South Beach

by Aimee Friedman

  "Are you okay?" Alexa asked, leaning forward in concern.

  "Yeah," Holly said. Then she shook her head. "No, I'm not. Oh, my God, imagine if we crash?" Holly had flown only a few times before -- and had been scared out of her wits each time. And she didn't like the sensation of being trapped inside a small cabin for hours with not much room to move around.

  The airplane lifted off the ground, its nose angled toward the sky. Holly reached over and clutched Alexa's arm, and Alexa tried as hard as she could not

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  to laugh. Of course sheltered Holly would freak out on an airplane. It was kind of cute, if a little annoying. Alexa took Holly's hand and gave it a quick squeeze. "Relax," she said, hiding her smile. She hoped Holly wouldn't be scared of everything. Alexa didn't have much patience for fear.

  The plane leveled off and Holly's crazy heartbeat slowed. She pulled her hand away from Alexa's, feeling like a baby, and stared down at her copy of Teen People, trying not to make eye contact.

  "A drink would do you good," Alexa spoke, breaking the silence. She figured she'd at least try to make the plane ride fun. Alexa glanced around the cabin as the flight attendants began rolling their carts by. "It's too bad we can't order alcohol on board. I don't think my fake ID would go over well here, do you?"

  "You have a fake ID?" Holly asked.

  "It's a must," Alexa said, tossing back her long hair. "Don't tell me you ... don't?"

  "Um ..." Holly said, just as a flight attendant stopped by her seat. Though she was relieved that she and Alexa were finally talking, this was one question Holly wanted to avoid. She hadn't ever thought of getting a fake ID, since she didn't drink.

  Holly had gotten sort of drunk, once, off two beers at a party sophomore year. The slightly bitter flavor of the beer had been interesting, and the drinks had made

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  Holly's head whirl in an almost-pleasant way. But once had been enough.

  Holly ordered an orange juice and Alexa got a Pellegrino. Alexa raised her cup and smiled. Maybe all Holly needed was some loosening up.

  "A toast!" Alexa exclaimed. "To sunshine. And palm trees. And sexy boys!" She tapped her cup against Holly's. "God, I hope I'll have at least one good hookup," she said with a sigh.

  "Wait..." Holly set down her drink on the folding tray. "Don't you have a boyfriend?" Whenever she'd seen Alexa in school that year, she'd been draped all over the studly lacrosse star, Tyler Davis.

  "Past tense," Alexa said, her face lighting up. Though she'd had a few brief flashes of guilt, she hadn't given much thought to Tyler since Thursday. And he was behind her now back on the ground. Far more intriguing boys awaited her in Miami. "Boyfriends are overrated, anyway," she added, sipping her drink.

  "Are they?" Holly asked. She had no idea what it was like to have a boyfriend, but she guessed it must be pretty nice. To have someone you could kiss whenever you felt like it. Someone to go to the movies with on a Saturday night. Someone who'd drape his jacket over your bare shoulders if you got chilly.

  Alexa nodded with conviction. "They're too ...

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  intense. I think casual flings are the way to go." After her serious relationship with Tyler, she was more than ready for a few meaningless moments with boys she'd never see again.

  "Oh," Holly said. She didn't have any experience with flings, either. Unless she counted Diego. At the thought of him, Holly's stomach gave a funny little jump. She eagerly peered out the window at the puffy white clouds. She might actually see Diego that very day. And this time, Holly thought, a little surprised by her own naughtiness, maybe well do more than just kiss.

  A few hours later, the girls were in Miami, speeding toward Grandma Ida's in a cab. Holly's grandmother had offered to pick up the girls from the airport, but Holly had declined, thinking that might seem childish to Alexa. The cab was a mature -- if pricey -- alternative.

  While Holly called her parents on her cell to assure them she'd landed safely, Alexa rolled down her window and drank in the passing scenery with glee. The avenue they were driving down was lined with tall palm trees. The buildings and Art Deco hotels were all pastel shades: pale peaches, light greens, sky-blues, and bright yellows. Bronzed boys in board shorts Rollerbladed

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  by, and girls in bikinis flip-flopped lazily on their way to the beach. It was a perfect day for suntanning: The sky was a deep azure and the buttery sun felt warm as a caress. Alexa breathed in the salty tang of the ocean. She heard Holly shut her cell phone and roll down her own window.

  "It's like paradise," Holly said, echoing Alexa's thoughts.

  The one imperfection in this paradise, Alexa reflected, was that they weren't driving toward some luxury resort, but to Grandma Ida's. She didn't mention this to Holly, though. Holly would probably get all defensive, and Alexa felt there was enough tension between them already. She'd simply have to deal with the grandma sitch when they got there.

  The cab pulled to a stop in front of a small, light-blue apartment house, and Alexa felt even more deflated. The place looked so ordinary. Her full lower lip plumped out prettily.

  "Yes, this is it," Holly said, annoyed by Alexa's disappointed expression. Alexa had been the one to call her, asking to go on this trip. Now that they were in Miami, she was suddenly pulling a princess act?

  They paid the driver and grabbed their bags -- Alexa had packed twice as much as Holly. They straggled into the building's cool, airy lobby, and Holly felt

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  a pang of anticipation mixed with anxiety. This was where she'd first met Diego that summer, right by the elevator. What if he walked through the lobby now? Holly glanced down, feeling plain in her jeans and hooded sweatshirt. When they made it to the elevator with no Diego in sight, she was relieved but also disappointed.

  They rode to the fourth floor in silence. Alexa gazed critically at a flyer in the elevator advertising a mambo class for seniors. What had she been thinking, letting Holly drag her here? Brooding, she followed Holly out of the elevator and down a corridor. Holly stopped in front of one of the gray doors and rang the bell.

  The door flew open to reveal Ida Jacobson.

  "Darlings!"

  Petite and wiry, the very tanned, very wrinkled seventy-year-old had short, flaming red hair. She wore a leopard-print bathing suit, a purple sarong, and beaded floral slippers. Cat-eyed, white-framed sunglasses perched on top of her head, and blue dolphin earrings dangled from her ears. Alexa liked her immediately.

  "Hi, Grandma," Holly said, stepping forward hesitantly.

  "What beauties!" Ida flung her arms around Holly and Alexa at the same time. She smelled of Estée Lauder Pleasures and suntan oil.

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  She whirled on Holly, studying her intently. "Such a looker you are!" she exclaimed. "My Holly. Last time you were here, you were a little girl. You didn't have this" she made an hourglass shape with her hands -- "womanly figure!" Holly blushed to the roots of her hair. Ida patted her behind, apparently through with her, then turned to size up Alexa.

  "And you're the infamous Alexa. Look at you." Ida clucked her tongue appreciatively. "You must be beating the boys off with a stick!"

  "Well," Alexa said, ducking her head and smiling. She didn't like to brag....

  "Come in, come in," Ida said, ushering them into the foyer. "Make yourselves at home."

  Holly and Alexa stepped into the small, sunny apartment. Ida's living room was decorated in varying shades of purple. Magazines, books, and beach towels were strewn everywhere. A brightly plumed parakeet chirped shrilly from its cage in the corner. The air conditioner was going full blast. Holly looked around in wonder as she set her bags on the floor. At thirteen, the apartment had seemed fun to her, but now it was giving her a headache. She remembered that Josh had slept on the pullout couch in the living room, and she had gotten the spare bedroom down the hall. Holly figured she and Alexa would share that room now.

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  Alexa surveyed the decor, and her spirits lifted.
Ida was a lot more interesting than she had anticipated. Staying here might be bearable after all. Besides, all she wanted to do now was change into her bikini, so she could head straight for the beach.

  "What do you girls need?" Ida asked, hands planted firmly on her hips. "Something to drink, some cookies?"

  "Is there someplace I can change?" Alexa asked, motioning to her numerous bags.

  "Sure, the bathroom is right there, across from my bedroom." Ida pointed to a door off the living room just as the phone rang in the kitchen. Ida flew off, her sarong trailing behind her and picked up the phone. "Oh, hi, Miriam," Holly heard her say. "I'd love to chat, but I have guests...." Holly tightened her ponytail nervously. Was it just her imagination, or did Grandma Ida sound a little put out by the fact that she and Alexa were here?

  With a flourish, Alexa pulled her teensy metallic pink bikini and matching flip-flops out of her carry-on. Tucking them under her arm, she walked toward the bathroom. She didn't know why Holly wasn't also rushing to change; her outfit was so not Miami-appropriate. Alexa shut the bathroom door, turned on the light, yanked off her fuzzy sweater, and reached back to unhook her lacy bra. She was feeling sexier already.

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  In the living room, Holly sat gingerly on the sofa, twisting the silver ring on her finger. She wondered if Alexa planned to ditch her and go to the beach alone. After the awkward plane ride, it might be nice to get some space. Then, Holly glanced up and gave a start when she saw Grandma Ida's bedroom door open. An elderly man stepped out into the hall, and reached for the knob on the bathroom door. Had Alexa even locked it? Holly jumped up, ready to warn her, but she was too late. She heard Alexa emit an ear-piercing scream.

  "Grandma Ida, there's a strange man in here!" Holly cried, pointing. The man apologized to Alexa, shut the door, and hurried into the living room, clearly embarrassed.

  Ida came running in from the kitchen. "What's all this?" she exclaimed. Then, to Holly's surprise, she went up to the man and kissed him on the cheek. She turned to Holly, beaming.

  "Holly, pancake, meet my special friend, Miles. Miles, this is my beautiful granddaughter, Holly. And I guess you've already met her friend, Alexa."

  Miles was a handsome, seventy-ish, African-American man, with a close-cropped white beard and bright brown eyes. He wore a button-down Hawaiian shirt and Bermuda shorts. He tipped his baseball cap to Holly.

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  Holly stared back at him, wide-eyed. Grandma Ida had a boyfriend?

  Ida's phone rang again, and Miles headed for it.

  "That'll be Ruthie and Harry, wondering why we're late for canasta," Miles said to Ida over his shoulder. "And don't forget about bingo tonight, sweetie."

  "Right," Ida said, looking frazzled. She turned to Holly. "So, bubeleh, can I get you some lemonade before Miles and I take off?"

  "Uh ... sure," Holly said, distracted. She was still trying to process someone calling her grandmother "sweetie." Holly's grandfather had died before she was born, so she'd always known Grandma Ida as single. Now, the fact that her grandmother apparently had better luck with guys than she did was making Holly feel just shy of pathetic.

  Alexa emerged from the bathroom, still in her outfit from the plane, her lips set in a line. She wished she'd thought to lock the door. No way was she changing in that bathroom now -- that old man barging in on her had totally killed her sexy vibe. Alexa walked over to Holly and Ida, and forced herself to smile as they explained to her that Miles wasn't a random stalker.

  "That's good. Oh, Ida?" Alexa asked sweetly. "Where will Holly and I be sleeping? Can I change in there instead?"

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  Ida wrung her hands, her bracelets jangling. "Miles has sort of... spread out in the apartment," she explained. "A lot of his clothes and things are in the spare bedroom. Anyway, I thought you girls might be more comfortable sleeping right here on the pullout couch." She pointed to the sofa, then she bustled off to the kitchen again.

  Alexa looked at Holly, horrified. Not only did they have to share a pullout, but they'd be stuck in the chaotic, crowded living room? Miles was hollering into the phone, and the parakeet was squawking. This would be a nightmare.

  "I know," Holly muttered. She shrugged. "There's nothing I can do."

  But maybe there's something I can do, Alexa thought. Ida came toward them carrying two glasses of lemonade, and Alexa studied Holly's grandmother carefully. It was obvious that Ida had a rocking social life, and didn't really need Holly and Alexa around. Alexa wondered if she could turn this situation to her advantage.

  Ida handed the girls their lemonades, and motioned for them to sit on the sofa. She sat across from them in a lilac armchair.

  Holly took a big gulp of lemonade. "This is ... nice," she lied.

  "Yes, thank you, Ida," Alexa gushed. "I hope we aren't imposing. Are you sure we're not in your way?"

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  "Not at all!" Ida said. "The more the merrier."

  Miles hung up the phone and emerged from the kitchen. As he crossed the living room, he tripped over Alexa's open carry-on bag, but caught himself before he fell. Alexa and Holly gasped at the same time.

  "Careful, honey!" Ida cried, leaping up.

  "I'm okay," Miles said, looking humiliated again. Then he rushed out of the living room and back into Ida's bedroom.

  Ida sat down and drew a deep breath, adjusting her sarong around her waist. "Well," she said, as if nothing had happened, "what kind of mischief are you girls cooking up for your stay in Miami?"

  "Not much," Holly started to say -- they had not, in fact, discussed any plans -- but Alexa cut her off.

  "We're going to be so busy," Alexa said, widening her pale blue eyes for dramatic effect. "We'll probably be in and out of the apartment a lot."

  "Oh?" Ida tilted her head thoughtfully. "Well, that's fine. Miles and I aren't at home very much ourselves during the day."

  Alexa nodded. "I meant at night. I love to stay out late dancing."

  Uh-oh, Holly thought. She couldn't picture herself going out on the town with Alexa.

  Ida twinkled merrily at Alexa. "You've come to the right place. Miami's full of discos. That scene's not

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  quite for me anymore. But when I was your age ..." Ida trailed off, looking misty-eyed. "I was quite the mover and shaker."

  Alexa grinned. "Give me a crowded dance floor and a thumping rhythm and I'm in heaven," she said. It was true; she was in her element when dancing.

  Ida held Alexa's gaze. "It's funny, dear. You remind me a bit of myself at your age."

  Holly coughed, feeling a little jealous. Wasn't Grandma Ida supposed to say that sort of thing to her, not Alexa?

  "But I hope we won't disturb you," Alexa was saying earnestly. "Like if we're coming in after midnight in our stilettos ..." She leaned forward and stared at Ida, her expression concerned.

  Holly shot Alexa a bewildered glance. She didn't even own stilettos.

  "Me, I could sleep through a hurricane and I have," Ida mused. "But Miles is a light sleeper...." She tapped her finger to her upper lip, clearly considering Alexa's words.

  "I'd hate for us to be a burden," Alexa added, laying it on thick.

  A slow smile of understanding bloomed on Ida's face. "You two angels could never be a burden," she said. Then she paused. "Still, I want you to have the best possible time on your school break. And I am a

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  little worried that we might get on each other's nerves four people crammed in this little apartment ..." She winked at Alexa.

  Alexa latched on to this notion immediately. "Oh, I know! There's nothing like sharing a small space to make people despise each other." She winked back at Ida.

  "We don't want that," Ida asserted, shaking her head.

  Alexa held her breath, barely believing their luck. Ida totally got it. She didn't want the girls staying with her any more than they wanted to be there!

  Holly glanced from her grandmother to Alexa, and felt a twinge of worry. Did Alexa
want them to leave Grandma Ida's? That couldn't happen. Staying here was the most important part of their plan. Her parents wouldn't stand for anything else.

  Alexa sighed. "Ida, we would love to stay with you, but maybe it would be best for everyone if we crashed somewhere else. At least for a little while?"

  "We -- we can't go somewhere else!" Holly jumped in, panicked.

  Ida chuckled and leaned over to squeeze Holly's knee. "Listen, honey cake. If you and Alexa do decide to go someplace else, we'll still be able to see each other. You can still come over for dinner " she gave Alexa a secret smile -- "or cocktails! Any time you like."

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  "But Mom and Dad ..." Holly trailed off in desperation.

  "We don't have to tell your parents, do we?" Ida asked. "They can call you on your cell phone if they want to reach you. And if they ever call here, I'll just tell them you're at the beach!"

  "You're a genius," Alexa declared, gazing at Ida with sincere admiration.

  "And you're a girl after my own heart," Ida said, leaning over to pat Alexa's hand.

  "Urn, hold on," Holly said, interrupting their little love fest. "Where else could we even stay?"

  "A luxury hotel in South Beach, silly!" Alexa said, springing up and walking over to her carry-on bag. She pulled out her new Time Out guide to Miami and started turning the pages. "There are tons of them. The Delano, the Shore Club, Mercury ..."Alexa knew she belonged in a swanky place like that. She could see herself strolling into a dazzling hotel lobby, wearing her new strapless rose-colored dress.

  "I can't afford to stay anywhere expensive," Holly protested. She'd brought along some of her babysitting money, but she wasn't expecting to spend most of it. She had assumed that food and board would be taken care of by her grandmother, but the game plan was rapidly changing.