show.”
Their expressions deepened with interest. “Oooh…”
“Then we will definitely try to make it,” one young woman said.
Claire buried her head in her hands and stood behind her mother, her sleek brown hair covering her face completely.
“Oh, and if any of you see Kathryn from room 200, let her know she is invited, too!” Zo added.
They thanked her and then quickly scurried off to go play shuffleboard on the deck.
“Oh my goodness,” Claire exclaimed. “This has just become even more complicated.”
“No, it hasn’t.” Zo grabbed her hand to lead her along down the hall toward the elevators. “We will just order room service. Why have money if we don’t use it?! All we have to do is figure out some games… and I’m sure they’ve got some great shops on the ship and Kinikiwiki Island. Maybe we’ll find something while we’re shopping.”
The two went down to the elevator to get a breakfast buffet to start their day on the island with lots of energy. Then they would go back to their stateroom, get their giant beach bags, bathing suits and matching straw-yellow sun hats for the island.
The two rented a golf cart which was customary transportation on the island. It was nothing like either of them had imagined, even though there were pictures at the customer service desk aboard the ship. It was very lush with greenery. The beach accented the fact by its white sand. They zipped around the curves of the narrow roads, feeling the wind in their loose hair. The volcanic mountain had the appearance of having aged into a tropical temple.
They soon spotted two waterfalls. One waterfall that was very tall looked like it was coming out of the mountain where they would have rather expected to see lava bubble out from, near the top. The two took in as much of the breathtaking scenery as they could, switching places as driver along the way, giving the other moments for drinking iced mango drinks.
“Mother, what do you say we take a dip in the bottom of the little waterfall?”
“Sure. And I can hardly wait for our snorkeling appointment tomorrow at three o’clock.”
“How could we forget?” Claire said. “I am so excited to do that!”
“So am I!”
Zo was driving this time and quickly took a turn around toward the small waterfall. She stopped their cart and they removed their wrap-arounds, revealing their swimming suits. Zo was wearing a black, draped-bosom, one-piece suit, sprinkled with a cherry pattern. Claire had on a velvety mauve two piece.
The two both carefully pointed a toe into the water.
“Oh! I thought it would be cold water. This is actually warm,” said Claire.
“Probably warmed someway by that ‘dormant’ volcano there.” Zo smirked.
It was nice and warm; perfect on the skin. Claire went down to submerge herself completely, feeling the water wrap around her hair and against her scalp. She opened her eyes for a moment seeing her mom’s legs extend down to the bottom where there were many pebbles among large stone-like rocks. She came back up, taking in a deep refreshing breath and slicking her straight wet hair off her face. “It’s perfect. Let’s swim a little.”
“Oh, that’s ok, dear. I don’t want to get my hair wet.” Zo’s hair was wrapped up into a high thick bun. “I want it to look nice for tonight’s party. You know how difficult long hair can be. Yours was once long.”
“Yeah, when I was in the sixth grade,” Claire said. “What about snorkeling?”
“I have a special swim cap saved for that.”
“Okay, and it can’t be used now?”
“No,” she said simply with a smile.
Claire continued swimming in the rocky pool and even went right under the water that was falling down like a ribbon into it. Zo piddled around, walking around up to her chest in the water, having simple fun.
It wasn’t long before a couple with two children, about eight and ten, came into the pool, taking away the luxury of having the place to themselves.
Zo