We pause for a moment to get some ocean water and start a fire for boiling. The kettle only holds about six or seven cups, and even less since we need to place the cup in there.

“Isn’t saltwater undrinkable even if you boil it?”

“Yes, Ant. We’re collecting the vapor of the boiled saltwater,” Tavia explained, more patient than I could’ve been. “This is a form of distillation. We learned it in Mrs. Carter’s class. Freshman year.”

“We should actually make a ditch, fill it with water and put your color-guard jug thing at the bottom, and weave some big ole leaves and collect more vapor like that,” Krys brainstormed out loud.

“You brought your jug? That thing's half a gallon and takes up so much space,” Inés cried.

“My mommy said I should bring it because it’s the only container I actually try to finish before the day’s over,” Tavia pouted. “And I put my liquid’s bag in there so it’d be contained if it spilled.”

We all stopped for a moment. In the next breath, we dove for the duffle. Octavia struggled to open the lid and passed it to Inés, who passed it to Zahra, who finally twisted it open. The collective relieved sigh was deafening as we saw nothing escaped the double-sealed liquids bag. 

“Oh, thank goodness, we don’t have to clean it,” Krys confirmed out loud. Wasting no time, they immediately ripped off the plastic of one of the random notebooks we collected and started scooping. 

“How are you going to fill it?”

“We have empty tumblers,” I reminded. “Now that that’s stared, w-

“How long is it going to take to have drinking water?”

“Hours. I’ve been camping with you, and I remember how you had nothing to drink but Mountain Dew,” Krys began, the girls letting out a chorus of disgusted 'ews'. “Redbull and Monsters, in addition to your nutritious snacks of takis and flamin' hot Doritos. You’ll be fine.” 

“Bri, did you realize there was an envelope tucked between layers,” Quinn called out, holding up what I recognized as my uncle's homemade stationary.

“No. Gimme,” I demanded with grabby hands. Carefully opening what seemed to be a letter with Unc’s personal seal. 

“Aww. He left me a note: ‘You know our family’s motto: If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready.’ Right on, Unc. Did you get one? What it say?”

“He said," Quinn starts, only to frown. "‘Yes, I gave you less, but don’t worry, girl. Find the kindest-looking woman and put on a show. Remember. “White women’s tears are the lubricant to the gears of justice.” Source, Unknown.’”

I had to clamp a hand over my mouth and quickly turn away. Silence descended over the group as we battled for self-control. I didn’t dare to do more than sweep my gaze over the group, but I was still able to catch Quinn’s dropped jaw while Inés and Reyya blinked at the sky with shaking shoulders.

“Um, whew. Uh, h-he,” I tried to start, fighting my urge to howl. “I-I had to buy period products. There are three reusable pads and two menstrual cups. And I still have my suitcase stash of tampons and pads.”

“I brought single-use discs and tampons,” Tavia managed to say despite the redness from biting down her laugh.

“Me too,” Quinn all but growled out. Despite her performance, I saw the corner of her lip twitch before she continued to pout.

“I only have,” Inés started, but we all knew the answer.

“Pads,” we chorused. “And we know you do too, Zahra.” 

We all let out a little giggle because we knew this due: 1) Inés’ mom struck the fear of God in her about dying from TSS due to tampons, while 2) Zahra got her cup stuck the first day she tried it and had to get her sister to help her. Never again did they touch anything but a pad. 

As the laughter died down, I caught Reyya’s eyes. She seemed to have caved in during the short moment as if waiting for the other shoe to drop. 

“I know Reyya probably has my emergency stash beat,” I joked with a hopefully comforting smile her way. She did. I’d seen her duffle.

“Y-yeah, I do,” she began shakily. “They don’t have tampons with plastic applicators much in some places,” which made Tavia and Quinn clutch their pearls, “and I knew Zahra would run out of the extra-long ones.” 

“You’re so real for that because I’m always like, maybe it won’t be as bad this time,” Zahra sighed. 

“Delusional, to say the least,” Reyya huffed, her eye roll grounding her back into her normal state. 

“I think the words are optimistic and trusting that my bestie is gonna look out for me. And she does, because she is super awe-some,” she practically sang as she tackled Reyya. 

“While you guys are too cute, back to the supplies at large,” I cut in. Moving aside the stuff I put in the bag to make it look more normal–an emergency set of tightly rolled leggings and shirt, two sets of underwear, one notepad, and a pencil case–I find myself intrigued as to the nagging sensation he’d deliberately didn’t send me with something. 

Shaking the thought away, I focused on Krys. “What did he pack in yours?”