Despite All Obstacles Part IV

Camping Trip

WARNING: VULGARITY

PATTHEW'S STORY

This evening.

Matt drives us home from football practice. We started coming home to eat dinner and then do what we always do, this week. I chilled while he was out there with the popular crowd.

Yesterday after dinner, he broke curfew. He took Mercy to Sk8erade, a skating rank in downtown Pasadena with all of the "Parrot Spirit" members and came home before 3AM. Mom told me before Matt drove us to school, this morning. Because of that, I told him to switch seats, and I drove us to school. Like SNAP! once sang, I've got the power!

I thought Sk8erade has a strict policy of not allowing children under eighteen to stay after nine without a guardian on a school night. They even have a sign on their entrance. His punishment is not going out for the whole weekend.

While Matt drives us home, I tell him what happened between me and Robyn, this whole week, because of Patricia. Matt is stunned to hear this, but I tell him to not confront them about it because of rumors. I don't like being the talk of things. He respects me enough to middle-finger swear on it (our Three Stooges pinky swear).

"Does bro know about this?" He asks, concerned.

I nod, "Yes."

"Wow," is all he can say.

"Gra-," I'm talking to Matt, "Barbara overheard me and told Shortcake about it, which was what they were upset with me about. I didn't tell them when they asked about it, and I lied." I still feel horrible.

He shakes his head with a small smile. "Little bro, whether you knew them recently or not, they had the right to know. They're your friends. Unless you choose not to tell them because they're females." I look at him when he says this. Was it true? Was I being sexist? I don't want to be viewed that way.

Seven minutes later, we're home. I start getting ready for camping, as an amend.

I decide to pack dinner for tonight. Mom helps me pack while dad pays the bills in the den, which is his second work office. I got burgers, condiments, cheese, salads, hot dogs, plastic utensils, buns, bean cans, water bottles, plates, paper towels, and soda cans for tonight. I got graham crackers, big marshmallows and Hershey bars for s'mores. In fourth grade for summer camp, our camp instructor taught the class how to start a campfire.

I got my tent, flashlight, first aid kit, deodorant, lotion, soap, hand sanitizer, towels, underwear, sleeping bag, bug spray, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, shampoo, conditioner and my white cap for camp. I use my backpack to carry the camping materials and my band suit bag to carry the food. We'll buy breakfast once we're on our way to San Gabriel Valley's Hundred-Acre Woods.

The camp instructor gave us all manuals on "How To Camp Like An Expert" before starting the trip, and it's the title. I did checked the weather. The sun doesn't set until 8:37PM. It's going to rain during Matt's game tomorrow night.

After packing everything for tonight, I see Matt laying on his bed, throwing a small ball against his wall, over and over. I think it's going to be a long weekend for him.

I walk into his room, wanting to know why he's in trouble, again. "Where were you, last night?"

He glances at me and then continues bouncing the ball. "I was with a few teammates and a few cheerleaders. We decided to fool around in Gordon's house afterwards. I told him I had to head home before nine because it was a school night. They said it was just going to be for thirty minutes. It ended up being hours."