Chapter 2: The First Warning
The flight to Cabo San Lucas lasted a little over three hours.
I spent most of it looking out the window.
The Rocky Mountains disappeared beneath the clouds, and eventually the landscape below changed into stretches of blue water and sunlit coastline.
It was beautiful.
I had almost forgotten what it felt like to travel somewhere simply because I wanted to.
Vanessa, meanwhile, seemed determined to make the flight look like a luxury commercial.
She photographed her champagne glass, her meal, the leather seat, and Michael sleeping beside her.
At one point, she leaned across the aisle.
"Carol, could you take a picture of us?""
I looked up from my book.
"Of course.""
She handed me her phone.
"Make sure you get the entire seat. I want the champagne in it, too.""
I took three pictures.
She examined them.
"Actually, could you take another? The lighting isn't flattering.""
I smiled and handed the phone back.
Michael glanced at me.
"Thanks, Mom.""
"You're welcome.""
That was the only meaningful conversation we had during the flight.
About halfway through, my phone connected to the aircraft's Wi-Fi.
Two notifications appeared.
The first was from the transportation company.
*Your scheduled private airport transfer is awaiting payment verification. Please update your payment information.*
The second was from the resort.
*Payment authorization required for remaining accommodation charges.*
I read both carefully.
Then I put my phone away.
I had no reason to hide what I'd done, but I also had no intention of announcing it.
If Vanessa believed she had paid for everything, she could demonstrate that belief by paying for everything.
When we landed, the heat hit us immediately.
Cabo smelled of warm pavement, saltwater, and sunscreen.
Michael stretched his arms.
"Finally!""
Vanessa took off her sunglasses.
"Look at this place. I cannot wait to get to the resort.""
I smiled.
"Neither can I.""
She didn't answer.
We collected our luggage and walked toward the transportation area.
A man in a white shirt stood holding a sign with the resort's name.
"Good afternoon. Are you the Anderson party?""
Michael nodded.
"Yes, that's us.""
The driver checked his tablet.
"Wonderful. I have your transportation reservation here, but there's a small issue with the payment authorization.""
Vanessa stopped walking.
"What issue?""
The driver remained polite.
"The previous payment method is no longer available. I need a replacement card before we can release the vehicle.""
Vanessa frowned.
"That's impossible. It's already paid.""
The driver looked at his screen.
"It was guaranteed by a card, ma'am. The charge hasn't been completed.""
Michael looked at me.
For a second, I thought he might say something.
Instead, Vanessa turned toward him.
"Didn't you handle this?""
Michael took out his phone.
"I thought Mom had—"
He stopped.
Vanessa's eyes narrowed.
"Mom had what?""
I adjusted the strap of my handbag.
"I believe the driver is asking for a payment method.""
Vanessa turned toward me.
"Carol, did you do something?""
"Something?""
"To the reservation.""
I looked at the driver.
"Would you mind giving them a moment?""
"Of course, ma'am.""
He stepped aside.
Vanessa lowered her voice, but not enough to keep me from hearing.
"Tell me you didn't mess with the transportation.""
I looked at her calmly.
"You told everyone at the airport that you paid for this trip.""
"Because we did!""
"Then I assume you have a card available.""
Michael stared at the ground.
Vanessa's mouth opened, then closed.
"Michael, give him your card.""
He pulled out his wallet and handed over his credit card.
The driver attempted the authorization.
A moment later, he shook his head.
"I'm sorry. It's not going through.""
Michael tried another card.
Declined.
Vanessa folded her arms.
"Seriously?""
Michael rubbed his jaw.
"I'll call the bank.""
While he stepped away, Vanessa approached me.
"What exactly did you do?""
I met her eyes.
"I removed my payment information from services I no longer wish to sponsor.""
Her face changed.
"You canceled the vacation?""
"No.""
"Then why isn't the transportation paid?""
"Because you said you paid for it.""
She stared at me.
For the first time, she seemed unable to find an immediate answer.
Michael returned.
"My daily spending limit is too low. I can probably move some money around, but it'll take a few minutes.""
Vanessa threw her hands up.
"This is ridiculous. We're standing in Mexico, and you two are making everything difficult.""
I almost laughed.
The driver politely explained that he could arrange a standard taxi if they preferred.
Michael agreed.
Vanessa looked horrified.
"A taxi? After flying first class?""
"We can sort out the rest at the hotel," Michael said.
I nodded.
"That sounds reasonable.""
We climbed into two separate taxis.
The drive to the resort took approximately forty minutes.
Vanessa spent the entire journey staring out the window, tapping her nails against her phone.
Michael sat beside her.
I rode in the second vehicle.
For the first time since leaving Denver, I could breathe.
When we arrived, the resort was even more beautiful than the photographs.
White stone pathways wound between palm trees. Water features reflected the afternoon sun. Beyond the lobby, the Pacific Ocean stretched toward the horizon.
A receptionist greeted us with a bright smile.
"Welcome to Casa del Mar. We're delighted to have you with us.""
Vanessa immediately stepped forward.
"We have a seven-night anniversary reservation. Anderson.""
The receptionist typed something into her computer.
"Of course. I see the reservation.""
"Wonderful. We have the ocean-view suite with the plunge pool.""
"Yes, that's correct.""
Vanessa smiled triumphantly at me.
Then the receptionist continued.
"I do need to discuss the outstanding accommodation authorization before issuing your keys.""
The smile disappeared.
"Again?""
"I'm sorry?""
"The payment issue. We already dealt with this at the airport.""
The receptionist remained professional.
"I understand. The accommodation is reserved, but the remaining balance and incidental deposit require a valid payment method.""
Vanessa pointed at Michael.
"He's handling it.""
Michael looked uncomfortable.
"How much?""
The receptionist turned the monitor slightly.
"Your remaining accommodation balance is $4,680. The incidental authorization is separate.""
Michael blinked.
"Four thousand six hundred and eighty?""
"Yes, sir.""
Vanessa looked at me.
"Carol, just put your card back on the reservation. We can talk about this later.""
I shook my head.
"No.""
Her voice dropped.
"Don't embarrass us.""
I looked at the receptionist.
"Could you please check whether my separate room has been arranged?""
The receptionist nodded.
"Certainly, Mrs. Anderson. Your room is fully paid and confirmed.""
Vanessa looked startled.
"Your room?""
"Yes.""
"You paid for your room?""
"Of course.""
Michael finally looked at me.
"Mom, wait. You paid for yours separately?""
"I did.""
He swallowed.
The receptionist began explaining the available payment options.
Michael took out his phone again.
Vanessa grabbed his arm.
"Can you please make her understand that this is our anniversary trip?""
The receptionist looked between them.
"Ma'am, I believe we can resolve this without any difficulty. We simply need an alternative payment method.""
I almost felt sorry for her.
She had probably dealt with difficult guests before, but she hadn't expected a family dispute to unfold in the middle of her lobby.
Michael eventually managed to authorize part of the deposit using a different card.
The receptionist issued their temporary room access while the remaining balance was being addressed.
Vanessa grabbed the key cards.
"Let's go.""
She didn't thank the receptionist.
She didn't look at me.
She simply walked toward the elevators.
Michael lingered.
"Mom.""
I turned.
"What?""
He looked exhausted.
"Can we talk later?""
"Certainly.""
He hesitated.
"Are you really going to make us pay for everything?""
I studied his face.
"Michael, I already paid for everything once.""
He looked down.
I continued.
"And I was perfectly happy doing it until your wife stood in front of strangers and told them I hadn't contributed a dime.""
He swallowed.
"I know.""
"Do you?""
He didn't answer.
I took my luggage and followed the bellman toward my room.
Mine was on the quieter side of the property, overlooking the gardens and the ocean beyond.
A small plunge pool sat on the balcony.
There was a bottle of sparkling water waiting beside a handwritten welcome note.
I unpacked slowly.
Then I ordered a light dinner from room service and sat outside as the sun began to set.
For the first time that day, I was enjoying myself.
My phone rang at 8:17 p.m.
Michael.
"Mom, can you come to our room?""
"Is something wrong?""
"Vanessa wants to talk.""
I considered saying no.
But I decided to hear what she had to say.
When I entered their suite, Vanessa was sitting on the edge of the bed with her arms crossed.
Michael stood beside the balcony doors.
A resort invoice lay on the coffee table.
Vanessa pointed toward it.
"Explain this.""
I picked it up.
It was a detailed account of the remaining charges.
The accommodation balance.
The breakfast package.
The resort fees.
The anniversary dinner.
And a separate authorization requirement.
At the bottom was a note about the unavailable payment method.
Vanessa looked at me.
"You're going to fix this.""
I placed the invoice back on the table.
"No, Vanessa.""
Her expression hardened.
"Then I think you need to hear something.""
She reached into her handbag and pulled out her phone.
"I have a screenshot of a conversation you don't know about.""
Michael immediately looked at her.
"Vanessa, don't.""
She ignored him.
May you like
Then she turned the screen toward me.
And I saw my own name at the top of the conversation.
