do my job,” he insisted.
She wasn’t comfortable with him handling her lingerie and personal items. “I insist. I’m a bit OCD and have my own system, so please, let me take care of that later. I’ll have another glass,” she added, holding the flute out to him. If she continued to drink this fast, she’d be totally inebriated by dinner; she already felt a bit light-headed from just one glass. Not much of a drinker since she’d had Christina, she reminded herself to take it easy. She didn’t want George to think she was heavy-handed with the booze. He whirled away and, within seconds, was back with a fresh flute of the bubbly.
“Thank you,” she said. “I’m going to enjoy this.” Once again, she held her flute up high as if she were proposing a toast. “And maybe a nap.”
“As you wish,” he said, standing in the doorway. “I’m only a button away if there is anything you need.”
She nodded. “Thanks.” This would go on forever if she didn’t send him on his merry way. Feigning a yawn, she said, “That nap is calling.”
Finally she had the place to herself and decided to explore her temporary home for the next seven days and six nights. The master suite was much larger than she’d anticipated. A king-size bed with a magnificent view looking out over the Gulf of Mexico would, she hoped, lull her to sleep at night. In addition to the bed and the view, there was a luxurious whirlpool tub on one balcony, and a flat-screen TV. Guerlain bath products and plush robes and slippers ensured a spalike experience. When Mandy said the accommodations were top-of-the-line, she wasn’t kidding. Double sinks steeped in marble, a telephone, and a second flat-screen TV were just a few of the luxuries the ship provided. Tonight, she would take a bath, a much-loved pleasure, which she did most nights if her schedule allowed. Most of her free time was devoted to her daughter.
She wandered into the kitchen area and saw an espresso coffeemaker, her favorite brand of coffee, Kaya Kopi—no doubt Mandy’s doing—plus a large assortment of the Norman Love chocolates she adored. From what she could see, Mandy had all the bases covered. Speaking of which, she was supposed to call Mandy when she had settled in.
Thankful for the satellite phone, she dialed Mandy’s cell. Mandy must have been waiting for her because she answered on the first ring.
“I take it you like your room?” Mandy didn’t bother with “hello.”
“More than like,” Anna said. “It’s the size of an apartment. I don’t even want to ask how much it cost because it might ruin the trip.”
“Right. You could rent the entire ship and not worry about pricing,” Mandy teased.
She could, it was true, but she did not go around advertising her wealth. She’d always thought that doing so was a little on the tacky side. “This is perfect. I’m glad you decided I needed time away. I didn’t realize I needed this until I saw the tub overlooking the Gulf.”
“Pretty ritzy then?” Mandy asked.
“Let’s just put it this way. If this were an apartment in New York City, it would sell for millions.”
“I am always happy to help out,” Mandy informed her. “Let me tear Christina away from Mr. Waffles. Hang on.”
Anna smiled. Mr. Waffles had been a fantastic birthday present.
“Hey, Mom,” Christina said. “How’s the deep-sea stuff?”
“So far, so good. How’s Orlando?”
“Hot but awesome. Disney is everywhere. They have Mickey Mouse telephone lines. Mandy cussed a few times in the traffic, I’ve had fast food all day, so it’s totally off the charts.”
Typical thirteen-year-old speak, Anna thought. She was not happy about the fast food, but it was her vacation, too.
“Sounds fun. How’s Mr. Waffles?”
“Awesome as ever. I’m glad we didn’t have to give him that sedative. He’s super nosy right now. I took him out of his carrier once we got the rental car, and he slept on my lap the entire time we were in traffic. It was like he knew he had to behave.”
“He’s a charmer, no doubt. What’s on tomorrow’s agenda?”
“SeaWorld, then Typhoon Lagoon, and Epcot the day after. Mom, seriously, you should think about coming here next trip; of course, I’ll come along. It’s gonna take us weeks to see all Orlando has to offer. Can we do this again next year?”
Anna heard the excitement in her daughter’s voice. She knew Christina might have a totally different opinion on hanging out with her mom next summer,