The story begins on Friday, May 17th, 2024, as a mutual friend gathers a group together for a camping trip with the goal of introducing some non-campers to the great outdoors.
The next two days were filled with campfire conversations, dancing, games, and cooking. With each activity, Brandon and Phiona began to form a connection, a bond, which unbeknownst to them, would eventually become unbreakable.
As the sun fell below the horizon Sunday evening, Brandon started to pack up his things, needing to return home a day earlier than the rest of the group to work the holiday shift. Back to responsibility. Back to his quiet life.
Sitting by the fire with her book, Phiona was suddenly aware of how fleeting their moments together had been. She looked away from her book and into the smouldering coals of the fire.
“I guess I’ll never see you again,” she said, her voice sassy but also carrying a heavier undertone.
Brandon paused, and for a moment all other voices around the fire faded to distant echoes. He looked at her.
“That’s not true.”
“… How do you know?”
“Trust me.”
—
Upon arriving home in Ottawa later that night, Brandon sat for a moment with his hands on the steering wheel. Then before unpacking a single thing, he reached for his phone and sent one text…
Phiona was among the first to arrive early that evening. The day was still warm and full of potential as the campers erected their tents and settled into the peace and quiet of the Rideau Lakes campground.
Brandon arrived shortly after sunset, as light rain began to fall. He offered a few quick greetings and hurried to get set up before the rain could soak his gear.
With his tent set up, Brandon found his place around the fire with the rest of the group.
Over the next few hours, the rain tapered off and the group enjoyed their first meal together under the stars. Conversations, music, and dancing let the hours slip by unnoticed.
The weekend was off to a great start.
