July 8th, 2010: Thursday
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Dillon reached under his bed and pulled out first a medium black duffelbag, and then a larger blue suitcase. He rolled over and up off the floor, and flung the bags onto his bed. Where should he start? It would be wise to include warmer clothes, too. Dillon reached peak excitement levels, which caused him to momentarily space out. Just then, he remembered something important. He walked out of his room and called up the steps.
“Hey mom! Did we get sunscreen?! I think I forgot!”
“Got’cha covered!” She threw a spray can of spf 50 down to him. “What time will Tony be here? You haven’t even started packin’ yet?”
“Around ten he said!” He shouted up. “And I wasn’t lazy, I just forgot!” Dillon smiled.
“Then get yer ass movin’! It’s eight thirty!”
“W-what?! Eight thirty? But I woke up with my alarm at six! It should be six!
“Yes, you must have snoozed it too many times and fell back asleep. Dad went down to see if you were still alive. Don’t you remember?”
“Ugh… I’m a heavy sleeper, ok! If I dont sit up quick enough I’m asleep again! It’s not my fault! Shit, I’m so late!” Dillon ran back into his room but rammed into the doorframe. He heard mom snicker at the top of the steps.
“That’s what ya get for bein’ a teenager and not wantin’ to wake up! I told you to set two or three alarms! You have no excuse and you know it hahaha!”
“Very funny, ma! I’ll be ready, just you watch.” He grumbled.
“Text Tony and tell him you’ll be late! It’d rude as hell to make him wait! Idiot son!”
“Fine, but it isn’t necessary! Now lemme get ready!” Dillon shot her her a half grin.
“Men.” Mom scoffed.
That took too much time! Dillon mentally kicked himself. He should’ve just packed the night before, but he was so comfy while his parakeets and gerbils climbed all over him. They even watched a part of a Law and Order episode together, but he started to get pecked and bitten so he put the critters to bed. He didn’t even remember when he fell asleep. Must’ve been when his head hit the pillow.
Whatever the reason, it matters not. In an hour and a half, Tony would be there in the Bronco to pick him up for their trip to Wildwood, New Jersey. Just he and Tony would be at the apartment by themselves today, tomorrow, and part of Saturday. Then Saturday afternoon Kat and Brenden would come and stay until they all left Sunday evening. They had pooled their resources together to rent a three bedroom apartment for a few days. Dillon was so hyped up over it, he couldn’t stand it. A year ago, he never would have dreamed he’d ever go on a beach trip with friends. Hell, he’d never dreamed he’d have such awesome friends. It’s like Tony was the last piece to the group puzzle. Everyone liked him. He definitely didn’t act like a stuck up older guy.
It was still a surprise to him that his parents were ok with it. Dillon and the folks had discussed it at length for weeks beforehand, and they finally worked out a compromise. There were three criteria Dillon must meet, and if he met and maintained them, he could go. Firstly, Dillon needed to have at least five hundred dollars saved up in whatever form. They wanted him to work to earn it, to prove he can be responsible enough to save it up and not blow it on dumb shit. Secondly, he needed to have perfect blood sugars for the same amount of days he would be gone for in the weeks beforehand. That meant he needed to keep his sugars between eighty and one hundred fifty all day for four consecutive days. Finally, Dillon had to invite Tony to the Fourth of July, and at least one other dinner. Dillon understood the reasons behind all the criteria and found them to be reasonable.
Probably the most difficult part for him to complete, which he almost didn’t, were the perfect blood sugars. He would get so close, three, three and a half days in, but would have a random spike or dip because he miscounted a billionth of a carb. Dillon’s parents were dead serious, though. If all three criteria were not met beforehand, no trip for him. It wasn’t hard to save up the five hundred dollars, fortunately. In his neighborhood, there’s lots of kids that need to be watched and dogs that need to be walked. Also, he got the opportunity to work a few days in his tech school’s restaurant’s catering business before school let out for the summer. Now and then, their culinary class would cater events and such, and students could volunteer to work on the books. He had managed to save almost a hundred eighty dollars just from that.
The last one, surprisingly, had gone the smoothest. What Dillon thought would be a horribly uncomfortable and awkward situation turned out to be alright. Dillon invited Tony over to dinner a few weeks before the Fourth of July so he could meet just his parents. Despite the fact that Dillon was in the kitchen a large portion of the time, Tony held his own beautifully with his parents. When he came out with all the food, mom had her chin propped on her hand. She looked bored to tears as Tony and dad jabbered on excitedly about transmissions. Dillon cracked a grin and cocked an eyebrow at mom, and she just rolled her eyes.
“He’s an Aries, too! Kill me now!” She grumbled.
“Hey, Trace, even body mechanics should know this stuff! Although he seems to pick it up pretty quick. I’m impressed m’boy! You got a good head on your shoulders! Ahh, food time, Dillon?”
“What’s an Aries?” Tony asked innocently, which caused dad to crack up. Mom wasn’t amused.
“Jack, you shut it, or I’m gettin’ the skillet!” She pointed at him. “Men!” She went into the kitchen to help Dillon bring food out.
The night had gone very well from there. The food was awesome, and Dillon was happy to see Tony had thirds of most of it. Less leftovers to have to put away. They talked around the table for a couple hours, and after mom made coffee, they saw Tony off. Afterwards, Dillon’s parents sat him down, and gave him their decision on his friendship with Tony. He had been really nervous, worried they may have somehow found out about that. Every single time his parents summoned him to talk to him, he worried that that was the time they figured it out. It was stressful.
Dillon was unbelievably relieved when they both said they thought he was a great dude. Dad said Tony and Dillon reminded him of he and his buddy Scott in highschool. He had been several years older than Scott, so dad didn’t care much about his age. Mom was a bit concerned, especially because Tony was a smoker. Dad reminded her that he was as well, but Dillon wasn’t the kind of kid to fall to it. She still wasn’t sure how much she liked her kid around a twenty year old. Eventually though, she decided to give him a chance, because she liked him and he seemed to be a good enough influence.
They told Dillon that provided that July fourth went well and he met the other criteria, they’d let him go with Tony. He had already invited Tony to July fourth over at his place, which he accepted, and set to work to finish the other criteria. Dillon had been elated, and texted Tony as soon as he was alone. Read more »