Her kids were in a manically enthusiastic mood that evening because they’d come out tops in the wall climb challenge that afternoon. It seemed that Alice’s initial matchup between Noble D and Judith for the zip line had been inspired.
While things might still be prickly between the pair, she noticed that the physics of attraction were definitely coming into play. D and Judith used to invariably end up on opposite sides of the common room at night, Judith regally ignoring D’s curious, longing glances from afar. Now that they’d been thrown together, however, something new was happening. They were both smart, competitive kids. Scheming for success turned out to be a language they could comfortably use to communicate. The pair had masterminded the logistics of the wall climb today, coming up with a creative solution for various team members’ challenges and strengths. Alice had largely remained hands-off. Relinquishing control and giving the two of them the freedom to handle the task had been a personal challenge for her—Alice. Watching them all work together so successfully had been her reward.
Something certainly had changed, Alice observed wryly as she entered the common room that night. D, Judith, Terrance, and Matt sat in a loose circle around a table, reliving a few exciting moments from the wall climb. Judith was silent as she listened to Terrance describe his harrowing moment on the top of the wall when he didn’t know which direction he was going to crash to the earth. But as Alice approached, she noticed the girl was listening closely and enjoying herself. She was definitely allowing herself to be part of the group.
“If you stayed on top of that thing any longer, I was worried the wall would decide which direction you were going by falling over itself,” D said. Terrance and Matt laughed loudly. Judith was unable to repress her amusement any longer.
“You were like a giant balanced on the head of a pin there for a few seconds,” Judith snorted with laughter. They all busted up even louder. Alice slowed her pace, grinning as she observed the type of moment that comes only through achieving a goal through personal challenge and teamwork. Dylan had been right. He’d told her before that an important part of leading was delegating tasks. Alice felt the truth of that firsthand at the moment.
Judith wiped a tear from her eye. “But you pulled through, Terrance. We couldn’t have done it without you.”
Terrance looked pleased by the rare compliment from Judith.
“Crystal knows we’re up to something, by the way. She’s been watching you, me, and Justin like a hawk,” Terrance said in a hushed tone to Matt after they’d all quieted. He referred to their very experienced night cabin supervisor, who had just arrived and was greeting a group of girls across the large room. “But if we’re good enough to come out on top on the wall climb, there’s no way we shouldn’t be able to . . . you know,” Terrance said shiftily to Matt and Judith. Judith glanced up and noticed Alice slowly approaching them. She gave Terrance a repressive glance.
“Steal Bang?” Alice finished pleasantly, coming to an abrupt halt next to them.
Judith’s, Terrance’s, and Matt’s expressions ranged from panic to convincing noncomprehension. Noble D just stared at the table uncomfortably.
“What’s a bang?” Terrance asked, pointing at Alice and giving Matt an “insane-lady alert” look.
“You know,” Alice said with the air of musing quietly to herself and ignoring Terrance. “It occurs to me that a team that strategized so brilliantly on the wall climb should be able to recognize that the candidate or candidates to send on a . . . oh . . . say a secret mission or something, isn’t necessarily the obvious one or ones, because that person or persons would have the spotlight turned on them.”
Terrance scowled at her cryptic statement. “You okay, Alice? Did you eat dinner? You light-headed or something?”
“I’m fine,” Alice said blithely, because while Terrance and Matt were looking confused, D had slowly raised his head and Judith was regarding her through a narrowed gaze. Alice had paused behind a couch. She idly picked up a throw pillow. “And it also occurs to me that a team should consider the ultimate goal of any task. Is it really the obvious goal?” Alice wondered as if to herself, keeping her voice low so that only the four kids heard her. “Or is the real goal something symbolic? Could the goal be achieved in some alternative way without taking any unnecessary risks? Taking anything, really? That’s what I wonder about.”
“You and me both,” Terrance said, rolling his eyes. Alice smiled innocently, flipping the throw pillow and catching it.
“I was just thinking about things, that’s all. It’s a good night for thinking . . .”
“Or going nuts,” Terrance muttered under his breath.
“. . . about goals, and how the most brilliant of plans often achieve more than one purpose,” Alice continued. She abruptly tossed the pillow. Despite his hunched-over position, Noble D straightened and caught it with the reflexes of a natural athlete.
Judith blinked at the sudden move. Her stare transferred from D to Alice, her eyes widening.