Michelle started to walk to the main cabin with about 50% fear, 45% anger and 5% curiosity. Make that 49% anger and 1% curiosity. When she got through the door, her mother waved at her from the check-in area. Michelle slowly walked over, and her mother grabbed her in a hug.
"This is SOOO exciting. I wonder how it all works, " Rachel turned to the lady behind the desk, " any hints?"
"Nope, can't ruin the magic. If you do figure it out, don't share it with the other future mothers, " said the lady behind the desk. She stood up and Michelle stared at the counselor was pregnant. Really pregnant.
"Don't stare at Robin, Michelle. How will you feel when you look like that?" Michelle's mind started racing. She didn't want that. That lady's belly was huge, and she had to walk funny. Sure, she was smiling, but her body must have changed so much.
"Don't worry Rachel. I'm used to it. The counselors either can choose to be permanently pregnant or be part of a rotation. I happen to like expecting, so I chose this. I personally thing It's better than a period."
"To each their own, right Michelle?" asked Rachel.
"Sure," was all Michelle could mumble on their way to their cabin. Robin said how there were 6 women in each of their 40 cabins. They tried to match based on interests, and timing of arrival. Robin also talked about the activities, like like volleyball, tennis, hiking, watersports, lamaze, Yoga, dancing, diaper changing, tai chi, cycling, burping babies, art and cooking. Nothing that would harm their mock pregnancies, as they were trying to simulate the real thing. Clothing was optional, as it was a women's only camp. Michelle liked some of the activities, but thought it was weird that Rachel treated diaper changing like an activity someone would want to do.
When they got into their cabin (cabin 0), each bed was a twin, but no bunks. Guess pregnant women didn't want to have to climb into the top bunk. He then saw Mrs Sato come out of the bathroom. She walked up and gave Rachel and then Michelle a hug.
"Good afternoon. This was such a good idea Rachel. I think it'll help our young ladies not get pregnant before they should. Michelle, Rika is out wandering the grounds and should be back soon if you are wondering where she is."
"I know. Kids are in such a rush to grow up these days."
"Tell me about it. I'm Joan and this is my daughter Katie," said the mother of the final family in the cabin. Katie did a shy wave. Rika walked in a moment later and walked quickly to Michelle about to say something when a bell started to ring signalling lunch was starting. Rika and Michelle started to walk over together, a little separate from the group.
"Mikey, how'd you get roped into this?"
"In my family, after high school the kid does a trip with one of the parents, so they can do something cool before going off to college. My 'cool' trip was this. The old bait and switch. How about you Henry?"
"My mom told me that she needed my help with lifting into the car at Bob's Discount Furniture. I realized something was up within minutes, but by then it was already too late. I argued with her the whole way here about turning around."
The boys turned girls commiserated until they got to the "Mess hall."
