| Almost okay It was March in North Carolina—you know the time of year when it gets in the 70s and 80s in the daytime and the 30s and 40s when the sun goes down. Brian planned a camping trip for us, and he invited his cousin and his cousin’s girlfriend. He had everything, and he told me “all you have to do is bring your clothes.” We put up the tent next to a pond in the prettiest place I had ever seen. We were so in love; it was the best day. He didn’t bring any food. But it was okay. No toilet paper—well, it was okay. The sun went down and it was getting colder and colder. Brian built a fire, and it was okay. When we got in the tent to sleep, I was shivering. We covered up with a thin sheet. I got a little upset and asked Brian why he didn’t bring some covers. He said he did—Greg and Robin had them. I jerked those covers off of them and we all tried to cover up. It was not okay. I got up and took my blanket out to the fire that was almost out. I stomped around in the woods, breaking limbs and sticks for the fire with no flashlight. The moon was full, so that was okay. I got the fire going and lay down beside it on the ground. When I woke up, it was almost daylight. Brian was fishing. He hooked a seven-pound carp that really fought. Brian wanted me to feel it, so he let the fish swim away, and I reeled him in. The fish was jerking and pulling. We laughed so hard when we let him go and he swam back to us. My hair was standing straight up. I had makeup and ash soot all over my face. I was so dirty from sleeping on the ground. We must have really been in love. We still laugh about that trip almost 14 years later. Brian has become a good camper, and it’s really okay. Jackie Campbell |
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