Vacation of a Lifetime

This is a short fiction story that was fun to write. I never entered this in a contest. Sometimes I write for my enjoyment without a contest in mind.

I always look for unique ways to experience life, especially when taking the family on a vacation. Both of my kids are old enough to enjoy a mild adventure. My wife, however, is less enthusiastic about my vacation choices. Even when we are on a trip my wife chose, I try to find an adventurous side trip. Like on our Paris trip a few years ago, I signed us up on a tour of the catacombs.

Initially, I wanted it to be a surprise but reconsidered and confessed to my wife, I booked a special adventure for us, tomorrow.

“Really! Haven’t you learned anything from past adventures?

“Yes, you only live once.”

She placed her hands on her hips. “I should’ve been a cat . . . I need nine lives with you.” She frowned. “Remember the white water rafting trip in Colorado.”

“Yes, that was great fun and nobody died,” I reassured her.

“True no one died but I had diarrhea for a week I was so nervous about it.”

“The kids loved it,” I responded

“Yes, but they were nine and seven at the time and their brains weren’t fully developed. I can’t explain your brain. Remember we had to sign a waiver in case we died our relatives wouldn’t sue.”

“That was just a formality, besides the tour I booked for us tomorrow has no white water . . . maybe just a few puddles and drips.”

“What kind of tour is this?” She demanded.

“One word . . . Catacombs. You know, the tunnels underneath the city of lights. That’s where they used to bury their dead. It’ll be fun, right!”

“That’s what you call fun? Why don’t we just stroll around in the gutters of the red light district? Isn’t that dirty enough? Do we really need to go underground with the bats and the rats?

“I was told it’s perfectly safe. No need to worry.”

“Need I remind you about zip lining in Malaysia?”

“Oh, that’s low. It was a freak accident. It never happened before and I might add has never happened since.”

“It happened once that’s all I’m counting.”

“We don’t need to bring up the past. We all have a few war wounds from our adventures.” I smiled. “Guess what? I booked the deluxe tour and it includes dinner with wine.”

“Oh! Yummy.”