“Oh, yeah.This one’s my favorite brand.”Tiana giggles at the compliment.Of course she is—the brand ambassador for that swimwear.
“Uh-huh, someone’s playing favorites with the brand they represent,” I tease, making both of them laugh.
We start climbing the narrow stairs toward the top of the giant slide on the cruise ship.The air is thick with salt and the sound of ukulele music drifting from a nearby speaker.It doesn’t take long before Tiana starts talking about her modeling career, until she gets to the part where she left her old agency.
“Why’d you move out?”I ask.
“Hm, I don’t even know where to start.They said the agency’s owner wasn’t fit to lead anymore.Too controlling, too restrictive.”
We reach the top.Mallory goes first, her scream echoing across the deck and setting us off laughing.
“Oh, that’s a shame.She needs a new job if she can’t see your potential.”I shrug.
“Ms.Lola probably has dementia or something.I don’t get why she’s so stubborn and won’t just retire already.”Tiana sits at the edge, waiting to make sure Mallory’s cleared the bottom.
“Hm, maybe she just needs a little push.”
I give Tiana a playful shove, and she slides down with a long, delighted scream that melts into laughter halfway through.
* * *
June, 2025
“I’m sorry for troubling you, sir.”
“It’s no problem, ma’am.Think of me as someone who just likes seeing people get the help they need.”I walk Ms.Lola up to the front of her house.
“You’re an angel.I’m sorry for my negligence.If you hadn’t brought me home, I’d still be wandering the streets like a drunken beggar.”She waves her hands, grunting and muttering under her breath.
“That’s the least I could do.Besides, this summer’s brutal.Last year, I could still enjoy the giant slide on the ferry cruise with my friends.Now I can’t even step outside without five layers of sunscreen.”I shake my head.
“Yes, you’re right.It’s all because of the heatwave.”
“Oh, come on, Mom.You can’t keep blaming the weather.”A younger woman, probably her daughter, helps her mother inside.
“Thank you, sir,” the old lady says with a relieved sigh.
“Alan Schmidt.Just call me Alan.”
“Thank you, Alan.We’ve been panicking all day, searching for her.We were about to call the police.”The daughter frowns, biting her lower lip.
“You’re welcome.I saw your mom by the roadside three blocks from here, looking as lost as a stray cat.I couldn’t just walk past, so I hope it’s okay I used her phone.”
“We need more people like you in this world, Alan.”She gives me a quick hug.
“Oh, it’s fine.I’m just glad I could help her get back home.”I give her a quick hug.“By the way, is your mother still working?She kept mumbling about signing some ad contract.”I squint, watching her reaction.
“Yes, she insists on working.I swear she won’t let go of her modeling agency.”The woman shakes her head.
“She owns a modeling agency?No wonder she still looks gorgeous.Was she ever a model herself?”
“Oh, Alan, trust me, she’s not a former model or anything like that.”The woman laughs, covering her flushed face.
“I can tell you about it.”Ms.Lola peeks out from behind her daughter.
“Oh my God, Mom!You need to go inside and rest.”The woman looks shocked, but Ms.Lola just smiles wide.
“I’m fine!Come on, sir, come in and sit down with me.”She grabs my arm and tugs me toward the house.
