Sneak Peek – “Dream Vacation”
I’m participating in Sneak Peek Sunday – a whole bunch of great authors post a short preview from their latest work. you can go HERE to see all the other great books. And you can just keep on reading for mine!
That would be DREAM VACATION, the eighth book of the Dream Series. This is a lighter moment, not quite midway through the book…
We all take our places, and my parents serve dinner to everyone in turn – it’s Dad’s famous lasagna. This is our last dinner all together for a couple of weeks, after all. Somewhat to my surprise – and Chrissy’s disappointment – nothing is spilled on the floor. And my mother-in-law even restrains herself from any criticism of the way I keep my house.
Verbally, anyway. She does glare very pointedly a couple of times at the twins, who are sitting on the floor rather than in chairs. I think it’s safe to assume that nobody ever ate while sitting on the floor at her house. But – maybe this is bad parenting, but I have to pick my battles – it’s easier to let them sit on the floor for the occasional meal than to have a major fight about it. I can live with Helen’s judgment – if that’s the only thing she can find fault with, I’m doing pretty well.
But that’s wishful thinking, of course. After dinner, Helen hands out two envelopes: one to Brian, and one to Grace. They both very carefully open them up, and inside are – I don’t understand – credit cards?
“There’s no better city on Earth for shopping than Paris,” Helen says, probably the hundredth time I’ve heard her say it. “It’s a gift. Five hundred dollars for each of you.”
That’s – wow. That’s totally extravagant. I count – Brian has four cards, and Grace has five in her hand. That’s $4,500 – I don’t even know what to say. Except – I do have a question, but Grace asks it first.
“Thank you, Grandma,” Grace says. “But why’d you give the cards to me?”
She’s beaming as she answers, all kindness and benevolence. “Well, they’re prepaid credit cards, five hundred dollars each, one for each of you. Like I said. Brian has the cards for himself, Ben, Matty, and for you, Howard,” she says, smiling indulgently at my father. “He’ll know what to buy. And, Grace, you have the cards for yourself and Lizzie and Steffy, and your mother and Betty.” What? Why – never mind. I already know the answer. “I’d give them to your mother, but I know she doesn’t have the time to keep up with the latest fashions. I think you’ll do a wonderful job picking out clothes for your sisters and your mother and Betty.”
Well, if that doesn’t win the all-time prize for sticking the knife in with a smile, I don’t know what does. “Thank you, Helen,” I say, forcing a smile myself. What else can I do? Especially because – if I’m really honest with myself – she’s probably right.
You can find all the Dream Series books on Amazon – just click here!
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