Love at Camp Sight

Part 1

Cameron

"I have to go to camp today, buddy." I say to my golden retriever, Maximus. He lets out a deep sigh. "I know, I'm not too thrilled about it either, but, Jake and Aaron say that it will be a nice getaway even if I don't have fun."  He licks my fingers. "That's what I thought."

I get out of bed, and start packing. Mom told me to pack last night, but the procrastinator that I am told me otherwise. I throw my clothes, and a pillow in there, and call it done. 

"Cameron!" Mom yells from downstairs. "Get your butt down here, it's time to go." I put on my black converse high tops, then head downstairs. "Did you pack soap?" I shake my head. She sighs. "Get back up there, and pack your soap." I roll my eyes, and go back upstairs into the bathroom and grab some soap off the sink. I put it in her hand. "Cameron, I meant travel soap, not liquid soap."

"How was I supposed to know? You're the one who usually packs for me." I say. 

"Just go upstairs and grab some. They're in the cabinet next to the sink." 

I sigh and go back up. I look in the cabinet, and there they are sitting in a nice little bucket. I grab quite a few, then go back downstairs. I open my suitcase, and throw those in there. Mom sighs as she goes to the garage. I put my suitcase in the back, then sit in the front. 

"Check-in time is at 11:15. We'll get there at 11 so you can find Jake and Aaron." Mom says.

"Okay."

"Do you want me to come in with you, and help you find them?" She says.

"No."

"I am anyways." She says. "Do you want me to help you set up your room?"

"No."

"Okay, well, I'll help you find it." She swerves past a pot-hole. "I'll help you unpack."

"Okay."

"What's with the attitude today?" 

"Nothing. There's no attitude. I don't need your help, Mom."

"Your father would've helped you."

"And my father would've tried to get me to hook up with a girl from camp last year, too."

She goes silent. I look over at her. Her eyes are glued to the road. 

"We are not to talk about your father." She says.

"You're the one who brought him up!" I say.

"Don't give me that attitude."

I go silent. It's no use trying to speak to a person who doesn't even listen to you. We drive in silence for a little while.

"Call me everyday." She says.

"Okay."

"None of that emoji stuff, okay?"

I look at her, confused.

"You know when you type to people its called emoji right." She says.

"Uh. No. It's called texting. Emoji's are the little icons that you text." I say.

"Oh. None of that texting stuff then. I don't understand it."

I turn my laugh into a cough so she doesn't think I'm making fun of her.

"Are you sick?"

"No, Mom." 

"Are you sure?"