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CHAPTER THREE
“Oh, man. If ever therewas a time to spring for first class, this was it,” Sylvie said as we filed off the plane. “Almost twenty-four hours of travel, and my back isn’t even sore. Those in-flight suites with beds were worth every penny. Thanks, Marge.”
“You said it.” Alice paused to slip her sunglasses on as we approached the bright lights of the terminal. “I’ve been telling you and telling you ... First class is the only way.”
“I don’t mind coach,” Doris replied, “but I gotta admit, I can’t imagine twenty-four hours stuck in a tiny seat. This was a wonderful treat, Marge. I felt like a celebrity. And those compression socks were wonderful. No blood clots!”
“Thank God I finally got to take those ghastly things off.” Alice looked down at her nude legs. We’d all pulled our socks off while we were awaiting unboarding.
“I told you, gals. This time, I’m not gonna be pinching pennies. We’re going all out. My treat.”
In all my years, I never thought I’d have the kind of dough to splurge on first class tickets to Australia. But, thanks to our booming little shoe business, neither the Widows nor I would ever have to worry about covering bills again. Not that I was frivolous with it. In fact, other than spending some big bucks on this wish of mine, not much had changed around my place. It still had the old décor Percy and I had picked out umpteen years ago, and I hadn’t even bought the big TV I kept saying I was gonna spring for. The only thing I ever spent our money on was buying gifts for my sweet little Roxie.
Seeing her gorgeous grin when I’d bring her home some new shoes, or clothes, or some newfangled gift I knew she’d love was about the only damn thing I cared about. Not that she needed money, either. She hadn’t ever had more than what she could make waiting tables at a casino. We’d been perfectly happy without a ton of cash when we were together in Vegas, and she loved me before I had a penny to my name. But boy, did she appreciate when I’d spoil her a little.
“It’s so bright. Why is it so bright?” Alice asked as we stepped out into the airport, and the bright sunshine flooded through the large windows.
“Because it’s winter back home, and we haven’t seen the sun in weeks. Then pairing that with being in a metal tube for twenty-four hours; it’s freaking bright.” Sylvie reached into her purse and pulled out her sunglasses.
“Oh, I missed the sunshine!” Doris hurried to the window, pressing her face against it and grinning wide as she watched a plane take off. “We’re in Australia! Australia! Can you believe it? I need to call Axel and tell him where we are! I didn’t have time with everything going on back at the airport.”
“I should call Roxie, too. I didn’t tell her where we were going because she can’t keep a secret. She’s gonna be so jealous we’re in Australia. She loves kangaroos,” I said.
Alice nodded. “I already miss Alejandro. I need to call him and tell him Marge hasn’t killed us yet.”
As Alice started reaching into her oversized purse, Sylvie planted her hands on her hips. “Hey! Hold it on the calling the spouses.”
We all paused and looked at her.
With a shake of her head, she let out a breath. “Okay, I know we’re all married now, and we have to let our spouses know we’re safe, but this is a Wilder Widows trip. The point of this trip is to experience amazing new things together. Can we just take a moment and be present here in Australia? Really let it sink in that we’re at the start of our new adventure in this amazing place?” She waved a hand toward the window. “Let’s not forget that even though we are technically wives and not widows anymore, this is a Wilder Widows trip, and first and foremost, we’re spending time in the here and now with each other and not with our heads back home with our spouses.”
I tipped my head. “Wait. You’re right. We’re all wives now. Does that make us the Wilder Wives?”
Everyone looked at each other, but Sylvie quickly shook her head. “No. I mean, yes, we are wives, but we are, and will always be, the Wilder Widows. We found each other only because we were widows, so we should always honor that memory and remain the Wilder Widows. Right?”
“Definitely,” I agreed. “Wilder Widows forever.”
Alice and Doris nodded in agreement.
“Good,” Sylvie said. “We’re the Wilder Widows always. And we need to remember that while we’re out traveling. Do I miss Tom? Oh, God, yes. It’s killing me. But I’m putting that aside to focus on this experience with all of you. So, we can text them that we’re safe so they don’t worry, but no one is calling home until we’re all settled in, and we’ve had time to appreciate the start of our trip. Together. The four of us.”
“That is a really good point,” Doris agreed. “Just because we’re all remarried doesn’t mean the reason for being together has changed. We should take a little time to appreciate where we are. The spouses can wait. I mean, we’re in Australia! How amazing!”
“Yeah. You’re right,” I agreed. “I’ll call Roxie later. For now, let’s enjoy this moment together. I’m so excited about this! We’re in Australia, ladies!”
“I’ll be excited when I confirm we aren’t sleeping in a dirt hut.” Alice gave me the side-eye.
Chuckling, I gestured for them to follow me to the baggage claim. We grabbed our bags and then headed outside. The moment the door slid open, we were hit with the smell of the salty summer air. I paused and took a deep breath, the moisture of the hot, humid day soothing my lungs after not breathing fresh air in over a day.
“Oh, that feels nice.” Doris tipped her head back and let the sun beam on her face. “You forget how much you miss the sun in winter. It’s so rare this time of year back home.”
We all followed suit, tipping back our heads and relishing the warm sun and the fresh air surrounding us.
“Wilder Widows? Is that you?” A man’s deep, Australian accent asked.
We all opened our eyes and looked toward the sound. A muscular young man with sandy blonde beach waves leaned against an old blue jeep holding a sign that read, “Wilder Widows.”
