Charlene wasn’t used to lying, so she was surprised how good she was at it. She had only the smallest tinge of guilt and only if she thought about it too long.
She picked up her backpack as she saw the bus approaching and headed down the stairs.
Her mom looked up from her laptop as she came down the stairs.
“Did you remember the bug spray? Your jacket?”
“It’s eighty five, mom, but I have them both,” Charlie answered.
Charlie gave her mom a half hug, “I’ll check in if I can.”
Her mom stood and hugged her back a whole hug, kissing her forehead, “Be careful out there, and have fun.”
Charlie and her family live in Nebraska, and Charlie is heading to study the Sandhill Cranes that congregate in the Spring.
Or at least that’s what her parents think.
Charlie’s dad comes in from the garage when he sees the bus pull up.
“Are you sure you’re going to survive for a week without your phone?”
It’s more like how will her dad survive without being able to text her funny memes, so Charlie just laughs and kisses him on the cheek.
“I’ll survive,” she says, “I probably won’t even think about my phone, except when I wish I could take a picture.”
The bus honks.
“Gotta go! Love you!” And Charlie is out the door, free.
Dr. Daisy Moss drives the bus. She insists on it, and so everyone let’s her even though they’re sure she could be working on something else like curing diabetes or cancer.
Charlie’s best friend Ally is already on the bus, and Charlie slides in next to her. At sixteen, the only time they’ve ever been without their parents for any extended amount of time was church camp.
Megan, one of the non doctor staff, hands her a packet, “to read tonight once you’re settled”, but Charlie can’t resist reading it right away.
NickNackPaddyWhack-ed 