Vacation For Dummies

prologue

June 28 - 6:32am - Tampa, FL

"I still don't see why I have to see Grammy and Gramps but Alex doesn't," I said, referring to my [lucky] older brother who somehow managed to get out of our yearly visit to Maryland. My mom sighed, gripping the wheel so tight her knuckles were a sickly shade of cream. "Alex is in college, Grace. In California. Do you really think we have the money to fly him all the way from San Diego to Baltimore?"

I shook my head, leaning back in my seat. Mom continued on, rambling about how we're not made of money, and how they're already cutting the trip short and only sending me this year. Just me and my decrepit grandparents.

Awesome.

My mom screeched to a stop at the unloading dock, sending me flying forward in my seat, screaming. "Jesus, Grace! Stop being so dramatic! It was just an abrupt stop!" My mom shouted, clicking her shiny fake nails on the dashboard. I groaned, manually unlocking the door and sliding out of the minivan.

Mom opened the hatch in the back, lugging my suitcase out and throwing in on the ground. She shook her hand like she was in pain. I immediately rushed over to her. "Mom are you okay?" I tried to get a peek at her hand, but she covered it up, shooing me away. "What is in that damn suitcase?! I cracked a nail cause of that thing!" She pointed a finger at my small suitcase like it was some kind of demon.

"Sorry." I picked it up, standing it upright. "You better be sorry," my mom muttered. "These nails were not cheap, missy." I nodded. "Yes mom. I'm very sorry." She took one last glance at her cracked nail, then nodded at me in approval. "Okay." She leaned forward, giving me a peck on the cheek. "Have fun, Gracie. See you in a week!" I nodded. "Mkay. Bye mom!" I waved quickly, grabbing my suitcase and hightailing it into the airport.