It was rare the Anderson's got to go on a family vacation. So when Mr. and Mrs. Anderson had sat four-year old Blaine and twelve-year old Cooper down on the living room couch they both were buzzing with excited curiosity.
John Anderson looked distractedly at his cell phone as Chloe smiled at her two sons.
"Boys your father and I have exciting news!" She said with a bit too much enthusiasm.
"Are we finally sending Blainey to the circus where he belongs?" Cooper asked as he tickled Blaine's ribs.
The small boy let out a loud laugh. "COOOPER! I don't belong in the circus! Only clowns like you get to go to the circus!"
Cooper laughed and mussed Blaine's curls. "I guess your right buddy."
"Alright boys settle down, your mother is trying to tell you something." John spoke up as he looked up momentarily from his phone.
Their father's stern voice immediately settled the boys as Chloe began to speak again.
"Boys, your father and I have decided to take a family camping trip."
"CAMPING!" Blaine shrieked as he started to bounce up and down on the couch.
"Blaine! No jumping on the furniture!" John's voice rose above the four-year olds excitement.
Blaine immediately stopped and curled into Cooper's side. Cooper put an arm around his brother and gave him a reassuring smile.
"Sounds awesome! When do we leave?" Cooper asked trying to distract Blaine from the sting of his father's reprimands.
"We are going this weekend. We will leave early Friday morning, your father and I will be taking off work. Isn't that exciting boys?" Chloe said forcing a smile.
"Ya, that's great mom. We can't wait!" Cooper replied. "Isn't that exciting Blainers?"
Blaine nodded his head afraid that any other reaction would illicit a harsh reaction from his father.
When there parents left the room to take important phone calls or to check their email Cooper pulled Blaine into his lap, he bent down low and began to whisper in his brother's ear.
"Blaine, don't worry about mom and dad. This is going to be the best camping trip ever."
Blaine looked up at his brother with wide eyes. "Promise?"
"Ya, I promise." Cooper said standing up from the couch. "Now, how about we go start to pack?"
Blaine nodded as he hugged Cooper's neck. "Can I bring my Spiderman backpack?"
"Only if I can bring my Batman one." Cooper teased.
Blaine nodded before jumping out of Cooper's arms. "Cooper let's race!" He cried as his little legs ran towards the stairs.
Cooper laughed as he chased Blaine up the stairs.
The car ride to the campsite seemed to last forever. Luckily Blaine feel asleep about an hour in so Cooper didn't have to worry about keeping a four-year old occupied while his parents "concentrated on the road".
Finally by mid-afternoon the car pulled to a stop in front of a small camping ground.
"Are we here?" Cooper asked looking out the windows of the car.
"Yes Cooper we are here. I am going to check us in and then we will drive to our campsite." Chloe said as she slid out of the car and walked into the small camp store. "Dad, will the campsite be by the lake I wan.." Cooper began before he was shushed by his father.
"Cooper, please be quite I am on the phone."
Cooper sunk back into the seat with a sigh. As much as he loved the fact that his parents had brought him and Blaine camping he knew it wouldn't matter where they were. Their parents would still be the same absent parents who made work their priority.
After a few minutes Chloe finally emerged from the camp store with a small bag of supplies and a map in hand. She got in the car and started to direct her husband to the campsite.
Cooper was surprised how far the site was from the main part of camp. The finally pulled up to a small clearing about a mile away from the camp store. Their camp site was surrounded by woods and seemed to be the only one out this far. John and Chloe got out of the car and started to unpack. "Cooper, can you wake Blaine up and have him help you set up your tent?" Chloe asked as she pulled out her suitcase.
"Sure mom." Cooper said with a smile. Cooper stroked his brother's cheek softly. "Hey B, wake up. We're here."
Blaine squirmed against the seat before his eyes fluttered open. "Coo?" he murmured.
"Ya, Blainey. You need to wake up we are here."
Blaine shot up quickly. "Camping?"
Cooper laughed. "Ya, camping. Now come on I need your help setting up our tent."
Blaine's eyes widened in excitement as he crawled across the seat and out of the car, as he got out he looked back at Cooper who was still in the car; "Cooper! Come on! We are camping!"
"Alright Blainers. I am coming."