Chapter 9: The Public Lesson

At breakfast, Patty sat beside Carol wearing sunglasses indoors and holding a menu upside down.

When Sam tried to ask if Carol could take Brad after pancakes, Patty cleared her throat loudly.

“Does the all-inclusive package include exploiting senior citizens,” she asked, “or is that seasonal?”

The receptionist nearly choked trying not to laugh.

Sam stared into his coffee.

Jennie’s cheeks burned.

The children flourished under the Flamingo Six’s attention, but not because the women took over parenting.

They took over joy.

Susie learned to fold napkins into swans.

Matt finally relaxed enough to laugh again.

Brad attached himself permanently to whichever woman happened to have snacks.

Carol walked along the beach with them, collecting shells, letting the waves touch her ankles, and feeling Jeremy’s old promise finally settle somewhere peaceful inside her chest.

By the third night, the resort patio exploded into applause as the Flamingo Six performed Respect during karaoke while pointing directly at Sam and Jennie.

Even other guests sang along.

Carol laughed until tears ran down her face.

This time, they were not tears of humiliation.

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