“Derek, I have to tell you something.” Candice hands him a sandwich as she tries to break the news to him. Derek takes the sandwich and takes a bite while looking at his mom curiously. “Your father says we have to cancel our trip. Something came up with work and…”

“He promised,” Derek said disappointingly, “Can I still go?”

“You really want to?”

“Yes, I really do. I need to get away.I was hoping to go with the rest of my family, but I do not want to miss out on this trip.”

“Actually, I think it is a good idea, and you know what, we should all still go. If your father wants to stay here and be miserable, so be it. We leave in the morning.” Candice replies and runs up the stairs to pack for the trip.

Derek goes up to his room and makes sure everything is packed and ready to go for tomorrow. This trip will be good for the family, even if Tom does not come.

Getting an early start, Candice has coffee ready to go for herself and the boys as they get the car packed up and ready to go. It will take almost two days to get there, but Derek and Candice decide to take turns driving and allow the other one to sleep.

“I still do not understand why I have to go, and Dad gets to stay here.” Thomas drags his feet as he loads the bags in the car. “Why can’t we fly there and back, or at least stay in hotels along the way? So annoying.”

Annoyed, Candice replies, “Because, Thomas, this is a family trip, and just because your father does not come does not give you a right to complain. Now stop it, and try to make the most of this trip. That is what I plan to do.”

In the middle of a pit stop to stretch their legs, use the restroom and get snacks and drinks, Candice calls up Tom to check in.

Almost immediately after the phone begins to ring Tom ignores the phone call. He sends the phone call to voicemail. Candice waits for the beep and then angerly yells, “Tom, I was trying to be nice and check in, but you need to answer your phone. We really would like you to join us, and you are busy working as if this family does not matter to you. You know what I do not know how much more I…”

“Mom, who are you yelling at?” Derek asks as he hands his mom a cup of coffee.

“It doesn’t matter,” Candice quickly replies as she ends the phone call and places her phone in her back pocket. “You want me to drive so you can rest a bit?”

“Sounds great, Mom.”

Derek, Thomas and Candice arrive to Tallulah Falls right around noon on Friday. Driving around to find the campsite, they decide to grab some lunch at what appears to be the only restaurant in town. Japps.

“Welcome to Japps, sit wherever you like.” Anna greets them. “I will be with y’all in a moment to take your order.”

Thomas leads them to the booth in the corner, and sits down. Candice and Derek follow. “My name is Anna, and I will be taking y’alls order, what can I start ya off with to drink?”

“Three lemonades, please.” Candice politely says.

Derek looks around out the window. He notices several of the Red Maple trees. The leaves beginning to turn red really amazed him. “See, now in California, I did not take time to look at trees. Those trees over there are giving me a new aspect to life. I need to pay more attention to the world around me.”

“Do y’all need a few minutes, or do ya know what y’all want?” Anna asks as she places their lemonades on the table.

“I will take a BLT, and a side of fries please.” Derek says quickly before staring back at nature around him. Candice and Thomas order their food and Anna leaves to place their order. “I cannot wait to check out the waterfalls.”