Camping Tip Number Two : 'Heed the Advice of Friends'

"Camping in a tent?" Neela's brows furrowed in confusion. "That doesn't seem like your style."

"It's Luka's style," Abby said as she took a sip from her coffee cup. "It's least for now."

"I went camping once," Chuny offered from her seat at the table where she was absently thumbing through a magazine. "It rained the entire weekend." She looked up at Abby and laughed at her dismayed expression.

"Just remember to pack two of everything...and lots of plastic bags," she finished.

"I'd pack a charge card for a hotel room," Neela offered as she reached for the lounge door knob. She stepped back as the door was opened and Ray entered almost bumping into her.

"Hey, Neela," he said. "They're waiting for you in exam three. The little girl's parents are here."

"Thanks, Ray, " she said as passed through the door he held open for her. He headed for the refrigerator.

"Luka has been camping before, right?" Chuny asked. Abby shrugged.

"All the stuff is his and it's been used before. I think he's taken Alex...and Sam."

"Camping?" Ray said as he opened the refrigerator and took out his lunch bag. "Where are you going?"

"To a state park somewhere in Michigan."

"Lakeside or inland?" Ray grinned as Abby looked confused.

"Do you have any idea how many state parks there are in Michigan?" She shook her head and he frowned thoughtfully as he sat down at the table and unwrapped his sandwich.

"But I think it's along Lake Michigan somewhere," Abby offered.

"Hmmm...let's see...South Haven, Saugatuck, Holland, Grand Haven, Muskegon, Ludington, Traverse City, Charlevoix, Petosky and, my personal favorite, Mackinaw. Anything sound familiar?" He took a bite of his sandwich and grinned at their astonished faces.

"Big family, cheap vacation," he sighed as he took a bite of his sandwich. "My parents took us camping a lot when I was a kid." He chewed and then shook his finger at Abby.

"You are going to love waking up in a cozy sleeping bag with a stone cold nose. And there is nothing like the smell of bacon frying in a campground in the morning." He shook his head in fond remembrance and took another bite of his sandwich.

"I think it started with an 'm'," Abby said. "The campground, I mean."

"Muskegon?" Ray asked. Abby thought for a moment and then nodded. "Great beaches..." he added. "Sand like sugar...hard to walk on though. Take some sandals."

"That sounds real hopeful," Chuny grimaced. "Any serious shopping to be done there?" Ray snorted.

"Shopping? On a camping trip? Come on..."

"Well...what do you do with yourself all day?" Chuny sat back and crossed her arms.

" Play in the sand, go hiking, fishing, swim...there are no sharks in the Great Lakes," he offered. Abby laughed.

"That's true," she sighed and looked up at the clock.

"And when it rains?" Chuny asked. Ray shrugged.

"Crazy Eights, poker...gross each other out with body functions in a tent."

"Oohhh...Ray!" they both groaned. He snickered.

"Seriously, Abby," he said with a smile. "You'll be making some great memories."

"I could make good memories in a cruise ship!" Chuny said as she shook her head and stood up. She glanced back at Abby as she opened the lounge door.

"Remember what I said about packing two of everything...and a charge card!" Ray shook his head as she left.

"Naw..." he said. "Pack a sense of humor and a deck of cards. You'll be fine." He looked at Abby.

"My folks did it regularly with four kids for years," he said. 'We all survived to adulthood." Abby raised her eyebrows and glanced at his green Snow Patrol tee shirt under his white jacket. Ray looked down.

"Well...okay," he sighed. "Some of us are more adult than others." She laughed and stood up.

"Back to work," she sighed. "And thanks." Ray nodded and grinned as he watched her leave. Abby on a camping trip? That would be sight to behold. What in the world was Luka thinking?