I had always been good at making excuses for people I loved.
Especially people my son loved.
A week passed.
Then two.
Michael called.
“Mom?”
“Yes?”
“I wanted to say thank you.”
I smiled.
“You don’t have to.”
“I do.”
“You’re welcome.”
“And Vanessa appreciates it too.”
I almost laughed.
“She sent me a text.”
“Yeah.
She’s not great with this kind of thing.”
I let it go.
That was my first mistake.
Not paying for the vacation.
Not inviting them.
Not even believing Vanessa’s indifference could be harmless.
My first mistake was assuming that if I loved my son enough,
the people he chose to love would eventually understand that my intentions were good.
Three weeks before departure, I was sitting at my dining room table sorting paperwork when Michael called again.
“Mom, weird question.”
“Those are usually the interesting ones.”
He laughed.
“Remember how you said you’d stay at the resort if you ever came to Cabo?”
“I remember.”
“Would you actually want to come?”
I looked up.
“Are you inviting me?”
“Kind of.”
“Kind of?”
“Another couple canceled.
The resort has a separate room available at a discounted rate.
You’d have your own room.”
I hesitated.
“Michael, it’s your anniversary.”
“I know.”
“You and Vanessa should have privacy.”
“I know.”
“Then why are you asking?”
He went quiet.
“Because I’d like you there.”
Something in his voice made me stop.
“Is everything okay?”
“Yeah.”
The answer came too quickly.
“Michael.”
“I’m serious.
Everything’s fine.”
I wasn’t convinced.
Then he added, “It would mean a lot to me.”
So I agreed.
“I’ll come.”
He exhaled.
“Great.”
“One condition.”
“What?”
“I won’t interfere.
You two enjoy your anniversary.
I’ll read by the pool, explore the resort, maybe go into town.
I won’t follow you around.”
He laughed.
“Mom, I know.”
“Good.”
“I’ll tell Vanessa.”
The next day, Vanessa called me.
Not Michael.
Vanessa.
“Carol?”
“Hi.”
“So you’re really coming for the whole week?”
There was no warmth in her voice.
I sat up straighter.
“That’s the plan.”
A pause.
“Okay.”
I waited.
Nothing.
Then she said, “I just want to make sure you understand that this is our anniversary trip.”
“I do.”
“Because Michael has this thing where he feels responsible for everyone.”
I frowned.
“I don’t understand.”
“I’m just saying, I don’t want him spending the whole week worrying about whether you’re comfortable.”
“I won’t.”
“Good.”
Another pause.
Then, “We’ll see you at the airport.”
She hung up.
I sat there staring at my phone.
A small warning had appeared.
I ignored it.
I told myself Vanessa was nervous.
I told myself she had imagined me being intrusive.
I told myself it would be fine.
On the morning of the flight, I arrived at Denver International Airport early.
I always arrived early.
Michael and Vanessa were already there.
Vanessa was wearing a white designer tracksuit, oversized sunglasses, and a structured handbag that probably cost more than my first car.
She looked beautiful.
She also looked irritated.
The second she saw me, her smile disappeared.
“You’re really coming,” she said.
I laughed awkwardly.
“Good morning to you too.”
Michael stepped between us.
“Mom, hey.”
He hugged me.
I hugged him tightly.
“Are you excited?”
“Very.”
Vanessa looked at her watch.
“Can we go?”
Michael nodded.
We checked in.
Because the tickets were first class, everything moved quickly.
I had arranged it that way.
I had wanted them to feel spoiled.
Not because I expected gratitude.
Because sometimes a mother simply wants to give her child something she knows he wouldn’t give himself.
At the lounge, I bought coffee for everyone.
Vanessa barely looked at me.
When we went to the shops, I watched their luggage while Michael and Vanessa browsed.
At one point Vanessa came back looking distressed.
“My suitcase is overweight.”
I looked at the scale.
“Move some things into mine.”
She stared at me.
“No.”
“It’s fine.”
“I said no.”
I stepped back.
“Okay.”
She pulled her suitcase away.
I thought that would be the end of it.
It wasn’t.
The confrontation began near the boarding gate.
A family sitting nearby had overheard us discussing the resort.
The woman smiled at Vanessa.
“Cable?”
Vanessa smiled immediately.
“Yes.”
“Vacation?”
“Anniversary.”
“Oh, congratulations!”
“Thank you.”
The woman looked at me.
“Are you all traveling together?”
Vanessa gave a small laugh.
“Technically.”
Then she glanced at me.
“Although this was supposed to be a romantic trip for my husband and me.”
The woman’s expression became awkward.
“Oh.”
I smiled politely.
“Don’t worry.
I’m giving them plenty of space.”
She nodded.
“That’s nice.”
Then she looked at Vanessa again.
“Are you celebrating something special?”
“Our anniversary,” Vanessa said proudly.
“We’ve been saving forever.”
I looked at Michael.
He was staring at his phone.
I felt something tighten in my chest.
