Chapter 54

We spent several hours walking around the hotel and exploring the village. After browsing the cheap trinket shops and looking in the windows of the very expensive jewelry and clothing shops on main-street, we were too tired to get dressed up to go out to dinner. We decided to have dinner at the casual grill bar that overlooked the pool and the ocean beyond. I ordered a burger and coke, and my mom ordered a large salad with one of the house specialty drinks—you know those fruity things with little palm tree stir sticks. She had several drinks. They must have contained a good deal of alcohol because by the time the second drink was done, I could see that my mother was looking quite relaxed. I knew I had to find out about our sleeping arrangements as well as what was going to happen when we went back to the room. I guess I could have let it just happen, but I didn't want to make a big mistake. I knew what I wanted to do, but I had no idea how far my mother was willing to let me go. I gathered up my courage and said, "Mom, what are we going to do when we get back to the room?" I said, starting out fine but then stuttering. "I mean, you know, uh ... like ... where we are going to sleep and you know ... stuff?" My face turned beet red.