The first week of August shocks me.
Mom has a new job.
Efferts, the clothing store chain she works for, was recently bought by Laurie's. They have the coolest clothes in town. Even the Martha's get clothes from them when they dress casually.
Mom tells me they put her at the location at the Mall, she'll still work on Saturday but that she won't have to work so many hours every week, gets paid more and that she starts after her two week vacation which starts next week.
Dad: That's great dear.
Mom: thanks Jack. She smiles at Dad.
Dad: I was thinking since we both have our vacation in a couple of weeks maybe we can go somewhere as a family. All three of us, a little getaway from syracuse.
Mom: Sounds great Jack, where are you thinking?
Dad: I was thinking of the Florida Keys, since my office gives out discounts for a vacation package.
Florida keys. Family Vacation. Those words feel awesome to me.
I ask dad if he already made the reservations and he nods.
We fly out to the Florida keys on Saturday and I spend the next two weeks snorkeling, getting tanned, at the pool and playing tennis with dad. Mom calls our games father- daughter quality time. There is no snarling between them and they've started being affectionate with each other. It's Nice to see them appreciate each other after all that happened.