Chapter XI.
On Thursday, December 18, 2025, Eric flies in from Gainesville, Florida, on American Eagle, to spend Christmas Break with his parents.
Christophe puts him up in the La Concha Hotel on Duval Street, for two nights. Kitty and Christophe have a plethora of fun and entertaining activities planned for Eric; they know time will wane as his visit prolongs. On Saturday, December 20, 2025, Eric checks out of the La Concha Hotel.
In order to savor his son’s interest, Kitty decides to drive up U.S. 1, to Miami and Coral Gables, with Eric and Christophe. The group of three stay at the Westin Colonnade, Coral Gables, on Aragon Avenue, from Saturday, December 20, 2025 through Friday, January 2, 2026.
In Miami, Kitty, Christophe and Eric enjoy the Miami Seaquarium, Key Biscayne, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, and the Cape Florida Light.
In Coral Gables, they tour the Biltmore Hotel, the Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden, Lowe Art Museum, DeSoto Fountain, and Ponce de Leon Boulevard.
Kitty shops at the Coral Gables Miracle Mile which is walking distance from their hotel. They eat dinner at Ruth’s Chris on Christmas Eve, Seasons 52 on New Year’s Eve, and Fratelli Milano on New Year’s Day.
When they eat at Ruth’s Chris on Christmas Eve, they dress up. Kitty orders Peach Wine with her petite filet and a baked potato.
Christophe and Eric order filets with baked potatoes. Each of them have Caesar Salads.
Kitty begins gleaning Eric multiple questions about his personal life. His mother asks him, “Do you have a girlfriend?” Eric responds, “Yes, we have been going out for the past two months. She is a sophomore. Her name is Andrea.”
Kitty asks, “What is her major?” Eric responds, “Pharmacy.” Christophe interjects, “Where is she from?” Eric says, “Bay Minette, Alabama.”
Kitty responds, “We stayed just south of Bay Minette, at Spanish Fort, Alabama, in June 2014. You were just seven years old. We were vacationing at Gulf Shores.”
From Saturday, January 3, 2026, until the day Eric departs to Gainesville, Kitty and Christophe decide Eric will stay in their apartment.
One of the Key West restaurants they take Eric is Latitudes Beach Café, which is part of the Key West Westin Resort. They go there for lunch on Sunday, January 4, 2026, right after church.
Eric has an eight ounce filet, as does Christophe. Kitty has the Caesar Salad.
On Monday, January 5, 2026, they take Eric to dinner at Louie’s Backyard. Kitty and Eric have the grilled filet, and Christophe has a grilled double order of lamb chops.
They go to Two Friends Patio for breakfast on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 (Eric’s Birthday). Eric has Key Lime Stuffed French Toast; Christophe has the bacon, mushroom, and Swiss cheese omelette; Kitty has regular French toast.