Sam finished her morning set and stood up.
“So we’re going to Oregon?” Sam asked.
“We’re going to Oregon?!” Jamie squealed, asking “Why Oregon?”
“My aunt’s cabin is up there, really deep in the forest.” Sam replied, tying her hair into a ponytail.
“So it’s a camping trip!” Jamie bounced.
“It’s a just me and Colin trip....” Sam replies.
“Why just the two of you?” Shara asked.
“He’s my- our boyfriend, too!” Lucy added.
Colin faced the rest of his girls and sighed, “I love all of you... but after these past couple weeks, I just need to go somewhere quiet and clear my head, reset myself you know?”
The girls frowned, Christy and Jamie giving him a misty eyed pout.
“It’s only a week.” Colin smiles.
“When are you planning to drive off?” Angela asked. “I’m going to need to adjust my schedule.”
“Tonight, around 10 o’clock sharp.” Colin replied.
***********1 Drive Later....*********
“Colin, get up we’re here.” Sam smiles as she shakes her sleeping boyfriend.
Colin snapped up in his seat, “Uhhhh... huh wha- ? Who? .... Oh wow....”
This place was beautiful; a sparkling lake with a big dock, the autumn leaves scattered in the wind, and nestled in some trees was a rustic brick and mortar cabin. They pulled up a dirt path and stretched as they went to the door.
“Sammy, hi!” The middle aged woman smiled.
“Hi, Aunt Barb.” Sam smiled, “Ready for the airport?”
“Oh yeah dearie, I also made plenty of cake for you and your little boyfriend...” Barb smiles, gasping “Oh, I didn’t know you were dieting!”
“Huh? Oh no, I’ve just been on a new exercise program... thing.” Colin lied nervously.
“Well, stick with it!” Barb smiles as she calls out “Frankie, Sammy’s here let’s go!”
The balding man lugged around a pet carrier and hopped in.
“You stay out of my liquor.” He sternly said as they drove off.
The pair sat in the house, twiddling their thumbs as the awkward silence filled the air.
“Soooo... what should we do first?” Colin asked.
“Well.... there’s a spot with a waterfall where animals gather, but its a long hike.” said Sam, taking a sip of her lemonade.
“Sounds like fun!” Colin smiles.
Colin slid along some loose gravel and slammed face first into a pile of mud.
“Is it too late to change my mind?” Colin asked.
“Yep.” Sam smiles as she points to the waterfall.
“Good, gotta get this mud off my face....” Colin sighed as he wiped his face... and sniffed his hands.
“This isn’t mud is it?” Collin asked.
Right on cue a woman riding a horse passed by as it sharted across the ground.
“EWWWWEWEWWEWWWWEWWWWWWWW!” Colin shouted as he dove into the water and scrubbed the horse manure off his face.
Something was passing by and spotted the fat guy frantically
scrubbing his face in the river.
It watched with intent as he flicked his face back, suddenly having a majestic flare as water droplets flew around him.
Sam was busy noshing on a Quest bar when Colin said something.