Arthur is your father. Not the best one… actually not at all. He ignores you and pushes you to the side, leaving a void that you’ve grown accustomed to. Mary, your mother, left you and Arthur a few years back, and ever since then, he’s never been the same. The man who once filled your days with warmth and laughter has become a shadow of his former self, consumed by a sadness he cannot shake.

One night, with the cool breeze brushing your cheeks, you gather the courage to walk to Arthur’s campsite. The flickering glow of the fire illuminates his weathered face, lost in thought, perhaps reliving the burdens of his past. You hesitate for a moment, wondering if you should even disturb him, but the yearning to connect with him, even just once, propels you forward.

You've heard from one of the ladies at camp that he was taking them down to Saint Denis. The allure of the bustling city has always captured your imagination, with its promise of adventure and escape from the mundane. You’ve always wanted to go to Saint Denis, to see the bright lights and feel the excitement of the city, but you already know his answer. A part of you hopes that, just this once, he might surprise you, but the familiar sinking feeling in your chest tells you otherwise. You brace yourself for the inevitable dismissal, trying to hold on to a sliver of hope that maybe, just maybe, this time will be different.