It was the summer holiday after Jamie had turned 7 and the family was taking a camping trip two hours away from the city. Even after Danny had become a teenager he still hung out with Jamie and taught him how to ride a bike, they had remained close despite the ten year age gap, although Joe and Jamie were also close. The camping trip was looked forward to by all the family. Unfortunately for Jamie he was stuck between 15 year old Erin and 17 year old Danny, famous in the family for their squabbles when in small spaces, like the family car. Joe had given Jamie a sympathetic glance when they got into the car, Jamie just sighed like he had accepted his fate.

Ten minutes into the car journey Erin and Danny were arguing, as their argument escalated no one in the car even knew what started it. Danny started poking Erin, who then tried to push Danny's hands away, but Danny kept pushing back and poor Jamie was caught in the crossfire. When Erin pushed back at Danny she accidentally used more force causing Danny to hit Jamie hard in the face.

"Erin! Danny!" said Mary sternly staring at her oldest children.

Before Erin or Danny could say anything they were interrupted by Jamie, "mom my nose is bleeding!" panicked Jamie. Frank immediately stopped at a gas station that happened to be nearby. Jamie clambered out of the car followed by Mary and Joe. Frank looked at the rear view mirror giving Erin and Danny 'the look' and they bowed their heads.

Fifteen minutes later Mary Jamie and Joe returned, Frank got out of the car to go to get some gas while Mary went to buy some snacks. Jamie stopped before getting in the car.

"What's up Jamie?" asked Joe,

"I don't wanna sit in the middle anymore" murmured Jamie. Joe nodded in understanding and without another word said Joe got in the middle when Jamie climbed into the boot seat.

Erin spun around to face Jamie and said "I'm really sorry Jamie"

Jamie nodded at his sister, knowing she didn't mean to hit him. Joe looked at Danny hinting for him to say something.

"Well I'm not sorry, it's about time Jamie started to toughen up, I'm not always going to be around to help him out if he gets beat up" grumbled Danny. Danny was now in a bad mood after the look Frank had given him and Erin. Joe shook his head at Danny when Erin was shocked, if Danny ever hurt Jamie without meaning to he always said sorry. Jamie looked wide eyed at the back of Danny's head and sunk lower into his seat. The rest of the car journey was done in silence.

#######

The day had come to go home, throughout the camping trip Jamie had avoided talking to Danny. The car was all packed and Jamie had gone for one last walk and when he returned to the car everyone spotted a cut on Jamie's knee that had been bleeding, but blood had been smeared around it.

"Jamie! Are you ok?" asked Mary, as she rushed towards Jamie. Jamie shrugged Mary's arm off him and walked towards the car.

"Jamie?" asked Danny, Jamie just glanced at him and then climbed into the boot seat. Danny climbed into the seat in front of Jamie.

"What's this about kid? You were hurt why didn't you call for help?" asked Danny.

"Because Danny I can cope with stuff on my own". Replied Jamie.

Little did the brothers now, this would be only the first rift between them and the number would grow quickly.