The Article by Jackie Zufall (large screen ebook reader .txt) 📕

tubs of butter to be placed in the fridge. “We’ve got steaks and vegetables on ice in our truck, we’ll get by tonight, then tomorrow drive into Burnside to get dry ice and more food once we decide what to get.”
“Sounds like a plan.” replied Paul. Jay then said “Let’s get this show on the road.” to which Paul replied, “Lead the way.”

With Jay leading the way Paul pulled out followed in order by Allen’s family, Don’s family along with all the Lawson kids in their van, then the next car held Josh and Justin with their wives, followed by John and Renee and their kids and bringing up the rear were Gilbert, Wayne, and their wives. The seven vehicles made up a convoy of happy people headed for a week of fun.

As they all pulled in at the campsite, Paul pulled the camper into place to be hooked up to water and electricity. On either side of the camper they set up two, three-room tents. Between the four tents it made twelve rooms to divide everyone into. With two for the girls and two for the boys, with eight people per tent.
They sent the kids out to collect firewood, as the men started setting up the tents and the ladies began setting up the Tables and chairs. When the first load of wood appeared Paul began getting the fire going for them to sit around that evening. Jay got the cooking pit going for the steaks, burgers, potatoes, and corn they planned to grill and roast.

While the food cooked everyone finally enjoyed a dip in the lake, Ben and Betty had waded in it for am few minutes then went back to the camping area to sit and watch the others swim. A beach ball brought out by one of the kids eventually became a volleyball and a game got started pitting the adults against the kids. They had a good time and the adults ended up winning, prompting the kids to ask for a rematch. Paul, having gone back up to check the foods progress hollered, “the rematch will have to wait until tomorrow, come and get it.”

When at last the remnants from dinner had been cleaned away. They took turns going up to the community showers. When all showers had been taken, they settled around the campfire and roasted marshmallows while telling campfire ghost stories.

Finally the time came to settle down for the night. Evie, Jessica, Aimee and Amanda decided to share a tent with Renee, Nicole, Susie, and Carol. While Laura, Sandy, Jan, Abby, and Michelle bunked with Angela, Stephanie, and Lynn.
In the boys tent were as follows, in the first tent were, Tony, Lee, Marshall, and David with Paul, Jay, Allen and Don. In the second tent was Gilbert, Wayne, Josh, Justin and John Jr. bunking with Jason, Steven, and Troy. Ben and Betty had turned in sometime earlier as this had been a long, exciting day for them both.

Ben and Betty being the first to get up the next morning, plugged in the two large twenty-four cup coffee pots and began brewing coffee.
Paul, Jay, and Allen were the first to come knocking for coffee, followed by Abby, Susie and Gilbert. As the eight were sipping their drinks Gilbert said. “Jay, did Troy, Jason, and Steven go up to the bathroom or what?” Jay looked at him blankly for a moment then said, “I have no idea.” Just at that moment, David and Marshall walked up to them. Jay asked “would you guys tell Steven, Troy, and Jason to get back to camp please?” “Sure thing” replied David.

Ten minutes later the kids returned, “Uncle Jay,” said Marshall, “they weren’t up there.” Within fifteen minutes everyone was up and downing quick cups of coffee or juice. When the boys still hadn’t shown up after another thirty minutes, everyone paired off and went in different directions to search while Ben and Betty stayed behind at camp. They agreed if anyone found them to come back and honk the horn three long times. An hour passed with no sign of the boys, finally David who had gone off with Marshall came running into camp, he hit the horn as he did he turned to Ben and Betty and said “We found them, They’re in an old cave, they’re trapped by some large rocks that caved in, I think they’re ok, but we need help getting to them.”

Everyone came running when the first toot of the horn started, David explained again, what had happened. Leaving the ladies and kids at the campsite, the men with the exception of Ben, followed David back to where Marshall was furiously trying to dig the boys out.

They pulled Marshall out who was by this time exhausted not only physically but emotionally as well, since he had begun to cry in his panic, worrying for his cousin and the two other boys who were like family to him. Josh hugged his son and told him to go back to camp. Marshall refused saying that he was fine, he just wanted to help.
It grew quiet after thirty minutes of digging they frantically stepped up the digging as they all began yelling trying to get the boys to answer them. Meanwhile back at camp Susie, Jan, and Nicole were in a frenzy over their missing boys. The others did their best to comfort them. They all paced and paced some more, finally two hours after the boys had been found, the guys came into camp with Don carrying Jason, Justin carrying Steven, and Jay with Paul were carrying Troy in a makeshift stretcher. The first two boys appeared ok, though tired, hungry and cold from the damp cave. Troy however, was feared to have a broken leg. They loaded Troy into Dons van. Jay and Susie jumped in to accompany their son to the hospital. Nicole told them that she’d keep an eye on Lynn, who had begun crying when she realized that her little brother had been hurt.

The adults all talked of putting an end to the camping trip among protests from all the kids with the exception of Lynn who’s only thought was Troy. Finally the adults told the kids they would leave it up to Jay and Susie, if they felt compelled to take Troy home, the campout would end. Since there was nothing to do but wait for the time being, the kids all went for a swim, with the exception of Steven and Jason who were made to sit with the adults and watch as punishment for taking off like that without asking nor letting anyone know where they were going.
A couple of hours later as lunch was getting done cooking, the van pulled in. Jay and Susie both climbed out first, Susie looking rather pale. Jay helped Troy out who, though looking rather tired, smiled and called out, “so, who wants to sign my cast first?”
When at last lunch was done, the whole group gathered around the campfire area. Justin started with how disappointed he was with the three boys, but especially his son Steven, being the oldest. “You should have known better son, you don’t just take off at home without asking or letting anyone know where you’ll be, do you?” he asked.
“No, Sir.” answered Steven politely. Troy and Jason both had answered as well, “no sir”. Don then said, “While you guys were gone Jay, we all discussed the possibility of breaking camp and going home under the circumstances. Jay replied, “Nah, I don’t think there’s any need to do that. Troy wasn’t seriously hurt, though he will have to wear the cast awhile. I don’t think everyone should have to suffer for the boys actions as far as Troy goes, He’s grounded to the camping area unless David or Marshall or one of the adults accompany him.”
Don and Justin both agreed that was very reasonable and gave their boys the same new rules. All three grumbled, and when they did Jay said “Or I could just take you three and we can go on home and let the others stay and enjoy their trip.” All three boys shook their heads vigorously no. “Ok then,” Jay continued, “We’re all in agreement then, you three will not be allowed to leave camp without an adult or one of the older boys.
Everyone nodded in agreement, then Jay said, “Ok, from now on nobody leaves camp without telling someone where you are going, Kids must ask before going anywhere. This is not an option, we don’t need to have to worry about everyone and we also should not have to go home because no one wants to follow the rules.”

When the talk was finished, all of the kids except the three in trouble, went for an afternoon hike, the three left behind pulled out backpacks filled with army men, tanks and such. They found an area to the side in the sand and began playing with their army men, waging war against each other for the next couple of hours.
The men had gone to a fishing pond in the woods to do some fishing, as it was fairly close by Ben accompanied his two sons and the other men. The ladies gathered around the table and chatted as they drank coffee. Some were playing cards, Susie was working a crossword puzzle and Betty was crocheting on an afghan she’d been working on for a few weeks now.

Chapter Seventeen

The next few days passed with no more incidents or close calls. With two days left to enjoy themselves the three youngest boys begged to be allowed to leave camp for some fishing or hiking. Their parents finally agreed only when David and Marshall offered to take them fishing.
The boys were all excited to go fishing, Paul pulled Tony off to the side and showed him the pole his father had gotten him before he died. He told Tony the story of how his mom had found it after his father had died and given it to him for Christmas a few months later. Then he offered Tony the use of it right after telling him that he had never used it.
“No Mr. Zimmerman,” Tony began “It wouldn’t be right for me to use it, you should use it first, and besides, it’s the last thing your dad gave you. Maybe you shouldn’t let anyone use it. I wouldn’t if my dad had given it to me.” Paul felt a common bond with Tony as they had been about the same age when they had each lost their fathers. “Tony,” Paul said. “Nothing would make me or my dad happier than having a young man like you enjoying yourself using this pole, so please go ahead.” Paul finished as he reached out to hand Tony the pole. “Thanks.” Tony said quietly, then took the pole from Paul, he quickly hugged him. Then he turned towards his buddies and said, “Hey, lets go already!”

Abby who knew all about the pole walked over to Paul and said, “That was awful nice of you, but you did not have to do that.” Paul looked at Abby and said, “Tony is the reason I brought it along, My dad expected a boy to get enjoyment out of it, and since his first choice never got around to it, I’m sure he will be smiling down on Tony enjoying it.”
Abby gave Paul’s arm a gentle squeeze then turned to rejoin the ladies who were preparing the burgers and hotdogs for the guys to grill.

Later that evening as the kids settled in for the night, Paul invited Abby to go for a walk along the moonlit beach. It was the first time all week they