Seeing You - Boys of Tommen

Camping Trip

May 31st, 2005

Katie:

Claire had spent a bunch of time planning this big camping trip, to celebrate Johnny's eighteenth birthday and him leaving to play rugby. We were all beyond happy for him, and wanted to give him a memorable send off. 

We were currently deciding who was going in what car and I was dreading the possibility of having to drive with Lizzie, or Lizzie and Hugh going together without me.

Hugh was driving with Johnny and Shannon and I assumed I would be driving with them, but when he realized Patrick would be with Lizzie. Hugh suggested Patrick went with him, and I went with Lizzie, Claire, and Gibsie.

I like Claire and Gibsie, but Lizzie hated both Gibsie and I, and I didn't think Claire would be enough to mediate between her and us. I hated hearing her dig into Gibsie like she so often would, and I hated how she talked to me, and how I let her talk to me. 

During everything with the Lynch family, Lizzie had been a lot better. She was more agreeable and even nice to me. But I guess that grace period had expired and we were back to her toxic behaviour.

"This will be fun!" Claire tried to reassure me, I guess she could see the drop in my face when I heard Lizzie would be riding with us. But I could tell she was also uneasy about Gibsie and Lizzie being in the same car. "Katie, you sit in the front. I'll sit in the back with Liz."

I was grateful, and slipped into the passenger seat. I waved to Hugh as we pulled out of the driveway and he waved back looking worried. Oddly enough, Patrick looked even more concerned.  

The energy in the car was strange to say the least. Lizzie and I were both quiet and Claire and Gibsie spoke to each other animatedly.

After passionately discussing the names of their future kittens that they would be co-parenting, Lizzie had finally had enough of them. "Would you shut up for more than three seconds, Thor?"

"Liz." Claire said annoyed.

But Gibise replied, "Did you want to add something, Viper?"

"Even if I wanted to, I couldn't possibly get a word in."

"Maybe that was intentional." Gibsie snapped, Lizzie Young is the only person I've seen who can really get under his skin.

"Right, of course you probably want all girls to speak when spoken to. Like little Katie here?"

My face, flushed. I was enjoying listening to Gibsie and Claire's silly antics, and I hated being called out for being quiet.

Being introverted, I'd dealt with people my whole life assuming something was wrong with me, because I didn't leap at the chance to speak or share my opinion. Sometimes it felt like was an animal in a zoo being looked at, I hate it and Lizzie's making me feel that way.

Thankfully, Gibsie comes to my defence, "leave her alone."

"Can't even speak for yourself, can you? Need a big strong man to speak for you."

I somehow find my voice, "No, I don't."

"Could have fooled me."

I really don't know where I find the strength, "just because, I avoid yelling and fighting with people, doesn't mean I can't speak for myself."

"Could we all just be nice?" Claire asked and I felt so bad for her.

"Yeah," Gibise agreed. "Claire put a lot of time into planning this and making it special."

"Oh, shut up." Liz snapped, "Stop pretending you even care about her."

"I'm not pretending." Gibsie says as Claire bangs her head against the car window.