I had a lot of time to remember things. Jasmine didn’t say a word for the whole three hours of our flight. She didn’t get up to use the restroom. She refused to drink anything or eat a snack. She just held on to those armrests for dear life.
When we descended into the billowy, white clouds above Miami International Airport, the sun was bright. “Jasmine, look, don’t you want to see? We’re almost there.”
“Leave me alone,” she answered. Again.
I remember thinking this would be a lonely trip if things didn’t change soon.
After claiming our luggage, Ms. Costa reminded us we had to pick up our rental car. Ms. Costa and Mom decided to get a hybrid. The car got sixty highway miles to the gallon with its electric motor and gasoline engine. Even though we would be reimbursed for all car expenses, saving the environment is what it’s all about.
After making our way out of the airport, we followed Route 836 east crossing over the MacArthur Causeway to get to our hotel in Miami Beach. The Marriott South Beach Miami is right on the beach in this cool part of South Beach called SoFi —south of Fifth— which is pronounced like the girl’s name.
While the adults were checking in, we went exploring.
“Look! It’s a heated pool. Outside. In the sunshine. I hope they’ll let us go swimming now.”
“Now?” Jasmine asked.
“Not now, now. After we get our bathing suits on.”
“I’m afraid of the water. I don’t swim.”
“Please don’t tell me that. How’re we going to do all the things we’re supposed to do if you don’t go into the water?” First the airplane, now this.
I hoped the expression on my face made me look calmer than I felt.
I could see Jasmine was happy to get off the subject when my mom called us, “Girls, time to put our suitcases in our room.”
“Mom, can we get our bathing suits on when we get upstairs?” I asked. I loved the water and I was going in—Jasmine or no Jasmine.
Jasmine had this look on her face.
Ms. Costa answered, “It’s still early. We can get in a swim, shower, change, and grab a quick lunch. We’ll still have time to go to the Miami Seaquarium to say hello and make arrangements for our tour tomorrow.”
“That sounds like a plan to me. The man at the desk recommended Big Pink, a restaurant a couple of blocks away. I told him we wanted to go somewhere casual. He said it’s kid friendly,” Mom said.
I was a little insulted. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Ms. Costa explained, “A lot of the restaurants here attract a sophisticated crowd. We’d probably be more comfortable in a family atmosphere.”
“I can act sophisticated if I want to. How about you, Jasmine?”
“Sure. Maybe if we wear our sunglasses people will think we’re older.”
So much for that idea.
Ms. Costa explained the art deco style of architecture and design popular in parts of Miami Beach. Even the elevator is interesting. Our suite was bigger than what we expected. A cold blast of air greeted us. Such a contrast with the hot sun outside. The hotel even managed to make beige look like a pretty color. Jasmine and I shared a room and Mom and Ms. Costa each had a private, separate sleeping area.
We changed into our bathing suits.
“Let’s not forget our sunblock and sunglasses,” Jasmine reminded.
“See you downstairs, Mom,” I called out as we ran out of the room. “We’ll be at the pool.
“I already love it here and we’ve only been here twenty minutes,” I said. “I have a feeling this trip is going to change my life. Do you feel that way?”
“I can see two ways right off. First, I had to get on an airplane. Now, you want me to go into the water, too.” Jasmine sulked.
“I refuse to let you and your negative attitude put me in a bad mood. Isn’t it exciting? It’s like we’re in a fairy tale.”
“All we need is a fairy godmother,” Jasmine said.
“You already have a fairy grandmother with a magic wand,” I answered. “Did you forget how you got here?”
“Yes, I guess I did forget.” Jasmine’s mood changed at the mention of her grandmother.
I dove into the pool and swam around the deep end by myself.
Jasmine walked down the steps and stayed in the shallow end marked 3 FEET DEEP. She stood like a statue with her arms at her sides.
I wanted to scream at her. Did she think we’d study marine life from land? What was the point of having fun by myself when my best friend was twenty feet away from me?
“Want to soak up some vitamin D?” I asked.
We lay out on some lounge chairs after smothering ourselves with sun block. The glare from the sun hurt our eyes, so it was good we had our sunglasses. After a while, we went back to our room to get ready for lunch.
Big Pink turned out to be a good choice. Lots of fun foods. Our French fries came in a huge metal bucket. I don’t remember seeing any sophisticated people there, so we fit right in.
After we checked-in at the seaquarium, we headed south on I-95. We drove past the tall buildings of downtown Miami, walked through the Bayside shops, then followed the GPS directions to Coral Gables. Ms. Costa told us the climate there is semitropical. It was pretty, with palm trees and Spanish style architecture.
“I only wish we had more time to spend time in every one of these places,” Ms. Costa said. “There’s so much to see and do.”
Mom agreed, “I know exactly what you mean.”
“Catching that flight at 6:00a.m. sure cut into our sleep,” Ms. Costa replied. “Girls, how come you’re so quiet back there?”
When my mom turned around to see why there was no comment, Jasmine was fast asleep in the back seat and I was more than half way to dreamland.
Ms. Costa looked in the rearview mirror as she was driving. “That’s the quietest I’ve ever seen them.”
“You took the words right out of my mouth,” my mom said.
“Ha, ha.” I must have fallen asleep right after I said that because it’s the last thing I remember.