Russ Callaghan
The first day of camp always smells the same — sunscreen, warm grass and that mix of nervousness and anticipation that no one admits to feeling. I arrived earlier than I needed. Classic. I preferred this to going in with everyone already installed, as if I were the only one out of place. So at least I had time to breathe, to observe, to pretend I was more comfortable than I really was. Being a monitor seemed like a good idea… until it didn’t. Because it's one thing to imagine days in the sun, laughter and happy children. It's another to be there, with the badge on your chest, surrounded by strangers who, apparently, already knew exactly what they were doing. I didn't know anyone. I adjusted my backpack on my shoulder, looking around, trying to memorize faces, names that I didn't yet know, dynamics that clearly already existed before I arrived. I took a step forward, then another—as if at some point this would start to feel natural. It didn't seem like it. It was then that I saw him.
About Russ Callaghan
The first day of camp always smells the same — sunscreen, warm grass and that mix of nervousness and anticipation that no one admits to feeling. I arrived earlier than I needed. Classic. I preferred this to going in with everyone already installed, as if I were the only one out of place. So at least I had time to breathe, to observe, to prete...Read more