Read Online Tales From a Broad by LLC Melange Books - Free Book Online

was
shaking a heinous picture off of an Etch-a-sketch.
    “What happened to ‘parkway to
possibilities’?” she demanded dryly.
    “Touché. I guess it’s easier to be the one
giving the pep talk. Let’s talk happy thoughts. Back to Mark.” I
swallowed hard and smiled. “Hopefully he’s a little different than
the men we’re used to? Less attitude?”
    “Oh yes,” she beamed, eyes shining. “Mark
seems to be the other way around. Growing up, his parents made him
and his brother give away their birthday gifts to needy children in
the area. I mean, c’mon, I know it’s extreme, but it sounds like
those values really stayed with him. He’s so down to earth.”
    “Well, we’re still going to see him again,
right? Paris?”
    “Actually, yes.” Tess had an uneasy look on
her face.
    I raised my eyebrows in question. “Sweetie,
that’s a good thing.”
    Tess drew in a breath and twisted her
fingers. “Aunt Lu, there’s a slight issue. When I told Mark we were
staying at that Lucky Youth hostel, he told me there was an age
limit. Last summer, a few of his older friends were booted out for
being overage.”
    I laughed. “Well, I knew the term youth
hostel would eventually catch up to me somewhere. Don’t worry,
I’m sure there are hundreds more out there,” I held my fists in the
air, feigning enthusiasm. “I would just like to vote for a private
bathroom this next time around. If possible.”
    “Actually, I had an idea.” Tess’s face turned
pink. She sipped her coffee and placed it back down on the saucer,
making it clatter loudly. “What do you think about staying at the
hotel where Mark and his brother are staying?” She looked down and
picked at one of her fingernails.
    “Come again? Hotel? As in no ‘s’?”
    “No ‘s’.” She smiled. “They’re staying at Le Palais in the Golden Triangle area. I was thinking it
might be kind of nice to upgrade and see Paris in style. You’ve
been such a great sport about the hostel thing, and I feel like now
it’s my turn to compromise.”
    “That’s so nice of you.” I pressed my lips
together to keep from laughing.
    “Don’t you think we should treat ourselves?
This hotel is in the middle of everything, and the view is supposed
to be spectacular. I think we deserve it.”
    “And this has nothing to do with Mark?” I
smiled.
    Tess picked up a menu and hid her red face
behind it.
    I pulled the menu away. “Tess. You don’t need
to convince me. You had me at hotel.”
    “Really?”
    “Um, really. No sleep cocoon? No shower
shoes? Not squatting to pee? While my quads have gotten a bit
tighter these past few days, it’s really not good for my digestive
issues,” I said with a knowing look.
    Tess looked giddy with relief.
    “I can see it right now. A hot bath,
blow-dried hair, champagne on the Champs-Élysées. I may even get
this shirt laundered.” I tugged on my newly stained tank top. “How
do you like that?”
    “I love it. Aunt Lu, you’re the best.” Tess
walked over to my seat for a hug. “Before we go high class, don’t
forget you promised we would live like the Amsterdamians this
evening.” She pulled herself out of my embrace and did a little
dance. “Red light district, baby.”
    “How could I forget?” I groaned. “We’ll be
observing, not partaking, young lady.” I wagged my finger. “Your
mother would kill me.”
    “I know, I know,” Tess sang. She excused
herself to use the ladies room, and I Googled the name of the hotel
on my iPhone. That moment alone justified the international
upgrades we’d made to our phone plans. I just couldn’t imagine
being out of reach for four weeks.
    As I dialed the hotel’s number, I noticed a
girl who had walked into the diner. She instantly reminded me of a
stereotypical Dutch girl in a movie. She looked as if she should be
named Jolanda, with long, blonde, braided hair and red clogs.
    “Morgen, ” she sang to me, as she
followed the hostess to the booth in front of