A cooler, two pool noodles, a pair of floaties, and three lawn chairs were piled high in the back of the Hiddleston's Subaru. In the front, Tom drummed his long fingers on the steering wheel. They were supposed to have left a half hour ago, but there was still no sign of his wife and daughter. He would give them five more minutes then he was going to march them out himself. The sun was beating down on him. This unbearable weather was unusual for dreary B______; so when he had suggested to Susanne that they visit the coast for the day, she had jumped at the opportunity.
Being a native of always sunny Australia, she loved any opportunity to bask in the sun's warm rays. Tom always regretted that he couldn't give her a life in her native country, but his job at the local university paid almost twice the amount most unis offered their full time staff. It was too good of an opportunity to let go of. One day, he promised himself he would give her her dream home in Australia. One day.
Checking his watch once more, Tom wiped his hands on his khakis shorts and trudged inside. He was going to have to round up the troops. "Susanne. Cathy," he called from the garage door. When there was no reply, he frowned and entered the kitchen. A half eaten yogurt and numerous toys were scattered all over the kitchen island. It looked as if Barbie and Ken had staged a revolt of all Cathy's tea time pals. Tom jokingly thought to himself that his daughter and wife were now currently being held in Barbie's dream castle by Mr. Potato Head and his cohorts. No wonder they were late. He chuckled as he wove his way through the downstairs. There was no sign of them anywhere.
Taking two steps at a time, he bounded up the stairs in search of his missing family. He first checked the master suite.
The cream covered walls boasted a mix of famous pieces of art and family photos. A blue embroidered duvet covered the bed. And, two plush reading chairs sat in front of a set of bay windows. Unfortunately for Tom, there was no sign of his wife or daughter. Sighing, he headed to his daughter's room. Susanne and Cathy were probably arguing over which Disney princess adorned swimsuit to wear.
Pushing the door open, Tom's heart swelled. There on his daughter's twin bed, lay his wife and daughter sound asleep. A picture book forgotten on Susanne's hip. Soft snores were the only sound coming from the duo.
They had found a much better alternative to the coast. It was no wonder they hadn't made it out of the house. There was no tiny toy revolt or angry toddler tantrum keeping them from the trip. It was pure love. Tom would take this over the coast any day. "Susanne, darling, scoot over," Tom whispered in his wife's ear. Sleepy she turned to him with a smile letting him into the bed. He slipped in careful not to make any noise. When his arms were wrapped securely around his slumbering wife and child, he finally emitted a contented sigh. This was the perfect vacation.
