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“You’re lucky Marge went full GI Jane and jumped in with you,” Alice said as she ducked into the back of the cab. “I love you, Doris, but there’s no way in hell I was jumping in the shark-infested water after you. Risk a chunk getting taken out of these babies?” She gestured to her legs as she scooted inside. “Not a chance.”
“Marge is my hero.” I pursed my lips together, smiling as I looked at my faithful friend. “She dove right in without a thought, I’m told.”
“Yeah. The thoughts didn’t kick in untilafterI realized what the hell I’d done. Then I wished I’d have stayed on the ship and watched you turn into ceviche.”
Shaking my head with an eye roll, I let out a sigh. I knew she’d never admit it out loud, but Marge would have jumped in after me over and over again. And I’d be forever grateful to her for it.
“Alright, girls. Get your asses in here, and let’s get to the resort. I need a cocktail.” Alice waved us into the back seat with her.
One by one, we filed in, squishing together tight. Sylvie told our driver the name of the resort, and luckily, he seemed to know exactly where to go based on how enthusiastically he shook his head. As he pulled out, he said something I didn’t understand, but Marge answered back in enough broken Spanish that he seemed to get it.
“What did you say?”
“I’m not a hundred percent sure,” Marge answered. “I think he asked if we had been on the shark cruise, and I think I said we had and that we had fun.”
Alice lifted a brow. “You think? So, he may have asked if we’re prostitutes looking to party, and you may have said yes, and we’d love some drugs too?”
Marge paused, then shrugged. “It’s possible.”
“Oh, Lord.” Sylvie laughed as we started through the Mexican streets.
I pressed my face to the window, absorbing all the vibrant colors that seemed to be everywhere. Their culture was so different from ours, and I couldn’t stop staring while I soaked it all in. Another incredible place my journey with the Wilder Widows had taken me. Last year had been Las Vegas, Paris, Barcelona, and then to the dude ranch I now called home. This year we’d been all over the Caribbean, and each port we hit got me as excited as the last. For a girl from Minnesota who had barely left her little hometown, all this travel was more than my wildest dreams.
We finally arrived at our resort Alice had booked from the internet when we got within cellular range this morning. When we pulled up, several young women came out to greet us, welcoming us to the fancy schmancy retreat.
I looked at all the finery around us. “Oh, Alice. I’ll never stop feeling guilty you spend so much money on our accommodations. I really think you should start using an AARP card.”
“Don’t feel guilty.” She got out and stretched. “I don’t need an AARP card, and you don’t have to worry about how much money I spend. I have more than I know what to do with. I spend the money soIcan stay in the manner to which I’m accustomed. It wouldn’t be fun if I were here slipping around on silk sheets while you ladies were fighting off bed bugs at the Super 8.”
“Well, regardless, I appreciate it. I hope you know that. It never ceases to amaze me how luxurious life can be. I had no idea there were so many fineries in life. I was always thrilled with a night out to TGI Fridays.”
Alice pulled a face. “Blech. Not when I’m around. And tonight, we are dining at a five-star restaurant I’ve heard rave reviews about. The shark boat may have had decent accommodations, but they certainly didn’t have the fine dining I’m accustomed to. Tonight, we splurge.”
“As long as it’s not seafood.” Sylvie puckered her face. “We’ve been eating nothing but freshly caught fish the last few days, and I’m fished out. I need a steak.”
“They’ll have that.” Alice gestured for the valet to grab her bags. “I don’t often eat red meat, but I think I may join you and get a nice filet tonight. I’m seafooded out as well.”
“As long as it’s dead, I’ll eat it.” Marge shrugged. “I’m not picky. Hell, I ate live bugs in ‘Nam, so I guess it doesn’t even need to be dead.”
Alice gagged. “You’re a savage.”
“At least I could survive if shit hit the fan. Zombie apocalypse?” Marge jutted a thumb at her chest. “I’m your girl. I’ll lead our group to safety. I’ll be bashing heads and foraging for food like a pro. Nuclear disaster? I’ve got a year’s worth of MREs at home and everything we’d need to hunker down through the fallout. Marooned on an island? I’ll make Swiss Family Robinson look like chumps with how sweet I’d get us set up. That’s right. You may love your fancy restaurants and fine dining, but you’d last all of two seconds in the wild alone.”
Alice’s smooth skin wrinkled with the way she scrunched her face. “If I’m stuck alone in the wild away from the comforts of home, I wouldn’t want to last two seconds. That sounds like hell. I’ll just lay down and wait for the end.”
“Ah, don’t worry. I’ll find you and take care of you, ya big pansy.” Marge slung her arm around Alice’s shoulder, giving her a squeeze.
Alice squeezed her back. “Good to know, and in that case, I’ll take care of you tonight and buy you a big ass steak I hope you’ll remember if I ever get lost in the wilds.”
Marge grinned. “Now we’re talking.”
Sylvie thanked the man taking her bag. “What do you say we all go settle into our rooms, then meet in the lobby in an hour for dinner? Then we’ll have an early night to rest up for tomorrow’s big adventure.”
“There’s an adventure planned already?” I asked, excited. “What is it?”
Sylvie shook her head. “I’m going to keep this one a surprise. I think it will be more fun that way. I’ve done some Googling and found what I think would be a great way to accomplish your wish. I’ll get all the bookings and scheduling figured out today. Then tomorrow, we go for it.”
I clapped my hands, jumping up and down. “I’m so excited!”
