. Ariel walked on ahead and sat alone by the lakeshore.
“Hey,” Cameron said. “Sleep well?”
“Better than ever before,” Tamar grinned, then she lowered her voice and whispered. “Was yesterday real?”
“You bet,” Declan said. “Hey, and sorry again. About judging you so hastily. You don’t hate me, yeah?”
“You’ve said sorry enough,” Tamar said.
“What’s this about hating?” Gretchen said, jumping in on the conversation.
Declan shifted on his feet and locked eyes with Gretchen for a whole solid moment before his cheeks reddened. “Nothing.”
Tamar wasn’t that disappointed. Gretchen deserved to be related to this group, after aiming to be so for probably long enough.
“We all owe her an apology.” Cameron said forcefully.
“Don’t worry about me,” Tamar said. ‘I’m just stressing over how to talk to Ariel without making the same mistake…”
The group looked at the girl, normally a jubilant bubble, hunched over her cereal, oblivious to the group of stares.
“Yeah… we haven’t done right by her either,” Declan admitted.
Ariel looked up. “Y’all coming to eat with me, or what?”
“Yeah!” Tamar called back. But first she turned back to her new friends. “Did you all bring him to Bolivia?”
“Yes,” Gretchen said.
“And we were back at a decent hour, too,” Declan said.
“You were…” Cameron said. “I remember it being late when you stumbled in.”
Rayne leaned into the group, conspiratorially, and dramatically puckered her lips, then smacked them. “I smell smooching,” she said.
“Hey,” Gretchen said, grinning so much Tamar knew it must hurt.
“Oh,” Cameron said, also turning red.
A little embarrassed herself, Tamar said. “I’m glad he’s secured. I wish we could tell our families, though.”
“They won’t believe you. We’ve tried. It’s a little weird,” Faye said.
“Huh,” Tamar said. “My brothers would at least be delighted to hear the story, even if they didn't believe it.”
“Ta-maaar!” Ariel said. “The cereal is getting cold… I mean mushy!”
“We’re coming!”
After breakfast, Mr. Cowell directed the youth to come and sit around a log by the lake for their last study. All the books had been destroyed in the cafeteria basement, but they still had their Bibles, except for Tamar, who shared Ariel’s.
Ariel laid her back against Tamar’s shoulder and sighed. “This week is almost over. Can you believe it?”
“It’ll be nice to not be fearing for my life again,” Tamar said.
Ariel chuckled. “Same. I’m gonna laugh at any kid that tells me church camp is traumatizing from now on. They have no idea.”
Tamar thought this conversation could have almost gone toward something more and deeper, but Mr. Cowell chose that moment to ask the group to bow their heads for prayer.
Once they were done praying, Mr. Cowell had them share what they’d learned this week. Rayne, of course, had something to say. A few of the others followed suit.
Ariel remained silent.
So did Tamar. For now.
After a lunch of cold turkey sandwiches, the whole camp gathered together to worship. Several campers had testimonies to share, and Grandpa was invited to share another brief sermon. The girls sang the hymn they’d practiced while their mothers took pictures or recorded their singing for posterity’s sake. After that, the hymnals were passed around and different songs were called out, and then sung, one after another. They might have sang the rest of the day away, but when the sun was starting to set, Mr. Garrison stood to share his sermon. Normally she loved to hear what Ariel’s dad had to say. But today she wondered how this man could preach such wondrous words and his daughter not receive them—did he even know?
The last installment will be published next Monday instead of next month :)
Did you enjoy reading this chapter? You can show your support for my writing by donating here: