Just what we needed

 "Let's go camping," Well, it sounded like magic when Boone said it. Lily was a little woozy, thinking this might be her best summer yet. Of course, she laughed. "You can't be serious." But he smiled right back, "But I am."

And he meant right now. Or so it felt. She had nothing else better to do. It was fun gathering up a backpack of the essentials. She didn't need a tent. They had one. Maybe she was oblivious to who THEY were. She couldn't help but have a sun squint that morning. It was a packed vehicle and she didn't know these people other than him.

But the Beach Boys played on the stereo and there was laughter. She met Boone's brother and his father and..his mother too. It seemed normal. She even got to meet Alfie's girlfriend and when they got to the State Park there was Boone's sister and her boyfriend ready to hit the hiking trail. 

"We could ride horses," Boone was excited about that, but that would be tomorrow. It was like an inside joke with his sister, and her boyfriend found it kind of funny.

Oh, it was a long day. Yet, Boone's mom had plenty to snack on and even Boone brought day-old cookies from the bakery. Yes, they marched on most of the day, looking at the river, climbing a tower to see the next state over. No one seemed too concerned about setting up camp until late afternoon.

"See, this is where you come in," Boone smiled after he'd set up the big tents with Alfie. "I'll be with my dad tonight and..and I didn't want my mom to be all alone in a tent."

"Oh," she raked her fingers through her wind-blown hair. Oh, she'd sweated off all her makeup and sun screen.  Lily knew she looked dreadful, but Boone was with her every step of the way. Funny, he smelled amazing as if he was one with the outdoors.

"You won't be scared will you?" He wanted to know.

She tried to smile and shook her head, no. But she did feel she was put on the spot. She didn't know what to say to his mom. Sure they'd said nice things to each other and pointed at butterflies and birds, but spending the night together...Lily sighed.

"Boone what are you thinking," Alfie came up from behind him as if he might scare him.

"You know, the rules. The boys in one tent and the girls in the other."  Alfie nodded.

"Well, I figured you and Zoey would want to be alone." Boone shrugged. After all, Zoey was off getting the fire ready for hotdogs and s'mores while his mom got out a salad from the cooler and deviled eggs with loaded bags of chips and cookies.

"They'll need Zoey in their camp. She's very good at stomping on things in the night," he said.

Lily winced. "But..but what about your parents? Won't they want to be together?"

Alfie and Boone both laughed as if it were the funniest joke ever.

"That's our Dad," Boone pointed.

"But she's not my mom," Alfie shrugged and said it was kind of a funny story how they all got together after such a long time. Boone was adopted and Alfie didn't even know about him until a few months ago. Alfie then mentioned he could only imagine how the night might go if those two shared a tent.

"Maybe they should share a tent and the rest of us can get in the other one. I think everybody would be happy with that. Besides, he does snore." Boone nodded.

Lily just shook her head, "Well, we better figure this out. Cause I need a shower."

"Me, too." Boone pointed to the bathroom facilities. "I'll go with you."

She looked at him funny.

"What's the matter?" He wanted to know.

"I don't know." She was beginning to think everyone's family was a little strange.

"Look, I wouldn't want to lose you, out here." He followed her up the path after she got her backpack and he had his mesh bag with fresh undies and some all-in-one body wash.

"I still can't believe you're out here," she told him. "I mean, you've had such long days at work this past week and you still managed to go to the concert with me."

"Oh, I don't feel tired at all around you," he bit a grin. "I like going places with you." 

They parted at the bathrooms and washed up. Of course, he was waiting for her afterward in a fresh tee and new sweatpant shorts. It was dark. They would have to follow the laughter to get back to camp. Boone took her hand. It felt like the most natural thing in the world. And Lily smiled as if it would be OK if she didn't sleep a wink tonight.