Derek has his bag packed and ready for the camping trip. He is excited to finally have a change of scenery and get away for a few days. Camping is something Derek wanted to do for a while now, but always dismissed the thought of it. No one else in his family had interest of camping. The busy pace of electronics and room service was way too important.Derek goes downstairs for a cup of coffee. His mom still cooking breakfast.Ham and cheese omelets with a side of bacon.

“Morning Mom, breakfast smells delicious.”

“Thank you, Derek, it will be ready soon.” Candice replies as she flips the bacon onto the uncooked side.“Once this side is cooked, everything will be done.”

“Mom, can you talk Dad out of this camping trip,” Thomas whines, “I want to go to Disney Land.”

“Good morning to you too Thomas. No, your father is looking forward to having some time away from the office. He is wrapping up the last of his meetings this morning, and he will be home this afternoon. We leave in the morning.”

“Thomas, you always have to complain. For your big bro, please cheer up.” Derek encourages. “Just think, I’ll be gone before you know it, so what is a few days out in the woods camping?”

“Fine, for you, Derek.” Thomas agrees. “But if Dad bails, so do I.”

Candice puts the food on the table, and the boys eat their food. After breakfast, Derek helps clear the table and puts the dirty dishes in the dishwasher.

“Mom, I really do not want Dad to back out; I want to go camping.”

“I know you do Derek, but you know if your father does not go, you can still go. We trust you, you know.”

“Thanks Mom, I want us all to enjoy a vacation though. Dad never takes time off. It will be great for everyone, even if Thomas does not realize it yet.” Derek lightly laughs. “I am going to go grab by baseball gear and go practice a bit, if that’s okay.”

“Have fun Derek. I’ll make you lunch when you get back.” Candice says as she watches her boy grab his gear and run out the door. She realizes the days of Derek asking to play ball are slowly coming to an end, even though she does not mind if he does it without asking her. She takes a big sigh of relief to watch her happy boy run off to have some fun.

Tom comes home, and slams the door behind him. “Candice, we have to cancel the trip. Work cannot go on without me, and I have a major meeting that starts in the morning with some clients, and it may last a while.”

“What do you mean they cannot go on without you?” Candice yells back. She is tired of him acting like his job means more than his own family. “What are you going to tell Derek?”

“He will be fine Candice, just calm down.”

“I will not calm down. We need this vacation, and you act like your job is more important. Do you not realize the boys will both be out of the house before we know it?”

“My job just cannot stop because we want to have a vacation. There’s just too much to do, and that is the end of it. Vacation is canceled. I have a few phone calls to make. I’ll be in my study.” Tom walks to his study and shuts the door. Candice thinks of following him, but she knows once he has his mind made up there is no changing it.

Derek comes running back into the house, all sweaty from practice. “I will take a shower and be right down.” He yells as he runs up the stairs. Candice tries to find a way to tell him the trip has been cancelled.