Read Online Lucky Break by J. Minter - Free Book Online

the hectic travel,” my mom said. She seemed unaware of the fact that, compared to most people’s experience, our day of travel had been anything but hectic. “Dad’s going to order dinner from the café down the street. We’ll take it out on the balcony and chill. Sound good?”
    I sort of loved to hate my mom’s tendency to use lingo a generation below hers, but I was happy to hear the word
chill
.
    â€œIt sounds great.” I laughed.
    We each claimed a plush chaise lounge on the main balcony and basked in the fantastic Amalfi sun. Even though we’d just chowed down on Tony’s famous margarita pizza, I somehow found room for about six more courses that my dad insisted I try before going to sleep. Each one was better than the one before it.
    â€œWhy didn’t anyone ever tell me about spumoni before?” I gasped, spooning up the pistachio, chocolate, and strawberry ice creamy deliciousness in my bowl. “This stuff is definitely going on my list of ‘things to be eaten again ASAP.’”
    â€œThat’s my daughter.” My dad beamed.
    I could see my parents sharing relieved looks that Iwas a) getting nourishment and b) occasionally smiling. Usually I prided myself on the fact that I was self-sufficient, but today it felt good to be taken care of.
    On the glass table next to me, I saw my cell phone buzz. I practically leapt to pick it up. It was a text from Camille. I hadn’t heard from her all day.
    YOU’LL NEVER BELIEVE IT—WE JUST LEFT CHARLES DE GAULLE. ALL THE BAGGAGE HANDLERS WERE ON STRIKE ALL DAY! YOU WOULD HAVE DIED. BUT IT WAS HILARIOUS BECAUSE ONE OF THEM FELL IN LOOOOVE WITH AMORY, AND HE TOOK HER TO THE BACK ROOM TO LOOK FOR HER STUFF. JASON GOT ADORABLY JEALOUS. BUT NEVER MIND OUR BORING DETAILS—HOW ARE YOU?
    Crazy. My biggest organization fear for the trip had come true. My friends had spent the whole day at the airport, which meant they’d missed their reservations at the Louvre and probably hadn’t even gotten into the city in time to eat dinner at Sud on rue Cler.
    But strangely, Camille’s text made it sound like it had actually been sort of an adventure. Oh, I wanted to be there so badly!
    I looked over at my parents, who were both serenely enjoying the scenery, and I remembered that my purpose this week was different from my friends’. I was taking care of Flan.
    Here I was on this gorgeous balcony, eating amazingfood, with the world’s most supersupportive parents. Things were going to be okay. Before I knew it, I felt myself drifting off to sleep. The cool Amalfi breeze was in my hair, and I wasn’t even thinking about what time it was in New York.

Chapter 9
PARENTPALOOZA
    9:55 A.M., SUNDAY MORNING
Standing outside Sorrento’s motorcycle
rental shop :
    How incredible is Italy? You don’t even have to be a licensed driver to rent a scooter. Which puts fourteen-year-old me in very good standing for some serious coastal cruising. Get yer motor running!
    10:02 A.M., SUNDAY MORNING
One block … and two small fender
benders later :
    What is wrong with this country? Don’t they have laws? Why would anyone rent a scooter to a teenage Manhattanite who’s never been behind the wheel of anything in her life?
    â€œFlan! Are you okay?” my mom gasped. Sheflipped up the plastic eye shield on her helmet, hopped off her own bike, and started running toward me—and the second unlucky lamppost I’d just hit. “Thank God you were wearing your helmet!”
    â€œOh, that’s what fenders are for,” my dad said casually, hopping off his bike to survey the scene. We were just outside the cobblestone streets of downtown Sorrento, on a main road connecting all the small towns along the coast. We had been on our way to visit a small waterfront cathedral—until my bad driving brought that plan to a screeching halt.
    â€œJust a small scratch on the lamppost,” my dad