Carrying a duffle bag, Grady dragged his feet to the truck. “Dad, why can’t Ashleigh come along?”
Sean sighed. “Son, we’ve been through this. We’ve been going on this father-son trip since you were little. It’s an Oakley tradition.”
“Yeah, I know,” he said. “But don’t you think we wouldn’t have more fun if Ashleigh came along?”
“And where would she sleep? Not in your tent.”
“Then we ask Sarah to come along too,” he said. “The girls can sleep in one tent and you and I sleep in the other.”
“Not this year, Son.” Sean felt for the teen. When he was his age and had to go on a trip with his dad, he wasn’t all too happy to be separated from his friends, either. Not that he had a girlfriend back then. He wasn’t exactly a jock in high school—more of a nerdy guy. Grady, on the other hand, had been dating Ashleigh shortly after they moved to Magnolia Hill last summer. Lucky kid, he thought. “It’s only a week.”
“It’s a week too long.” Grady tossed the duffle on the truck bed.
Sean heard a door squeak next door and saw his long-time friend Jason walking toward him, dressed in a suit. He nodded toward the house. “Your door could use some lubricating,” Sean said. Normally, Jason was on top of everything that needed fixing, but not so much lately.
“Hey, neighbor,” Jason said. “I know. It’s driving me nuts, too. But every time I think of it, I’m in a hurry or my lovely wife has me on a mission to knock something off her ten-page honey-do list. Mind you, I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
Sean smiled. Even though Anna and Jason had been high school sweethearts, they had only found each other again last year when Anna moved back to Magnolia Hill, and they’d finally had tied the knot. Sean hoped that maybe one day he’d have someone in his life again, too.
Jason nodded at the truck. “Heading out for your camping trip this morning?”
“Yeah, we’re hitting the road early. I’m hoping that by the time we drive through Atlanta, we should be between rush hours. What’s the forecast for the mountains next week, Mr. Chief Meteorologist?”
Jason licked his finger, then raised it in the air. “Well, Sheriff Oakley, I hope you’re packing clothes to layer up in. Up in the Georgia portion of the Blue Ridge Mountains, temperatures should be in the upper seventies, maybe lower eighties. Not too bad for May. The only problem is that you’ll have to contend with some windy conditions, so stake down your tent well. Also, it hasn’t rained in a while, which is unusual for that area this time of year. I wouldn’t be surprised if the weather service issues a red flag warning in the coming days. With the wind, higher temperatures, and low humidity, that’s a perfect recipe for wildfires.”
Sean wrinkled his forehead. “That’s the last thing we need, not being able to build a campfire.”
Jason patted his friend on the shoulder. “You might be okay tonight. Just keep an eye on your campfire and use the fire rings at the campsite. You don’t want to be the one causing an epic blaze like the Rough Ridge fire a few years back.”
Sean remembered it well. He and Grady had gone on a short camping trip in the fall after that epic fire. Instead of beautiful trees, charred stumps dotted the forest grounds when they hiked that area. It was a depressing sight.
“Jason,” a teenage girl said as she came out of the house in flip-flops, pajamas, and sporting bed-hair. “Mom wants to know if you can pick up some low-carb cupcakes from the Cherry on Top Cupcake Shop later on. She has to study for a chemistry exam and needs a pick-me-up. She said Jenna knows which ones to get.”
“I will, Ashleigh,” Jason said. “Where’s your sister?”
“Still sleeping,” the teen said, then walked over to Grady.
Sean brushed off the cobwebs from the tent bag. “How’s Anna handling med school? I barely see her anymore, other than when she’s going to work or coming back from the store.”
“She’s stressing, but you know her. She’s got a stubborn streak in her. I have no doubt that she’ll ace every class. It helps that she’s been a paramedic for so long. That’ll make it easier.” Jason nodded toward the kids.
Sean turned around to see what his friend was trying to get his attention about. “Hey, you two. I know you won’t see each other for a week, but that doesn’t mean you can make out on my driveway—or anywhere else for that matter.”
Grady took Ashleigh’s hand. “Come on, Ash. I need to finish packing.”
“Door stays open!” Sean called after them as they disappeared into the garage.
Grady moaned. “I know, Dad.”
“I think they could use a short break from each other,” Jason said. “They’ve been hanging out every day for the last few months.” Jason checked his watch. “Darn it. I’m running late. Sorry, I have to run to the station. Have fun, and be careful with the campfires. Best check with the park managing folks about burn restrictions and using your camp stove. We’ll talk when you come back next week.”
After Jason pulled his car out of his driveway and drove off, Sean loaded the remaining camping gear onto the truck bed. He wasn’t sure how many more father-son trips they had left together. His time with his son was getting shorter the older Grady got. Once he was off to college, he’d probably be too busy for his good ole’ dad. Who would he go camping with then? All his friends were married or were getting there. Case in point, Jenna and Cody were tying the knot next month. He felt out of place now when he hung out with his friends. Jenna and her crazy vibes said he would be next to get hitched. But he doubted that. Mainly because he wasn’t dating anyone. And if he were, he’d think long and hard if he was ready to make that mistake again. Although, he had enjoyed being married—when times were still good. But he couldn’t dwell on the past. Instead, he had to live in the now and make the most of what little time he had left with his son.
“Grady, are you going to help?” he called out, but got no response. He walked into the house. It didn’t take him long to find him, because all he had to do was follow the soft sniffling sound to find Ashleigh in Grady’s arms.
“Hey, Ashleigh. It’s only a week. I know it feels like an eternity, but Grady will be back in no time.”
Ashleigh ran her hand across her eyes. “I know. It still hurts, though.”
Grady wiped another tear with his thumb off her cheek. “I’m going to miss you,” he said.
“I’ll miss you, too,” Ashleigh sighed.
“Well, Grady, I think we’re all packed. It’s time to go,” Sean said. He hated to break them up, but they had to hit the road if they wanted to avoid rush hour.
“Come on, Ash. Walk me to the car?” he asked.
She nodded.
As he backed his truck onto the street, Sean watched Ashleigh remain in their driveway, waving and forcing a smile, then wiping another tear off her cheek with her pajama sleeve. Once they were on the road, Grady sat in the passenger seat—silent.
Oh, young love, Sean thought as they traveled from the nearly coastal town of Magnolia Hill to the North Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains.
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