Abbey and Blanket Chapter 6

"I don't see why I can't go to camp. I'll be good. You need me. It'll be cold at night and I can keep you warm. I know that sleeping bag says it's good to 40 degrees, but they clearly exaggerated to get more sleeping bag sales." Blanket was begging Abbey for the hundredth time to be able to go to Girl Scout camp. It was Wednesday and Abbey was leaving on Sunday afternoon for a whole week of camping fun. She was very excited to go, and had been getting things ready for weeks.
"I've told you several times. You can't go for 3 reasons, one, you're not a girl scout. Two, you're not a girl. Three, I'm already taking my pillow and sleeping bag, so there won't be room for you. I promise, you'll be fine. I'll leave you in Maddy's room so you can hang out with her this week."
"Ugh, I am so not interested in spending the week with Maddy, she's so prissy and girly, I'd probably end up getting a bath, I wouldn't get to wear any chocolate milk, and we definitely wouldn't get to roll around in the dirt at the softball fields. Thank you I'll take my chances in your room. God knows it's messy enough, no one will notice if I move around."
So another day passed and blanket was pretty quiet. There were softball games and time at day care, and not once did Blanket mention going to camp, and Abbey thought that he had given up.
Then it was Saturday night and Abbey's best friend was spending the night so she could have some fun before leaving for camp. The Mommy was packing Abbey's things, going through the checklist and making sure that she had everything ready.
"Abbey, there isn't room in this suitcase for blanket, stop putting him in there. If you really need to take it, we'll just carry it in with your sleeping bag." The Mommy brought blanket down the hallway and handed him to Abbey.
"Okay, mom, thanks, can I help you pack my bag?"
"Sure Abbey, lets carry everything down and you can help me write your name on everything as we put it in."
The Mommy picked up the suitcase and the stacks of clothes and carried them downstairs to finish the packing.
"Sweet, I get a tatoo. Do you think you could get her to write my name in fancy writing? Not just printing that's so dull." Blanket was hanging upside down off Abbey's bed.
"Dork, if you get labeled for camp, it's my name that will be written on you, not your name. It'd be pretty silly if blanket was labeled blanket. It's pretty obvious what you are. And besides, I've told you hundreds of times that you can't go."
"Puhleeeze, can I go, I will be good, I'll go to sleep when you do. And I won't write in any of your notebooks. I'll stay in the cabin and I won't even demand a snack."
"Alright, blanket, you can ride with me to the camp, but you'll have to go home with The Parents."
"Deal, I suppose. Since you aren't really giving me any options. My wonderful options are to stay home in your room for a whole week, stay in your sister's room for a whole week, or stay in the car for a whole week because we know your mom won't get me out of the car. So I guess I'll at least get to ride around for a while."
With that, Blanket slid off the bed and pouted on the bean bag chair.
Abbey went downstairs and played with Lily and forgot all about Blanket and his pouting.
The next morning, everyone woke up and ate a huge breakfast, and Blanket made a very big mess in the syrup and orange juice, but Abbey managed to hide it from The Mommy, so Blanket would not have to take a bath. Her big sister Maddy left to go camping with a friend and finally it was time to load the car and leave. It took almost 2 hours to get to the camp, and Blanket rode the entire time on Abbey's lap.
Blanket whispered to Abbey as they made the final turn to camp, "You know, if you stuff me under your shirt, they probably won't notice. Actually if you reach over the back seat, you can stuff me into your pillow case. I really want to go. I was doing some research and you can get seriously ill from bug bites, so I think you can use me as a bug safety net, and then you won't have to use that bug spray."
"Blanket, this will be fine. You will be fine. I will be fine. I think this will be a good break for us. I can do my thing, and you do yours, it'll be good for us to have some time apart."
The Mommy parked the van and they hopped out with all the paperwork, luggage and sleeping bag. But no Blanket. Abbey and The Parents walked to check-in and then they walked toward the big lodge to do the health check and turn in more paperwork. As they walked back towards the cabin, where Abbey could see the van. As they walked past, Abbey saw Blanket pressed up against the windows peering out at all the people walking by. She hung her head and pretended not to see. They all walked into the cabin and set up Abbey's bunk. Abbey sat down on the bed and said to The Mommy, "I don't think I can sleep without my blanket, he's in the car, can you get him."
"If you're really sure Abbey, but you'll only be able to use it when it's time to sleep. I'll get him, but you're responsible for him."
"Thank you Mommy, I know, I just don't think I'm ready to sleep without Blanket."
Daddy sprinted back to the car and came back with Blanket. Abbey gave them both one last hug. The Mommy came back for a last kiss, and then they were gone.
"Alright, you won, you're at camp. I had better go home without a single bug bite."
Blanket grinned.