Page 68 of Two Tickets to Paradise

Cora laughed out loud into the silence of her bedroom.

"I'm in love!"

Vince droppedhis duffel bag onto the floor by this bed and sat down hard.

His cell phone beeped with an incoming message.

MOM: You're home!

Vince read the message and shook his head. He'd put his mother and grandmother on the family tracking app for his peace of mind, but his mom had gotten the hang of it quickly.

VIN: Yes. I am. What are you doing up?

Before he could even send the message, his phone was ringing.

He tapped the screen to answer the call.

"Hi, Mom."

"Aloha, Vince!"

"Nice, Mom."

"Aloha Kakahiaka."

"Ahh," Vince had no clue what she'd said.

"It means 'Good Morning,'"

She sounded so happy he could only laugh.

"What?" His mother sounded a bit affronted. "Why are you laughing? I'm pretty sure I said it right."

"You probably did, Mom. I just didn't learn that phrase while I was there."

"If you didn't learn the language, why did you go there?"

Vince shook his head. "You know why I went there, Mom."

He looked over at the clock on his bedside table.

"So, are you going to tell me how it went?"

"Mom, I'm not going to talk about it. I sent you some pictures."

"I know..."

He'd heard that tone of voice before.

His mom had always been able to see into his mind and heart even when he didn't want her to.

"I know that you've fallen for her, Vinnie."

"Really, Mom? How do you know that?"

"I know you, Vince. I can hear the difference in your voice. I could see it on your face when you look at her. When you're next to her. It's sweet, baby. So sweet."

"Mom..."

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