The tablet hit the floor so hard the plastic case cracked straight down the middle.

“Grandma!” Cody yelped, scooping it up like it was a wounded animal. “What are you doing?”

His Roblox avatar on the shattered screen was frozen mid-jump over a block of lava. A smear of gray across the glass looked like a digital scar.

“It’s ruined!” he moaned.

They were standing at Denver International Airport, right under a giant “Welcome to Colorado” sign with a framed photo of the Rockies. Travelers rushed past with wheelie bags, the TSA line snaked back and forth, and overhead a calm recorded voice kept repeating something about unattended luggage.

“You shouldn’t be using electronics anyway,” Nana said, tucking the broken tablet under her arm like it was contraband. “If kids were meant to use electronics, they would’ve been born with batteries.”

“What am I supposed to do at the airport?” Cody demanded. “Just… stare at people?”

“We’re supposed to have an old-fashioned vacation,” Nana said. “No TV, no phones, no tablets. The way it was when I was a kid.”

“When you were a kid they didn’t have electricity,” Cody muttered.

“I heard that,” she snapped, but her eyes were smiling.

A few feet away, his grandfather, Ian, was squinting up at the departure board with all the West Coast flights listed: Los Angeles, San Diego, Portland, Seattle. On the far right, in small letters, it said: “Los Angeles – continuing service to Las Vegas.”

“Mason, I don’t see the flight to L.A.,” Nana said, still calling Cody by his middle name like she always did when she was annoyed.

“What do you mean, Mom?” Ian said automatically, because after forty years of marriage he just answered to anything she threw at him. Cody sighed. It was like having two grandparents and an extra parent.

“It’s right there,” Cody said, pointing. “Gate twenty-seven. Los Angeles. Then we get stuck in Vegas. Then we go stare at a giant hole in the ground.”

“The Grand Canyon is one of the seven natural wonders of the world,” Nana said. “God carved that with His own hand.”

“Couldn’t He at least have put a roller coaster in it?” Cody mumbled.

Ian caught his eye and winked. “Hey, you get to ride a mule,” he said. “Wind in your hair, smell of the animals.”

“Wow. Mules.” Cody deadpanned. “Who came up with that idea?”

“Somebody with a sense of adventure,” Nana said. “Not someone who wants to sit inside and press buttons all day.”

He opened his mouth with a new argument about how theme parks were real adventure too, but something across the terminal snagged his attention.

“Look over there,” he said, tugging Ian’s sleeve.

“Oh no, we’re not falling for the old distraction trick,” Nana said. “You’re not getting that tablet back.”

“No, really,” Cody said, standing on his toes. “It’s my friend Mason from school.”

Sure enough, a skinny boy with a messy hoodie and a backpack too big for his frame was walking beside an older couple. His gray hair grandfather was pushing a suitcase, his grandmother was fussing with what looked like knitting needles sticking out of her tote.

Small world, Cody thought. He suddenly remembered something, and his stomach clenched.

Mason isn’t going with his grandparents to the Grand Canyon.

He marched over there before he could stop himself. “Hey, what’s going on, Mason?”

Mason’s face lit up. “Dude, I didn’t know you were here!” he said. “Thought you were on the class trip.”

Cody’s eyes flicked to the boarding pass in Mason’s hand. “You’re not on the class trip?”

“No,” Mason said. “I’m traveling with my grandparents.”

“Where are you headed?” Cody asked, even though he already had a sinking feeling.

“Las Vegas,” Mason said casually.

“Las Vegas,” Cody repeated. “Maybe you can play some slot machines.” He glanced up at the big poster advertising the Strip, all neon and fountains, Bruno Mars’ face on one billboard, Usher’s on another. “See some shows. Bruno Mars, Usher…”

“Yeah,” Mason said. “Maybe my grandparents will let me peek at the casinos. They said we can see the Strip from the hotel.”

“What are you doing on the school trip again?” Mason asked.

“We’re supposed to be,” Cody said, bitterness creeping in, “going to Disneyland.” He ticked them off on his fingers. “Then Legoland. Then Universal Studios. Then Six Flags. And then—” he dropped his voice, like he was sharing a sacred secret “—Roblox Land.”

Mason’s jaw dropped. “Roblox Land? The one in California they haven’t opened yet?”

“Yeah,” Cody said. “Our school got invited as like a test group. You know, to see if the rides are okay for fifth-graders.”

“Man, that stinks,” Mason said. “I wish I could go.”

“It’s not so bad,” Cody said. “At least we can trade pictures. You can send me pictures of Vegas and Bruno Mars, and I can send you pictures of a mule’s rear end.”

A few gates down, another kid was having a different kind of meltdown.

“Mom, where’s everyone else from my school?” Emma asked, clutching the handle of her roller bag so tight her knuckles went white.

Cindy Jones checked her watch, then glanced up at the big “Totally Airlines” check-in sign. “Honey, they won’t be here yet,” she said. “They’ll be up at the waiting area by the gate.”

“Mom, we have to go through inspection and all that,” Emma said. “Will they even let you up there?”

“It’s okay, Emma,” Cindy said patiently. “They gave me a gate pass. I can wait with you all the way until boarding. As long as I get to the hospital on time.”

“I wish you were going with us,” Emma mumbled, looking down at her sneakers.

“So do I,” Cindy said, her face softening. “But I have to work. People at the hospital need me. Besides,” she added, nudging Emma’s shoulder, “you don’t want a bunch of parents trailing behind you in L.A. anyway. Your teacher, Mrs. Williams, is way more fun.”

Emma cracked a smile despite herself. “You’re right,” she admitted. “Mrs. Williams is like… the cool mom.”

“More fun?” Cindy said, mock-offended. “Okay, I see how it is.”

Emma leaned into her for a quick side hug. The departure board behind them flashed: “Flight 455 – Denver to Los Angeles – On Time.”

Back at Gate 77, Cody’s mother problem looked slightly different. His grandmother, who had an unshakeable faith in printed brochures, had an entire manila folder full of maps and hotel confirmations. None of them were as interesting to Cody as the trip he wasn’t on.

“It’s exciting on the school trip,” he told Mason. “We’ll be doing the theme parks with all our friends—well, I won’t. You will. There’s so much to do out there.”

“What are you guys going to do first?” Mason asked.

“Disneyland, obviously,” Cody said. “We’re hitting Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge first thing. Then Legoland, Universal, Six Flags, Roblox Land. It’s like the Tour de Awesome.”

“What are you all going to do in Vegas?” Mason asked.

“Apparently stare at a big hole in the ground and ride animals that smell like my gym locker,” Cody groaned. “And I’m not allowed to even bring my phone.”

“You can always send me pictures of the mule’s rear end,” Mason said. “I’ll send pictures of Jurassic Park.”

“They let you use your phone?” Cody asked.

“Yeah,” Mason said. “My grandparents swear they’re the ‘cool’ ones.”

“Must be nice,” Cody muttered.

Up at the gate, Nana was still on her “no electronics” crusade.

“What are we going to do in Las Vegas anyways?” Cody asked, stomping back to her side. “Can I play the slot machines?”

“I’m sorry, Cody,” Nana said. “You have to be eighteen to do that.”

“Well, why don’t we see some shows?” he said quickly. “Bruno Mars. Usher. I saw their billboards. We could get tickets.”

“We can see Mars from the Grand Canyon,” Nana said triumphantly. “No light pollution. It’s really dark out there.”

“It’s just a speck in the sky,” Cody said. “The real one sings ‘Leave the Door Open.’”

“Maybe we can see a play,” Nana said. “Like Cats. They have plenty of ushers there.” She giggled at her own joke.

“Just what I want to see,” Cody said. “A bunch of grown-ups running around in cat costumes.”

“Don’t say that,” Nana scolded. “You’re going to make Mr. Whiskers mad.”

“Cats don’t have feelings,” Cody said automatically.

“Yes, he does,” she insisted.

Ian stepped between them. “What are you supposed to do?” he asked Cody calmly. “Sit in the room and watch TV while we’re having fun?”

Cody opened his mouth, then remembered. “No electronics,” he sighed. “Apparently the Grand Canyon is Amish.”

“Here you go, Cody.” Mason’s grandfather appeared at his side, holding out a paper tray. The smell of cinnamon and fried dough hit before he saw the churros. “Got these for the plane.”

“Thanks, Mr. Clark,” Cody said, grabbing one.

“Is this your friend?” Mason’s grandma asked, peering over her glasses.

“Yeah,” Mason said. “Cody. He’s supposed to be on the class trip.”

“I heard you were going to L.A.,” she said. “Theme parks, right?”

“Yeah,” Mason said. “We’re going to L.A. for Disneyland, then—”

“Yeah, yeah,” Cody cut in. “He already told me. Like three times.”

“Don’t make him feel bad,” Mason’s grandma scolded. “Not everybody gets to ride a mule.”

Cody managed a smile. “Yeah,” he said. “He looks real excited.”

“That makes one of us,” Nana muttered.

Over the PA, a calm female voice announced, “Totally Airlines Flight 455 with service to Los Angeles and continuing to Las Vegas will begin pre-boarding first class at Gate 77.”

Emma’s world shifted at the same announcement.

“Mom,” she said, eyes huge. “They’re already starting to board. And Mrs. Williams and Hailey aren’t here. What are we going to do?”

Cindy pulled her phone out. “Let me give your teacher a call,” she said.

She dialed quickly.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Ashley,” Cindy said. “This is Cindy Jones, Emma’s mom. We’re here at the airport and they’re already boarding. We’re kind of worried about you.”

On the other end of the line, Mrs. Williams’ voice sounded slightly breathless. “Oh, don’t worry about me. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

“The kids can’t board without you,” Cindy said. “And I’m concerned the trip might be canceled.”

“Oh no,” Mrs. Williams said. “We have to do something.”

“My mom says not to be on the phone while you’re driving,” Emma whispered in the background.

“I want to make sure this flight isn’t canceled,” Cindy hissed back, palm over the mic.

“Okay,” Mrs. Williams said. “You’re in charge. What do you want me to do?”

“Can you talk to someone at the airline and explain the situation?” Cindy asked. “See if they can hold the plane?”

“I’ll try,” Mrs. Williams said. “I’m almost at the exit.”

Cindy hung up and marched straight to the gate podium, where a harried-looking agent was scanning boarding passes.

“Hi,” Cindy said. “Excuse me. I don’t mean to interrupt.”

“Yes, ma’am,” the agent said. “May I help you?”

“My daughter is on this flight as part of a class trip,” Cindy said. “I see we have quite a few kids on this flight,” the agent said, nodding toward the clump of excited fifth-graders. “Well, her teacher is the chaperone, Mrs. Williams, and she hasn’t gotten here yet,” Cindy said. “I just got off the phone with her. She’s stuck in traffic. Can you hold the flight?”

The agent’s smile faltered. “Well, this flight continues on to Las Vegas,” she said. “If we delay, it’s going to affect a lot of passengers.”

“She’s almost here,” Cindy said. “I’m sure you can make up the time by… going faster or something.”

The agent gave a tiny laugh. “That’s not up to me. Our pilot would have to make that decision. Would you be so kind as to wait over there? I’ll see what I can do and get back to you.”

“Great,” Cindy said. “We’re seated right over there.”

Up in the cockpit, the captain was pouring coffee when his first officer stuck his head in.

“There you are,” the FO said. “Just grabbing a cup of coffee before we take off?” the captain asked.

“Julia, we’ve got a school trip on this flight and we’re missing the chaperone,” the FO said. “Gate agent wants to know if we can hold the flight.”

“They’d better hurry,” Captain Julia said, glancing at the clock. “We’re wheels up soon.”

“They’re asking if there’s any way we can delay,” the FO said. “Apparently if the teacher doesn’t get here, the whole trip is off.”

Julia sighed. “The most I can give them is ten minutes,” she said. “Tell them that. Then we’re pushing back, or this whole operation falls apart.”

Back in the car on I-70, Mrs. Williams swerved into the airport exit lane, her GPS screaming “Exit now” like a panicked parrot.

“The phone says we’ll be there in ten minutes,” she told her own mother, who was driving.

“Our flight is supposed to take off in three,” her mom said. “What are we going to do? If you’re not there, everyone misses the class trip.”

“Maybe we can get a different plane,” Mrs. Williams said weakly.

At the gate, the agent returned to Cindy. “The pilot says he’ll wait,” she said. “But no more than ten minutes.”

“Ten minutes should be more than enough,” Cindy said, exhaling for the first time in five. “Thank you. We would hate to disappoint these kids.”

“Neither would we,” the agent said.

Meanwhile, at 30,000 feet, new problems were bubbling up.

“So what do you girls want to do first when we get to L.A.?” Mrs. Williams asked the row of girls once they’d finally boarded.

“I’m going to the beach,” Hailey said.

“I want to go to Disneyland,” Emma said. “I think they have a beach at Disneyland.”

“They have that Pixar Pier,” Hailey said. “It’s like a fake beach.”

Across the aisle, Cody was craning his neck, trying to see Mason’s screen.

“Cool,” Emma said, leaning forward into the aisle for a second. “You’re playing Roblox on the plane?”

“Yeah,” Mason said. “My phone’s a hotspot. Unlimited data.”

“Awesome,” Cody whispered. “I wish I could play, but my nana took my iPad. And my phone.”

“Dude,” Mason said, “you could at least play on the seatback screen.”

“Nope,” Cody said. “They’re all into this ‘no electronics’ thing. It’s like being grounded at 35,000 feet.”

“That’s boring,” Mason said. “I’d die. There’s nothing to do.”

“You can always play a game,” Mrs. Williams said. “Board games. Remember those?”

“I brought Jenga,” Hailey said, pulling a wooden block tower out of her backpack like a magician producing a rabbit. “Cody, do you want to trade seats with me?”

“Yeah,” Cody said eagerly. “That’d be awesome, Mrs. C.”

The girls started stacking blocks on the tray table. The tower swayed each time the plane hit a bump.

“Don’t you girls think you’re overdoing it just a little?” Mrs. Williams asked.

“No,” Emma said. “We play this all the time.”

“Okay, Hailey, your turn,” Emma said. The block creaked as she slid it out.

“Okay, Emma,” Hailey said. “What are you going to do?”

“This one’s begging to be pulled,” Emma said, tugging on a loose block.

The plane lurched.

The tower collapsed in a clatter of blocks. A few bounced into the aisle and skittered under the seats.

“You lost!” Hailey crowed.

“No, I didn’t,” Emma protested. “The plane shook!”

“It didn’t shake when I was doing it,” Hailey said smugly. “Not my fault.”

Up in the galley, the flight attendant, Claire, walked into the cockpit.

“Hi, Captain,” she said. “We’ve had some passengers complaining about turbulence. Some of them are getting a little queasy. Is there anything you can do?”

“Yes,” Julia said dryly. “Let me just hit the ‘smooth ride’ button.”

“That would be great,” Claire said, eyes hopeful.

Julia chuckled. “I’m kidding. There’s no smooth ride button. We’re in a jet stream. Normally I’d climb, but we’re already ten minutes behind schedule because of the delayed takeoff.”

“Can we at least put the seatbelt sign on?” Claire asked.

“Fine,” Julia said. “I’ll put the sign on. Have Claire make an announcement.”

Claire blinked. “I am Claire,” she said.

“Then have you make an announcement,” Julia said, pressing the switch.

A chime sounded.

“Passengers,” Claire said over the PA. “Our captain has turned on the fasten seatbelt sign because this is going to be a bumpy flight. Please return to your seats.”

Back with Cody, the bumpiness sparked an idea.

He watched Emma and Hailey scramble to pick up blocks, listened to Mason yelling at his game, felt the plane shudder once more. Then he pressed his hand to his stomach and let his face go pale.

“Nana,” he said weakly. “I don’t feel so good.”

Ian looked over immediately. “What’s wrong, buddy?”

“The plane made me sick,” Cody said, slumping in his seat. “My tummy feels… upset. Dizzy.”

Nana’s eyes widened. “Oh no,” she said. “Ian, what are we going to do?”

Cody remembered something Mason had said about his sister. “We once were flying to Miami,” Mason had told him earlier, “and she got such an upset tummy we had to stay in Charlotte. She couldn’t get back on the plane.”

Cody had filed that story away like ammo.

“I think we should get off the plane in L.A.,” he said, forcing a little groan into his voice.

“What about the Grand Canyon?” Ian asked.

“I don’t think I can handle another flight,” Cody said. “Even the thought of Vegas is making me… urp.” He made a gagging sound.

Nana looked torn. “Oh, Ian,” she said. “I don’t think we have any choice. We’re going to have to get off in L.A.”

Cody suppressed his grin.

“Well, what are we going to do there?” Ian asked.

Cody took a deep breath, trying to sound casual. “Would it be all right,” he said slowly, “if we participated in the school trip? With Mrs. Williams and them?”

Nana blinked. “With the theme parks?” she said.

“Yeah,” Cody said. “If that’s what you want to do.”

A beat passed. Then Ian shrugged.

“Well, rides never bother me,” Cody added quickly.

When the plane landed at LAX, the California sun pouring into the jet bridge, the class lined up behind Mrs. Williams, buzzing about palm trees and beaches.

“Mrs. C, where’s Mason?” Emma asked.

“Oh, he’s—” Mrs. Williams turned. “Right behind me.”

Cody trotted up, backpack bouncing. “Dude, you won’t believe it,” he whispered to Mason. “I got stuck on the plane, and now I have to stay here in L.A.”

“That sounds just like what happened to my sister,” Mason said. “Got sick on the plane, never got back on.”

“Yeah,” Cody said. “Isn’t that a coincidence?”

“What are you going to do now?” Mason asked.

“Well,” Cody said, glancing back at Nana and Ian dragging their bags, “my nana says we have to go on the theme park trip with you guys.”

“Oh, really?” Mason said. “What about your stomach?”

Cody grinned. “Rides never bother me,” he said. “Just… mule rides.”

Out beyond the terminal, the big blue letters of “Welcome to Los Angeles” stretched against a cloudless California sky. Somewhere north on the freeway, the turnoff toward Vegas shimmered in the heat. Somewhere east, the Grand Canyon waited, carved into Arizona beneath that dark, starry sky.

But down here, at LAX, a boy who’d thought his vacation was ruined by a broken tablet and a no-electronics rule was dragging his suitcase toward Disneyland with his best friend, a mischievous secret, and zero regrets.

Sometimes, Cody thought, as the group clustered around Mrs. Williams and the bus to Anaheim, the best rides in life start with a little turbulence.