The parents canceled the reservation for Sept 1st-3rd on August 31st, the day before the two of them were supposed to go camping. I think it’s safe to assume that they canceled because they found out Brian was on his way back, especially since they turned around and rebooked for the three of them a couple of days after he got home. I imagine they didn’t get much of a refund, if any, by canceling at the last minute. Sure, there could have been another reason, but this one makes a lot of sense. Son is coming home early (and alone) from a trip that was supposed to last months longer, and he’s driving all across the country by himself, so let’s stay home and make sure he’s ok.