Love at Camp Sight

Part 12

Taylor

I wake up at 2:30. I sleep in my own room. So if I was to talk to someone on the phone no one would hear me. And if they did they wouldn't care. I pick up my phone and dial Cameron's number. I know it's a big risk. But I'll do it. Only because I can't sleep.

It rings a few times. 

"Hello?" He says in a non-groggy voice. 

"Hey," I say.

"Hey, Taylor. Whatcha doing?"

"I can't sleep. Are you doing anything?"

"No. To be honest I can't sleep either."

I laugh a little. "Okay. So. Anything exciting happening?" I say.

"My mom's getting married. She met someone with the name of Chris on the internet."

"Oh. Good for her. Will you have any siblings?"

"Yes. A 15 year old sister."

"Cool."

"I'm not sure if I'm ready to have a dad again. Especially after what happened with my actual dad."

"Oh" We sit in silence for a while until I think of a question. "What's your story?"

"Like, my life story?" He says.

I nod. "Yes."

He sighs. Then starts speaking. "Let's see. So, 5 years ago, I was 11. I thought my dad had gone on a business trip. But the time he was gone my mom was crying, over and over. But I was too afraid to ask her what happened. I didn't know anything. 2 years went by, and I finally grabbed my courage and asked where Dad is. I thought he was dead. She started crying again. And said through the tears 'He left us. He's never coming back. He found a new wife. A new life.' I had stared at her for a good 5 minutes before it actually got through to me.

"I got kinda depressed after that. I began to cut my wrists, and I attempted to commit suicide, but Aaron and Jake saved me. I didn't really know how to handle what was happening. Then Aaron and Jake took me to their youth group because I'd been too stubborn to go when I needed help the most. They kept pointing out girls there saying stuff like 'you should talk to this girl, maybe she'll make you feel better.' of course I didn't listen to them. They thought the girls were hot. But, I didn't. 

"They kept trying to get me to date girls. And for a few months of me saying 'no I don't like that girl' they thought I was homosexual. They brought me with them to camp. And I met you. And my life changed. And I thank you for that."

How am I supposed to respond? "Wow." I say. 

"What's your story?" 

"Um. Not as exciting as yours, I'll tell you that." 

"Losing your dad isn't exciting." He says. There's a silence between us.

"Okay, well, I grew up with a big Christian family, and I homeschooled. There's nothing exciting going on around here."

He laughs a little. "Okay. Well, I have to go. My mom might hear me talking."

"Okay, bye."

I walk into the kitchen still rubbing sleep from my eyes. Mom and Dad are talking to each other. Alexis is on her phone with a huge grin. Probably grinning at my loss. 

"Taylor," Dad says in a stern voice. "We heard you talking last night. Who were you talking to?"

I can't lie. Maybe I can. Just this once. "I was talking to my friend I made at camp on the phone."

"Are you lying?" Mom says.

I look at her directly in the eye, and say, "No. No I'm not."

"Don't do that again. You kept us up all night. Next time we're taking your phone away." Dad says.

I nod. Alexis is still smiling at her phone. She's the tattle-tale of the house. And she doesn't get in trouble for any of it.

I eat my breakfast in silence as Lily talks my ear off. I rub my face. 

"Tay, don't ignore your little sister." Mom says. 

I stare directly at her. "I'm not. I'm listening to her, Mom." I say.

"Don't give your mother attitude." Dad says.

"I wasn't giving her any attitude." I say.

"Ooh, Taylor's in trouble." Alexis hisses under her breath.

"Alexis, if you're going to speak, speak loud so everyone can hear!" I say louder than I intended to.

"Don't yell in the house!" Dad says staring me down.

"I'm not yelling, I'm just using my voice!" I stand up, and push my chair away. "You people always tell me to use my voice. Well, here's my voice for all to hear!" Then, I run to my room, and slam the door.

I walk into my small closet, shove some clothes aside, sit down and begin to cry.