Day 53 - Island Lake Camp

They told me to come and sit in the living room, a man wearing a suit was already there. He told me to sit next to him and asked if I wanted to go to sleep away camp. I don’t remember what I answered. 

The man took out pictures of Island Lake Camp, girls all looked the same, wearing the same clothes. Pictures of a big lake, girls playing baseball, and can’t remember what else.  The man left, and my father said that Island Lake Camp was the cheapest he could find and that I was going. 

Summer vacation came around and I remember getting on the bus for Island Lake Camp. All of the girls on the bus seemed to know each other. I don’t think anyone was friendly. We got to the camp and they gave us a bunk. That night the girls took out these big curlers and set their hair. I never saw that before. One asked, “Where are your curlers”, and I said that I did not have any. She said something like you are weird. From that moment on, I was her toy---to make comments about, talk behind my back and be totally mean. 

I hated playing tag, and was terrible at baseball, did not understand color codes or obstacle races. I don’t remember if my father came on visiting day or not..At last it was over and time for the Award Ceremony to end the season. One by one the names were called, prettiest, most athletic, smartest, on and on...they called me..Mae Sakharov...your award is for The Best Smile.

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