How I Spent My Summer Vacation

   How I Spent My Summer Vacation

Suzanne Marsh

“Hey Kira, I got two tickets on a flight to Hawaii for us. It will be the vacation of a lifetime.” Kira Bradley felt the excitement rise in chest, Hawaii with her boyfriend for two weeks. She smiled up into those big blue eyes of his:

“When do we leave?”

“Day after tomorrow. I have some business I have to take care of before we leave. Don’t

say anything to anyone.”

“Why not? Are you ashamed of our love?

“No, I am not ashamed but if my mother finds out she is going to want to chaperon us.”

“Oh, come on, no one chaperons anyone in this day and age.”

“You don’t know my mother.”

Kira did not give it another thought; she had never even met the woman who would one day be her mother-in-law. She wondered what she was like. Derrick was tall, with blond hair and blue eyes, so obviously she must be a nice-looking lady, or so Kira thought.

Nancy Tucker looked into the mirror and smiled at her reflection, she hoped she would be able to get a later flight to Oahu. She had gotten the information about where Derrick was going from his secretary Anne Howard. Anne was one person Nancy could rely on to keep her informed of Derrick’s comings and goings.

As the American Airways Plane landed at Honolulu International Airport, Derrick thought this would be a good time to propose to Kira. He had the ring in his pocket, this was going to be the perfect way to ask her. Hawaiian girls greet the passengers with leis made from vanda orchids. Kira was radiant as she stooped to receive her lei. They had made reservations at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, which overlooked Diamond Head. Derrick finally began to relax; it had been a long flight. Their rooms were adjoining, which made things a little easier for both of them.

Later that evening, they went for a walk on the beach, holding hands and enjoying themselves. Nancy’s plane landed several hours later than theirs. She was also booked into the Hilton Hawaiian Village, on a different floor. She hoped that everything would go according to plan. She decided to stay out of sight until the time presented itself. The American Airways plane landed several moments later. Nancy was greeted also by Hawaiian girls with orchid leis. The leis were absolutely beautiful, they were light purple with white. Nancy always enjoyed this part of vacationing in the Islands.

Derrick, his hand in Kira’s stopped on the beach, the sun descending on the horizon. He turned to face Kira. He had the small red velvet box in his pocket as he turned to Kira:

“Kira, will you marry me?”

Tears of joy flooded Kira’s face as she smiled:

“Yes, oh yes Derrick.”

Nancy had been standing a few feet away from Derrick and Kira. She watched as Derrick placed the diamond ring on her hand. That was all that Nancy needed. She quickly came up behind Derrick:

“So, Derrick, you are going to marry this young woman. How would it be if I disinherit you?”

“Mother, it would not bother me in the least. I am financially independent, I don’t need

you money. How dare you follow me to Hawaii. You never could keep your nose out of my

business, this is simply your way of manipulating me, just you did father.”

Nancy could feel her temper rising as her face turned red:

“Derrick, you listen to me, you must marry someone in our social circle, we are more cultured

than this young woman.”

Derrick, wanted to get her out of here, a large crowd began to gather. Kira spoke quietly but forcefully:

“I love your son, you should be happy he has found some to spend the rest of his life with.”

Derrick, was just about to mumble something when Nancy cut him off:

“Fine, you two marry, I don’t care. You, young lady are a nothing, and you will always be

a nothing.”

Derrick, turned on Nancy:

“Fine mother, you have made your point now leave! Kira is my choice not yours.”

Kira could feel tears welling up her eyes, tears of unhappiness, she hated to see Derrick and his mother at odds. She had been keeping a secret from Derrick, now was the time to tell him:

“Nancy, my blood line makes me a blue blood. I am related to the Queen of England. My

father owns a castle in England. What is your pedigree?”

Nancy her eyes wide was stunned, Derrick stood there with his mouth open and nothing coming out of it. This revelation was more than he was prepared for. Nancy, who was never a gracious looser began in a sarcastic tone:

“Really Kira, you can do better than that.”

Kira pulled an amulet out of her shirt, on it was her family crest, the Fraser clan.

Sir Robert Fraser is my father, my mother is Lady Mary Fraser. My father’s grandfather fought the rebels in your first rebellion as did my mother’s family.”

Nancy, stood there like a stone statue wondering how she could have made such an error in judgment, however she was finished:

“Well, Kira, if you have such a pedigree why don’t you speak with a British accent?”

Kira, had anticipated that question:

“I don’t speak with a British accent simply because I was raised here in the states by

my aunt. I have been here for almost fifteen years. I return home for Christmas each year.”

Derrick, still confused as to what was happening took a hold Kira’s hand:

“Why didn’t you tell me this before?”

“Simple Derrick, I want someone to love me for me not for my money.”

Nancy, began to sputter:

“Then, then if you are really who you say you are, then keeping it secret was a very

bad decision. You have inconvenienced me, you have dragged my son into this.”

Derrick, finally found himself in the middle of an argument no one was going to win including him:

“Mother, first thing tomorrow morning, I want you on a plane back home. I am going to

marry Kira. You can either give us your blessing or not it doesn’t make any difference. We

did not invite you here, you came with one objective, keeping me from marrying Kira. You

weren’t inconvenienced, you should have just stayed home where you belong. If you wish

to be invited to the wedding I suggest you do as I ask.”

Nancy harrumphed but walked away. She wanted to see Derrick happy, and if Kira made him happy, well so be it.