"Leonie, what are you doing here?" asked Darren. Leonie just smiled.
"I heard about this camp so I decided to help out," said Leonie. "Fancy meeting you here!" Just then the head counselor walked in.
"Ah, you're getting along quite well," said the head counselor.
"Well, we...we've..." stammered Darren, not quite remembering what to say.
"Take care of Leonie, Darren," said the head counselor, "Show her around, teach her the tricks of the trade, do everything just liked I showed you a few years back."
"Yes, sir!" said Darren, and the head counselor left. Darren soon realized that he and Leonie were the only ones in the kitchen - and it was almost mealtime.
"Hey Leonie, I hope you know how to cook," said Darren half-jokingly. "It's almost mealtime, and a lot of kids are going to be hungry if we don't whip up something quick!"
"I know - I also know that you can cook," replied Leonie. "So hurry up and help me here!" Both Darren and Leonie quickly served up a delicious-looking meal of macaroni and cheese, enough for about 70 ravenous kids - among them Darren, Leonie's nephew.
"Whoa, good cooking!" said one of the campers. Everyone else was giving similar praise. Darren and Leonie just smiled.
"Hey, not bad - for a first-timer," teased Darren. Leonie just nudged his waist. It wasn't long before all the kids finished their meal.
"Good work, guys!" said Darren. "Now let us all wash our plates in the kitchen - then we'll start writing!" All the kids eagerly ran towards the kitchen, holding their plates. Leonie was surprised.
"I've never seen kids so happy to wash up after a meal," commented Leonie.
"Well, over here everything's fun," explained Darren. Soon 70 kids with slightly wet hands ran towards Darren and Leonie, big grins on their face.
"Can we write now?" asked one of the campers.
"Wipe yourselves first," said Leonie. "Your parents won't want wet letters, will they?"
"No, ma'm!" chorused the campers before running to their cubhouses, drying their hands, and running towards the activity room. Darren passed the papers around to everyone - the last being to Darren.
"Darren, come and write a letter to your mother," said the counselor. Darren snatched the paper away from his hands with a small frown and walked away. Darren watched the kid for a while before walking quietly behind him to see what he was writing.
Dear Mom,
I am writing in from Camp Happydale. The experience has been terrific so far. Good news, Mom - I found Darren! He still looks the same, only a little darker. Dad doesn't know yet - it's only my first day here. Aunt Leonie is here with me. She's helping me get Darren and Dad together. She's right now helping a few other campers with their spelling.
I hope everything's fine up there in heaven. Please ask God to protect me, my family and Darren. Hope to see you soon.
Love, Darren.
Darren the camper took an envelope, placed his letter inside and addressed it to 'Mom, Heaven'. Darren the counselor was almost in tears, but was also a bit confused. He now knew that the kid with the same name was his friend's nephew - but why would he be looking for him? Is there something important?
