Secrets Revealed Pt. I Ch. 03

"Shut up and eat it before it melts," Patrice said, now eating a spoonful herself.

We shared the treat until it was all gone, then she topped it off with a sweet kiss that quickened my heartbeat. I started to pull her closer to me, but she instead was pulling a small square envelope out of her pocket. As she did, she looked around hurriedly to be sure we were alone.

"Letter from your boyfriend? He's proposing and you're dumping me?" I asked, joking.

She broke the briefest smile but then got serious.

"I got a letter from Trip," she said.

"You got a letter from Trip? Abby's Trip?"

"Yes, exactly. I'm not sure what to make of this," she said in a tone that revealed she was deep in thought.

"He heard from Abby how wonderful you are and he's proposing to you?" I tried again.

She looked up from the letter, directly into my eyes. Her expression told me to stop the joking. I nodded that I understood and waited for Patrice to explain.

"He says he's coming to see Abby in two weekends," she started.

"Yeah, Abby already told us that," I agreed.

"He wants to know if we can go with her to meet him at the airport. He wants to take Abby for lunch in town and he's not staying overnight. He wants us to be there. He says Abby might want us there."

I waited for Patrice to continue. She didn't.

"And?" I inquired.

"And, that's all there is. He asks me to be there to have lunch with them. He wants to be sure I can make it."

Patrice thought for a few moments, reading over the words on the paper again.

"I'm not sure what to make of this," she finally said, repeating her earlier statement.

"Me, either. Think he's going to propose and he wants her best friend there to share in the moment?" I suggested.

"I don't know. If he's going to propose, then why isn't he staying the night?"

"You think it's something else, don't you?"

Patrice looked at me as fear and sadness overcame her features.

"Oh, God! Do you think he wants us there because he's coming to break up with her?"

Patrice was starting to tear up as she said that.

"Abby did say he didn't seem to have such a good time on his last visit," I thought out loud.

When I looked up, Patrice was looking intently at me, as if analyzing my every word.

"Shit. I hope I'm wrong. I really hope I'm wrong," she said.

"Whatever the reason, we have to be there for her. Unless... do you want to go alone?"

"No way. Whatever this is, I want you there, too. It's on Saturday morning, two weekends from now. Will you do it?" Patrice asked.

"For Abby? Sure. I'll be there," I agreed.

Patrice hugged me.

"I only hope I'm wrong and this is something good," she said over my shoulder.

I could hear the sniffles. I nodded in agreement with her statement.

"You can't let Abby see you like this. I mean, he probably didn't tell her he was asking you to be there, right?"

"I don't think so," Patrice said, scanning the letter one more time. "Here. He says he's going to ask her to ask us to go with her so he and his friend can meet us."

"It feels like we're being dishonest," I said.

"I know," Patrice agreed. "No, we're not. We're doing this to be there when Abby needs us. Whether for good or bad, we'll be there for her. I want to do it for her. It's the right thing to do."

I nodded my assent. Patrice folded the letter and slipped it into the pocket of her shorts. I put my arm around her and led her behind the dining hall towards the lake. A walk would help her calm down. I knew if Abby saw her looking like that, she'd know something was up.

Patrice dropped the empty cup and plastic spoon into a trashcan as we passed the dining hall, the container making an empty clunk as it hit the bottom. It was a sound as melancholy as we felt. We walked all the way around the lake, enjoying the solitude and finally returning to her bunkhouse well after dark. I kissed her on the cheek and watched her go in. The lights were still on and the sounds of activity told me nobody had settled down for the night yet. I walked back to my bunkhouse, wondering what the letter really meant.

I knew Patrice well enough that I could tell she was under stress keeping the secret letter from Abby. Abby got another letter two days later and asked us to go with her to meet Trip. Of course, we agreed. We even tried to look happy at the prospect. I just hoped our assumptions were wrong. I tried to think it through. Abby seemed happy, yet she didn't. It was like she knew deep down that their relationship was having problems and she didn't want to recognize the signs.

That Saturday finally arrived. Abby was wearing a sundress to go meet Trip for lunch. She looked really pretty and I couldn't imagine anyone wanting to break up with her. I was beginning to convince myself that we were wrong, that this was something good. Maybe Trip just wanted to meet her friends after all.

We took my car and drove up to the airport, arriving a few minutes early. This time, I had no trouble finding the FBO. Lisa was behind the counter and smiled immediately when she recognized us.

"Meeting your boyfriend again, Abby?" she asked.

"Yes, he's coming to visit today."

Just as Abby spoke, a call came in over the radio.

"That's Paul!" Abby squealed. "They're here!"

"He's just asking for weather information," Lisa explained. "They're still not ready to land."

Then she picked up a microphone and starting jabbering about wind direction and other things that meant nothing to me. When she finished, she put the microphone down and looked back to Abby.

"He'll be landing in about five minutes."

Abby looked excited and nervous. I just felt nervous. I guess whatever was going to happen, this was it. I reached for Patrice's hand and held it tightly. Her palm was sweaty.

We heard an airplane engine approach outside a few minutes later. Abby ran out the door but stood close to the building as she waved to the two guys inside the tiny plane. The passenger smiled and waved back. The pilot looked like he was busy with whatever it is that pilots do.

The engine shut down and the passenger's door popped opened.

"Trip!" Abby called out as she skipped over to greet him.

So this was Trip. I assumed the pilot was his friend, Paul. We walked slowly over to the plane. By the time we got there, Abby was kissing Trip. The other guy had gotten out and walked around.

Abby looked back for us.

"Patrice, Tim, this is Trip," she said. She was gushing. I hoped I was wrong about his intentions.

"Hi, Patrice. It's nice to meet you. Abby talks about you all the time." Then, reaching for my hand, "Tim, I hear good things about you, too." Trip was being very polite and friendly.

"And this dashing fellow is Paul," Abby said, indicating the pilot.

"Hi, Paul," I said, shaking his hand.

Paul seemed reserved. Maybe he knew something we didn't know. Trip, however, was acting like he was glad to see Abby. At least I hoped it wasn't an act.

Trip wanted to take all of us to lunch in town and he asked me to drive. We piled into my car, with Abby between Paul and Trip in the backseat. I asked where Trip wanted to go.

"Someplace really nice. It's my treat," Trip said.

I looked over my shoulder at him to see if he really meant that.

"Don't worry about the cost. I'm paying for it," he assured me.

As he said it, he looked me in the eye and it was like he was trying to tell me something without Abby hearing. I gave a quick nod.

I drove to a place I knew from when I was at school. I didn't get to go there often but I thought it would be what Trip wanted. When we got into the restaurant, Trip left Abby with Patrice and went to speak to the hostess. She nodded and Trip motioned for Abby to follow them. I started to follow as well but Paul touched me on the arm.

"Trip wants to talk to Abby alone. We're going to get another table."

"What is going on here?" I asked Paul.

Patrice looked expectantly to Paul as well. Paul drew a deep breath, looked up to be sure Abby and Trip were out of earshot and looked into my eyes. I thought for a moment he was going to answer my question.

"Trip is here to have a talk with Abby. I think it's best that you get your answer from her."

I looked at the guy in shock. He had just refused to answer my question.

"Come on, Abby's our friend. What gives?" I asked Paul as we followed the hostess.

We were shown to a table that was far enough away from Abby and Trip that we couldn't hear what they were saying, but we could figure it out. Trip's friend wasn't telling us what was going on, but his refusal was all the answer we needed. We were close enough to watch them. As soon as we sat, Paul looked over the menu.

"Order whatever you want. Trip is paying for it."

"When?" I asked.

Paul stopped hiding behind the menu.

"He's probably going to wait until they get their food," Paul said, looking towards his friend.

I took Patrice's hand and addressed Paul.

"Look, I'm sorry. We're not angry with you. Abby is our friend. We care about her."

"She's my girlfriend's best friend, too. Trip is my best friend. This is hard for me, too," Paul explained.

"So why the visit? Why not just do it in a letter?" I asked.

"That's not Trip's way. He has too much class for that. He had to do it in person." Paul sighed. "You have to know Trip."

The waitress had taken their order. It was like waiting for a train wreck. I didn't really feel like eating anything and I was sure Patrice felt the same way. She was still holding tightly onto my hand.

I could see that Trip was telling Abby something. Her smile was starting to fade. Trip's expression was grim. Then, it happened. Abby's face dropped. Patrice tightened her grip on my hand as it looked like Abby was starting to cry. She didn't scream. She didn't curse at him. She nodded but we could see she was trying hard to contain herself. To his credit, Trip looked like he was really sorry.

"This is hard for him, too, you know," Paul said, not taking his eyes off his friends.

"Why?" I asked.

"Does it matter?" Paul replied.

"Yes, it does. It matters to us. Abby is our friend."

"So be a friend to her this afternoon. She'll need a friend today."

I started to say something about that but stopped myself. I didn't really know any of them. I barely knew Abby and I had just met Trip and Paul. There would be no point arguing the point with Paul. He was obviously not going to tell us what we wanted to know. He was loyal to Trip. In an hour or so, these two guys would fly off into the empty sky while Patrice and I would still be here to help Abby pull herself back together.

Our food came but we just picked at it. Abby finally looked our way and said something to Trip. He nodded slowly. Abby got up and walked over to our table.

"Do you want to leave?" I asked her.

It hurt inside to see her so sad. She was fighting to keep her emotions under control. She shook her head.

"Let's go to the restroom," Patrice offered.

Abby nodded, still not saying anything, and the two girls left together.

Alone at the table with Paul, I didn't say anything and neither did he. This was so uncomfortable. I felt like he was from the enemy camp but I wasn't sure what he had done wrong. Paul was watching his friend. Trip shrugged at us but stayed at the table waiting for Abby to return. It did look like he had a lot of class. I doubted I'd have the courage to do what he was doing.

The girls took a long time to come back. When they did, Abby was clutching a handful of Kleenex and her face betrayed that she had been crying. Patrice had her arm around Abby. When they got to her table, Abby sat down and Patrice gave Trip a hard look. Trip looked like he was going to say something to Patrice but he didn't. When she sat down next to me, I could see that Patrice had been crying, too.

"Why doesn't she want to leave?" I asked Patrice.

"I'm not sure. She said—" and then she looked to Paul.

Paul squirmed in his chair. It was apparent that he knew how we felt about him. I spoke up.

"Look, it's not your fault. I know this is uncomfortable for you. It's tough on all of us," I tried to explain.

Paul smiled wanly and said, "Thanks."

"Do you understand what Abby is going through?" I asked him, maybe a little too harshly.

"Yes, I do," he said flatly. Then, after a few moments, "I went through something like this not too long ago. I know exactly how she feels." After a shuddering sigh, he added, "Trip knows how she feels, too."

Paul's face showed that his thoughts were distant, focused on another place, or maybe another person. I thought he was going to add something else, but Paul didn't say anymore. After a few minutes of trying to eat, Trip got up and walked over to our table.

"Abby wants to leave. I'm sorry. Can we go now?" he asked, looking very sad.

"Sure, let's get out of here," I said gruffly.

Trip found the waitress, had our unfinished meals boxed up, and paid the bill. While he was taking care of all that, the rest of us walked out to my car. Patrice guided Abby into the back seat. Paul looked at me, thinking about something.

"I'll sit in the back," he offered.

I realized what he was thinking. Abby probably wouldn't want to sit next to Trip right then.

When Trip came out, he was carrying two large bags. He saw the arrangement in the car and got into the front seat. He handed one of the bags to the back seat.

"Where to, now?" I asked him.

Trip looked at Abby in the backseat, sighed, and said sadly, "I guess take us back to the airport."

I nodded and complied. When I stopped at their plane, Paul and Trip got out. Abby got out, too, much to my surprise. Paul went into the office for a few minutes.

"Trip!" Abby called.

He turned around. Patrice and I could hear them from inside the car.

"Can't we give it another try?" she asked, tears now streaming down her face.

"Abby, we talked about this. It's just not going to work. I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry. I've thought a lot about it and ... I can't see any other way."

Abby hugged him. He stiffly put his arms around her, but didn't hold her as tightly as her arms held onto him. He patted her back softly. Paul came out, stopped and looked at what was happening, and began checking things on the plane.

"Abby, I'll always treasure our time together, I'll always want to be your friend, but I'm not in love with you."

Abby spoke rapidly, "How can you say that, Trip? What do you want me to do? I'll do anything, I'll, I'll try anything." She nodded but Trip only shook his head. "Really, I can," she tried to assure him, her eyes wide.

"I'm not asking you to change for me, Abs. It's not about that—and I would never ask you to do that."

"I would do it! I would," she said, the pleading evident in her eyes. I could clearly see tears streaming down her face.

Trip took a deep breath and it looked like he was steeling himself. "It's not about you. It's me." It looked like it took him a lot of effort to say that. Abby looked into his eyes, looked for something that wasn't going to be there ever again.

"Abby, it's over," Trip said reluctantly, taking Abby's arms from around his shoulders. "I'll be there in the fall, but not as your boyfriend." Then he kissed her on the cheek.

She stood there, tears streaming down both cheeks, as Trip got into the plane. The engine started up and Patrice got out to stand beside Abby. They watched the plane taxi away. Patrice tried to get Abby into the car but she insisted on waiting until the plane had taken off. She waved as it went by overhead before getting in the car.

On the drive back to camp, both girls sat in the backseat. Patrice asked her why she waved at the plane and that brought on a wave of mixed emotions. Abby was sad, angry, lonely, despondent, and even down right pissed off. There were lots of, "I don't understand," and "Why?" and other things girls say at that time. Patrice let her get it all out. By the time we stopped in the parking lot of Camp Kisatchie, Abby wasn't crying anymore but she didn't look any happier.

We took the food from the restaurant out by the lake (the camp was just about deserted for the weekend) and had a picnic. I got us some drinks from the dining hall and we ate off by ourselves next to a tree. Or, rather, we tried to eat. Nobody really felt very hungry after what had happened so we picked at the food.

Patrice stayed with Abby the rest of the afternoon, trying to be the big sister she needed so badly that day. Abby was devastated over losing Trip but she was dealing with it. I gave them some time alone but checked in on them from time to time.

The next week was hard on Abby but she got through it. She put on a brave face and managed to be cheery when she was with the kids. Patrice told me that late at night, in their room, Abby was still crying herself to sleep.

To be continued in Chapter 4

This story is Copyright © 2006 by Strickland83. All rights reserved.

Abby, Trip and Paul appear courtesy of Nick Scipio. The Summer Camp characters and universe are

Copyright © 2002-2006 Nick Scipio.