The glass shattered against the kitchen tile, a sharp counterpoint to the lunch rush clatter. Matt flinched, already scanning for the broom before the sound faded. "Focus, Matt," Janet's voice cut through the steam, not loud, but carrying the weight of a slammed door. Her gaze lingered on the shards near his feet. "That's the third thing since you clocked in. Spilled water on table six, dropped the steak knives, now this?...

The Senior Counselors had just left with Lisa, the camp's director, to head into town for some much-needed R&R after two weeks of teaching, singing and entertaining their young charges, the campers of Camp Minnetonka. Camp was in between sessions, but Jack had to remain behind to take in the food delivery for next week's session. Someone had to do it and Jack drew the short straw since he had been to town earlier that wee...

Denise tapped her pen against the desk. The glow of her computer screen reflected in her tired eyes. Another spreadsheet. Another quota. She sighed, pushing a strand of dark hair behind her ear. "This report is due tomorrow, Mark," she called over the cubicle wall. Her voice sounded strained even to herself. Mark leaned back in his chair, stretching until his spine popped. "I know, I know. Just finishing these contracts."...

"Come on, guys, I really need to pee!" exclaimed Mary Ellen, her dark brown eyes pleading as she brought her bicycle to a halt beside a lush, secluded grove. Rachel and Anne, both red-faced and sweaty from their leisurely ride along the Canal de Bourgogne, couldn't help but laugh at their friend's urgency. "Okay, go ahead. We'll keep an eye out for any perverts," Rachel, the fiery redhead, joked as she leaned against a tr...

"Allison, you've got to get a grip on that girl," Leslie said, her voice a blend of concern and accusation. Allison nodded, feeling a knot tighten in her stomach. She knew Leslie was right; Annie had been pushing boundaries lately. Coming home past curfew, lying about where she'd been, and even talking back to her teachers. It was all a far cry from the sweet, obedient child she had raised. "But what do I do?" Allison rep...

"You know you're not supposed to sleep in here, right?" a voice pierced through the quiet. Laura's eyes snapped open, the world swimming into focus around her. The dim lights of the library's study room cast a gentle glow on her surroundings, revealing the rows of bookshelves and the empty seats that surrounded her. She blinked, her heart racing as she realized she had nodded off at the table she'd been studying at. The v...