My speech was excellent, the colorful pictures were pasted in place, the quoted monetary amounts were close enough approximations to be reasonable, yet Mom and Dad sat there bemused. “So what do you think?”

“I’m impressed by your effort, honey, but your Dad and I already have plans.” Mom consoled, smoothly.

“What plans?” I was suckered in.

“You’re going to spend one week with your grandma, in the city.”

“Mo-om! That’s not a vacation!” I protested.

“Don’t you like your grandma’s?” Mom played the guilt card.

“Yeah, but we’ve never gone anywhere! I just want to travel somewhere I’ve never been and have fun!”

“Maybe we can go to the water park this year.” Mom suggested.

“Okay.” I gathered my pictures and went up to my room.

Grandma’s and the water park. Well, it was better than nothing! I mused. Last year, we didn’t even swim!

“What’d they say?’ Lizzie asked me from her bedroom door.

“We’re going to stay with Grandma for a week.”

“YAY!!” Lizzie would have been excited even if we went next door.