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twenty minute ferry ride away.
    In the back corner of the office, Claire noticed that Janice and Carl were getting uncomfortable with the situation. Craig noticed it, too.
    "Why don't I go help my parents settle into their room while you all hash this out?" he asked, but didn't wait for a response. The three Fishers left the room immediately.
    Mandy took her mom's arm and pulled her aside. "Mom, I know this is crazy, but would you even consider sharing a room with Dad until something opens up?"
    Claire's mouth dropped open. She couldn't believe her ears. "No. Are you kidding me? No. Absolutely not."
    "But Mom," Mandy began.
    "No, Mandy. Are you crazy? Share a room with your father? There has to be another alternative." Claire turned to Jim who just stood there, looking like he didn't know what to say. "Jim. You can't possibly want to share a room, either. What would Diane think? It's out of the question. Right?"
    Jim looked from Mandy, who had a determined look on her face, to Claire, who looked panic-stricken. "Well, it wouldn't really be that bad, would it? Just for a few nights? I mean, they must have a cot I can sleep on, or something."
    Claire couldn't believe what she was hearing.
    "Oh, yes, we do have a cot we can put up in your room, Mrs. Martin," Sandra broke in. "And the room is large enough so it shouldn't be a problem."
    "Oh, my God. No. No, no, no!" Claire looked out the office window at the resort grounds and the beach and ocean beyond. Her beautiful vacation in paradise was slowly turning into the vacation from hell.
    "Mom, please," Mandy begged. "You two are the only ones who aren't a couple. It only makes sense that you share the room. Otherwise it will ruin everyone else's vacation."
    Claire was listening, but just barely. Off in the distance, swaying gently between two palm trees, was an empty hammock. Claire turned to Sandra. "The weather here is always beautiful, isn't it? There's a lovely hammock out there. Jim can sleep outside and be just fine. Right?"
    Sandra, Mandy, and Jim all looked at her as if she were crazy. At that very moment, Claire felt like she was going insane.
    "Mom, you can't possibly expect Dad to live outside for seven days and nights," Mandy said sharply.
    Silence filled the room. Claire felt like a trapped animal. She spun the charm bracelet on her wrist at warp speed. Jim stepped up beside Claire and placed his hand over her wrist to stop the jingling of the charms. Claire looked up into his vibrant blue eyes, searching for malicious humor. Instead, she saw sincere warmth radiating out from them.
    In a calmer voice, Mandy said, "Mom, I know I'm asking a lot. Could you please share a room with Dad until another one becomes available? Please? For me?"
    Claire looked over at Mandy, who looked like she was about to disintegrate into tears. She glanced at Jim again, who did in fact manage to look contrite about the whole incident. She really didn't have much choice, given how Mandy had asked.
    "Fine," Claire said, feeling defeated. "Fine."
    Sandra went into action, calling on the phone for a cot to be placed in 3A. "I really am very sorry about this entire incident," Sandra told Claire specifically. "Your room will be free for the entire stay. I don't know how this error occurred, and I am so sorry."
    Claire just nodded. She didn't care how it happened, it just had. And now her vacation was going to be ruined.
    "Thanks, Mom," Mandy said, giving her a hug. Claire let her hug her, but she wasn't very pleased with any of the people in the room right now.
    The group turned and walked out the door with Mandy leading and Jim in the rear. He touched Claire's arm just as they stepped outside.
    "I'm sorry this happened," he said softly. "Thanks for not letting me sleep outside."
    Claire turned and glared at him, wondering if that was supposed to be funny, because she wasn't amused.
     

Chapter Five
     
     
    Their luggage was in the room by the time they made it up the three flights of stairs.