“I’m really not, but my dad doesn’t have any sons, so . . . I’m his companion when it comes to watching games,” I told the woman. “The Coyotes are our favorite team.”
“All of the players haven’t been finalized, but we are expecting at least nine to ten to attend. As of right now, only Preston Wilcox has confirmed.”
I tried not to smile, because Preston Wilcox was my favorite eye-candy as far as players went . . . with his fine ass. While it was true that he didn’t have the best reputation, and there was a rumor out there that he was a deadbeat dad to his child, I still thought he was fine.
“What are the dates?” Bryanna pulled out her phone and started swiping.
The woman quoted dates during the third week of June.
“Awww.” My bestie let out a groan. “That’s the week ofColor Con—the West Coast convention for MUAs. Oh well. Count me out.”
“How many people can the winner bring on the trip?” I asked.
“Just one. Only the person whose name is pulled is invited on the trip.”
“One last question. Is the trip transferrable?” Father’s Day was coming up. A trip to a luxury resort to hang out with some of the players from his favorite football team would make a great present for my dad.
“We don’t specifically state that it’s non-transferable. If you would like to gift the trip, I’m pretty sure that could be worked out. But it would need to be run by legal before something like that could happen. If you win the trip and can’t make the trip—the prize is forfeited.”
“Okay,” I agreed. “I’m in.” What did I have to lose? The giveaway was free and wouldn’t cost me anything to participate. Besides, it was an opportunity for me to send my dad on a cool-ass trip.
1
SOLEIL
Day One
The first group of attendees of the Immaculate Angels charity event were flown to Iredia on a Saturday morning. My ticket was for a seat in coach with the option to upgrade to first class. At the cost of an additional fifteen hundred dollars, I decided that I was cool in coach. Actually, I would’ve been fine at home.
I never really wanted to take the trip, because all along, it was supposed to be a Father’s Day gift for my daddy if I won, which I did. Unfortunately, the day after I told him about the trip, he tripped over his “lady friend’s” puppy, fell down the stairs, and shattered his left ankle. After emergency surgery for the complex break, he was looking at up to a year to return to his full strength and mobility. That meant either I took the trip myself, or I forfeited it.
I was all prepared to forfeit the trip. After all, Iwonit. It wasn’t like the money came out of my pocket. Besides, going on a solo trip wasn’t really my style. I liked to have familiar people to talk to on trips. Going on a trip by myself to a romantic island while staying at a luxurious resort sounded like a special kind ofloneliness hell to me. But neither my father nor Bryanna would let me talk myself out of going.
We disembarked the plane at an airport in Felicidad. There were about one hundred of us on the plane, and three more planes were expected to bring attendees throughout the day. We boarded a shuttle provided by Quietude Resort and Spa, and before I knew it, we were headed toward the resort. I whipped out my phone and shot a text to my daddy.
Me:Hey Daddy. I landed on the island. We’re headed to the resort now. I’m the only black person and single person on this shuttle. I really wish you would’ve let me stay home.
Since my father was one to stay glued to his phone, his response was almost immediate.
Daddy:Baby Girl, you’re going to be fine. Don’t waste time complaining about the negatives. Start categorizing the positives. Look out the window of that shuttle you’re on. Can you see the ocean? Is it a special shade of blue? Does it look like Lake Michigan or like something you’ve only ever imagined? Is the air different there? Can you taste the salt in it? Tell me something good.
I smiled to myself. Phillipe Baptiste could always find a way to bring positivity into my life. He didn’t believe in staying down in the dumps. He believed that there was always a blessing or two to count.
Me:Oh Daddy.
Daddy:I love you.
Me:I love you right back!
When I texted Bryanna, I took my daddy’s advice. I only concentrated on the positives.
Me:Hey girl. Hope you’re having fun in Los Angeles. Iredia is beautiful. I’m on the shuttle headed to the resort and all I can see is miles and miles of ocean shore. The water is the perfect shade of blue.
Bryanna:Girl, it’s a hot mess here . . . in a good way. LOL. You know I love being around other MUAs, learning things, and shooting the shit. I’m having a blast. We partied until four this morning. I haven’t even been to bed yet. Iredia sounds gorgeous. Send pics!
Just focusing on the positive had me feeling better already. I sat back in my seat and enjoyed the view. Once the shuttle bus exited the expressway, it went down a few quaint streets. Some looked like they had been dropped out of the past—small shops with big picture windows, colorful displays, and nautical-themed awnings that backed up to the harbor. I focused my phone and took a few shots for Bryanna and shot them off to her.
I made myself a promise as the shuttle began to slow down as it approached the resort.This whole thing is out of our comfort zone,I told myself silently.But that doesn’t mean that we can’t or won’t have fun. I promise to try new experiences. I promise to be open to new things. I promise to say yes more than no. I promise to make memories that I can take home with me.
