At Denver International Airport, she arrived in a white designer tracksuit, oversized sunglasses, and the expression of someone who had discovered an unwanted stranger following her.
“You’re really coming for the whole week?” she asked.
“That was the plan.”
She shot Michael a cold look and walked away.
I bought everyone coffee.
I watched their luggage while they browsed the shops.
When Vanessa worried her suitcase was overweight, I offered to move some clothes into mine.
She rejected the offer as though I had insulted her.
The confrontation finally erupted near the boarding gate.
A family sitting nearby noticed the resort tag on Vanessa’s suitcase and asked whether we were traveling together.
“Technically,” Vanessa laughed. “Although this was supposed to be a romantic trip for my husband and me.”
The woman smiled.
“Are you celebrating something?”
“Our anniversary,” Vanessa said proudly. “We’ve been saving forever.”
I looked at Michael.
He stared at his phone.
The woman nodded toward me.
“It must be nice having your mother along.”
Vanessa’s smile tightened.
“She invited herself.”
The words hit harder than I expected.
“Vanessa,” Michael muttered.
But she turned toward me, raising her voice so everyone nearby could hear.
“Carol, once we arrive, please stay out of our way. This is our vacation. We paid for it, and we don’t need you acting like you’re in charge.”
For a moment, I thought I had misunderstood.
“You paid for it?” I asked.
Vanessa scoffed.
“Don’t start. You didn’t pay for this trip.”
Heads turned.
I waited for Michael to defend me.
