“Not too bad. Some of these folks need to learn how to present, though, with those long, drawn-out boring lectures. I almost fell asleep in a couple of them.”

Serenity laughed. “I know what you mean. I’m not looking forward to mine.” She had to keep up with the continuing education requirements for nursing to maintain her license. “Do you want to grab something to eat in one of the hotel restaurants?”

“No. I know it’s blazing outside, but I wanted to check out Old Sacramento right across the street, and the brochure mentions lots of choices.” The city’s July temperatures were projected to hit the century mark later in the day.

“That’s fine. Good thing I decided to wear my tennis shoes.”

“You could’ve worn my extra pair if you hadn’t,” Chandra said as they headed for the exit. They crossed the wide street and meandered through the quaint area, stopping to check out restaurant menus and the various shops lining the cobblestone streets.

Serenity had come to Sacramento a few times but hadn’t yet had a chance to visit Old Sac. “I like this.”

Chandra snorted. “Of course you would. It kind of reminds me of your little town, except here you can drive five miles and find civilization.”

She playfully bumped her sister. “Quit hating on my town. I love it there. And the Bay Area isn’t too far.”

“The key words being too far,” Chandra said with a laugh.

“Whateva. Where are we eating?” They walked around to Front Street and saw the Delta King, a paddlewheel riverboat. “How about eating with a view of the river?”

“I’m game.”

The riverboat’s restaurant only served dinner, so they ate at the bar and grill located in the boat’s forward section. They had a panoramic view of the river, and despite the heat, a slight breeze blew off the water. Over a meal of clam chowder, crab cakes, and salad, they caught up on everything that happened since their last conversation.

“Did Mom tell you she and Dad are taking a trip to DC?”

“No. But I’m so excited for them. She’s been wanting to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture since it opened.”

“I know. I wish Mark and I could go with them, but when I brought it up, Mom told me we were welcome to take the trip on our own because theirs was a trip for two.”

A surprised giggle escaped Serenity. “I guess she told you.” Their parents had always made a practice of taking vacations with just the two of them. When she and Chandra were growing up, Serenity had memories of them going on weekend excursions while she and her sister stayed with their grandparents. “It’s really cool that they’re still so much in love after all this time.”

“Girl, those are marriage goals.”