Summer Camp – 1
"Don't worry mom, I'll be ok." Lizzie said as she hugged her mom goodbye. Lizzie was about to go to soccer camp. "It's only for 2 weeks." She let go of her mom who was still holding on. "I know lizard, but I'm gonna miss you." Lizzie giggled. "I'll miss you too kiddo." Casey wrapped her arms around her sister. "I'll miss you too Case." They let go of their hug.
On the other side of the parking lot Derek Venturi was giving his brother, Edwin, a fist pound. "See ya Ed." Edwin laughed at the fact his brother would give him directions to do his laundry. "Don't screw up Derek, Nora really wants you to keep an eye on Lizzie." George warned his son. "Dad, I can handle a little responsibility." Derek said sincerely. "I'll see you in 2 weeks." He handed Edwin a piece of paper. "What's this?" Edwin asked. "Rules, 1. Keep Casey out of my room." Edwin laughed. "I'll make sure bro." He dared to hug Derek again. "Bye Ed." Derek went onto the buse and Lizzie went onto hers. They were about to head to Summer Camp.
Back at the McDonald-Venturi house Casey was watching tv when Marti jumped on her lap. "Casey I'm sad." Casey looked down at Marti who looked as if she'd been crying. "What's wrong Marti?" Marti hugged her step-sister. "I miss Smerek and Lizzie." She let go of Casey. "It's ok, there's still me, and Edwin, and George, and mom. Look." She reached to the other side of the couch. "Sir Monks A lot is smiling." She handed the monkey to Marti. "Ok Casey, It's only for a little while." She jumped off her step-sisters lap and ran up the stairs. "She's so cute." Casey said. Meanwhile, Edwin sat down on the couch. "Sup Casey?" Casey wasn't sure how to respond to the question. She was fine but sad at the same time. "Ok." A good in-between answer. "Well that's good." She looked at Edwin wondering why he was acting weird. "Are you ok Edwin?" He pondered the question. "I guess." Casey turned off the TV and faced him. "I guess? Don't you mean no or yes?" Edwin was confused. "I'm not sure." She nodded her head for him to continue. "I'm sad cause Lizzie AND Derek are gone." He stopped as if he forgot what else he was going to say. Casey felt her big sister radar kicking in. "Do you hang out sometime or something?" Edwin looked at her. "It seems to me that you're lonely." It was right. "We could go to…." She couldn't think of anywhere. Edwin got an idea. "What about Smelly Nelly's? Sally's back from college for the summer." They hadn't seen Sally since she visited for March Break one day. "Sure we can go for lunch."