REPOST - [ camp discovery ] - a tayvis short story

chapter two.

JUNE 10, 2013

13:58

"He may have a few outbursts; we've been working through that in therapy," Taylor told Tree. Their talk went back to focusing on Michael and all of the behaviors he had been exhibiting – all of the things that his counselors needed to look out for. "Personally, they can be easy to manage, but sometimes he does get stubborn and only responds to me." She continued. He would close up and want no one else to talk to him but Taylor. It was part of the reason his teacher had her on speed dial. She could talk him down before things got too crazy. It was an almost daily occurrence towards the end of the school year. He was burnt out from all of the state testing, and all he wanted was to be at home with Taylor and not at school in a desk thinking. "Hopefully, we won't have those, right?"

"I'm going to try really hard!" Michael said. Taylor smiled at him. He was trying. He couldn't control all the extra emotions he was having. At home, he would be fine for the most part, mostly because he stayed close to Taylor, and she wouldn't do anything to trigger him since it would also trigger her.

"And that's all we're asking of you," Tree told him. "All we ask is that you try. We'll get Mom whenever you need her, okay?" Michael nodded, and Tree ruffled his hair with her hand. "He's so cute."

"Thank you," Taylor replied. They all had been on their way out of the cabin.

"I'll let the guys know what they need to look out for," Tree told Taylor. Taylor reached the door of the cabin and swung it open. She and Michael walked out, only to be faced with Travis. "Oh, shit," Tree whispered to herself.

Taylor stood frozen, looking at the boy she had fallen for all those years ago. He still looked the same, just a little bit taller and a little bit broader. He looked like he could be on a sports team of some sort. Their eyes connected, and Taylor could swear she felt her body go home as memories of the last time they were together played through her mind.

"Hi!" Michael said, a huge smile on his face, which snapped Taylor out of her trance. She looked at her son, who was staring back at the larger version of himself.

"Please speak, please speak, please speak." She though to herself as Travis continued to look at her instead of the little person before him. A few seconds passed before Travis snapped out of his own trance and directed his attention to Michael. Taylor let out a sigh of relief.

"Hey there, bud. What's up?" Travis said, getting down on Michael's level. The smile on his face was almost identical to the one Michael wore. Travis held his hand up, and Michael gave him a high-five.

"Travis, this is Michael. He'll be in the cabin with you and Ross this year." Tree said, letting the cabin door close behind her once she was fully outside with the other.

"Sweet! We're going to have a bunch of fun this year." Travis said to Michael, still giving the boy his full attention. "Are you nervous about camp?"

"A little," Michael admitted. Taylor was impressed. He was already telling Travis more than he had told her. He always told her he wasn't nervous; he was only excited about the experience. Maybe something in him shifted once they got there or when he said Travis was there.

"Well, we're going to have a good time, and hopefully, all those nervous feelings go away." Travis gave Michael the biggest smile, and Michael matched it. Taylor just stood, watching the two of them together. She looked at Tree, tears starting to brim her eyes. She wiped her eyes quickly, not wanting anyone to see her tears. "How about I help you and mom get your things out of the car, and then me and Ross..." Travis posted over at Ross. Ross waved his hand with a smile on his face. "...can show you where your cabin is and get everything all setup. Is that okay with you?"