the summer camp of 2012

1. junior year [m]

summer is the time of the year i dreaded the most. i would quite literally rather be anywhere but home. now i wouldn't say i have a dysfunctional family, but we never had a great bond together. the only time the family would gather together was when we had dinner, but it would be so silent that one could hear a pin drop. 

things changed when i entered junior high. 

dad lost his job, and mom fell ill. it sounds so cliché, but i could never imagine this happening to my family. we had some money saved up, and we've been living in a pretty nice neighbourhood. ever since junior year started, i started working as many part time jobs as i could, while doing school full time. right now, we're barely managing. 

dad stays home nowadays to be the caretaker of my mom. they don't talk much, but seeing how much my dad aged, it aches my heart every time i walk past their bedroom. 

this summer, i didn't want to stay home. i went looking for a full time summer job so i could be somewhere else. i found the perfect job: camp councillor. it was in another state, and it paid really well. 

my parents didn't say much. deep down, we all knew i had to go. 

as i rolled up my suitcase to the front door, i went to my parents room before i left.

"stay safe, mila." my dad told me. i nodded with a blank stare. my mom slowly sat up, "we love you so much. i hope you know that." she said with a weak smile. i quickly said my goodbyes and left for the airport. on the uber ride, i couldn't help but feel a strong wave of emptiness. 

i pulled out my phone to get ready for check-in. i had around 2 to 3 days for councillor training before summer camp actually starts. as i stared out the window, i couldn't help but feel nervous. i just hope i'll make it there and home safe.