“Grandma, you won’t get used to a fancy hotel like this. You might even dirty their rooms. You should stay at a small motel instead.”
My son Ethan Parker’s words instantly ignited the fury I had been suppressing for so long.
At that moment, I wanted to strangle him!
How could anyone say such a thing?
But I held back.
I only had twenty-four hours left.
I couldn’t waste my time on rage.
I just wanted to spend what little time I had left showing my mother the love she deserved.
When Emily actually began booking the motel, I grabbed her phone out of her hand.
“What are you doing?” she snapped, glaring at me.
“This trip is for the whole family. She’s my mom. How can we stay in a hotel and send her off to a cheap motel?”
“She can’t stay in the same room as us. Getting her her own room here is too expensive. A motel is much more affordable.”
“Fine. Then you and Ethan go stay at the motel. I’ll stay here with my mom.”
I had no interest in debating further.
Taking Mom by the hand, I walked straight to the front desk.
“Dad, I don’t want to stay in a lousy motel. I want the big hotel.”
“I know, I know,” Emily said to Ethan. “Your dad’s lost his mind. Bringing your grandma along on our trip—wasting money and being an eyesore.”
“Yeah, she should’ve stayed home.”
“What can I do? Your dad insisted.”
With no choice, Emily brought Ethan to stand by me.
I glanced at them but said nothing.
Once check-in was done, we rode the elevator to the 28th floor.
I had booked a luxury suite.
The enormous floor-to-ceiling windows offered a sweeping view of all Denver.
“Daniel, how much does this room cost per night?” Mom asked, awestruck by the suite’s grandeur.
There wasn’t a trace of joy on her face—only pain.
Because she knew it couldn’t be cheap.
“Mom, not much. Holiday discounts. Don’t worry about it. Just enjoy yourself.”
No sooner had I spoken than Emily pulled Ethan toward the master bedroom.
“Hold on,” I said.
She turned back. “What?”
“That’s Mom’s room.”
“What did you say?” Emily looked at me in disbelief.
“We’ll take the guest room. Mom gets the master.”
“Why should we take the smaller one?”
“Because I said so.”
“Daniel, what’s wrong with you today? Why are you picking fights with me?”
Faced with Emily’s angry glare, Mom quickly tried to defuse it.
“I can sleep anywhere. Even the sofa looks comfortable enough.”
“Mom, you’re taking the master bedroom.”
Without another word, I led Mom toward the room.
Emily blocked me.
“What do you mean? Explain yourself.”
“I just want Mom to be comfortable and happy on this trip.”
“You only care about your mom’s feelings. What about mine? What about Ethan’s?”
I ignored her.
Emily stomped her feet in frustration.
“Mom, take a rest. Later, we’ll go out for steak.”
“Daniel, is something going on?”
“Mom, I just want you to enjoy this trip.”
Then I pulled Emily aside.
“I don’t want Mom upset on this trip. As long as you cooperate, once we get back, I’ll not only buy Jason Collins a car—I’ll hand over the rest of the money to you, completely under your control.”
