Welcome to Camp Wannakukka! A special place for fathers and their sons. Camp Wannakukka provides a safe, relaxing environment for men who wish to bond with their young sons in a very unique and permanent way. At Camp Wannakukka, we hope that the bonds forged here will last a lifetime.
It isn't uncommon for fathers and sons to develop different interests. Some might even argue that it's healthy. Theo has had a love for horses since high school and the camp just so happens to have a stable stocked with some of the finest breeding studs.
You know what they say: Save the cowboy. Ride a horse!
This is a 2,300 word short story and part 4 of a 12-part series.
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Excerpt
“Can I ask a question?”
Dad smirked. He was in the middle of chewing on a bite of scrambled eggs, which were so moist and fluffy that they had to be artificial. I had already been assured that wasn't the case, though. Given how the staff member smiled, it must have been a question they heard a lot.
“Better than anyone I know,” he replied cheekily, spearing another bite of eggs on his fork. “What's up?”
I looked away from Daddy and down at my own plate. We were having breakfast in the Mess Hall. As always, the food was absolutely delicious. Gaining weight in this place was inevitable. I was going to have to hit the gym to work off the extra pounds.
“I was…” I said, pausing. “Thinking about signing up for horseback riding.”
My old high school had an equestrian club. I was a member right up until I graduated. And, damn, but I missed those horses! I missed them more than some of my old friends!
But then, I was kinda weird that way.
“Go for it,” Daddy said at once. “I can tell you're already excited.”
“Really?” I wanted to make sure. “You don't mind. I know how you are about horses…”
Daddy’s grandpa owned a horse ranch. When he was about four or five, a horse he was riding got spooked and threw him off. Dad never wanted to ride a horse again. The fact that he couldn't ride a horse very well and knew almost nothing about them was something his grandpa teased him about until the day he died.
“Son, I've said it before.” Daddy paused to take a drink of his orange juice. “Just because I had a rough time, that's no reason for you to pass on it. I know you love horses. Take advantage of that while you're here.”
I smiled. “Okay,” I said. “I think I will. So long as you don't mind me, you know, doing my own thing for a while.”
“It's okay for you to have your own interests,” Daddy said, looking me straight in the eye. “I'm happy for you.”
Hearing Daddy say that made me blush. “Thanks, Daddy!” I said, getting excited at the thought of being able to ride horses again.
I decided to go straight to the stables after breakfast. Lucky for me, all of the roads had signs and markers for guests to follow. I found the route I needed and started walking, figuring I would be back at the cabin with Daddy in about an hour.