Filling your Daddy's Shoes

Chapter 3: Camping

Jay woke up early the next morning. He got up and went to the shower. He got out got dressed.

"Shane! Get up!" yelled Kyle

Shane got up from his bed and went into the shower.

"Dad,You alright?"

"Yeah. I'm fine. Go take a shower we are leaving in a bit. Uncle Jay is meeting us there."

"Ok."

Shane walked into the kitchen and grabbed a granola bar.

Erin called Jay .

"Jay,Do you wanna do something this weekend?"

"No,I am going camping with Shane and Kyle before he leaves again. I'm sorry Erin."

Erin picked up her cup of coffee.

"Jay,I understand. Go have spend some time with Kyle and Shane. You need it."

"Thanks Erin. Next weekend."

Jay packed his bag and jumped into his truck. He drove to Kyle's apartment and walked in.

"Shane,You ready for some fun."

"Yeah,Dad said He'll teach me how to shoot."

Reese texted him

R- Hey Shane,The Chicago Fire department is having the annual banquet. Do you wanna go?"

S- I can't. I'm going camping with my Uncle Jay and Dad.

R- ok. See you when you come back.

"I can teach you Shane."

Jay walked sat on the couch only to get up a couple seconds Later. Jay,Shane and Kyle hopped into the car. Jay drove to a nearby campsite in a couple cities over. It took 5 hours. Shane slept the whole way.

"Kyle,How's everyone over there?"

"Jay,this will be my last tour. My active duty is up this year so once it's done. I'm just going to stay home and raise my Son. I've missed too much of his life. I don't wanna miss anymore."

"There's this girl. That I'm in love with. Kyle,My partner. That's it. I wanna marry her but We aren't even dating."

"Jay,You have a problem there. Tell her how you feel. That's what I did to Brittany. But she left anyway. You know,I never thought I'd be a parent and going into the Army at 19, that's something no one wants to do. Jay,You and I. We've been best friends since Kindergarten. We went through a lot. Hell,You even wanted to steal my girl a couple times."

"Actually I did. Remember Kirsten and Amy."

"Oh right. That was before high school. The good ole days."

Kyle and Jay chuckled.

"Ally called me the other day."

"What did she want?"

"She wanted to go out for coffee. I told her no. I mean, She cheated on me twice,when I was overseas. Then she wanted to get back together with me. No. I told her I'm seeing someone."

"Good. She doesn't deserve you. But I know who does. Erin. She deserves your love. If you love her,then tell her that. Don't keep that in. You might not get a tomorrow. So tell her."

"Kyle,I'm just worried that If We break up we won't have the same friendship as before."

"You Halstead,You're worried about that. Erin must really mean a lot to you. Jay,just tell her."