Page 59 of Walk on the Wilder Side

They grinned and lifted their glasses with us. I tried not to cringe at the sight of Marge’s mouth. At least her black eye was getting better, though now it was a strange blend of yellows and purples.

Sylvie lifted her glass higher. “Here’s to us having each other for support no matter what life throws at us. Marriage troubles, hungry hippos, jaguar dance-offs ... the list could go on for miles. I’m just so glad I have you ladies to lean on, both physically, like yesterday when I stubbed my toe dancing, and emotionally. I love you, ladies.”

“And we love you,” Doris answered for all of us.

We took sips of our margaritas, then turned our attention to the colorful sky starting over the African plains. The reds and oranges of the sunset reflected in the river flowing right beside us.

“Look! A croc!” Doris pointed.

“So, don’t go for a swim in there is what you’re saying?” Marge leaned over the edge to get a better look at the croc below.

“Go pet it, Marge. Give it the ol’ Disney princess treatment. See how that goes for you.” I smirked.

She turned back to me, flashing that smile wide just to make me cringe.

“Stop! Put that thing away!” I waved my hand at her, but she kept grinning anyway. “I can’t believe I’m stuck on this entire trip with that visage in my face.”

She wagged her eyebrows. “You better get used to it, because we’ve still got two wishes left.”

“Speaking of,” Sylvie said, her voice lifting. “I brought the wishing basket down because I thought tonight would be a good night to draw the next wish. Then we’ll have a little time to plan while we finish our last few days in Africa.”

Doris clapped and bounced up and down. “Oh, yes! Yes! I hope it’s mine!”

We all nodded in agreement, and excitement fluttered inside of me wondering what adventure lay ahead of us.

Sylvie hopped out of the hot tub and grabbed the knitting basket she’d tucked under a towel under the chair. When she came back, we all gathered tight together as she lifted off the lid.

“You’re up, Alice. Pick away,” she said, holding it closer to me.

I made sure my fingers were dry, then I reached inside and plucked out the next wish. When I saw the name on the outside, I smiled.

Doris.

I lifted it up to show the others. “You got your wish. You’re next, Doris.”

“Whoo-hoo!” she whooped, jumping out of the water and sending sprays splashing at us. “My wish! I’m so excited!”

“What is it?” Sylvie wiped some water off her face as she and Marge leaned in.

I opened the note and tipped my head when I saw the words. “I can live with this,” I said.

“What is it? Tell us!” Marge demanded.

“Sleep in a castle,” I answered, smiling as I turned the note around to show them.

“Oh! I like that!” Sylvie grinned.

“It’s been a dream for a long time!” Doris settled back into the water. “I want to live like I’m a Renaissance lady in a castle for a few nights. Won’t it be wonderful?”

“I can get down with sleeping in a castle,” Marge answered. “I am a Disney princess after all. I belong in a castle.”

Pursing my lips, I tipped my head. “Actually, the left hook from the kangaroo has proven that you arenot,in fact, a Disney princess. I don’t remember Cinderella or Snow White getting cold clocked by the wildlife they flounced around with.”

“We only saw the edited versions. There’s no way to know what really happened behind the scenes. Maybe Sleeping Beauty was out cold because she got throat punched by a squirrel.” Marge shrugged, and we all started laughing.

“Please don’t go trying to make the candles and teapots come to life when we get to the castle,” I teased.

“A castle! So cool! I’ll start hunting destination castles tonight,” Sylvie answered. This is going to be fun, ladies! We’re gonna live like queens!”

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