“Of course,” I answer, tapping out a message.
Over the next five days I immerse myself in the Disney experience with my mom and daughter. Mom seems more energized than I’ve ever seen her as she walks around with the signature ears on her perfectly coiffed hair. Reecie is a ball of energy, but she falls asleep beside me every night and sleeps like she’s in a coma.
And that’s when I lie on my back and stare at the pictures and videos Jordie’s sent that day. Honey perched on her shoulder. Honey curled up in her lap. And an adorable video where she’s seated on the floor, rolling a small purple football so the kitten can chase and pounce on it. That night, I turned the volume up a little and held it to my ear, listening to the sound of Jordie’s laughter. Over and over.
Yep, I’m a little obsessed with the woman currently staying in myhouse, and I can’t help but wish she would stay there forever.
We’re at the Magic Kingdom on Friday morning when my phone rings. It’s the call I’ve been waiting for.
“Mom, this is the travel agent,” I tell her, and she waves me off, letting me know she will ride the teacups with Reece for the thousandth time. I can’t say I’m not relieved. That damn ride makes me nauseous.
I step out of line and answer, “Hey, Leigh. Whatcha got?”
The tropical storm has picked up speed, and it’s now scheduled to hit Florida tomorrow, the day we were supposed to fly out. I asked her to try and arrange flights for us to get out today.
“It seems everyone has the same idea as you, so most of the flights are completely booked,” Leigh replies, and my nerves ramp up to the max. She soothes them with her next words. “But I was able to find three seats. The only problem is two seats are late this afternoon, and the third is on a separate flight that leaves a couple hours later.”
I nod even though she can’t see me. “That will be fine. Book Mom and Reece on the first flight, and I’ll catch the later one.”
“Will do, Mr. Hale.”
I hang up and wait for the girls to get done with the ride. As we’re heading to the next attraction, I whisper the plan to my mother.
“I’m worried Reece will be upset by leaving a day early,” I fret, and she pats my arm in that mom way she has.
“Let me handle it.” Then she calls, “Reece, honey! Nana needs to talk to you about something.”
Reece turns and looks up expectantly. Mom lifts my daughter and nestles her on her hip as we step out of the crowd.
“I have something so exciting to tell you,” my mother says. “You remember my friend Marjorie?”
“Yes, ma’am. The lady with the orange hair?”
Mom laughs. “That’s her. Well, she has a house near the beach on Galveston Island, and she said we can use it any time. I thought you and I could go this evening and stay the whole weekend together for some special Nana-Reecie time. Wouldn’t that be fun?”
Reece’s brow creases, obviously deep in her thoughts. “But… that’s in Texas, and we’re in Florida.”
“Right, but it’s supposed to start raining here in Florida this afternoon, and we would just be stuck in our hotel room.” Mom puts on a fake sad face. “That doesn’t sound like as much fun as going to the beach, does it?”
“No, I guess not,” Reece says a little unsurely.
My mother, the genius, sweetens the deal. “In Galveston, we can go to this little shop I know of on the Strand. They have every kind of caramel apple you could imagine. And then we can spend the rest of the day at Moody Gardens and feed the penguins. Oh, and they have a theater that shows all kinds of movies in 3D. It is the coolest thing ever.” She brushes a sweaty curl from Reece’s forehead. “Or we could stay here and watch it rain. Whatever you want is fine with me.”
That last bit is said with a skillful level of nonchalance that has me in awe.
Reece’s face breaks into a grin. “Galveston!”
Mom kisses her forehead. “Okay, we’ll have lunch here and then head to the airport.”
“Oh, I love those tiny bathrooms on the airplane. They are so cute,” my daughter says as her grandmother sets her down.
I loop my arm around my mother’s neck, and whisper, “You are a freaking master, Mom.”
“The key is to make them think it’s their idea.” She winks. “I raised three boys. A little bit of well-placed deception was my only means of survival.”
It’s almost midnight when I arrive at my house on Friday night, and I’m weary as fuck. When I see Jordie’s truck in my driveway, I realize I forgot to inform her of our change of plans.
I enter through the garage door, being as quiet as possible. The house is dark and silent. Leaving my suitcase, I take the stairs to the second floor, deciding I’ll send Jordie a text to let her know I’m here so I don’t frighten her when she wakes up in the morning.
