Patsy Xiong
Location: Outside Camp Half-Blood
Patsy frowned out the widow of her father's car. She had her arms wrapped around her new duffel bag. They had bought it just a few days ago for this very reason. Patsy knew what she was growing up. She knew she was a demi-goddess. She knew about Camp Half-blood. She just never expected that she would be forced to go. In all her plans she saw herself at this moment in life at home waiting for her acceptance letters to go to a prestigious university. They she'd graduate with her doctorate. But now?
Patsy turned her gaze from the view to her father. Earlier this month he had been a hale, happy thirty-seven year old man. Now his face was lined and his hair greying. Over the past few days he had aged over ten years. Patsy could barely look at him anymore. The guilt, the knowledge that it was her fault laid heavily upon her. She had always known that she drove people away. Whether it was because of her intelligence or her personalty people always left. Even her mother didn't want her. And now? Now he was driving her own father away.
"It's just for the summer." Her father tried again. The two were barely on speaking terms after their argument over this summer camp. Patsy didn't want to go. But she had to because she might die if she didn't. It was stupid. What had the Gods ever done for her? Why couldn't they put their trust in modern medicine instead of hokum and voodoo? When she had told her father this he had yelled and cried a little. Medicine couldn't stop the seizures if they happened again. Medicine couldn't stop the damage from those seizures and he didn't want to loose her.
Instead of replying Patsy had stormed off and slammed the door to her room. Sure she understood where he was coming from. But what guarantee did she have that the Gods would hep her? It's not like her mother was tripping over herself to come help. Why should Patsy beg and grovel to someone who never waned her in the first place?
"Patsy." Her father sighed. The fifteen year old girl watched as her father's hand left the steering wheel to rub at his face. Patsy immediately drooped her eyes back down to look at her duffel.
"I love you sweetheart." He reached out and grabbed her hand. "I wouldn't be doing this if there was any other way. nd I'd never make you face this alone f I had a choice. you're my sweet baby girl and I. Will. Always. Love. You."
The emphasis on his love made Patsy's lip quiver and tears gather in her eyes. Her decision to hate her father wavering.
"
Just for the summer?" Patsy hated how small her voice sounded.
"Just for the summer and you'll never have to come back again."
"
Okay." Patsy took a deep breath and finally looked at her father. He looked worried but determined to put on a brave face. "
You better be here or I'll never forgive you."
In between one instant and the next her father had been just sitting there then he was hugging her like she was never coming back.
"I swear."
"
I gotta go." Patsy gave him an awkward pat on his back. Physical affection was never something the Xiong's were good at. It was a relief for them both when the moment was over. hough that meant Patsy had to get out of the car. She turned to frown back out the window.
"
Just this summer." Patsy muttered under her breath. She could do this. She could show those Gods that she didn't need them. That she didn't need anyone but herself. She's beat this, whatever it was, and she'd do it all on her own. She wouldn't beg. She wouldn't grovel and she sure as heck wasn't going to whine to her absentee mother about it. And she was never, ever going to give into her fears. Never.
Patsy popped on the door and climbed out. She dropped the duffel on the ground and turned back to her father.
"
I love you too." She said right before she chickened out of the overt display of affection. "
I'll be here if you're here." An unspoken assurance that she wouldn't die. With that she closed the car door, picked her duffel back up and headed for the tree line.
