SAMBA NIGHTS

SAMBA NIGHTS

(First note: All characters are of legal age. Second note: All characters are fictional and bear no resemblance to real people. Third note: English is not my native language, so I apologize for any mistakes or awkward sentences. Anyone who wants to can help me make the story better and more readable.)

CHAPTER ONE

"I don't want you to leave!" Gina grumbled, wrapping herself around her mother.

She hugged Jodie so tightly it even hurt a little.

"I know, but I'll be back and bring you lots of great presents," she reassured her daughter, freeing herself from her grip with a tickle attack.

Gina reluctantly released Jodie, and Mike picked up the five-year-old girl.

"I'll miss you," Jodie sighed, giving her husband a quick kiss on the lips.

"Me too, but it's only a week," he replied with a grin.

"Very nice," she said, looking at Diana, her eldest daughter.

She turned eleven this year and was just about to enter puberty. She wore air pots and stared at her phone, blocking out the world around her.

"I'll miss you too," Jodie said, rubbing her daughter's tousled blonde hair.

She just pulled her head back in annoyance, blew a bubble, and turned away with a grumble. Jodie waved to her family with a heavy heart and got in line at check-in. It was with a heavy heart, but with excitement, that she boarded the plane to Brazil. Jodie loved dancing, and even though her husband Mike had dropped out of all the dance schools, including the samba class she was now attending, Jodie continued this hobby on her own.

There in the course she had also won the trip to the carnival in Rio and since Mike couldn't interrupt his work at the office at such short notice and couldn't leave Diana and Gina alone, Jodie flew alone.

She had asked her friend Scarlett, but she didn't want to come.

Mike wasn't so happy about having to stay home with the kids, but Jodie didn't want to miss the opportunity. She was looking forward to the music, the dancing, and the people. Jodie blew her blonde bangs back and looked at her phone.

A message from Mike. WE ALREADY MISS YOU. She wanted to reply when her thumb accidentally slipped. Instead of the message menu, she was now in the gallery and had selected a picture. It showed her, Mike, Diana, Gina, and in the park. A crooked selfie, with everyone pulling a face. Jodie hated to admit it, but even when photographed so unflatteringly, she still looked good. She had long, blonde hair, white-blue eyes, and a slim, attractive figure.

Mike, too, still seemed incredibly attractive despite his squinting eyes. They had been married for twelve years and still loved each other like the first day, despite the daily routine. Jodie had Diana at 19, and Gina was already a little dictator. Jodie was a little torn.

On the one hand, she already missed her husband and daughter, and on the other, a week's vacation would do her some good. Even if she probably wouldn't get a good night's sleep and some rest. ME TOO. TAKE CARE. LOVE, J