I had been promising Justin and Josie a trip to Disneyland for over 7 years. Their parents didn't want them to go, ever, but realized that Josie, now 18, was old enough to go on her own, if she wanted. And she did want to. So my wife and I gave Josie a "becoming an adult" present: an all-expenses paid trip with us to Disneyland. Well, once Josie was going, there was no stopping Justin. Though he was only 13, he convinced his parents that Josie needed the company. So their parents gave in and let me and my wife take both of them. We had everything booked and paid for in advance. Then my wife twisted her ankle.
I wasn't sure what to do, but my wife said she would be fine and I should go since nothing was refundable. Josie said she was going to go by herself, if need be. Her parents realized she was serious and asked if I would be willing to take both children by myself. I checked, again, with my wife, who pushed me out the door. So off the three of us went!
We arrived in the evening and checked in to our motel rooms. The kids loved that we had adjoining rooms, especially when I told them that they could shut their door and lock me out! We all went to bed early to get a good night's sleep. In the morning, I noticed the door was open. When I looked in, they were both already dressed and ready to go.
"The park doesn't open for another two hours!" I said. They both just smiled the biggest smiles I'd seen on them in a long time.
"You wearing a dress?" I asked, then realized I shouldn't have said anything.
"Yeah. It's supposed to get hot today."
"Really?" I said. "Maybe I'll wear some shorts. How about you, Justin?"
"No way," he said.
"Don't forget your watches," I said. They both held up their arms, watches attached to their wrists.
We had a quick breakfast and headed for the park. We had carefully planned the morning and the kids ran from ride to ride before the park filled up. For a while I was able to keep up and enjoyed Justin and Josie's wide smiles and unbounded energy. Within an hour I got tired of trying to keep up with them, they were allowed to go on their own anywhere in the park. We set up a noon rendezvous for burgers and fries in Tomorrowland.
At noon, everyone was there. We talked about the rides they'd been on, which were their favorites, and what we were going to do that afternoon.
"I'm going to Frontierland, and then back to Adventureland," Justin declared. He mapped out the timing that would give him the most rides and the least lines.
Josie looked at me and rolled her eyes. "I'm taking it easy," she said. "I'm heading over to Fantasyland."
Ever since she was a child Josie had been a fan of Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Cinderella, and all the other Disney movies. I smiled as Justin paid no attention, finished his burger, and stood up to go.
"What do you think about checking back in at 5pm," I said, "at the entrance to the castle. Then we'll get dinner and plan the evening."
"GREAT!" Justin said, and he disappeared down the hill into the crowds before I could change my mind.