Chapter Text
Living in California and going to sleep away camp in New York meant Rocky almost never got to see his camp friends during the year. Maybe when during the awkward visits to Brooklyn to see his Grandpa. Or if they could only get a flight to JFK or Newark while returning from Israel or France. Last year when they were returning from France they got stuck at Newark because of bad weather in the Midwest. Fortunately, Rabbi Judah’s in-laws were able to host them as they got a flight back to California and Rocky was able to out of lunch with a few of his friends. But he got a text from his best friend from camp Samuel Elter, who was in Central California for his cousin’s Bat Mitzvah. So there Rocky was waiting at Farmer-Wright train station for his best friend from camp to arrive.
“Great to see you,” a boy yelled running up to Rocky. He had tan skin and messy short brown hair wearing shorts with something clipped to it and a T-shirt from his cousin’s Bat Mitzvah under a camp hoodie.
“Selter, it’s nice to see you,” Rocky said hugging his friend. Everyone at camp called Sam Elter, Selter.
“Yeah, it is, I can finally meet your friends from Cali,” Selter laughed.
“Please don’t California, Cali. Also you can meet my friends Zuma and Everest, she just moved her this fall. Is it ok if we got to a non Kosher restaurant?” Rocky asked.
“Well, since I don’t keep kosher so it’s ok,” Selter laughed. Selter had a swagger to him, something that Rocky was occasionally jealous of. He wished he had the confidence that Selter had but he didn’t. Becca drove the two boys to Porter’s Café.
Everest and Zuma met them at the door to the restaurant. Rocky introduced Selter to Everest and Zuma and Zuma and Everest to Selter. They went into the restaurant and got a table.
“So what are you ordering?” Rocky asked.
“I’m getting the burger and a diet soda. I just need to bolus for it,” Seltet replied.
“I’ll probably get a cheese buwgew, buwgew, burgew, buwger,” Zuma said trying to pronounce burger.
“Cheese Burger? I can order it for you, what do you want to drink?” Rocky asked.
“Thanks Wocky, I want a lemonade,” Zuma replied.
“I’ll get the chicken tenders and lemonade. What are you getting Rock?” Everest said.
“The pancakes and I’ll probably have a lemonade as well.”
Mr. Porter came up to take their order.
“I’ll order for all of us, I’ll have the chicken tenders, Z is doing to have the deluxe cheese burger, Rocky the pancakes, Selter wants the deluxe burger. For drinks one diet soda and three lemonades,” Everest said ordering for the table.
“Ok, with the pancakes you want hash browns right? And what type of toast?”
“Yes, white bread.”
“Pancakes with home fries and white toast, chicken tenders, deluxe cheese burger, deluxe burger. For drinks seltzer, two lemonades, ice tea and a diet soda,” Mr Porter said relighting the order back to the kids.
“No seltzer, Selter is my nickname. Thank you sir,” Selter said. Mr. Porter went to the kitchen to have the food made. The four talked and joked around while waiting for their food.
“Last summer, Jared, he was the prankster of the bunk started to call Rocky, Dick and convinced all of guys to call him Dick,” Selter laughed.
“Why did he do that?” Everest asked chocking on her lemonade.
“Rocky’s name is Richard and for some reason Dick’s a nickname for Richard,” Selter laughed.
“Sam, stop it. I hate it. Jared also called me Dick in front of my mom,” Rocky whined turning red.
“I keep forgetting your mom works at camp,” Zuma said.
“Yeah she does, so does Ima. Mom works as a teacher and a camp mom and Ima works in wood shop. Mom does the whole summer and Ima does part of it,” Rocky explained.
“Remember our first summer when Jared and I were so confused that you called one woman mom and another Ima. It took us until the first Shabbat to realize you have two moms,” Selter laughed.
“Wait, there’s school at camp? And I thought my dad was bad about learning over the summer,” Everest asked.
“No, it’s a Jewish camp so we have Judaic lessons. Mom knows kids hate going so she has a prize box like she does for her students,” Rocky explained.
“Dad makes Jake and I do extra assignments during the summer, plus he does additional learning during the year. I love him but he’s so studious,” Everest sighed. Mr. Porter came out with their food.
“Rocky want some fwies?” Zuma asked.
“Yeah, want some of my home fries?” Rocky asked. Zuma nodded his head yes. Rocky took the toast off of the small plate and put his home fries on it. Zuma gave Rocky some of his fries.
“My grandad is picking us up. Dad’s on another business trip and mom is working at the boutique,” Zuma explained drinking his lemonade.
“Zuma lives on the beach, it’s very beautiful, we’re going there next,” Rocky explained. After finishing their lunches, they paid and went to wait for Jesse to pick them up.
“Thank you ADM. Seaver,” Rocky said as they got into the car. Zuma in front seat and Rocky, Selter and Everest in the back.
“No problem champ. You’re from New Jersey? I fought along side many brave men from Jersey, what’s your last name son?” Jesse said talking to Selter.
“Elter,” Selter replied.
“Hmmm, I don’t serve with any Elters. Where in Vietnam did your grandfathers serve?”
“Why is he asking me this?” Selter whispered.
“Don’t worry he does this to everyone. Like my grandparents don’t tell me anything about their past so how am I supposed to know where they served,” Everest whispered back.
“Ok, what should I say?” Selter whispered.
“Just don’t answer him, he’ll just keep talking like he always does,” Rocky explained. Selter laughed, Jesse didn’t notice as he drove the kids. Selter was fidgeting in his seat.
“Are your sugar levels ok?” Rocky asked.
“They’re fine, see,” Selter told Rocky showing him his phone.
“Ok, I know you get all antsy when you are high or low,” Rocky whispered.
“I’m fine, I, I’ll tell you when we get to the beach,” Selter explained. Jesse pulled into the driveway and the four kids got out and walked to the beach.
“What’s going on?” Rocky asked.
“I’m not going to camp this summer, I might be able to go for second session,” Selter said. Rocky looked shocked, Selter loved camp and ever since their second summer he went for both sessions.
“It’s a bummer, but it’s for something really cool, I’m going to be in a mini series,” Selter whispered. Rocky was in shock, he knew Selter was an actor but this was amazing news.
“I’m one of the leads, that’s all I can say since I had to sign an NDA. But I need to tell you,” Selter explained.
“Soon the studio will announce it, and filming starts in June and hopefully be over in July, hopefully I’ll be able to go to camp.”
Rocky just stood there. Selter was his best friend at camp, the friend he tries to keep in contact over the school year, they always request to be in the same bunk. Rocky was going to make sure he’ll go out to New Jersey for Selter’s Bar Mitzvah next year Selter promised to go to Rocky’s Bar Mitzvah. Rocky couldn’t imagine camp without Selter. They were two peas in a pod, for Last Wills and Testaments Selter was given ‘Rocky’s Spiderman blanket’ and Rocky was given ‘Low snacks for Selter that he always has even when Selter doesn’t have them’.
“Rocky are you ok?” Everest asked walking up to them. Rocky shook his head, to get him back to reality.
“Yeah, I’m ok,” Rocky muffled. Selter and Everest went to join Zuma in exploring the beach, Rocky took a deep breath and join them.