Things were going great for the guys. They had been lucky enough to get steady work for the last part of the summer. Now it was approaching autumn and there was a “crispness” in the air.
Mike heaved a heavy sigh as the guys sat on the veranda taking in the last days of summer.
“What’s wrong, Mike?” Micky asked. The sigh had distracted him from his comic book.
“Ta tell ya the truth, nothin’. I mean we’ve caught up on the bills. Babbit is actin’ human, but just seem like somethin’ is missin’,” Mike answered with another sigh.
“I’ll bet I know what’s missing!” Peter exclaimed. All eyes turned to Peter. He now was the center of attention.
“Well, I think I know what’s missing,” he remarked.
“Go for it, shotgun,” Mike encouraged.
“It’s autumn. It’s in the air. Mike is used to the wide spaces of Texas and he misses the change in the season. I’m from Connecticut and guys; you should see nature dressed out in its autumn colors there!” Peter proudly said. The thought of the Connecticut countryside in all its beauty gave Peter a twang of homesickness.
“Ya know, ya got it right, Pete. Autumn in Texas! You guys have never seen anything so wonderful,” Mike said as he visualized Texas in all its autumn glory in his mind.
“Sounds groovy, but I only know autumns in Burbank. One looks like any other to me,” Micky said.
“All I know ‘bout autumn is rain,” Davy added.
A slow smile spread across Mike’s face.
“Mike, are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Peter asked.
“Way ahead of ya! Guys, we are gonna go camping!” Mike announced.
“Camping? You’re not serious are ya?” Micky asked.
“Very,” Mike answered.
“B-but Mike, what do we—uh you know about camping?” Davy asked.
“Don’t worry ol’ buddy. Between Peter an’ me, everything is covered,” Mike, answered assuredly.
Micky and Davy looked at each other. Mike and camping, maybe, but Peter?
“Mike, wait! Think this thing through,” Micky pleaded.
“Yeah, mate. What if there’s nothing but rain?” Davy added.
“It’s not gonna rain, Davy,” Mike said.
“What about mosquitoes?” Micky asked.
“We’ll get repellent,” Peter answered.
“And snakes? And bats, and-and lions and tigers and bears?” Micky frantically asked.
“No snakes, lay off the late night horror shows and we are not gonna go see the wizard. We’re just gonna relax and enjoy nature. You’ll love it. You’ll see,” Mike answered signaling the end of the discussion.
Micky and Davy looked at each other as Peter and mike began drawing plans for the great outdoor weekend get away.
“I still say there will be snakes and bats and lions and tigers and bears, “Micky grumbled.
“An’ rain,” Davy added.
Chapter 2
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