The Vacation That Was Never Just Ours

I typed out a message to her: “Hey, I think there’s been a misunderstanding. This trip is just us four. We really need some family bonding time.”

She replied within seconds: “Oh, of course! Totally understand. No worries at all!”

Relieved, I thought that was the end of it. Almost too easy, I remember thinking—but I pushed the feeling aside.

It wasn’t.