Joanne Levy - The Sun Will Come Out

Frankie Ferstein and I have ALWAYS been best friends. I would say since we were born, because our mothers are friends and even had us around the same time. I cant say for sure that we were BFFs back in our mothers wombs but we probably were.

Since we were old enough to hang out, Frankie and I have been inseparable. Weve had our birthday parties together, done our homework together, shopped for clothes togethereverything.

So, of course, it made sense that we were going to summer camp together. I mean, we had always gone to day camp together, but this year would be different. We were going to Camp Shalom, which was a sleepover camp. Four weeks of unsupervised fun. Well, unsupervised by our own parents. It wasnt like they were going to throw us all together to run around on our own like wild animals or anything.

But still, four weeks of sleeping in cabins, arts and crafts, and outdoor sports? Yes, please.

One Friday after school, a couple of weeks before school was done for the year, Frankie and I were lying on her bed doing homework. We had about an hour before her mom got home and Frankie had to help with Shabbat dinner.

By lying on her bed doing homework, I mean lying on her bed, her scrolling through her iPad, and me looking at YouTube videos of horses on my phone. This late in the year, teachers knew giving us serious homework was just bad form.

SoBea? Frankie asked.

Yeah? I didnt look up from the screen.

We need to talk. IuhI wasnt supposed to tell you this, but were best friends, so I have to.

Her tone got my attention. Tell me what?

Its about this summer.

I instantly perked up. Yeah, its going to be awesome! I hope we get to go on canoe trips like your brother did.

She cocked her head. You sure spend a lot of time talking to Jeremy. Youre not going to be chasing him all around at camp, are you?

I felt my face heat up but gave her an exasperated look. No! Its research, Frankie. So we know what to expect when we go to camp. Please.

She frowned for a second, then shook her head and took a big, deep breath. So. About that.

My stomach did a complete flop. Something bad was coming. Even my internal organs knew it. I just stared at Frankie, waiting for her to spill.

She looked down at her iPad and whispered something.

What? I askedloudly, so she would take the hint to speak up.

Im not going. Im going to Circle M camp instead.

I was stunned into complete and absolute silence.

We always talked about going to Circle M, she said quickly. You know how much I love horses.

We both love horses, I wanted to say, but couldnt. My throat had closed up, and my eyes began to fill with tears.

How could you? I tried to say, but my voice was gone. All that came out was a squeak.

Either Frankie read my lips or knew what I was saying because we were best friends, and best friends know what their best friends are trying to say even when they are only able to squeak.

We wanted to go to Circle M, she said.

Together, I said as I swiped away tears with the back of my hand. Because best friends do everything together or not at all. I couldnt even imagine camp without her. I couldnt even imagine a week without her, let alone a month without her. A month alone at a camp where I didnt know anyone.

She looked down at her iPad again. Well, its not my fault that your parents cant afford it. I really want to go. You should be happy for me that I can.

I stared at her. I couldnt believe shed just said that to me.

Before she could say any more horrible things, I ran out of her room and didnt stop running until I got to my house, four blocks away.

I managed to get inside the door before the waterworks really began. I went to drop my backpack on the bench beside the door like I always did, then realized I had left it at Frankies house.

That made me cry harder.

Mom came out of the kitchen. Shed obviously heard me, because, Im not going to lie, I was crying pretty loudly. I probably sounded like a cat that had been kicked. Hard.

Honey, whats wrong?

I sniffed and wiped my arm across my eyes and started to tell her, but all that came out of my mouth was wailing and hiccups, and it probably sounded something like, ShShFrankieaaaaaaa. Cir (hic)cirCircle(hic)emmmmm.

Mom knelt down and wrapped her arms around me. Somehow she had understood my blubbery warbling. Moms are good at that. Oh honey, Im so sorry. Your dad and I were going to tell you about that this weekend. She huffed out a breath. Frankies parents werent supposed to tell her so soon. Theyd had her on a waiting list, and a spot just opened up.

Butbut I said into Moms hair between hiccups.

She squeezed me tighter. Im so sorry, Bea.

Butcacacantcant I go too? Pleeeeeease?

Mom pulled away and sat back on her heels. She looked sad as she shook her head. Im sorry, Bea. We just cant afford it this year. Its more than double the cost of Camp Shalom.

There had to be a way. I would do anything. Ill drop out of Hebrew school, I offered.

Mom rolled her eyes. Nice try.

Busted. Mom knew I hate Hebrew school, but there was no way Id get out of that. Its not that I dont like being Jewish. I just hate sitting in MORE school after regular school and on Sundays. A girl can only handle so much school, no matter how interesting the topics might be.

She sighed. I know youre disappointed, but there just isnt enough money, Bea. You know your dad and I went to Camp Shalom, and we both had great experiences there, meeting other kids from all over the world.

She put a big smile on her face, but her sales pitch had worked a lot better when Frankie was coming with me.

What about if I dont go to any movies and donate my savings?

Im sorry. It wouldnt be enough.

And that was it. I was going to be stuck alone at stupid Camp Shalom while Frankie got to ride horses all summer. It was so unfair!

Maybe you should get a job then, I blurted out. Maybe if you had a real job, I could go!

I realized right away that Id made a huge mistake, but it was too late to take it back.

Moms eyes got very narrow as she stood up and crossed her arms. I do have a real job, Bea. Not only am I your and Stevies mom, which, believe me, is a full-time career, but I am also an artist. Not everything worth doing has to be something that earns money.

I didnt say a word, only scowled at her.

Bea, she continued, remember when we went to the art gallery? Remember how much you enjoyed seeing all that arwork? What would happen if all those artists had decided not to create because they werent being paid enough?