The Hop-On Hop-Off bus came quickly. We got off at the Aquarium of the Americas / Riverwalk stop. It was the same tour guide as before, so she acted as if we were old friends. “Boys, there’s an IMAX theater in there…you know…like 3D. Be sure to catch one of those shows.”
“Thanks. Maybe we’ll see you later.” Something I noticed: everyone was so friendly here. They actually cared if you have a good time.
Something I almost didn’t notice. The mighty Mississippi. Right in front of me. Container ships. Tugboats. Traveling upriver and down. Loaded with cargo. Headed to ports around the world. Quiet. Low key. But happening.
“I’m hungry,” Nestor said, pulling me back from my daydreams.
“So am I. We’ve still got those muffaletta sandwiches we bought this morning,”
I said. “Why don’t we sit on a bench and eat before we go in?”
“Sounds good. There’s a gift shop over there. I’m going get us a couple of cold sodas to wash it down,” Nestor said.
“Thanks.” We unwrapped our sandwiches. “These things must be 12 inches in diameter. Bet you can’t finish yours.”
“Bet I can,” Nestor answered.
“It’s cool,” I said. “We had so much fun at Mardi Gras World, we forgot about food for a while.”
“Yeah, guess so, but I’ll worry if it happens again.”
I had to laugh.
We ate without talking. The olives kept falling out of the sandwich and we had to use our fingers to pop them into our mouths. Serious business. Believe it or not, we finished at the same time. When it comes to food, we’re evenly matched.
Time for the aquarium.
I had been to the Coney Island Aquarium in Brooklyn a few times, but these displays were a lot more colorful. Sting rays. Electric fish. Seahorses. Sharks. Japanese Men-Of-War. Jellies. Purple, green, yellow, red, and orange coral.
No matter how many times I might have seen it before, I never got tired of it.
We decided to watch Great White Shark 3D. It was the best 3D movie I had ever seen. I felt like… I was in the middle of the ocean…I could just reach out and touch the shark… I tried to escape with the fish…I could feel the movement of the water as the great white rushed toward me. Super cool.
When the movie was over, I noticed the time. “It’s four thirty. We’re supposed to meet Angel Not at five,” I said. “We’d better go.”
“What, so he’s going to put an evil spell on us if we’re late?” Nestor said.
Nestor’s joke hit me the wrong way. “Do you really believe he could do that?”
“Nah. Of course not. Do you?”
“No. Why are you even asking me that?”
“Phil, I was joking with you.”
“Well, don’t.”
“OK. Why don’t we walk and get some fresh air instead of taking the bus? This Riverwalk looks like it leads to where we need to go.”
“Sorry. My nerves are on edge, that’s all.”
“I hear ya.”
The cool breeze felt good on my face. After a few minutes, a pretty girl jogged in our direction. How about that? It was the same girl who had waved at me earlier.
She slowed down, and then stopped. ”Where y’at? I remember you from the tour bus this morning.”
“Yeah, that’s right. I’m Phil and this is my friend Nestor.”
“My name’s Colette. Where’re you boys from? How come you’re not in school?”
“You sure get to the point.” I laughed.
“So?” She waited for an answer.
I gave her the short version. New York City. Winter recess. Parents working. Visiting great-aunt. Nestor acting as my companion and bodyguard.
“Sorry, we’ve got to get going. We’re getting picked up at five,” I said.
“Do you mind if I walk with you?”
“No. I don’t mind.” I looked at Nestor.
“It’s OK with me.”
“Colette, do you have a cell phone with you?” I felt dumb doing this, but I didn’t want to miss a chance to call home.
“Yes. Why?”
I told her the brain cancer story.
“You’re playing with me. Right?”
“I’m not playing.”
Colette looked at Nestor.
“He’s not playing with you.”
“How’d y’all get into a situation like this?”
I looked at Nestor. He looked at me. We had no answer.
I called my home number. The answering machine picked up. ”Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad. I guess Aunt Delphine called you. We’re having a great time. We’re OK. I think. Bye.”
Nestor took the phone and called his home number. His mom answered. “Hi, Mom. It’s me…Yeah, we’re good … No? ... Really? ... Well, Phil’s family’s a little weird. No offense, Phil”—he turned and looked at me—“We’re having a really good time….No, Phil’s aunt doesn’t believe in cell phones…She says it makes us get brain cancer …I borrowed a cell phone from a girl we met…I’ll call you again when I can… Me, too…Bye.”
A police car pulled up to the curb. NOPD in bold letters. The smiling officer motioned for Colette to get into the car.
“Are you in trouble with the law?” Nestor asked.
Collette laughed. “No. That’s my dad. He’s a police detective. He’s here to give me a ride home. Listen, I’ve got half a day at school tomorrow. Do you want to meet at Cafe Du Monde at twelve thirty?”
“Sure,” I said.
“Sounds good,” Nestor said.
Angel Not pulled up in the black Mercedes. No smile there. He blasted the car horn. “Get in,” he shouted through the open window.
Nestor grabbed my arm and turned his back to Angel Not. He whispered, “Phil, my mom told me she spoke with your parents. Your aunt never called them. No conversation. No answering machine message.”
I guess I couldn’t trust her after all.