Dream Vacation by J.J. DiBenedetto

Author:J.J. DiBenedetto [DiBenedetto, J.J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: J.J. DiBenedetto
Published: 2018-07-10T18:13:56+00:00

The Eiffel Tower is a hit—how could it not be? We go all the way up to the top—there’s an observation deck on the second level, maybe halfway up, but I want to see Paris from nearly a thousand feet in the air, and everyone agrees with me. Even Ben, although he clutches my hand tightly for a moment, when we step out of the elevator at the top.

It’s just breathtaking—I don’t know another word to describe it. Lizzie and Brian are both taking pictures, while Grace is focusing all her attention on something that’s out of my view. Someone, more likely. There is certainly no shortage of handsome young men for her to look at.

We spend half an hour up here, and before we go, Brian and I have a glass of champagne from the bar that’s built right into the framework of the Tower.

Then it’s all the way back down, and—at Grace’s insistence, off to shop. And it does take all afternoon, at least for my eldest daughter. Brian’s done in an hour, and he’s got shoes for Ben and Matty, ties for my father and several beautiful shirts for himself—and he’s still got money left.

Grace sees to me and my mother first. She refuses to hand over the gift cards and let me shop for myself or Mom. “Grandma Helen was very clear,” she informs me in a not-quite-haughty tone. Mom gets a pair of sweaters, a silk blouse and a pair of jeans that are very cute, and very stylish and very, very unlikely ever to be worn by her.

I get a complete outfit, suitable for a fancy professional occasion, although the $500 doesn’t quite stretch to a pair of shoes to go with it. I have to admit that I’m impressed with Grace’s taste—it’s something that I wouldn’t have picked out for myself, but at the same time very suited to me.

Grace does allow Steffy to have some input into her gifts, and that takes another hour before she’s got jeans, a pretty skirt and a box of cosmetics that’s a complete waste of money because she won’t be wearing any of it for at least three or four years.

When Grace ogles a pair of leather, high-heeled boots that far exceeds her gift card, Lizzie offers to let her big sister use her money. But—I’m thrilled to see this—Grace refuses, and forces Lizzie to spend the money on herself. Instead, she settles for a similar, slightly less extravagant pair of boots, and Lizzie opts for a coat and a scarf that ought to serve her well come the fall.

With nearly four thousand of Helen’s dollars spent—I’ve never spent close to that much in one day except for when we bought our minivan, or our house!—we head back to the hotel. It’s a beautiful spring day, a slight chill in the air, perfect for a long, scenic walk. And as we go, I count my blessings—to be here, in this beautiful city, with my wonderful children and my amazing husband, I don’t see how I could ask for anything more.

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