“Hey, this isn’t one of your minimalistic expeditions.I want space to move around, and a little luxury,” I defend lightly.“Even you’ll be impressed by how comfortable we are...Only two or three more trips to the Jeep, and we’ll be all set.”
She looks amused but says nothing.
An hour or so later, we plop into our camping chairs to survey our hard work.The fire pit is ready for when darkness falls.We have coolers full of drinks and snacks.The camping stove is set up.A trash bag hangs off a low tree branch.The flashlights and lanterns are ready.And music plays gently from the portable radio.The shade from the live oak and the tent’s porch, where our chairs reside, creates an oasis in the summer heat.Still, I look forward to the cooler evening and the three of us telling stories around a campfire.
Venus looks up from her field journal.“So, what do you two adventurers want to do first?”
Olly rattles off a long list, and they eventually decide on a hike.We spend hours exploring the property around the fairy house, just like Venus and I used to do as kids.Venus shows him bugs, lizards, and birds through binoculars and magnifying glasses.They touch lumpy moss and discuss the veins in leaves.We jump over muddy creeks, examine downed trees, collect samples for Olly’s new field journal—a gift from Venus—and construct a lean-to near the campsite.
We are sweaty and dirty when it’s done, but we have so much fun that no one seems to care.
When the sun starts falling behind the tall, slender pines, we rest in our camp chairs.
“I’m hungry, and so is Buster,” Olly says.
“Let’s pillage the garden and grab supplies from the house,” Venus says.“We could make hot dogs?—”
“No, I have dinner covered,” I say.
“What’s for dinner, Dad?”Olly throws Buster a stick, which he immediately retrieves.
“We’re expected at Grandma and Grandpa’s,” I say, glancing over at Venus.“If that’s okay.”
Venus automatically fondles the sage-green scarf wrapped around her head and laced through her bulky side braid.She forces a smile, though I can tell she’s already nervous.I wonder if my plan is a mistake—getting the family together tonight—especially after Venus’s declaration.It’s been all I could think about during our adventures.The three of us together, not just for the summer, but always.It’s been hard not to imagine family trips, holidays, Venus in my bed every night.She thinks she wants to stay.
I only hope Mom doesn’t mess it up.
“Yay, can we bring Buster?”Olly asks.
“Of course,” I say.
“Um, let’s grab the basket and clip some flowers to take to Maggie,” Venus says, putting her notebook aside.“And perhaps a nice bottle of wine?”
“Sounds perfect.”
After touring the garden for the prettiest blooms for Mom’s bouquet, we retreat to the fairy house to get cleaned up.Venus arranges the flowers into a pile and ties them together with a string.She places them into a basket with a mason jar and a bottle of wine from her father’s collection.
Then she turns to me.“Should I change into something more… normal?A dress?”
Her words resurrect a memory from third grade.I recall her wild hair, overalls, rubber boots, and dirty t-shirts being a constant topic of mean-spirited discussion among the other girls in our class, with their hairbows, dresses, and sparkly shoes.On one of our walks home, I finally asked Venus,“Why don’t you wear normal clothes?”
I didn’t care what she wore.I only thought that stating the obvious might help her fit in better.
But the next day, she showed up in one of Ivy’s dresses, which was too small for her, and she spent the day inadvertently flashing her underwear because she wasn’t used to bending or climbing in a dress.And it was impossible for Venus not to climb something.
The end result—she was made fun of even more.And I felt bad for encouraging her to change.
“No,” I say, slipping my hands around her waist.“You look great.”
“Does she know I’m coming?”she asks, leaning into me.
“Yeah, don’t worry.She’ll be fine.”
She takes a deep breath.“Okay, Henry.”
Olly bounds out of the bathroom, his hands still damp from washing them.“Ready!Let’s go!”
We exit the rear of the house, Olly and Buster bounding down the deck steps ahead of us.
