Home of  Mickey Minner

TWISTED SECRETS
First Draft
@ Copyrighted 2009

 Marge entered the office carrying two cups of steaming coffee. She set one down on the corner of her desk then carried the second to Kim’s desk. “You look like you can use this,” she said placing the cup next to the stack of folders Kim was sorting through. Kimberly smiled appreciatively. “Dorthea get home okay?”

“Yes. In fact, she came home a day early.”

“Oh?”

Kim slipped a folder out of the stack then put the rest back into her in-box. As she lifted the cup to her lips, she flipped through the pages inside the folder. “Oh, good, these shouldn’t take too long.”

“More budget adjustments?”

“Yes. And Mr. Jackson wants them by noon.”

“I can help.”

“You already have,” Kim said, raising her cup in salute. “I did need this.”

“Not that it’s any of my business, but I thought you were going to stay home and clean house this weekend. You look like you’ve been up all night.”

“I did clean house on Saturday. Then Dorthea helped me finish up yesterday.”

“Sheesh. I’m sure hope I don’t look like that after a weekend of cleaning.”

Kim laughed. “It wasn’t the cleaning. We went to see Dorthea’s aunt.”

“Ah, now I understand.”

“No. It was actually okay. But we ended up staying so long the busses had stopped running and we had to get a taxi. It was pretty late by the time we got home.”

“So, that explains the black bags under your eyes?”

Kim nodded. That, and not being able to fall asleep until three this morning, she added to herself.

The door to the company president’s office opened and an elderly man stepped out. He looked around the office the women shared then turned his attention directly to them. “I was hoping to speak to Ms. Kapin.”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Gilroy,” Kim responded. “We haven’t seen her all morning. Is there something we can do for you?”

Gilroy glanced at the women’s in-boxes then walked further into their work area. “I have this letter that I need typed. I know you are both busy with work for Mr. Jackson and Mr. Eyler, but I would really appreciate if you—”

“That’s okay, Mr. Gilroy,” Marge said, reaching her hand out toward him. “I can do it.”

With a look of relief, Gilroy handed a sheet of paper to Marge. “I think you’ll be able to unravel my scribbling… if not, come ask.”

Marge nodded. “Shouldn’t be a problem. I’ll have this done in a jif.”

“Thank you,” Gilroy said then turned back to his office. “Please tell Ms. Kapin I wish to see her when she arrives,” he added before disappearing behind the door bearing his name.

Marge smirked. “Oh, I’ll be more than glad to do just that.”

Kim shook her head. “I’m sure you will.”

“Don’t you go shaking your head at me. The old bat was due in an hour ago.”

“Maybe she ran into trouble on her way to work,” Kim suggested while inserting the budget disk into her computer.

“Ha. Most likely she’s down in personnel again complaining about how overworked she is and how they need to assign her an assistant.”

“I thought that’s what we were.”

Kim opened a blank letter form and began typing. “Not officially.”

#

Dorthea sat alone in a corner of the lunch room staring out a window that provided an unimpeded view of the structure housing the factory offices. The dirty gray concrete was less than six feet from the window but her unseeing eyes barely registered the cracked surface. Absently, she nibbled at the peanut butter sandwich she had made before leaving the apartment that morning.

“Hey, are you okay?”

Dorthea looked up to see Char standing on the opposite side of the table looking at her curiously. She blinked her eyes as she tried to focus on what her co-worker was saying. “Um… I’m sorry… What?”

Char pulled out a chair and sat down. “I said are you okay? You looked like you were a thousand miles away.”

Dorthea sighed. “I think I was,” she said glancing at the clock on the other side of the room. “Aren’t you a little early?” she asked the woman who normally replaced her at the end of her shift.

“Yes. Mr. Fudley called and asked if I could come in. Shelley had to leave early; she thinks she’s got the flu.”

“I hope she hasn’t passed it on.”

“Me, too. Anyway, I’m going to cover her spot on the line then work my normal shift.”

“That’s going to be a long day.”

Char nodded. “Yes, but I won’t complain as much when I see my paycheck this week. Shelley’s spot pays thirty cents more an hour.”

“Really? But isn’t she in packaging?”

Char nodded again. “It doesn’t make sense but you know they pay more the further down the assembly line you work. Being stuck at the beginning like we normally are doesn’t pay as much.”

“Even if our work is harder.” Char nodded. “I knew they paid more… I guess I just didn’t realize it was that much.”

“Why haven’t you moved before now? You’ve been here long enough to do just about everything.”

Dorthea shrugged. “I think I just like the solitude of our spot. No one else around, except when they switch the part baskets. I can think.” And, today, I really need that, Dorthea told herself. “But thirty cents is a lot. Maybe I’ll check with Mr. Fudley about the possibilities.”

“He’ll probably say it’s about time you did. I’m surprised you’re not thinking of retiring.”

Dorthea smiled. “Don’t think I haven’t. If we had a better retirement plan, I probably would.”

“Ain’t that the truth. You better finish that sandwich, lunch break is almost over.”

#

Dorthea padded into the kitchen, her feet bare feet barely making a sound as she walked to the refrigerator. After arriving home, she had changed clothes then retrieved her notepad from the top of the box of her aunt’s papers resting on the floor in the corner of her bedroom. She poured herself a glass of milk then moved to the end of the counter where the phone hung on the wall. Taking a swallow of the cold milk, she flipped through the notepad’s pages until she found the one with the information she needed. Setting the glass on the counter, she lifted the phone’s handset and dialed.

#

Kimberly pushed the door open and walked into the apartment.

“Hi,” Dorthea greeted her roommate. She was slouched on the couch, her bare feet propped up on the coffee table.

“Hi,” Kim responded, pushing the door shut. “You look comfy.” Perching on the sofa’s arm, she dropped her purse on the floor. “How many times are you going to re-read those?” she asked of the notepad in her roommate’s lap.

“These are new.”

“Oh?”

“I called Gwen this afternoon.”

“At the museum?”

Dorthea nodded. “I asked her if she could remember anything more about where Paul had gone.”

“And?”

“Why don’t you go change and I’ll start dinner. We can talk then.”

“Better idea. I’ll change and we’ll walk over to the park. We can grab some take-out from the café and find a nice spot to eat down by the pond. Then you can tell me what Gwen had to say and I can tell you about my day.”

“Are you sure? That café can be a little expensive.”

“I’m sure and it will be my treat.” Kim bent over to grab her purse then stood up. “Come on. We haven’t been to the park in a while and it’s a prefect evening for it. Not too hot and not too cool.”

“You sound like the little baby bear in Goldilocks.”

“As long as I don’t look like him, I guess I won’t protest. Are you coming?”

Dorthea nodded. “Yes. You go change and I’ll put on some shoes.”

#

Being early evening, the park had few visitors as most residents of Rapid Falls were home enjoying a meal with their families. Dorthea and Kim, each carrying a plain brown paper sack, walked along a footpath toward the pond in the center of the park.

“Looks like a good spot over there,” Kim said, pointing to a shaded area under a very large bur oak tree with numerous leaf burdened branches spreading out from its massive trunk. When Dorthea nodded in agreement, they veered off the path to walk across the grass. “Perfect,” she declared as she stood between the tree and pond. She settled down on the grass and waited for her friend to do the same.

Dorthea sat next to Kim then opened her sack. “I’m starving,” she said as she pulled out the sack’s contents. After much discussion, they had decided on chicken salad sandwiches, chips, and carrot cake for their meal. Her sack held the sandwiches and carrot cake, wrapped in foil. She spread the foil surrounding the food before placing it on the grass between them.

Kim removed the chips and two paper cups containing soda. “It’s not fancy,” she said handing one of the cups to Dorthea.

“It’s perfect. And it saves me from cooking.”

“I thought you liked to cook,” Kim said as she lifted half a sandwich from its foil plate.

“I do. It’s the clean up I could do without.”

Kim laughed. “I guess we both feel the same about that. Now, tell me about your conversation with Gwen.”

Dorthea opened the bag of chips and removed a couple. “At first, she said she couldn’t remember anything about Paul’s return address on the postcard. But I…” she popped the chips into her mouth. “I was a little forceful,” she admitted after swallowing. “I kept asking her to try. Finally, she did. Sort of.”

“Sort of?” Kim asked while Dorthea took a bite of sandwich.

“She said she remembered thinking the name of the city sounded pretty… like a flower.”

“I thought you said he went to Los Angeles.”

“I asked Jo about that. It seems when people say Los Angeles they don’t necessary mean just that city but the area around it, too. Los Angeles covers a pretty big area made up of several small cities.”

“Who’s Jo?”

“I’m getting ahead of myself. Jo is our librarian; I called her after I talked to Gwen.”

“I guess Gwen wasn’t of much help then.”

“Well, actually, it turns out that she was. After I talked to her, I called Jo and asked her if there was any way to get a list of cities in California, especially around Los Angeles. She said she thought they had a map but she would have to look for it. She called me back just before you got home.”

“And?”

“Gardena. It sounds like a flower, doesn’t it?” Kim nodded. “That’s what I thought, too. It’s a city not far from Los Angeles.”

“The town or the area.”

“The town.” Dorthea swatted Kim’s arm. “But you knew that.”

Kim giggled. “Maybe… But don’t you need an address?”

“It would help. But narrowing it down to a specific city is better than nothing.”

“I guess it is.”

“Now, tell me about your day.”

Kim took a drink of soda before answering. “Nothing as exciting as yours; unless you count Mr. Gilroy taking Mrs. Kapin to task.”

“Really? For what?”

“He needed a letter typed and she was no where to be found. Marge ended up doing it and when Kapin finally showed up, Mr. Gilroy was not very happy. He called her into his office and when she came out, she looked like someone had run over her with a bus. She sat at her desk and actually stayed there the rest of the day.”

“You’re kidding. She actually stayed at her desk.”

Kim nodded. “Never left it.”

“Boy, I wonder what he said to her.”

“We couldn’t hear— not that Marge didn’t try. I thought she was going to put her ear to the door at one point.” Dorthea laughed. “Anyway, Mr. Gilroy kept coming out adding work to her in-box. She was still there when we left.”

“Did she ask you to help her?”

“No. And when we offered, she gave us a real ugly look and said I am fully capable of doing it myself,” Kim imitated in a high pitched voice. She grinned when Dorthea burst into laughter. “That’s exactly what Marge did as soon as we got far enough away from the office so Kapin couldn’t hear.”

“I bet she did.”

“It’s probably the most fun Marge has had at work in a long time. Watching Kapin struggle to get through her in-box; and just about every time she thought she’d reached the bottom, Mr. Gilroy would walk out and add more to it.”

“What about you?”

“What about me?”

“You didn’t enjoy Mrs. Kapin’s struggles?”

“Not really.”

“Oh?”

“It’s not like I don’t like her,” Kim explained, “it’s just that… Well, I’m sure that when she started with the company, she did just fine. But she isn’t comfortable using the new computers and she would much rather spend the day walking around kibitzing with the other secretaries her age. I just think she knows the job has grown beyond her abilities but…”

“But?”

“She can’t say so.”

“And she knows you and Marge will pick up the slack.”

“That, too. I think she’s waiting for Mr. Gilroy to retire.”

“Then she’ll retire and ride out in grand style on his coattails.”

“Something like that.”

“Well, I think people should face facts when they’re staring them in the face.”

Kim chewed on her lip for a few minutes. “Speaking of facts staring us in the face,” she said hesitantly.

Dorthea sighed. “Damn, I think I just opened a can of worms I’m going to wish I hadn’t.”

“Oh? Um… well, I… never mind then.”

Dorthea reached over to place her hand on Kim’s arm. “No. That isn’t what I meant.”

Kim looked down at the hand warming her skin then slowly raised her eyes to Dorthea’s. “What did you mean?” she asked timidly.

“I’m afraid,” Dorthea answered, her voice trembling.

Kim placed her hand on top of Dorthea’s. “So am I but I think I’d prefer to talk about it than not.”

Dorthea lips pursed together tensely. “I don’t know where to start,” she finally murmured.

“How about we start with what Faye said?” Kim said looking again at their hands, neither of the women having found a need to separate them. “She was right. We’ve been together longer than most marriages.”

“Almost forty years,” Dorthea whispered and Kim nodded. “But… does it mean…?”

“I don’t know what love is, Dorthea.”

“What do you mean? You’ve been in love with many men—”

“No. I mean… I don’t know that I’ve ever truly felt it. At least…” Kim pulled her hand free and began to gather up the empty wrappings of their dinner and stuff them into one of the sacks.

“What are you doing?”

Kim looked up sheepishly. “I’m trying to figure out what I want to say.”

“Just say it… please.”

“Okay,” Kim sighed. “You once asked me why it never felt right with any of the men I dated. I think it was,” Kim reached for Dorthea’s hands and gently entwined their fingers, “because none of them were you. I hate to think of myself as a fool but what else would you call it if I’ve spent most of my life searching for that one person who could make me happy when you’ve been here all the time?”

Dorthea shook her head. “You’re not a fool.”

“Did you know?”

Dorthea laughed. “If only I had been that smart. All I knew was that I just wanted to be around you. And for that, I was willing to risk you falling in love and getting married… and leaving me alone. It never really occurred to me that what I might be feeling was love. At least, not until recently.”

“You mean what Faye said?”

“No. Well, yes. But not really.” Dorthea grinned at the look of befuddlement on Kim’s face. “When I was in Kalona, I missed you so bad it hurt. I think that’s really why I came home early,” she confessed in a soft voice.

“I’m glad you did. I missed you too. I didn’t just fall asleep on your bed,” Kim said as her cheeks started to color. “I wanted you to be there, so I thought if I lay on your pillow…”

“You’re cute when you blush,” Dorthea commented, causing Kim’s blush to deepen. She grinned at her friend’s sudden shyness. “Oh, hell, I think you’re cute no matter what you’re doing. Kimberly, I think we make a fine pair of fools. To think it’s taken me forty years to figure out that I just might be in love with you. There, I’ve said it.”

Kim smiled. “I think I am, too.”

“You think you’re in love with yourself?” Dorthea asked in mock shock. “Now, that’s just sick.”

Kim laughed, releasing the tension built up inside her over the past several minutes. “You know what I meant.”

Dorthea allowed the laughter to subside. “Maybe,” she said in a serious tone. “But I think I’d really like to hear you say it.”

A smile slowly spread across Kim’s face. She took a moment to look around at the other park visitors and was grateful to see none seemed to be paying the pair any attention. She scooted closer to Dorthea. “I think I may be in love with you.”

Dorthea smiled. “I’m not sure I know what to do now,” she said candidly.

“I’m not sure I do either. But I am sure we can figure it out… together.”

“I like the sound of that.”

#

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

 Sunday afternoon, Kim walked into the kitchen with her arms wrapped around two bags of groceries. “What are you doing?” she asked Dorthea sitting at the table concentrating on several papers spread out in front of her. She set the bags on the counter and started to remove the items they held. “Hey! Earth to Dorthea,” she said loudly after receiving no response to either her question or presence.

Dorthea looked up. “Sorry,” she said standing. “Did you get everything on the list?” she asked as she picked a can of sweet corn off the counter and opened a cupboard to place it inside.

“Don’t I always?”

“No. You usually forget the stuff we really need and come back with nothing but cookies and other goodies.”

“Do not.”

“Do too.”

“If you don’t like the way I do the shopping, you could do it.”

“No. Remember we agreed when we moved in here, you do the shopping and I do the cleaning.”

“But I’m helping with the cleaning now,” Kim said cheerfully.

Dorthea grunted. “I don’t consider you sitting on the couch telling me I missed something as helping,” she groused.

“Yesterday was my first time for helping. You have to give me some time to work into it.

Dorthea laughed. “At the rate you’re going, I’ll be old and gray before that happens.” Kim turned to study her friend. “What are you doing?” Dorthea asked.

“Envisioning you with gray hair.” Kim smiled. “I think I like that picture.”

“Do you?” Dorthea asked shyly. The week since their talk in the park had been awkward for both women as they cautiously began to express their newly revealed feelings for each other.

Kim nodded. “I do.” Seeing how her comment had caught Dorthea off guard, she tried to change the subject. “What so interesting you didn’t even notice I was back?” she asked then playfully bumped shoulders with her still distracted friend. “Didn’t you miss me?”

“Of course, I missed you,” Dorthea said matter-of-factly then picked up cans of baby peas and tomato sauce and set them on the shelf next to the corn. “I was just trying to figure something out.”

“What?” Kim opened the refrigerator door and placed cartons of milk inside. She shut the door and peered at Dorthea. “If you don’t want to talk about it…”

Dorthea turned and leaned against the counter, her back to the groceries. “It’s not that.”

Kim crossed the short distance between them. Assuming a similar pose beside her friend, she waited.

“I’m going to ask Mr. Fudley tomorrow for some time off.”

“California?”

Dorthea nodded. “I’ve got plenty of time built up but I’m not sure he’ll agree to me being gone for as long as I need.”

“How long will you need?” Kim asked nervously.

Dorthea instantly understood the cause of Kim’s nervousness; she shifted to face her. “I don’t want to be away from you either.”

“How long?”

“At least, two weeks.”

“Damn.”

Dorthea slumped back against the counter. “I know. But with all the stops it makes, the bus will take almost three days to get there. And I’ll need time to track Paul down.”

Kim sighed. “Yeah.” She nodded then sighed again. “Damn.”

“I know. I hope I can find some place reasonable to stay.”

“Can you afford that long?”

“Yes. The little I’ve put into savings every payday has grown into a nice balance.”

Kim smiled. “So I’m falling in love with a wealthy woman? You should have told me that sooner.”

Dorthea grinned. “Brat. I said it was a nice balance not Fort Knox. Come on, we better get the rest of this put away.”

The women turned back to the waiting groceries. “Seriously, about the money,” Kim said as she emptied the bags then folded them. “I know you’ve spent some of your savings on Faye.”

“I’m okay. This will probably clean me out but it’ll be worth it if I find Paul.”

“If you don’t?”

“At least, I will have tried.”

“Are you going to tell Faye? I mean you don’t have to worry about her, I’ll visit her. But she’s going to wonder where you are.”

Dorthea stopped and smiled tenderly at Kim.

“What?” Kim asked confused by the look of adoration she was receiving.

“That’s so sweet of you. I wanted to ask but I wasn’t sure—”

“Did you think I’d say no?”

“Well, you and Aunt Faye haven’t exactly gotten along over the years.”

Kim shrugged. “She was a bitch to you and I didn’t much like that. But after our last visit… I’ll visit her, no problem.”

Dorthea wrapped her arms around Kim and hugged her tight. “Thank you.”

Kim returned the hug, relishing in the tingling of her skin wherever their bodies touched.

Without loosening her hold, Dorthea drew her head back so she could gaze into Kim’s eyes. Her heart raced as she studied the woman in her arms. “Kiss me,” she finally whispered.

Kim hesitated for a moment then slowly leaned closer. Timidly, she pressed her lips against Dorthea’s with a touch as light as a feather. Unlike the men she had kissed, Dorthea’s lips were soft and accepted the light pressure without demanding more. Her eyes closed while she absorbed the unexpected pleasure of their first intimate touch.

Dorthea thought her heart was going to explode, it was beating so fast. As the pressure on her lips intensified, she felt a wave of emotion surge from her lips to her toes.

“Are you okay?” Kim asked, having broken off the contact when she heard Dorthea gasp.

“I’m… Wow… That was…” Dorthea sighed. “That was really nice.”

Kim smiled and gently squeezed her arms around the woman she now had no doubt that she loved. “Yes, it was.”

Dorthea dropped her head against Kim’s chest. “The ice cream is melting.”

Kim sighed happily. “It’s not the only thing.”

#

“I don’t know, Dorthea. That’s a lot of time.” Fudley leaned back in his chair, stroking his chin.

Dorthea fidgeted on the chair opposite her supervisor’s desk. She had left earlier than normal so she could talk to her supervisor before the start of her shift. “I have the time coming.”

“I know you do. But it will mean asking Char and others to pull double shifts on short notice.”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Fudley. But this is important.”

Fudley straightened and placed his arms on the desk then looked intently at her. “Dorthea, are you in some kind of trouble?”

Dorthea shook her head. “No. It’s a… a family matter.”

“Two weeks is a long time.”

“I need to go to California,” Dorthea responded to his skeptical look. “Mr. Fudley, I’ve never asked for anything like this before. This is important. Two weeks is allowed under company policy,” she informed him forcefully, growing tired of having to justify her request. “Will you approve my vacation or would you prefer my notice?” Her unanticipated offer came as much of a surprise to herself as it did to her boss. “This really is important,” she added in a calmer tone.

“I see. All right, I’ll approve it. Next Monday, for two weeks, correct?” Fudley asked as he reached for a blank vacation form. Dorthea nodded then watched him fill in the blanks on the form. “You will be back?” he asked as he separated the copies and slid one across the desk to her. “You’re a good worker. I’d hate to lose you.”

Dorthea picked up the paper and checked it over. “Thank you,” she said while carefully folding the sheet and placing it into her purse. “I’ll be back.” But not because of this job, she thought to herself then smiled as Kim’s face floated into her mind. 

#

Kim was sitting in the lunch room sipping on a glass of lemonade. She was paying little attention to the conversations going on around her as Marge and several other secretaries traded gossip over their lunches. The idea forming in her mind was lost when Marge’s voice broke into her thoughts.

“Are you ready to go back?”

“Is it time, already?”

Marge stood then began gathering up her dirty dishes, placing them on a tray. “Yes. Goodness, what were you thinking about?”

“Oh, it’s nothing,” Kim answered as she added her dishes to the tray.

“Must have been something, you barely said six words the entire hour. You didn’t even answer when Bridget asked if you were going to the company picnic.”

“I didn’t? She did?”

Marge laughed. “Yes and yes,” she said lifting the tray off the table. “Let me get rid of these then we can go back before Mrs. Kapin starts paging us over the loudspeakers.”

Kim nodded then watched as Marge weaved her way between the numerous tables scattered randomly around the large room, exchanging greetings with other employees on her way to the racks where she left the tray of dirty dishes. “What do you think my chances are of getting a couple of weeks off?” she asked as soon as Marge returned to the table.

Marge picked her purse up off her chair. “You planning a vacation?”

“Something like that,” Kim said as she stood to walk with Marge back to their office.

“Oooo? Going someplace fun and exotic?” Marge asked conspiratorially. “I thought you weren’t dated anyone right now.”

“I’m not. And it’s personal,” Kim said sharply.

“Oh. Well, excuse me, then.” Marge snapped brusquely then quickened her steps.

“Wait.” Kim hurried after her hurt friend. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to bite your head off,” she apologized when she caught up to Marge. “It’s just not something I’m prepared to talk about.”

Marge brightened. “Apology accepted. You buy lunch tomorrow and we’re good.”

Kim laughed. “Okay, I guess I owe you that.” They resumed their walk. “Do you think you could handle things if I take some time?”

“Sure. Now, that the budgets are completed, and Kapin is actually doing something, shouldn’t be a problem. When are you planning to go?”

“Next week.”

“You aren’t giving much notice.”

“It can’t be helped. Something just came up.”

Marge pointed to the door to their office which was still several steps down the hallway. “You get in there and talk to Mr. Jackson then. He’s not going to be very happy with such short notice.”

“I know. I supposed I should run it past Mrs. Kapin first.”

“To heck with her,” Marge snarled. “By the time she got done complaining about the hardship you will be placing on her, it’ll be long past next week. Just go talk to Mr. Jackson.” The women walked into their office. “Tell him, I’ll handle things while you’re gone.”

Mrs. Kapin looked up when she heard Marge’s comment. “Gone? Is someone planning to be gone?” Marge frowned and mouthed I’m sorry to Kim. “I know nothing about this.”

“There’s nothing to know, Mrs. Kapin,” Kim told the agitated woman as she moved to her desk. She picked up the phone and pressed the button that would connect her to her boss’ office. “Mr. Jackson, do you have a moment? Yes, I’ll be right in. Thank you.” She hung up the phone than walked briskly to the door leading into the inner office.

“Why does she need to talk to Mr. Jackson?” Kapin demanded of Marge who shrugged then removed the stack of folders from her inbox. “I demand to know,” she insisted.

“Sorry. It’s none of my business; as I’m sure it’s none of yours.” Marge smirked as she started typing, ignoring the sounds of displeasure emanating from the infuriated woman.

#

The remainder of the week was a blur for Dorthea as she spent her afternoons and evenings preparing for her trip to California. She spent time at the library studying the map Jo had of California and making extensive notes of locations of bus routes, city and newspaper offices, hospitals and nursing homes. She purchased her bus ticket and converted her savings to travelers’ cheques. She packed her bag and checked it several times to assure she hadn’t forgotten anything. She rewrote her notes from her trip to Kalona so when she found Paul she could ask him about the events that led to her being in the care of Faye.

After the end of her shift on Friday, Dorthea walked out of the factory with her stomach tied in knots. She was anxious to begin her journey to find her father. But she was also more than a little distressed over leaving Kim. She boarded the bus and found a seat near the back. Leaning her forehead against the window, she closed her eyes. The cool glass felt good and she hoped it would help ease the tension building within her. She had eaten little during the day, unable to convince her rebelling stomach that she needed the nourishment.

Dorthea was the first to step off the bus as soon as the doors opened at her stop and she wasted no time hurrying down the street. She knew the apartment would be empty as she normally arrived home before Kim. The time was especially welcomed because she planned on making a very special dinner for their last night together. She would visit Faye in the morning and tell her of her plans then go straight from the nursing home to the bus depot and leave for California.

Dorthea was setting the table when she heard the apartment’s door open. She smiled. “I’m in the kitchen,” she called out.

“So I can smell,” Kim called back. Dropping her purse on the coffee table, she continued toward the source of the pleasant aroma, taking off her jacket as she walked. “Goodness, what have you been up to?” she asked entering the kitchen to find Dorthea lighting two candles in the center of the table.

Candles lit, Dorthea blew out the match then moved to meet Kim. “I wanted tonight to be special,” she said wrapping her arms around her and tenderly pressing her lips to Kim’s. “I’m going to miss you so much,” she murmured when their lips separated a few moments later.

“Maybe not so much,” Kim said cheerfully.

“Kim, you don’t have to try and make me feel good. I am going to miss you,” Dorthea insisted.

“I’m not trying to make you feel good.” Kim laughed when Dorthea gave her a look of pure bewilderment. “Turn off whatever you need to so nothing will burn— I’ve got something to show you.” She untangled herself from the arms still holding her. “Go on,” she urged then crossed to the table and blew out the candles. “We’ll save these for later.” After Dorthea turned off the oven and removed a pot of broccoli from a burner on the stove, she grabbed her hand and led her out of the kitchen. Snatching her purse off the coffee table, she opened the door then led Dorthea out of the apartment.

Hand-in-hand, they walked to the parking area behind the apartment building where Kim brought them to a stop in front of a station wagon. The four door wood paneled vehicle had been recently washed and polished and Dorthea peered at the pleased woman standing beside her.

“Do you plan to explain why you brought me out here to look at a car?”

“Not just a car,” Kim began excitedly. “A 1984 Ford Country Squire with four doors and swing out tailgate. There’s plenty of room for luggage and since we won’t be using them, we can fold down the rear seats and that gives us a place to sleep so we can save on motels.”

“We? Us? Kim, what are you talking about?”

“It’s ours. Well, not to keep but to use.”

“Use? For what?”

“To go to California.”

Dorthea rubbed her temples. “You’ve got to slow down and tell me what you’re babbling about.”

Kim sucked in a deep breath then released it. “Okay,” she said more calmly. “It belongs to Thomas.”

“Thomas? The one you dumped on the night he proposed?”

“Yes, but you don’t have to make it sound so bad. And, besides, it turned out alright. He’s engaged now to a really sweet girl. He’s happy. She’s happy.” Kim grinned. “I’m really happy.”

“The car,” Dorthea steered her friend back on track.

“I borrowed it.”

“For?”

“For us to go to California.”

“There’s that us again.”

“I took the next two weeks off,” Kim announced.

“You what?”

“I wanted to surprise you.”

“Oh, you have. Can you do that?”

“I guess so, I did it.”

“For me?” Dorthea asked hesitantly.

Kim smiled sheepishly. “Mostly for me, I just couldn’t stand the thought of you being gone for two weeks while I moped around here waiting for you to come home.”

With tears flowing down her cheeks, Dorthea threw her arms around Kim’s neck. “I love you,” she whispered into her ear. “I really, really love you.”

#

“I don’t have a license,” Dorthea said as she placed a platter of sliced roast beef on the table. They had returned to the kitchen and their dinner.

Kim relit the candles then walked across the room to flip off the light switch while Dorthea sat down. “Not a problem.”

“Honey, you can’t drive all the way to California.” Dorthea looked up to find Kim standing in the middle of the room, a silly grin on her face. “Kim, are you okay?”

“Fine. Why?”

“You’re grinning like an idiot.”

“Am I?” Kim asked as she forced her legs to carry her back to the table.

“Yes.”

“Oh.”

Dorthea watched as Kim fumbled with the chair then finally sat down after several attempts to free it from the leg of the table. “Kim, what is the matter with you?”

Kim gazed lovingly across the table. “You called me honey.”

“I’ve called you honey a million times over the years.”

“But this time it sounded so much nicer,” Kim purred.

Dorthea laughed. “You are such a goof. But since you like it so much, I’ll make sure to use it more often.”

Kim grinned. “Thank you.”

“Honey?”

“Yes.”

“Pass the potatoes.”

#

After dinner, the women shared the task of cleaning up the kitchen then they retired to their separate bedrooms.

Dorthea closed the closet door and padded across to the dresser where she pulled a fresh pair of pajamas from one of the drawers. She stepped into the bottoms then slipped the top over her head as she padded to the side of the bed. Sitting on the mattress, she paused. Normally, she would reach over and turn off the lamp on the night stand then lift the bed coverings and swing her legs under them. After a few moments, she stood and walked out of the bedroom.

Similarly clad in pajamas, Kim was walking out of the bathroom when Dorthea intercepted her.

“Ready for bed?” Dorthea asked.

“Yes.”

“Good. Come with me.” Dorthea held out her hand and waited until Kim grasped it.

“What are your doing?” Kim asked when she was guided toward Dorthea’s bedroom.

“I think it’s time we slept together.”

Shocked by the declaration, Kim froze. “Um, Dorthea, I… ah…”

Dorthea tugged on Kim’s hand. “I said sleep. I’m too tired tonight to do anything else.” Kim released a sigh of relief and allowed herself to be tugged into the room. “Besides, I don’t have the remotest inkling of what to do with you once I get you in my bed.”

“I guess we could try to figure that out,” Kim suggested.

Dorthea pushed Kim onto the bed. “Not tonight, honey.”

#

CHAPTER NINETEEN

 Dorthea took a last walk through the apartment, assuring herself that nothing had been overlooked in their preparations to be away for two weeks. Satisfied, she walked to the door carrying the final piece of luggage to be taken out to the car. She pulled the door closed and locked it then turned and walked down the hallway.

“Is that all of it?” Kim asked when Dorthea appeared.

“Yes. I locked the apartment and left the note in the manager’s box,” Dorthea told her, setting the suitcase next to the other items Kim had already placed inside the station wagon. The rear seats had been laid flat to provide room for their suitcases and the ice chest packed with lunch meats, cheese, and other snacks. They decided to leave the second row of seats in the upright position while traveling to keep the luggage from sliding around the large, open space. They could easily fold the seats down whenever they needed to for sleeping.

Kim pulled a sheet of paper out of her shirt pocket. “Let see, suitcases? Check. Ice box. Check.”

“We need ice for it.”

“We’ll stop for that after we visit Faye.”

“Blankets and pillows. Check.”

“Are you sure it’s safe to sleep in the car?”

“Yes. We’ll just be sure to pick places where there are lots of people around like the rest stops along the freeways. We don’t have to do it every night but it’ll help stretch our money if we do. Just like the ice box will save us from having to eat in restaurants all the time.”

“I’m not sure I’m as convinced as you are, but I’m willing to give it a try.”

Kim smiled. “That’s my girl. Looks like we’ve got everything. Ready to go?”

“Absolutely. I can’t wait to see everything between here and California.”

Kim laughed as she swung the tailgate shut then gave it a good yank to make sure it had properly latched. “I doubt we’ll see everything but that is one of the nice things about having the car. We can go as fast or as slow as we want; and we can stop and sightsee whenever we want.”

“That’s two things,” Dorthea teased walking to the front of the wagon. “I don’t think we’ll have time to do much sightseeing but I’m glad to have the car for another reason.”

“What’s that?” Kim asked pulling the driver’s door open.

Dorthea waited until they were both seated before answering. “I’m really looking forward to having time to get to know each other.”

Kim inserting the key into the ignition and the engine roared into life. “We’ve lived together thirty years. What could we possible not know about one another?” she asked as she carefully backed out of the parking spot.

Dorthea smiled shyly. “Us.”

“Us? Oh, us! Yeah,” Kim grinned, “we’ll have lots of time for that.”

#

Kimberly used her shoulder to push the door to Faye’s room open, the twisted twine handles of a paper bag grasped firmly in each hand. She paused before fully entering the room. “Good morning,” she said cheerfully seeing the room’s occupant sitting up in bed. She carried the sacks into the room and set them on the dressing table. “How’s breakfast?” she asked.

Faye grimaced, pushing her spoon into a dish on the tray balanced on her lap. “Not very appetizing,” she muttered.

Kim took a close look at the morning offering of some kind of cooked cereal and a slice of toast. “Maybe we should have brought food instead of magazines.”

Faye lifted the piece of unbuttered wheat toast. “How about both?” she asked hopefully before nibbling on the burnt bread. “Where’s Dorthea?”

“She’ll be here in a minute,” Kim answered, sitting on the room’s only chair. “She had to make a stop.”

The women sat in awkward silence, Faye playing with her tasteless meal while Kim watched. The uncomfortable quiet was broken only when Dorthea entered the room several minutes later. “Good morning, Aunt Faye,” she greeted the elderly woman than maneuvered alongside the bed to kiss her on her cheek.

“My, aren’t you two just a pair of chirpy birds this morning,” Faye said, bending forward to push the tray to the foot of the bed.

“You’re not hungry?” Dorthea asked of the mostly untouched meal.

“Not for that slop,” Faye groused.

Kim stood and gestured to Dorthea to sit in the chair. “I’ll be back in a few,” she said shuffling around the end of the bed to the door.

“Where are you going?” Dorthea asked.

Kim pulled the door open. “I won’t be long,” she answered evasively before disappearing out of the room.

“I wonder what she’s up to,” Dorthea murmured watching the door close. After a moment, she turned her attention back to Faye. “Did she tell you we brought you some more magazines?” she asked scooting around the bed to the dressing table. She began taking the magazines out of the bags. “Two bags worth. These should keep you busy for a while,” she added, stacking them neatly on top of the table.

“Thank you.”

Dorthea looked over her shoulder and smiled. “You’re welcome.”

“You don’t have to look at me like I’ve never said that before,” Faye grumbled meekly.

Dorthea thought for a moment then sat on the chair. “Well, come to think of it, I’m not sure you ever have.” When Faye dropped her eyes, Dorthea reached over and placed her hand on top of the elderly woman’s nervously twitching ones. “It’s nice to hear you say it,” she said gently squeezing the frail hands under her own. “But you really should thank Kim.” When Faye’s head bopped slightly in agreement, she smiled and sat back. “Now, since Kim has deserted us, I might as well get this over with,” she started.

“What?”

“The reason we’re came so early today is that we’re going to be gone for a while.”

Faye looked apprehensively at her. “You’re leaving?”

“Don’t worry, Aunt Faye,” Dorthea assured her as she again placed her hand on Faye’s. “It will only be for a couple of weeks then I’ll be back.”

“Where are you going?”

“California.”

“Why on earth for?”

“Because I think my father may be there.”

“You found him?” Faye asked in a soft voice.

Dorthea sighed. “No, not really. But that’s the last place he was heard from— he sent a family in Kalona a postcard from Gardena. That’s a city near Los Angeles.”

“Los Angeles. Isn’t that a pretty big place; and dangerous. You looking to get yourself killed… or worse?”

Dorthea laughed. “You’ve been reading too many of these magazines about starlets in Hollywood. Which, for the record, is one place I have no intention of going anywhere near.”

“Are you sure you should go to a place like that alone?”

“She won’t be alone,” Kim said, re-entering the room with a cardboard container in her hands. She carried the box to the bed and set it down next to the tray. “Just let me get rid of this,” she said picking up the mostly untouched bowl of cereal and plate of toast. She stepped to the door, pulled it open then placed the dishes on the floor outside the door. Returning to the end of the bed, she carefully lifted items out of the carton and placed them on the now empty tray. “It’s not fancy but I’m sure it’s better than what you’re used to,” she said handing the tray to Faye.

“Goodness,” Dorthea gasped spying the paper plates with scrambled eggs, thick slices of bacon, and pancakes swimming in syrup. “Where did you find that?”

“There’s a Denny’s on the next block. And I got you some treats for later,” Kim told Faye. “Don’t eat them all at once.”

Faye took the offered white paper sack and peeked inside. “Chocolate chip?” she asked in awe.

“Yes. There’s one for every day we’ll be gone,” Kim said as much for Dorthea, smiling in admiration, as Faye, smiling in amazement. “And when we get back we’ll bring you some more.”

Faye looked up at Kim. “Thank you. Could you put these in the drawer?” she asked timidly, handing the sack back. “If the nurse sees them, she’ll take them away from me.”

“No, she won’t,” Dorthea assured the anxious woman. “I’ve just had a talk with Mr. Galing. I told him that I expect you to receive only the very best of care while I’m gone. And I’ve put him on notice that I do not want Nurse Helen to bother you. He has promised that he will keep a close eye on her.”

“Ding dong the witch is dead,” Kim whispered gleefully.

Faye glanced at Kim and chuckled. “I’m probably not the only Munchkin happy to hear that,” she commented. Kim gazed back startled by both the unexpected droll comment and the genuine smile that graced Faye’s face. “Didn’t think I had a sense of humor, did you?” Faye challenged.

Kim smiled uncomfortably. “No.”

“Don’t blame you.” Faye laughed and filled her fork with a generous helping of pancake. “Haven’t made much use of it,” she mumbled with syrup dripping down her chin.

#

Dorthea and Kim stayed until Faye had consumed all of her restaurant prepared breakfast. Then after numerous assurances that they would be extra careful, and that they would indeed return, they bid goodbye to the tearful woman.

“That was harder than I expected,” Dorthea said when she and Kim were walking down the steps in front of the nursing home. “She really enjoyed her breakfast. Thanks for doing that.”

“I couldn’t help myself. I guess I never paid much attention to what they call food in this place but when I saw her forcing that cereal down… Heck, I wouldn’t serve that stuff to animals.”

“It is bad, isn’t it?”

Kim grimaced. “Horrendous. We’ll have to make sure to keep her stocked up with snacks when we get back. If nothing else, it’ll give her something to look forward to during the day.”

Dorthea nodded. “That’s a good idea. I don’t know why I haven’t done it before.”

“Maybe because she didn’t deserve it before.” When Dorthea scowled, Kim defended her comment. “Be honest. She was a bitch so why would you bother?”

“I suppose you’re right. But she has changed. Do you know she actually thanked me for the magazines today? I was taking them out of the sacks and stacking them on the dressing table, and she thanked me. I told her it was the first time I could remember her saying that.” She took a couple of steps before adding, “It was really nice to hear.”

“She thanked me for breakfast. And the cookies.”

Dorthea grinned remembering the look on Faye’s face when she opened the bag. “I bet she stretches those out until we get back.”

“If Nurse Ratched doesn’t find them and take them away from her.”

“If she does, I’ll break her arms.”

Kim stopped and looked doubtfully at Dorthea. “Would you? Really?”

Dorthea thought about it for a moment before shaking her head. “No,” she admitted then smirked. “But I wouldn’t stop you from doing it.”

Kim laughed then sobered as they walked around the corner of the block toward their car parked alongside the curb. “Faye is afraid you aren’t coming back.”

“I know. But I’m not sure why after all the assurances we made to her.”

“Maybe, she doesn’t think she deserves you to.”

Dorthea sighed. “Unfortunately, there probably isn’t much I can do about that.”

“Do you want to?”

“I don’t know. I mean, I know she’s been different these last couple of visits but there’s so much water under that bridge. I’m just not sure how much positive feeling I can have for her.”

“That’s understandable.”

Dorthea stood beside the car and looked over the top of it at Kim checking for traffic before opening the driver’s door. “Enough about all this. I want to forget about the past for now and look forward to California... and to us.”

“That sounds like a good plan,” Kim agreed then slipped in behind the steering wheel. “So buckle up,” she told Dorthea when she slid onto the passenger side of the bench seat. “And let’s get this show on the road.”

“You do know how to get to California, right?” Dorthea asked apprehensively.

Kim smiled, reaching behind the seat. “I’ve got maps for every state from here to there,” she announced tossing the folded leaflets into Dorthea’s lap. “Pick a highway, my dear. I drive, you navigate.”

#

The women made a quick stop to buy ice for the cooler then, at Dorthea’s direction, Kim drove from Rapid Falls south to Des Moines where they picked up Interstate 80 for the remainder of the drive to California. After several hours, they left Iowa behind and entered Nebraska. It was dusk when Kim finally pulled off the highway.

“It shouldn’t be too far,” Dorthea said, studying the map. “Take a right at the stop sign.”

Kim brought the station wagon to a stop at the end of the off ramp. When traffic on the cross road cleared, she merged in with the other vehicles.

Dorthea looked up from her map. “It’s probably at that sign up ahead.” As they got close enough to read the lettering, she smiled. “That’s it. Mormon Island.”

“Are you sure this is a campground?” Kim asked as she flipped on the turn signal and began to ease to the right side of the road.

“The map has a little tent on it. According to the legend, that means campground.”

“Okay. Let’s give it a try.” Kim turned onto the access road, slowing as she drove through the gate. “Nice lake,” she commented at the large body of water along the right side of the road.

“Over there,” Dorthea pointed. “Maybe we could park over by those picnic tables.”

Kim continued down the road until she found a small parking area near the tables. She pulled into a slot and turned off the engine. Pushing the door open, she stepped out of the car. “Urgh,” she groaned stretching her arms above her head and twisting at the waist. “Who knew sitting in a car all day could be so painful?”

“I told you we should have stopped in Lincoln,” Dorthea chastised as she walked around the front of the wagon.

“The more time we spend on the road, the less time you’ll have in California,” Kim countered before bending over to stretch her hands down to the ground.

“There’s an information sign.” Dorthea started across the gravel parking lot toward a small cluster of signs covered in maps and posters. Kim straightened back up then took a few moments to look out over the lake before following. “This says that camping is allowed at the end of the lake. There’s a fee but it’s a lot less than a motel will be,” Dorthea told Kim when she finally joined her.

“It’s not very big,” Kim said, noting the small area designated for overnight use.

“We better go see if there’s any place available. The park rules say that they close and lock the gate at ten.”

Kim took another look at the park map then she stepped away from the signs and looked down to the end of the lake, gauging the distance from where they stood to where campers were parked along the shore. “How about we walk down there? My legs could use the exercise.”

“Sounds good to me,” Dorthea readily agreed. “Let me grab my jacket, it’s getting a little chilly.”

They retrieved jackets and purses from the car then made sure it was locked before setting off.

#

The road ended in a loop with picnic tables set randomly along the outside of the circle. Dorthea and Kim were pleased to discover that the area was sparsely occupied with most of the campers set up on the lake shore. They laid claim to a spot on the opposite side of the loop, hoping that being further from the lake and other campers would offer them the most security.

Kimberly walked back for the car while Dorthea filled out the fee envelope and deposited it, with their payment, in the collection box in the center of the circle where a pair of his and hers outhouses were also located. She checked out the primitive amenities the campground offered and was just arriving back at their campsite when Kim drove the station wagon into their selected space.

“The bathrooms don’t have water,” Dorthea informed Kim as soon as she climbed out of the car. “But they’re clean. And there’s some chopped wood by the collection box if we want to have a campfire.”

Kim grinned. “That sounds like a good idea. Even though we’re not right on the lake, we still have a pretty nice view of it. We can have a fire and watch the sun set.”

“I never knew you were such a romantic,” Dorthea teased.

“Really?” Kim pulled open the back door of the car. “Quit making fun of me and help me fold down this seat.”

Dorthea opened the opposing door and ducked her head into the car. “I wasn’t making fun of you,” she said apologetically.

Kim smiled at her. “I know you weren’t, honey.” Dorthea sighed in relief. “Pull,” Kim instructed as they worked in unison to readjust the seat back. “Did you think I was offended?” she asked after walking to the back of the car and opening the tailgate.

Dorthea caught the end of the blankets tossed to her and spread them out as neatly as possible over the unpadded surface of their sleeping platform. “I didn’t want you to be. I didn’t mean it that way.”

“I know.” Kim tossed their pillows toward Dorthea. “And just for the record,” she grinned at her friend, “what could be more romantic than sleeping under the stars next to a campfire with the woman that I love? Isn’t that what they always do in the movies?”

Dorthea laughed. “I’m not sure sleeping in the back of a station wagon is considered the same as sleeping on the ground or in a tent.” She shut the car door and walked back to join Kim.

“Same concept. We’ll just be more comfortable... hopefully. Crackers and cheese for dinner?” Kim asked, opening the cooler and removing a package of sliced cheese.

Dorthea took the offered cheese. “I’ll take an orange, too. Have you ever started a campfire?” she asked pulling a box of Ritz crackers from the cardboard box beside the cooler.

“No. But it can’t be that difficult.”

“Do we have any matches?”

“Umm. No.”

“So, how do you plan to start it? Rub your legs together?”

“Oh, funny.” Kim handed an orange to Dorthea and pulled out an apple for herself. “I suppose we could use the cigarette lighter,” she said retrieving a jug of water from the cooler then replacing the lid.

Dorthea chuckled. “How about, we forego the fire tonight?” She walked over to the picnic table with Kim trailing behind her. “Besides, I doubt I’ll be able to keep my eyes open for much longer.” She yawned as she sat down on the bench. “My eyes feel like they’ve done more looking today than in my entire life. The landscape is all so different than Iowa. And so beautiful.”

“It is amazing, isn’t it?”

“I wish we had the time to do more exploring,” Dorthea mused peeling her orange.

Kim nodded taking a bite of her apple. “Maybe some day, we’ll come back.”

#

CHAPTER TWENTY

 The sky in the east was scarcely showing signs of the approaching morning sun when Kim squirmed into a sitting position in the back of the station wagon. Groaning, she leaned against the back of the front seat.

“Are you okay?” Dorthea asked sleepily. She was lying on her side, her legs pulled up.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to wake you.”

“You didn’t. I don’t think I’ve slept more than an hour all night.”

“Who said this would be more comfortable than sleeping on the ground?” Kim grumbled.

“Dorthea chuckled while rolling over onto her back. “I believe that would be you.”

“I lied. This is like sleeping on concrete.”

“Agreed. I think every bone in my body is bruised,” Dorthea gingerly felt some of her sorest spots. “What time is it?”

“Early.”

“Does it look like anyone else is up?”

Kim peered out the side window, ninety feet away but barely visible in the dark shadows were the assorted vehicles parked along the lake shore. “I don’t see any lights over there.”

Dorthea sat up and begin feeling around in the dark. “Where’s the flashlight?”

“Why?”

“Because I have to use the Little Girl Camper room.

Kim snickered.

“Ah ha,” Dorthea exclaimed when her fingers closed around a cylinder shaped object.

“Are you sure?”

“Honey, I think I know when I have to go to the bathroom.”

“No. I mean are you sure it’s safe to go out there? It’s still dark.”

Dorthea shifted to open the door. “Well, it’s either I go out there or go in here. I think we’d both prefer the former.”

Kim scooted toward the back of the station wagon to retrieve her shoes. “Okay, but I’m coming with you.”

“Ah, my hero,” Dorthea cooed.

“Hardly,” Kim muttered. “I’ve got to pee, too.”

#

“Now what?” Dorthea asked keeping her voice low so she wouldn’t disturb the other campers as she and Kim walked back to the car.

“It’s too early to try and leave,” Kim whispered, “the gate won’t be unlocked for another hour. How about a morning walk? I was looking at the map of the park and there’s a trail over by the picnic area.”

“That sounds good to me. I really don’t want to get back in the car.”

“Great. Let’s get our jackets and go.” Opening the car door as quietly as possibly, she crawled inside to retrieve their jackets.”

“Thanks,” Dorthea whispered, taking her jacket from Kim and slipping it on.

Kim climbed out of the car pausing to put on her own jacket before easing the door shut. “Shall we?” she asked holding out her hand.

Dorthea nervously looked over her shoulder at the vehicles parked on the opposite side of the loop. “Should we?” she asked when she turned back to Kim.

“It’s still pretty dark, Honey,” Kim assured her. “I don’t think anyone will notice.”

“Can we wait until we get a little further away from them?”

Kim smiled. “Sure. Come on, let’s go.” She started off at a slow pace waiting for Dorthea to match her steps.

As they set off, only the gravel scrunching under their feet broke the silence of the morning. But it wasn’t long before they heard song birds warbling to greet the rising sun and the occasional honk from a flock of Canada geese gathering at the far end of the lake.

“This must be it,” Dorthea said, spotting a dirt path branching off from the road.

“Must be,” Kim agreed. They hadn’t walked more than a dozen steps down the trail when she felt Dorthea’s hand take hold of her own.

“This is nice,” Dorthea murmured of their surroundings.

Kim smiled. “This is very nice.”

#

Dorthea and Kim watched in amazement as the freeway carried them through landscapes they had never before witnessed or imagined. The open plains had given way to the sloping foothills that were carrying them upward to the Rocky Mountains dominating the western horizon.

“I’ve read about the Rockies but I never realized how truly magnificent they are,” Dorthea commented at the snow covered peaks stretched out before them. “Now I know how the people traveling on the wagon trains must have felt when it finally occurred to them that they had to cross those mountains. Can you imagine? They must have had real doubts as to whether their wagons would be up to the challenge.”

“I’m beginning to have doubts as to whether or not the car is up to the challenge,” Kim quipped.

Dorthea looked at the driver in disbelief. “Are you really?”

Kim chuckled. “No. At least, I don’t think so. But I am glad that I’m not expecting a team of horses to get me over those.”

“More likely a team of oxen,” Dorthea corrected. “I’m sure, if they made it so can we.”

“Hungry?” Kim asked spotting a sign announcing an approaching rest stop.

“Not too much. But I wouldn’t mind having the chance to stretch.” Except for a quick stop to refill the car’s gas tank, they had been driving non stop since leaving the campground, hoping to cross the Rockies by the end of the day’s travels. “My legs are a bit stiff.”

“I’ve noticed you’ve been rubbing your knees,” Kim said as she flipped on the turn signal and started guiding the car toward the off ramp. “You know, you could just tell me you need a break.”

“I know. But I want to get to California so bad that I’ll put up with the discomfort.”

Kim scowled. “I think we’ll start stopping every few hours to walk around and eat something.”

“We don’t have—”

“Yes,” Kim cut Dorthea off, “we do. If not, for you, for me. My legs get stiff, too, you know,” she declared seriously.

Dorthea smiled at Kim’s stern expression. “Okay,” she agreed realizing Kim was determined to ease her discomfort even if it meant exaggerating about her own. “I think that would be a good idea.” She reached out and placed her left hand on Kim’s thigh then lightly squeezed the leg. “Thanks.”

Kim smiled, her right hand slipping off the steering wheel to wrap around Dorthea’s.

#

The rest area was not much more than a gravel parking lot and a few picnic tables scattered about a grassy field no bigger than their apartment. But it had clean restrooms and a water fountain that enabled the women to refill their water jugs. They shared sections of a peeled orange as they walked around the perimeter of the field.

“I have a confession to make,” Dorthea said, wiping a drip of orange juice off her chin with the back of her hand.

“Oh?”

Dothea nodded. “If I had known how good it felt, I would have made myself figure out that I was in love with you years ago.”

Kim laughed. “And how do you think you would have managed that?”

“Fall in love with you? That wasn’t too hard. At least, not after Aunt Faye pointed it out,” Dorthea said wryly.

“No. Make yourself figure it out. I think we both were pretty clueless; and for way too long.”

Dorthea laughed and shook her head. “You’d think we would have been smarter than that, especially since we spent so much time together.”

“Obviously, not.”

“Too bad Aunt Faye didn’t clue us in to it years ago.”

Kim thought for a moment. “What do you think would have happened if she had?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well… Do you think we would have been open to the possibility earlier? I mean, heck, I’m not sure I would have been ready to admit to it in our twenties.”

“No?”

“Well, maybe. But I was so sure back then that what I truly wanted was the fairytale tall, dark, and handsome and the white picket fence.”

“I can’t do the tall, dark, handsome part but I think I can arrange for the fence.” Dorthea grinned when Kim groaned. “Don’t you think we must have known back then? Maybe not consciously but somehow we must have felt some attraction. Why else did we spend so much time together in high school? And why have we continued to live together all these years?”

“Good questions. You’re probably right, we must have known deep down. But why didn’t we ever act on it?”

Dorthea shrugged. “I think…” She paused, chewing on her lip as she organized her thoughts. “I think, maybe, if I had been braver, I might have.”

“Really? What stopped you?”

“You didn’t seem interested in anything but boys.”

Kim giggled. “Looking back, it doesn’t appear I was all that interested in them, either.”

“Well, you seemed to be at the time and I was too afraid to ask about other possibilities.”

“Afraid of what?”

“Of you,” Dorthea said quietly.

“Me? Why?” Dorthea suddenly changed the direction of her steps and headed back toward the station wagon that Kim had parked in the shade of the rest area’s only tree. Kim hurried after her. She grabbed her arm and yanked her to a stop. “Hey, talk to me,” she demanded when they were standing face-to-face. “What did I ever do to make you afraid of me?” she asked, terrified there was a chance that she had at sometime hurt the woman she now knew she was deeply in love with.

Dorthea looked into Kim’s eyes, recognizing the fear they betrayed. She reached for Kim’s hands, holding them with a loving touch. “I’m sorry. That sounded much worse than what I meant.”

“What did you mean?” Kim asked in a shaky voice.

“I’m so ashamed to say this but ever time you came home and told me you had turned down another proposal I wanted to shout for joy. I was so happy while you were so miserable. But I couldn’t help it; I just could not imagine not having you in my life.”

Kim looked confused. “What did you think? I’d get married and never see you again?”

Dorthea nodded, her head slowing moving up and down as tears swelled in her eyes. “Forgive me?”

Kim felt a lump growing in her throat. “Oh, sweetheart, no matter what, you would always have been a part of my life.”

“You don’t know that.”

Kim started to pull Dorthea into a hug then stopped herself when she remembered where they were. There weren’t many other travelers using the picnic tables but there were some and she decided to be cautious even though it broke her heart not to be able to comfort her friend. “Let’s go back to the car,” she suggested. When they reached the station wagon, she unlocked the passenger door and reached inside. Retrieving the box of Kleenex from the middle of the seat, she then turned to face Dorthea. “I have a confession myself,” she said as she offered her a tissue.

“Oh?” Dorthea asked, wiping her eyes.

“Regardless of whatever the reasons that kept me from realizing I was in love with you, I am really, really glad that I finally figured it out. I guess I owe Faye a big one for finally slapping me in the face with it. But,” she added playfully poking a finger into Dorthea’s shoulder, “if you ever tell her that, I’ll deny I ever said it,” she declared with a large grin.

Dorthea laughed. “My lips are sealed.”

“Feel better?”

“Yes.”

“I love you.”

“I love you, too.” Dorthea smiled shyly. “And I really love saying that.”

Kim grinned. “Good, because I really love hearing it.”

#

“You know, I think we’d be better taking Interstate 76 to Denver instead of continuing on Interstate 80,” Dorthea said thoughtfully. She had several state maps spread out on her lap. “We can pick up Interstate 70 there and we’ll get to Los Angeles quicker… I think.”

“You’re the navigator,” Kim replied amiably. “Just tell me where to turn.”

“Just before Julesburg. It shouldn’t be too much further.”

“Okay.”

“It’s so beautiful here,” Dorthea said as she refolded the maps and tucked them back under the Kleenex box on the seat between them. “So many trees. And the valleys we keep passing through are just gorgeous.”

“Sure a lot more to look at than back home.”

“I wonder if it’s always so green.”

“You thinking of moving?”

Dorthea turned away from the window and toward Kim. “Would you?”

“I suppose… maybe… I mean, it’s not like I’m tied to Iowa. Are you?”

“No. Well, except for Aunt Faye. I’m not sure I could just up and leave her alone.” Dorthea turned back to gaze out the window. “But I would like to see what else is out there. I’ve read about so many places, it would be nice to actually see them.”

“It’s fun to travel,” Kim agreed.

Dorthea laughed. “How can you say that? We’ve only been gone two days.”

“I’m thinking of the trips with my father, I would sit for hours and just look out the window at the passing sights. I use to fantasize about what was at the end of the roads we crossed; and what people were like in the towns we drove through. It would be nice to have the chance to find out.”

“Julesburg, ten miles,” Dorthea read the road sign the flashed past her window. “The intersection should be close,” she informed the driver.

“Gotcha.” They rode in silence until they spotted the sign directing them to the proper lane to merge onto their new route. As she guided the car onto the ramp, Kim said, “I suppose when we get back home we can get our own car. Maybe plan some long weekends. Would you like that?”

Dorthea smiled. “Very much.”

#

“Something wrong?” Dorthea asked when Kim steered onto an off ramp. Having stopped less than an hour before to stretch their legs, she was surprised by Kim’s exiting of the freeway.

“I don’t think my eyes have done this much looking in all my life,” Kim answered as she brought the car to a stop at the end of the ramp. “They need a break. Do you mind?”

“Not at all. Goodness, look at those old buildings.” Kim had turned right after the stop and they could see several false fronted wood buildings scattered along the streets in all directions. “This must have been a mining camp,” Dorthea said excitedly.

Kim turned right at the first intersection. “Let’s see, the town’s name is Silver Plume and this is Silver Street,” she said sardonically, “so that would be a good guess.”

“Oh, shush,” Dorthea retorted. “Even if I didn’t know the town’s name, I’ve seen enough pictures of frontier towns and mining camps to recognize the architecture. It would be fun to walk around for a bit,” she hinted hopefully.

Kim grinned. “That’s the plan, Stan.”

Silver Street made an abrupt ninety degree turn to the left and they found themselves in the old business district of the town. Kim pulled the station wagon to the curb and turned the engine off. “Dang,” she said as she peered through the windshield at the steep slopes behind the town. “I can’t get over how big these mountains are. It’s seems like we’ve been climbing up them forever and we still haven’t reached the Divide yet.”

“I know. It’s just so fantastic,” Dorthea said as she pushed open the car’s door. She started to get out then stopped and turned to her companion. “Do you want to stay here and take a little nap while I walk around? I mean, if your eyes are tired, you probably don’t want to have to do any more looking right now.”

“Would you mind?” Kim asked, relieved at the offer.

“No.” Dorthea looked at her watch. “How about I come back in half an hour? Is that enough?”

“Perfect.”

“Okay, I’ll see you in half an hour.” Dorthea said then stepped out of the car.

“Hey,” Kim called before Dorthea could shut the door.

“Yes?”

“Be careful.”

Dorthea smiled. “Of course.” She pushed the door shut then turned to consider her possibilities. Deciding any direction was as good as any other, she set off down the sidewalk.

Silver Plume occupied the bottom of a narrow gorge surrounding by steep mountain slopes. The town appeared to have been much bigger earlier in its life but now was no more than half a dozen blocks long and less than half that wide. There were several gaps between buildings where, over the years, structures had been lost to history. Dorthea took her time walking along the street. Some of the remaining buildings were still in use; some were boarded up preventing her from seeing inside their covered windows. A few were propped up by long two-by-fours wedged into the ground to provide their fatigued walls much needed support.

Dorthea had managed to walk only a portion of the streets when she looked at her watch to see she was over due back at the car. She immediately headed back the way she had come, hoping Kim hadn’t become concerned and was out looking for her. She breathed a sigh of relief when she arrived back at the car to find Kim still resting inside. Or so she thought.

“You’re late,” Kim growled when Dorthea slid into the passenger seat. She was slumped down in the seat, her head resting on the back of it and her eyes still closed.

“I know. I’m sorry.”

“Rather spend time looking at old buildings then with me?” Kim asked curtly.

“Yes,” Dorthea answered smartly.

Kim’s eyes popped open. “Really?”

Dorthea laughed. “No.”

“Oh, good,” Kim said as she wiggled about to sit upright behind the steering wheel. “You had me worried for a minute.”

“Serves you right for acting so snotty.”

Kim stuck her tongue out at Dorthea causing her to laugh more. “So, how was Silver Plume?” she asked turning the key in the ignition and listening as the engine roared to life.

“Interesting. There was a sign pointing to a museum, it would be nice to see it.”

“Which way?”

Dorthea shook her head. “No. As much as I want to, I need to get to California more.”

Kim checked for traffic then pulled away from the curb. “Then put this down on your list of places to come back to when we have more time.”

“I have a list?”

“You should,” Kim said as she made a u-turn in the middle of the empty street.

“Did you get enough rest? Maybe we should start looking for a place to stop for the night. We’ve been on the road a long time today.”

“I don’t know how much further I can go but let’s at least get over these mountains. We’ll start looking on the way down the other side. Okay?”

“It’s okay with me as long as you’re okay. All I have to do is sit and look, you’re the one doing the driving.”

Kim left Silver Plume and turned onto the freeway onramp. “When we get back home, you’re going to get your driver’s license.”

Dorthea grinned. “Yes, I am,” she proclaimed resolutely. After Kim had merged smoothly into the busy highway traffic, she asked curiously, “Weren’t you worried about me?”

“Why?”

“I was late.”

“You’re a big girl.”

“I could have fallen into an old mine shaft.”

“Silver Plume isn’t that big. I probably would have heard you screaming if you had.”

Dorthea frowned. “I suppose you would have. Still, you could have been just a little concerned when I wasn’t back on time.”

“I’ll try to do better next time,” Kim commented offhandedly. She fought not to burst into giggles when Dorthea glowered at her. “Besides,” she said nonchalantly, “I was peeking around the corner of that old store when you started back to the car.”

For a moment, Dorthea could only scowl at her friend who was trying so hard not to laugh. Then she shifted her position to stare out the side window. She crossed her arms over her chest and grunted loudly in mock disgust. “You are such a brat,” she sighed as Kim laughed.

#

“Thank goodness,” Dorthea said when a highway sign announced they were approaching a town. It had been a little more than two hours since they left Silver Plume and Kim had been yawning incessantly the whole time. “I don’t care what New Castle is, we are stopping for the night here.”

“Okay.”

“No argument?”

“Not from me. I hope there’s a café though. I’m starving and cheese and crackers don’t sound all that filling right now.”

“Only one way to find out. There’s the turn off.”

Kim eased the car onto the off ramp. Turning onto the street at the bottom, she was grateful to spot a freshly painted sign on the side of a building identifying it as a place to find Good Home Cooking. She directed the station wagon toward the restaurant and parked in the lot at its side. She turned off the engine, pushed her door open, and climbed stiffly out.

“In a hurry?” Dorthea asked when she walked around the car to join Kim.

“Yes. I’m tired, hungry, and have to pee. Any more questions?”

“Dorthea grinned. “No. Why don’t you run ahead and I’ll get us a table.”

Kim nodded then spun around and hurried toward the front of the restaurant. Dorthea followed at a more leisurely pace, looking around at what she could see of the small community. By the time she walked through the entry, Kim was disappearing behind a door at the back of the dining room. “Table for two,” she told the waitress waiting to seat her.

The waitress smiled. “By the window, your friend has already put in your request.” She led Dorthea to a booth providing an unobstructed view into the town. “Would you like coffee?” the waitress asked as she set a menu in front of Dorthea and another on the opposite side of the table.

“I don’t think so. I’d like a glass of orange juice.”

“And your friend.”

“Milk. The larger the better.”

“I’ll be right back with those,” the waitress told her then turned toward the kitchen passing Kim who was walking back across the dining room.

“Feel better?” Dorthea asked when Kim settled on the bench seat opposite her.

“Much.”

“I ordered you a glass of milk.”

“Thanks.” Kim opened the menu. “I think I could eat half a cow tonight. Who knew driving took so much energy?”

“Driving. Walking. Sightseeing. Talking. Laughing,” Dorthea listed off the day’s activities. “Do you realize we’ve been at this almost fourteen hours today?”

“Really?”

Dorthea nodded.

“No wonder I’m tired.”

The waitress returned and placed a pair of glasses in the center of the table. “Did you have a chance to look at the menu?” she asked pleasantly.

“No, sorry,” Kim apologized.

“No problem. Just give me a wave when you’re ready to order.”

“Thank you.”

“What do you think?” Dorthea asked when the waitress walked away to see to her other tables.

“About?”

“Dinner. What are you thinking of getting?”

“I hate to say it but I’m leaning toward the sirloin. I know it’s a bit pricey but I really am hungry.”

“Then get it. I would say you have more than earned it.”

Kim smiled. “Okay, I will. What about you?”

“The trout looks pretty good.” Kim nodded. “Want to give her a wave?”

#

Kim squirmed about on the bench seat. “This thing has about as much padding as the back of the station wagon,” she groused. They had finished their entrees and were perusing the dessert menu in consideration of splurging on one. “I’m not looking forward to another night sleeping on that rock.”

Dorthea looked out the window. Confirming what she was sure she had seen before, she held out her hand to Kim. “Give me the car keys.”

“Why?”

“Just give them to me.”

Kim dug the ring of keys out of her purse and dropped them into Dorthea’s hand. “What are you going to do?”

“Leave you here and run off with the waitress,” Dorthea quipped as her fingers closed around the keys.

“Can she drive?”

“Ha, ha. Order me a piece of Dutch Apple pie a la mode. I’ll be back in a few.” Dorthea scooted off the bench seat and walked to the restaurant’s entry.

Curious, Kim watched Dorthea walked outside then cross the street. She had to turn away from the window when the waitress returned for their dessert orders and, by the time she could resume her watch, Dorthea had disappeared. Her eyes anxiously scanned the street and the buildings lining its sides. She was just about to go looking for her missing friend when she spotted her stepping out of one of the storefronts carrying a large rolled up bundle under her arm. She watched Dorthea carry her burden back to the restaurant then disappear around the corner of the building in the direction of the parking lot. She reappeared at the same time the waitress returned with their plates of pie and ice cream.

“Great timing,” Dorthea said as she slipped back into the booth and slid the keys across the table to Kim.

“What was that?”

“You’ll see later. Eat your pie, this is really good.”

Kim tasted a bite then nodded in agreement. The women ate in silence for several minutes. “I suppose we should ask the waitress about places we might be able to park overnight.”

“If we go across the freeway to the county road, it runs alongside the river and we’ll be able to find a place.”

“And you know this how?”

Dorthea gazed at Kim, batting her eyes. “I’m very, very smart.”

“Uh, uh,” Kim responded doubtfully.

“All right, I asked.”

“Who?”

“The lady in the store.”

“That reminds me— what store and what did you buy?”

“Sheesh.” Dorthea lifted her napkin and dabbed the corners of her mouth. “I told you, you’ll find out later.”

“What’s the big secret?” Kim asked, perturbed.

“It’s not a secret. It’s a surprise and it will just be easier to show you than to explain. Now, stop being such a baby.” Kim frowned but kept silent as she pulled her wallet from her purse. “I’m going to use the restroom,” Dorthea told Kim who had stood to walk to the cash register. “I’ll meet you at the car.”

#

“You’re a genius,” Kim cried out as soon as Dorthea rounded the corner of the restaurant.

“You’re just noticing that?” Dorthea grumped playfully.

“This is fantastic,” Kim said from her perch in the back of the station wagon. When she had reached the car, her curiosity got the better of her. Unable to see Dorthea’s large bundle through the windows, she opened the back passenger door and looked inside. Their blankets were still spread out with their pillows propped up at the back of the front seat. Spotting nothing unusual, she had leaned in for a better look. As soon as her hands pressed against the blankets, she had discovered Dorthea’s surprise.

“I wasn’t sure the fabric store would have anything but it was worth a try,” Dorthea explained, leaning in the open door. “It’s the thickest piece they had.”

“What is it?” Kim asked, pulling a blanket back to expose the cushiony layer underneath.

“It’s a type of foam for making pillows and such. It’s a little short but it should provide padding for most of us.”

Kim put the blanket back into place then crawled to the door. Catching Dorthea by surprise, she pressed their lips together. “Thanks,” she said when they parted a few moments later.

“You’re welcome.” Dorthea grinned. “Thanks to you, too.”

Kim climbed out of the car. “Let’s go find a place to camp,” she said enthusiastically. “I could use some more of that.”

#

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

 Dorthea’s eyes fluttered open when her closed lids could no longer block out the bright rays of the morning sun. She was delighted to find she was still in the same position she had fallen asleep the night before— snuggled up against Kim’s side with her arm draped over her waist.

“Morning,” Kim greeted in a voice heavy with sleep, smiling when Dorthea’s eyes rose to meet her own.

“Good morning. What time is it?”

“Not sure. What time zone are we in?”

“Good question.” Dorthea squirmed in search of a position that would block the sun. Unsuccessful, she squinted against the harsh light. “Judging by how high the sun is, it must be late in all of them.” She turned to roll away from Kim only to find her attempt stopped by Kim’s hold on her. “Shouldn’t we be getting up?”

 “I refuse to move without a morning kiss.” Kim puckered her lips then waited for them to be claimed.

After they separated several moments later, Dorthea ran her tongue over her lips, enjoying the lingering tingle of their recent contact. “I think I’m getting better at that,” she stated proudly.

Kim grinned. “If I get a vote, I would definitely agree. Want to practice some more?”

Dorthea gently pulled out of Kim’s embrace. “Oh no, you don’t. If I let you get away with that, we’ll never get to California.”

“Party poop.” Kim laughed, pushing herself into a sitting position. “Boy, do I feel better this morning than I did yesterday.”

Dorthea was also sitting up and twisted around to push open the passenger door. “The pad did help a lot,” she agreed.

“Actually, I think last night’s activities helped more.”

 “Stop that! Someone could see us.” Dorthea squawked when a hand slipped under her shirt and tickled the bare skin underneath.

Kim’s head swiveled about as she looked out all the windows. “Who? We’re the only ones here and we’re shielded from any cars on the road by those trees. Besides, I thought you enjoyed last night.” Before sleep claimed them, the women had spent some time snuggled together, timidly exploring each other with their hands and lips.

Dorthea twisted around. “I did,” she said, a slight blush coloring her cheeks. “But it was dark then.”

“We can kiss in the daylight, hon.”

“I know. It’s just that the more we kiss, the less I want to let you go.”

Kim grinned. “And that’s a problem why?”

“Oh, stop smirking like a rooster in a hen house,” Dorthea chided.

“Can roosters smirk?”

Dorthea shook her head in mock frustration. “Come on,” she tugged Kim toward the door. “Let’s get moving.”

Kim scooted across the back of the makeshift bed, climbing out of the car behind Dorthea. “Just one thing before we do,” she whispered into a tanned ear as she wrapped her arms around Dorthea. “I love you.”

Sighing happily, Dorthea leaned back against Kim and placed her arms on top of the ones that encircled her. “I love you, too.”

Kim abruptly pulled her arms free. “Okay, enough of this sappy love stuff. Let’s get in gear,” she ordered playfully slapping Dorthea on her rump then giggled when she yelped in surprise. “Come on, girl, the day’s half over. At this rate, we’ll never get through Utah and Nevada by tonight.”

#

After a quick stop in New Castle to replenish their ice supply, Kim guided the station wagon back onto the freeway while Dorthea pulled the stack of maps out from under the Kleenex box.

“Do you really think we can get all the way through Utah and Nevada today?” Dorthea asked, spreading the maps open.

“It’s about the same distance we drove yesterday.”

“But we got an earlier start.”

“I know. What are you looking for on those maps?”

“I’d like to stop someplace that has a motel.”

“Tired of camping out already?”

“No. But I could use a good scrubbing. I must smell like an old wool blanket left out in the rain.”

Kim laughed. “I can’t say I’ve ever had the pleasure of experiencing such a thing. Didn’t you wash behind your ears last night?”

“The water from that river was freezing. I’d like a nice long soak in hot water, if you don’t mind.”

“Picky, picky. Where do you suggest we try and spend the night?”

Dorthea spread her fingers measuring a distance on the map. “Las Vegas is about seven, maybe eight, hours from here.”

“I was hoping to get further than that.”

“It doesn’t look like there will be many places to stop after Las Vegas.”

“What’s after Vegas?”

“A lot of nothing until Barstow.”

“That’s in Nevada?”

“No, California. It’s about another two hours.”

“Seven hours is too short and ten too long.”

Dorthea giggled. “You sound like Goldilocks.”

“Then we’ll have to find someplace that is juuuuuust right for you, my little bear.

#

“What on earth are you thinking?” Kim asked after she had heard nothing but deep sighing from her traveling companion for several miles.

“Hmm?”

“You’ve been staring out that window since we stopped for gas.”

“Oh. Sorry.” Dorthea took another look at the passing landscape before turning toward Kim. “I was just wondering what it must have been like for the people on the wagon trains.”

“What do you mean?”

“What it must have been like leaving their families behind to seek out a new life in a country none of them had ever seen. Now we can travel to all parts of the world by books or the television. They had nothing to go on but what others told them; and half the time that was made up or exaggerated. It’s a wonder more of them didn’t just turn around and go back.”

“I know I would have if I saw this desert stretched out in front of me.” After the rolling plains of Iowa and the mountains of Colorado, the deserts of Utah were a shock of contrast. “Is this the way the wagon trains came?”

“If I remember my history, most traveled further north through Wyoming and Idaho to Oregon and California. Any way they did it, it still had to take a lot of determination to make the trip to the west. I suppose it would have been easier for the ones that had nothing to leave behind.”

“Don’t you think they all left behind something— homes, family, and friends?”

“Most probably did. But I’m sure there must have been some who didn’t have anything… or anybody.”

Kim heard a hint of sadness in Dorthea’s voice. She reached for her hand and felt Dorthea entwined their fingers. “What’s it like?” she asked softly. “Not knowing?” When it didn’t appear Dorthea would respond, she quickly added, “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.”

“It’s okay.” Dorthea lightly rubbed her thumb over the skin of Kim’s hand. “It’s nice that you want to know.”

“I’ve thought of asking before but I didn’t want to upset you. I have thought about it.”

“Have you?”

Kim nodded. “I tried. But I don’t think I was too successful.”

“I suppose that would be hard since you do have a family.”

“They aren’t the best but at least I know who and what they are.”

“Sometimes, I think I remembered having a family. It happened a lot when I was little, six or seven.”

“Oh?”

“I remembered a woman. Not really a whole person, mostly just a face. Actually, a smile.”

“Your mother?”

Dorthea shrugged. “I wondered if she was. I would sit for hours in front of a mirror trying to get my mouth to form that same smile. Even at that age, I was searching for some connection. I had already started to have doubts about Aunt Faye.”

“That young?”

Dorthea nodded. “I was so convinced she wasn’t my aunt that I couldn’t wait for each day to end. I would stand at my bedroom window waiting for the first stars of the night to appear. Then I would wish on the first one for my real family to come rescue me. But after no one came to claim me, I finally gave up on the wishes. Just like I let the memory of that smile fade until I could no longer recall it.”

“Why?”

“So I wouldn’t hurt so much.”

Several miles slipped by as the women sat silently; Dorthea lost in her thoughts and Kim trying to think of a way to diminish the pain of the years of uncertainty her friend had endured.

Kim saw a sign announcing a rest area and she steered onto the ramp leading to it. She guided the station wagon to a section of the parking area that was vacant of other cars and shut off the engine. Then she turned to face Dorthea, her heart breaking when she saw the forlorn look on her face. “This may sound stupid but I don’t know any other way to say it,” she declared earnestly. “I don’t care where you came from. I don’t care if Paul Bingham is your father, or isn’t. I don’t care if you survived a tornado only to be kidnapped by a thug or if you fell out of the sky. I don’t care that you were raised by a woman you know next to nothing about.” She paused to breathe. “What I do care about is you—not Dorthea Sanborn or Esther Bingham or whomever, but you,” she pointed at Dorthea, “the woman sitting here. You are my best friend, my confident, my pal. You are sweet and honest and someone I really enjoy being around.” She blinked back the tears threatening to fill her eyes. “We may have just figured out the depth of our feelings for one another but we’ve had a friendship for almost forty years that is worth more to me than all of my family put together. You are the love of my life,” she said, reaching out to tenderly cup her hand against Dorthea’s cheek. “I can’t replace all the memories you lost, but I can be all the family you’ll ever need,” she declared confidently.

Dorthea unbuckled her seat belt then slid across to sit next to Kim, shoving Kleenex box and the road maps onto the floor. She melted into Kim’s waiting arms and felt them wrap around her in a crushing embrace. “I love you,” she sobbed as a lifetime of tears tumbled down her cheeks.

#

Kim found it difficult to see through her own tears as she watched Dorthea wipe her face with a handful of tissues. “Let me go get a washcloth out of the suitcase,” she offered.

“No. I’m okay.”

“No you’re not. Your eyes are red and your face is all wet. You’ll feel better if you have a damp cloth to wipe it with.”

Dorthea looked at Kim and grinned. “You look as bad as I must. Give me a minute then we can walk over to the rest room and wash our faces.”

“Are you sure? They are quite a few people over there.”

“I doubt if we know any of them so does it matter what they think about two tearful women walking into the bathroom?”

Kim shook her head.

Dabbing at her wet eyes, Dorthea laid her head on Kim’s shoulder. “Thank you.”

“For?”

“For being you.” Dorthea pulled the last of the tissues out of the box and blew her nose. “I hope we packed more of these.”

“We’ll look for a store in the next town we see. Can I ask you a question?”

“Of course.”

“What will you do if we do find Paul Bingham and it turns out he isn’t your father?”

“I don’t think I’ve ever considered that possibility. Dorthea blew out a long, shaky breath. “And I’m not sure I have the energy to do it right now.”

“Fair enough,” Kim said willing to let the subject drop for the time being. The last several minutes had drained her emotionally as she was sure they had drained Dorthea. “What say we go get cleaned up and then go find a coffee shop? I could sure use a cup.”

“I’ll take a pot… and one for the road,” Dorthea said as she judged the distance across the parking lot to the rest room. “I don’t suppose you’d be willing to drive an old lady over there, would you?”

Kim chuckled. “Find me an old lady and I’ll think about it.” She bent forward, twisted the key in the ignition and released the parking brake. She slowly drove across the parking lot and re-parked in an empty slot next to the building housing the rest rooms. “Close enough?”

“It would be better if you would drive right up to the door.”

“That would require me driving up and over the curb then across the grass. I doubt that would be considered acceptable behavior.”

“Probably not,” Dorthea moaned unhappily then scooted over to the passenger door and opened it. She waited for Kim to get out and lock the car then they walked together across the grass.

#

“I feel much better now,” Kim exclaimed as she dried her face after splashing cold water on it. “What are you doing?”

Dorthea was intently studying the reflection in the cracked mirror. “I just cried my eyes out and my skin is still so dry I think it can split open with the touch of a feather. I can’t remember it ever being this dry,” she said as she gingerly poked herself.

“We have been driving through a desert most of the day.”

“And you point is?”

“The desert is really, really dry.”

“And?”

“And it makes our skin… ucky.”

Dorthea laughed and turned away from the mirror to face Kim. “For an intelligent woman, you sometimes have a very limited vocabulary.”

“Ah, so you only love me for my brains?”

“Hardly.”

“Then what?”

“What?”

“Tell me why you love me.”

“Oh, that.” Dorthea made Kim wait as she bent over the sink to splash water on her face. After several moments, she straightened and reached for a paper towel. “Let’s see, you’re smart,” she said as she patted her face dry.

“That we’ve already established.”

Dorthea rolled her eyes. “You’re extremely modest,” she said sarcastically then giggled when Kim glared at her with what she thought was her most intimidating grimace. She crumbled up the paper towel and tossed it at Kim. “Ready to go back to the car?”

Kim snatched the ball of paper out of the air. “After you.” She followed Dorthea to the door, dropping the towel into the trash can as they passed it on their way outside. “What else?”

“You have a good paying job.”

“So it be me gold yer after, lassie.”

Dorthea laughed. “You do really bad pirate impressions.”

“Be serious,” Kim implored.

“You’re comical.”

Kim groaned. “Oh, that’s not good.”

Dorthea stepped off the curb and walked to the passenger door of the station wagon. “Yes, it is,” she said to Kim standing on the other side of the car and looking at her over the top of it. “You’re funny and you make me laugh. I like that.”

Kim smiled. “Anything else?”

“Let me think… Oh, yes, there is one more thing.”

“Which is?”

“You have a really cute butt.”

Kim had bent down to unlock the door but bolted upright upon hearing the comment. “All these years,” she exclaimed as she locked eyes with Dorthea over the top of the car, “you’ve been checking out my butt?”

Dorthea felt the blush crawling up her neck to her cheeks and dropped her head in embarrassment.

Kim unlocked the car and slid behind the steering wheel. She patiently waited until Dorthea joined her before starting the engine and backing out of the parking slot. She steered for the ramp that would take them back onto the interstate and skillfully merged the car into the traffic.

Still dismayed by her impulsive admission, Dorthea couldn’t help but smile as Kim, eyes focused on the road ahead, whistled a merry tune while tapping her fingers on the steering wheel.

#

“You are not going to believe this,” Dorthea said excitedly when she returned to the car after using the gas station’s rest room.

Kim looked up from the back of the station wagon where she was rummaging through the ice box. “What?”

“There are slot machines in the bathroom. Can you believe that?”

“This is Las Vegas. There are slot machines everywhere. Apple?”

“Are there any oranges left?” Kim retrieved the requested item and handed it to Dorthea. “How about the Oreos?”

Kim pulled the bag of cookies out of the box holding the food items that didn’t need to be kept cold. “Anything else?”

Dorthea shook her head and stepped away from the tailgate so Kim could shut it. “Do you think we should look for a room here?” she asked noting the sun sinking in the west.

“Let me pay for our gas then we can talk about it.”

As she waited for Kim to return, Dorthea peeled the orange, tossing the discarded rind into a trash can. She had just settled onto the car’s seat when Kim came back.

“I asked the guy inside about motels. He said if we don’t mind driving another hour, there’s a nice place just off the highway. Nothing fancy but it has clean rooms for a reasonable price.”

“It’s getting late. Do you think they’ll still have a room?”

“Not a problem. He was nice enough to call them. They’re holding one for us.”

Dorthea waved to the station attendant as he walked past the car to attend to another customer. “That was nice of him.”

“Sure was. Do you have everything you need for another hour?” Kim asked as she started the engine.

“Sure do.”

#

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

 Kim yawned as her eyelids fluttered open. Surprised not to feel Dorthea’s body pressed against her own, she rolled over stretching her arm out and discovered the sheets next to her were still warm. She blinked as her eyes scanned the dark motel room. A thin shaft of moonlight, sneaking through a gap in the window curtains, provided just enough illumination for her to make out the room’s furnishings.

The room was dominated by a pair of double size beds separated by a night stand holding the room’s only lamp. At one end of the room, a table sat under the window with a set of matching chairs placed on opposite sides. At the other end, the door was set off center to allow for a walled-in space for the tub and toilet. A basin hung on the wall opposite the bathroom door. A small, open closet completed the room.

“Nothing fancy,” Kim repeated the gas station attendant’s words. She heard the toilet flush and turned her head toward the sound, smiling when a disheveled pajama clad figure emerged from the bathroom. “Hey,” she said as Dorthea shuffled back to the bed. “You okay?”

“Had to pee,” Dorthea grunted, crawling back under the covers. She scooted over close to Kim then wrapped her arms and legs around her. She placed a quick kiss on Kim’s cheek before nestling her head against her neck. “I love you,” she murmured.

Kim wrapped her arms around Dorthea. “Love you, too.”

Sleep quickly reclaimed both women.

“

Kim’s sleep fogged brain took several minutes to identify the reason she had been dragged away from her dreams. Her ears finally detected the unexpected soft whimpering coming from somewhere in the dark room and she suddenly realized Dorthea was no longer wrapped in her arms. She sat up in the bed, “Dorthea?” she called softly. “Are you okay?” Receiving no answer, she reached for the night stand and turned on the lamp. “Dorthea!” she exclaimed when the lamp’s bright light fell on the huddled form in the other bed.

“I… I didn’t want to wake you,” came a ragged response, muffled by blankets.

Kim quickly scrambled off her bed to kneel at the side of the other one. She carefully peeled back the blankets to reveal Dorthea’s curled up body. “Sweetheart, what’s wrong?” she asked, unsure if she should try to touch her distraught friend.

“I had a weird dream.”

Kim tenderly placed a hand on Dorthea’s back. “Want to talk about it?”

Dorthea buried her head further under the arms wrapped around it. Throwing caution to the wind, Kim wrapped her arms around Dorthea, hugging her tight.

“I was in a really dark place,” Dorthea started. “And there was a loud noise all around me. I couldn’t tell where it was coming from, it was just… everywhere. I was screaming but I couldn’t hear my own voice, the noise was too loud. I was scared. Really scared. Then everything went black.” She shut her eyes, hoping to block out the memory of the dream. Kim gently pulled Dorthea’s arms from her head so she could look into her face. When Dorthea’s eyes met hers, she almost cried at the anguish reflected in them.

“Honey, you’re trembling.”

“It seemed so real. It was a… a dream, just a dream. Wasn’t it?” she beseeched.

“Come back to bed.”

Dorthea shook her head and slowly uncurled her body to sit up. “I don’t want to.” Forcing a smile to reassure her confused friend, Dorthea swung her legs over the side of the mattress. “I think I’d rather take a hot shower.”

“Are you sure you should?” Kim asked, looking worriedly at Dorthea. “You’re still shaking.”

Dorthea sighed and patted the mattress beside her. She waited for Kim to stand then sit beside her. She leaned against her and was glad when she felt Kim’s loving arms encircle her.

“You sort of have me freaking out here,” Kim admitted.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to wake you. I thought, if I gave it some time, the dream would go away.”

“It didn’t?”

“Every time I shut my eyes, I was back there and more frightened than before.”

“Can you remember anything else about it? Like where you were?”

“I don’t know. But it seemed so familiar and yet so strange.”

Kim thought for a moment before gently asking, “Could it be a memory?”

“Memory?”

Kim nodded. “Could you have dreamt about something that really happened?”

“What? Nothing like that has every happened to me.”

“Not that you remember.”

Dorthea pulled out of Kim’s hold and stood up. She paced to the window and pushed back the curtain to reveal a sky turning pink with the coming dawn. “What are you thinking?” she asked calmly, though her thoughts were in turmoil.

Kim stood and padded over to stand beside Dorthea. “Your dream sounds like what Esther might have experienced in the cellar that morning.”

Dorthea looked out at what seemed like an endless sea of sand. “Does it?” she asked, already knowing the answer. She shivered, more from the realization of what her dream could be than from the cool temperature of the room. Abruptly, she turned away from the window and trudged toward the bathroom. “I need a hot shower.”

“Oh, boy,” Kim groaned, dropping back onto the bed.

#

While Dorthea stood under the soothing waters of a hot shower, Kim shed her pajamas and dressed for the day, having bathed the night before in anticipation of an early morning start. She was tying her shoes when the door to the bathroom opened releasing a cloud of steam into the room. Unsure what to say, she remained silent as Dorthea dressed and re-packed her suitcase.

“I’m ready,” Dorthea said, closing her suitcase.

“There’s a café next door. Let’s take our stuff to the car then we can walk over there for breakfast.”

“You go. I’ll wait here.”

“What?”

“I’m not hungry. You go ahead and eat. I’ll stay here.”

“Dorthea—”

“I said I’m not hungry. Go without me!”

Shocked by the unusual angry outburst from her normally good natured friend, Kim walked unsteadily toward the door. “Um… okay. I’ll… I won’t be long,” she stammered, reaching for the door handle.

Dorthea dropped onto the bed, tears streaming down her face. “Kim, wait,” she called softly.

Kim turned away from the door then nervously waited for Dorthea to continue.

“Don’t go,” Dorthea cried. “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay,” Kim said as she sat next to Dorthea.

“No, it’s not. I’m so confused but I shouldn’t have taken it out on you. I just don’t know what to do. I don’t know what to think,” the words tumbled out of Dorthea. “Can it be real? Or am I just hoping it is?”

“Sweetheart, we’ll find out.”

“What if we don’t? What then?”

“Then you and I will go on with our lives… together. No matter what happens, it won’t change the way I feel about you.”

“But what about me? Will I change?”

“Why would you?”

“I don’t know… Oh, what am I saying? Everything is so jumbled up right now. I’m not even sure what I’m thinking.”

Kim rubbed Dorthea’s back. “Then stop thinking. There’s no point in worrying yourself to death when all you have are bits and pieces to go on.”

“What if it was a memory?”

“What if it was? We started all this because you thought you might be Esther. If you are, then you’re bound to have some memories about that day. Maybe all of what you’ve learned over the past few months has freed some of them up.”

“How could I have forgotten something like that?”

Kim wrapped her arm around Dorthea in a protective hug. “Think how scary the dream was for you last night. If it was real, think how scary it must have been for Esther to actually live it.”

“Then why can’t I remember.”

“You probably repressed the memory so you wouldn’t have to re-live it.”

Dorthea sighed. “Maybe it would have been better if I’d never read that magazine article.”

“No. You’ve always wanted to know who you really were. Now, because of that article, you have the chance to find out.”

Dorthea turned to face Kim. “What if we find Paul and he isn’t my father?”

“Paul didn’t make you the woman you are today. You did. So no matter what, you’ll still be you, that won’t change. All Paul can give you is a piece of your past, that missing piece to your family history.” Kim chuckled awkwardly. “Who knows, you might find out he’s as big a bastard as my dad.”

“Don’t say that,” Dorthea snapped.

“Honey, you have to be open to the possibility that you’re chasing a man who may, or may, not be your father. And, if it turns out that he is, you may not like what you find. I just don’t want you to get your hopes too high.”

“Damn, why do you have to be so sensible at a time like this?”

“Because I love you and I don’t want you to hurt anymore than you already do.”

“I don’t want to hurt… I just want to know.”

“I know.”

Dorthea wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “I’m going to wash my face and get myself together,” she said with a sigh. “Why don’t you go eat?”

“I’ll wait.”

“No. I’m really not hungry. You go ahead.”

“How about this? While you wash your face, I’ll take our bags out and settle our bill. You can meet me at the car when you’re ready. We’ll look for a place to eat later when you’re feeling up to it.” When Dorthea nodded, Kim pulled her close and kissed her on the cheek.

“Thanks.”

Kim kissed her again then stood up. She picked up their suitcases. “Take your time,” she said as she carried them to the door. “I’m going to grab some coffee to go from the café.”

#

Kim flipped on the turn signal when she saw the first off-ramp into the town of Barstow. “We need gas,” she explained to Dorthea. “I’m sure glad we didn’t try to make it here last night.” They had driven almost two hours since leaving the motel.

“Me, too. Although, driving through the desert might be better at night. It sure is boring to look at nothing but sand.”

“We’re starting to see mountains so maybe the scenery will improve.”

“I hope so.”

Kim pulled into the first gas station and parked next to the pair of pumps. “You want to use the restroom while I get us gassed up?”

Dorthea was looking across the street to a restaurant. “How about we go over there? I think I could eat now.”

Kim rolled down her window to talk to the station attendant. “Fill it up, please,” she told the teenager. “And would you check the oil?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“You must be starving,” Dorthea said after the boy moved to the back of the car where the filler cap was located.

“I am, a bit.”

“We could have stopped before now. I wouldn’t have minded.”

“It’s okay. I wasn’t that hungry.”

Dorthea smiled. “You’re a terrible liar; I’ve been listening to your stomach growl for the past hour.”

Kim grinned. “Actually, I thought about it but this is the first place I’ve seen to stop in a while.”

Dorthea laughed. “I’m going to walk over there and get us a table,” she said as she unbuckled her seat belt.

“Order me a ham and cheese omelet and coffee.”

“Okay.” Dorthea grabbed her purse from the behind her seat then opened the car door. “Anything else?”

“Pancakes and maple syrup.”

“Ah, so you are hungry.”

“And a large glass of orange juice. And some bacon.”

“I’ll just order one of everything on the menu.”

“Smart ass.”

“Love you, too,” Dorthea quipped as she climbed out of the car. “See you soon.”

Kim smiled, watching Dorthea walk across the street.

“Oil is fine, ma’am. It’s fourteen fifty for the gas.”

Kim handed the boy a twenty dollar bill. “How soon until we’re back in civilization?” she asked when he returned with her change.

He laughed. “Coming from the east?”

“Iowa.”

He whistled. “That’s a long way.”

“It sure is.”

“Where you heading?”

“Los Angeles.”

“Once you get over the pass, you’ll have more civilization than you’ll probably want.”

 “The pass?”

“Through the San Bernardino Mountains.”

“How far is that?”

“Another hour or so and you’ll be on the other side.”

“Thank you.”

“Have a good trip. Stop by on your way back to Iowa.”

“We will,” Kim agreed as she started the engine. She drove across the street and parked in the lot behind the restaurant.

#

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

 Dorthea glanced over at Kim and gasped. “Hey, are you okay?” she asked reaching out and placing her hand on Kim’s arm in concern.

“I think I may be having a panic attack,” Kim answered in a shaky voice, her fingers wrapped tightly around the steering wheel.

“Let’s get off this freeway. Take the next off ramp,” Dorthea ordered.

“I, uh… I don’t know where that goes.”

“I don’t care. Pull over.”

Kim directed the station toward the off ramp and slowing as the pavement led to the right. She braked to a stop where traffic exiting the freeway was to merge onto a busy city street.

“Honey,” Dorthea spoke gently when the car remained in place, prohibiting the cars behind from proceeding. “We can’t stop here.” She pointed to large open area next to a department store at the next corner, “Pull into that parking lot.” A horn honked from one of the cars behind them, its driver impatient to get moving. “Come on, just a little further.”

Kim lifted her foot off the brake and steered onto the street pressing her foot lightly against the accelerator. When another horn blared behind them, she slammed her foot to the floorboard and the station wagon leaped forward.

Dorthea screamed in alarm as Kim yanked the steering wheel over and the car spun sideways into the parking lot before skidding to an abrupt stop when the brakes were jammed on. After a moment to recover her senses, she reached over and turned the key, shutting off the engine. Then she gently pried Kim’s fingers off the steering wheel and eased her back against the seat. “I’m going to get the water jug.” She got out of the car then opened the back door and crawled inside to retrieve the plastic container that had fallen over and rolled to the rear of the car. With jug in hand, she scooted back out. “Here, drink some of this,” she said after returning to the front seat and holding the jug out to Kim.

“Cup?”

Dorthea laughed nervously, still a little shaken by the recent events. “I guess that would be easier, wouldn’t it?” She grabbed one of the empty cups off the seat between them and filled it half full with water. “Here,” she said handing it to Kim.

Kim took the cup and raised it to her lips. Her trembling hands made it difficult but she managed to swallow some of the liquid. “Sorry,” she said weakly staring sightlessly out the windshield.

“Honey, what happened?” Dorthea asked softly.

Kim remained silent for several minutes while Dorthea waited patiently, content to give her friend all the time she needed to regain her composure.

“I think…” Kim started then stopped to take another drink. Her hands had stopped shaking by the time she continued. “I think I got freaked out by all the cars.” She gazed at Dorthea with a mixture of amazement and utter terror. “Never in all my life have I seen this many cars. Oh, hell, this many of everything.” The more she talked, the faster the words tumbled from her. “Can you believe all of this? Look… more cars have gone by on that street since we’ve been here than we see all day back home. All these people. All these cars. It’s too much. I can’t deal with it,” she exclaimed, her voice having risen to a high fearful pitch.

Dorthea nodded in sympathy. “It is a lot but—”

“A lot?” Kim shrieked. “A lot? Dorthea, they’re like ants. Everywhere you look are people and cars and houses and—”

Dorthea reached over to cover Kim’s mouth with her hand. “I know, honey. I know. But you have to calm down before you blow a cork.” She softened her tone when she saw Kim’s eyes imploring her to grasp the reason for her panic. “Honey, I understand… I do. But we can’t stay here in this parking lot. And we’re too close to just turn around and go home. You can do this, I know you can,” she said removing her hand from Kim’s mouth.

“I don’t know. It’s all so… different.”

Dorthea laughed. “That’s quite the understatement. But, you’re right, we are definitely not in Kansas anymore.”

“Kansas?” Kim asked confused.

“It was a joke. We’re not in Iowa just doesn’t have the same ring to it.”

Kim laid her head against the seat back and groaned. “My nerves are shot.” She rolled her head to study Dorthea. “How can you be so calm?”

Dorthea smiled leaning against the seat and resting her head on Kim’s shoulder. She released a long stream of air between her pursed lips. “I may seem calm but in here,” she patted her stomach, “I’m wrapped up so tight I don’t think I’ll ever feel normal again.” She watched the passing cars for several minutes. “I can’t imagine all these people wanting to live in the same place.”

Kim rolled her head to gaze out the window at the street and grimaced. It had been almost an hour since they had crested the steep Cajon Pass then dropped down off the San Bernardino Mountains to skirt the foothills and picked up Interstate 10. Her anxiety had risen with each passing mile as they traveled through increasingly populated communities on their way to Los Angeles and, eventually, to Gardena. “I never expected Los Angeles would be like this,” she murmured in trepidation but with a trace of wonder.

“I knew it would be different,” Dorthea said with a chuckle. “But it sure isn’t what I expected either.” She reached for Kim’s hand and squeezed it lovingly. “And I thought, if anything, I’d be the one to freak out.” When Kim turned back to face her, she added softly, “You’ve always been my rock.”

Kim smiled tensely. “Looks like your rock crumbled into pea gravel today.”

“Nah.” Dorthea lifted Kim’s hand to her lips and tenderly kissed her fingers. “We probably should have stopped sooner so we both could have adjusted.”

“I’m not sure I’ll ever adjust. I’m not sure I want to adjust.”

Dorthea kissed Kim’s cheek. “You’re just a country girl at heart, aren’t you?”

“I feel more like a dish of melted Jello right now.”

Dorthea grinned. “Speaking of food, want to try to find a place to get something to eat? It will keep us off the road for a while.”

Kim shook her head. “I wasn’t speaking of food,” she groused. “And, sorry, but the thought of eating anything right now makes my stomach do flips. How much further to Gardena?”

“I’m not sure.” Keeping hold of Kim’s hand with her right one, Dorthea reached for the map with her left.

Kim laughed, pulling her hand free. “You’re going to twist yourself into knots doing that.”

Dorthea smiled appreciatively as she unfolded the appropriate map. “Where are we?”

“I think the last sign I saw before I freaked out said Pomona.”

“Then we must be around here,” Dorthea said pointing to the map and smiling at Kim. “That means we’re less than an hour from Gardena.”

Kim sighed gratefully. “How about we try to make it there?”

“Are you sure?” When Kim nodded hesitantly, Dorthea turned back to the map. “Let me see if I can figure out a way to get there without having to get back on the freeway.”

Kim reached over and covered the area of the map Dorthea was studying with her hand. “That will only take longer and probably freak me out more. Let’s just get there as fast as possible. If I have any problems, I’ll pull over.”

“Promise?”

“Absolutely.”

“If you’re sure.”

“I won’t go that far, but sitting here isn’t helping. I’m just going to get out and stretch my legs then we’ll go.”

“Okay,” Dorthea agreed as she re-folded the map.

“Think that store has a bathroom we could use?”

“Let’s go find out.”

#

With a minimum of hyperventilating, Kim managed to maneuver through two major interchanges and was progressing through a third as they circumvented the downtown area of Los Angeles.

“Vermont Avenue should be close,” Dorthea informed the nervous driver. Then it’s a straight shot down to Gardena.” She looked up from the map to study the directional signs that seemed to be pointing in all directions. “There,” she pointed excitedly. “Half a mile. We want to go south.”

Kim nodded, keeping her attention on the cars whizzing past them. With a sigh of relief, she flipped on the turn signal and eased onto the off ramp. “South?”

“Turn left at the bottom of the ramp and go under the freeway.”

“Then what?”

“We stay on Vermont for about fifteen miles. We’re almost there,” she said cheerfully.

Kim waited at the bottom of the ramp for the signal to change to green before steering onto the wide street. “Maybe we should look for a motel when we get close. I need to collapse someplace that doesn’t have cars.”

Dorthea laughed. “You’re doing fine, honey. Move into the right lane when it’s safe, we’ll need to turn when we get to Redondo Beach Boulevard.”

“Redondo Beach?” Kim asked looking in the rearview mirror to judge the traffic flow behind them. “Are we near a beach?”

Dorthea shrugged. “I don’t think so.” She thought for a moment. “Have you ever seen the ocean? I mean in real life.”

“No.” Kim chuckled. “But maybe that’s a good thing.”

“What do you mean?”

“If it’s like everything else out here, it’s probably so big it’ll scare the pants off me.”

Dorthea laughed as Kim changed lanes.

#

“We’re in Gardena,” Dorthea suddenly announced.

“How the heck do you know what town we’re in?” Kim asked in frustration. They had made the turn off Vermont Avenue and were driving west past endless blocks of commercial buildings and apartment complexes. “We’ve been in one continuous town since we came over the mountains this morning.”

“I think they call them cities here, hon,” Dorthea said absently as she peered curiously at the passing buildings.

“Cities, towns, what does it matter? It’s all just one big mass of humanity. Don’t they believe in signs out here?”

“Seems to me they have plenty of signs, so many it’s hard to read all of them. Makes Iowa seem not so bad, doesn’t it?”

Kim glared as another driver tried to force his way into the flow of traffic from a side street. “Sure makes me want to get back there,” she muttered easing off the throttle to allow the impatient driver to merge into traffic.

“That’s was nice of you,” Dorthea praised the gesture even if the other driver didn’t acknowledge it.

“I don’t think Thomas would like it much if we brought his car back with dents in it.”

“No, I doubt he’d be happy very with that. Where are you going? Dorthea asked when Kim abruptly turned into a parking lot.

“We’re in Gardena?”

“I think so.”

“Then we can stop driving?”

“Um…”

“Dorthea, if this is Gardena then we’re here… right?”

“Um… I guess… yeah, we’re here.” Dorthea smiled. “We are here, aren’t we?”

“Finally.” Kim pulled into an empty parking slot and turned off the engine. “Now, let’s get a room for the night and get out of this damn car.”

Dorthea peered out the windshield at the building adjoining the lot. “Can we afford this place?” she asked spotting the name of a large hotel chain on the side of the structure.

Kim pulled the key out of the ignition then turned to face Dorthea. “I can’t go any further.”

Dorthea nodded. “You stay here; I’ll go check on a room. And requests?”

“Quiet… very quiet.”

Dorthea grabbed her purse then pushed open the car door and climbed out. She took a few moments to stretch out her tired muscles before walking toward the hotel’s lobby.

Kim slumped back against the seat and watched Dorthea disappear inside the building. She closed her eyes, hoping to block out the sounds of constant activity surrounding her but the cars passing on the nearby street was a continual reminder of exactly where she was. “I’ll never complain about Rapid Falls again,” she muttered.

#

“It was a bit more than we’ve paid for other rooms,” Dorthea said fretfully as the elevator reached the floor where they room was located. “I’m sure we could find someplace less expensive.”

Kim waited for the doors to open then carried their suitcases out into the carpeted hallway. “Did you spend everything we had?”

Dorthea followed Kim, carrying an overnight bag that contained notebooks and other information she had acquired over the past few months. “Oh, no, I wouldn’t have paid that much,” she assured Kim.

“Then don’t worry about it. I’m sure we can afford a nice hotel for a night or two.” Kim was reading the numbers on the doors that lined both sides of the hallway and stopped in front of a door almost to the end of the floor. She waited for Dorthea to unlock the door.

“Oh, wow,” Dorthea exclaimed when she pushed the door inward.

“Nice,” Kim agreed as she carried the suitcases into the room. “Very nice.”

Dorthea shut the door then turned to join Kim who had set the suitcases on the floor before walking toward the room’s windows. She dropped the overnight case on the first of two queen size beds.

“Nice view,” Kim said when Dorthea stood beside her. “We can see over all the buildings to the mountains. At least, I think those are mountain peaks above the layer of smog.”

Dorthea slipped her arm around Kim’s waist. “You said quiet and the clerk said the top floor would be best for that.”

“Good thing they have an elevator. I would have hated to have to lug those suitcases up twelve flights of stairs.”

“I would have helped and,” Dorthea grinned, “we would have rested on every floor.”

Kim laughed. “That’s for sure.”

“There’s a restaurant just off the lobby. The clerk said the food was good and not to expensive.”

“I’m still not ready to eat just yet.”

“That’s okay. And there’s a swimming pool in the basement.”

“Really?”

“That’s what he said.”

“Wow.” Kim said then looked over her shoulder into the room. “You know what I would like to do right now?” Dorthea shook her head. “I want to crawl into one of those beds and just lay there as my brain stops spinning. Want to join me?”

Dorthea smiled. “With pleasure.”

#

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

 Kim’s eyes fluttered open then closed again. She rolled onto her side and yawned as her mind sorted out a jumble of memories that slowly rearranged themselves into their proper order. She stretched her arm out, reaching for her friend and lover. Feeling nothing but cool sheets against her skin, she forced her eyes to re-open.

“Good morning,” Dorthea greeted cheerfully after watching Kim struggle through the process of waking.

“Ugh,” Kim grunted. “What time is it?”

“A little after nine.”

Kim yawned again. “Guess I was tired,” she said.

“I think we both were.”

Kim rolled onto her back and stretched. Her stomach started to rumble.

“Hungry?”

“Starved.” Kim sat up, tossing the bed covers off. “Let me get cleaned up then we’ll go see if the restaurant has something light for dinner. I hate to eat a lot this late at night.” Dorthea laughed. “What’s so funny?”

Dorthea grabbed the edge of the heavy curtain covering the window and pulled it back to let in the bright morning sunlight. “I think breakfast is more in order than dinner.”

“Damn! I thought you said it was nine o’clock.”

“I did. Nine AM.”

“Holy sh—!”

Dorthea stood and padded over to the bed. “As you said, we were tired,” she said sitting on the mattress beside Kim. “And after the day we had yesterday, it doesn’t surprise me.” She leaned close to kiss her on the cheek. “Good morning, love.”

Kim grinned. “Good morning. How long have you been up?”

“A couple of hours.”

“You didn’t wake me?”

“Why would I?”

Kim looked at Dorthea quizzically. “Aren’t you anxious to start looking for Paul?”

Dorthea scooted to the head of the bed to lean back against the headrest. “To be honest, now that we’re here, I’m a little nervous,” she admitted as she stretched her legs out in front of her.

Kim repositioned herself to sit beside Dorthea. “I would think you’d be more than a little nervous,” Kim said sympathetically. “If it were me, I’d be petrified about finding him. I mean to think that you might soon be meeting your father. God, I can’t imagine the emotions you’ll be going through. Not to mention what he might feel about it. All the questions—”

Dorthea placed her hand over Kim’s mouth then grinned at the startled look on her face. “That’s not exactly helpful, sweetheart,” she said dropping her hand.

Kim’s startled look turned into one of chagrin. “Oh.”

“Besides, you obviously needed your sleep.”

“Obviously,” Kim said as she relaxed against Dorthea’s shoulder. “What were you doing while I slept?” she asked.

“I took a nice long bath—”

“Ooh, that’s why you smell so good.” Kim grinned when Dorthea started to blush. “What’s all that?” she asked of the papers spread out on the table.

“I was reviewing my notes. And looking places up in the phone book.”

“Places?”

“Places that might have information about Paul.”

“Like?”

“I figured the best place to start would be with the city’s records. There must be files for property owners.”

“That makes sense… if Paul owned property.”

Dorthea nodded. “The city hall isn’t too far from here, we could walk to it.”

Kim grinned. “That sounds good to me.”

“And the city library is only a block away from the city hall. I thought, if it came to that, we might be able to find some mention of Paul in the newspaper archives.”

“Sounds like you’ve got a plan figured out.”

“I hope so.”

“Okay,” Kim said as she sat up. “I’ll get a bath then we can go get breakfast and be on our way.”

“Should we extend our stay another night,” Dorthea asked as Kim swung her legs off the mattress and stood up. “I only paid for one night.”

“I think that’s a good idea. I’m definitely not too anxious to get back into the car today. We can talk to the desk clerk when we go downstairs.”

#

“Oh, my gosh,” Kim exclaimed as she and Dorthea pushed out the hotel’s lobby doors, “I am stuffed. It’s a good thing we’re walking, I’m not sure I’d fit into the car right now.”

“Dorthea laughed. “We didn’t eat that much.”

Kim patted her stomach. “You didn’t but I sure did. Never take me to an all-u-can eat buffet again.”

“I’ll make a note of that,” Dorthea said as she led Kim across the parking lot toward the street.

“How far to city hall?”

“About eight blocks.” They paused when they reached the sidewalk.

“Which way?” Kim asked.

Dorthea pointed to the east. “We can cross the street there.” She resumed her steps toward the corner with Kim falling into step beside her.

“Sheesh, there are more signals on this street than we have in the whole town of Rapid Falls.”

“That’s probably a good thing,” Dorthea said as she watched the excessive number of cars on the street, “keeps drivers from having to fight their way through every intersection.”

They stopped when they reached the corner. “Sure hope they stop traffic long enough for us to get across the street. It’s pretty wide,” Kim observed counting two lanes of traffic for each direction and turn lanes.

Dorthea noticed a button on the signal pole with a sign above it that indicated it was to be used when crossing the street. “Maybe this will help,” she said pushing the large round metal button.

They waited for the pedestrian crossing sign to switch from red to green then hurried across the street.

“Okay, that was easy,” Kim declared when they safely made it across the lanes of stopped traffic.

“Easier than driving?”

“Much.”

#

“Odd looking city hall,” Kim said as they walked alongside an elevated pool of water with bubbling fountains. The pool, approximately ten feet wide and a hundred feet long, dominated the concrete walkway leading to a glass wall in the center of a one story brick building. “Not much character.”

“Definitely different from our city hall,” Dorthea agreed, gazing curiously through the glass wall. “You can see right through that lobby.” A matching wall of glass was at the back of the room allowing her an unobstructed view of a courtyard.

“Weird.” Kim pulled open the glass door then waited for Dorthea to enter walk through the opening. The room was rectangular in shape with two solid walls on either end; their surfaces covered with pictures of the town and town officials. Doorway in the middle of each side wall led into long hallways lined with doors on both sides.

A woman sitting behind a circular desk in the center of the room looked up when they entered. She waited a moment before asking, “May I assist you?”

“Um, yes,” Dorthea stammered as she approached the desk. “I, um… I was wondering if it would be possible to… um…”

Kim stepped beside Dorthea and placed a comforting hand on her nervous friend’s back. When she received a look of gratitude in response, she told the woman, “We are looking for someone who possible lived in Gardena in the late thirties. We were hoping that there might be some sort of records available from back then.”

“Goodness, that is a while ago.”

Kim nodded. “Do you have records from then?”

“The town was incorporated in 1930 so we should. I suggest you ask in the Recorder’s office. That’s where they keep the property records. Just go down that hall,” the woman said pointing to her right. “Make the turn at the end. You can’t miss it.”

“Thank you,” Dorthea said smiling.

Kim nodded her thanks then followed Dorthea into the hallway.

#

The receptionist was right— it would have been hard to miss the Recorder’s office. After making the turn, the narrow hall abruptly ended at a single door.

Dorthea pulled the door open and led Kim inside. They stepped up to a counter that stretched the width of the room. Behind the counter were what appeared to be endless rows of file cabinets and bookcases. Between the counter and cabinets was a haphazard arrangement of half a dozen desks ranging from antique oak to more modern black metal and chrome. A woman sat at one of the desks, the others were unoccupied.

“Good morning,” the woman greeted Dorthea and Kim.

“Good morning,” Dorthea responded as the woman rose from her desk.

“How may I help you?”

Dorthea suck in a lungful of air then released it.

“Can’t be that bad, can it?”

“Sorry,” Dorthea apologized to the bemused woman. “It’s not bad just complicated.”

“Okay,” the woman said good-naturedly. “Why don’t you tell me what you need. And relax, I won’t bite.”

Dorthea smiled nervously. “Sorry.” She again felt Kim’s calming touch on her back and her nervousness suddenly disappeared. “I am looking for someone who I think lived here in the late thirties. I was hoping you might have a record of him… and, possibly, an address.”

“Do you have a name?”

“Paul Bingham.”

“Did he own property?”

“I don’t know.”

“Okay. My name is Debbie, by the way,” she said.

“Dorthea. And this is my friend, Kimberly.”

“This Bingham a relative?”

“I think he may be my father.”

“Ah, the complicated part,” Debbie offered and Dorthea nodded. “Well, let me see. Luckily for you, the town didn’t have too many people in it back then and most weren’t property owners. It was mostly berry farms… it was even called Berryland for quite some time.” She paused to think. “Do you know when in the thirties?”

“It could have been late thirty-eight but probably thirty-nine.”

“Be right back,” Debbie said turning away from the counter.

“Thank you,” Dorthea whispered to Kim after Debbie disappeared down one of the aisles lined with file cabinets.

“For what?”

Dorthea reached behind her back and entwined her fingers with Kim’s. “For this.”

Kim grinned. “You’re welcome.”

“Well, let’s see what Polk has to tell us,” Debbie said, re-emerging from the back of the room.

“Polk?” Dorthea asked.

“Polk,” Debbie repeated holding up a thick book, she carried an identical book in her other hand. “City directory listing residents by name, address, and phone number.”

“Oh, I think I’ve seen those in our library,” Dorthea told Debbie.

“Most likely. Polk publishes them for just about everywhere. Can you believe they started doing it in 1870? Forward thinkers, weren’t they?” Debbie added as she placed the books on the counter. “Okay, let’s see if Mr. Bingham is listed.” She opened the book for 1938 and flipped through the pages of alphabetically listed names. “No Bingham. Let’s try thirty-nine. Binaly... Bine... Bingey... Bingham, Paul.”

Dorthea gasped. “What does it say about him?” she asked excitedly.

“It gives an address. Let’s hope it’s a street that still exists.”

“What do you mean?”

“Like I said, the town was mostly farmland back then. Over the years, the farms disappeared as subdivisions were put in. Lots of the streets disappeared with the farms.” Debbie reached under the counter. “Let’s see,” she said as she unfolded a city map and spread it out on the counter. She referred back to the Polk directory, “Penson Farm Road. Oh, that doesn’t help much. Let me think… Hang on.” She walked back to a different aisle and opened a drawer in one of the file cabinets. “Penson Farm was between what is now Manhattan and Illinois Streets.” Her voice faded as she walked further down the aisle. She returned a few minutes later with a couple more Polk directories. “That area was subdivided after the war. They probably gave the farm road an official name then.” She opened one of the books and flipped through the pages. “Here we go… Paul Bingham, 1740 West 160^th Street.”

“I know it’s a long shot,” Dorthea said hesitantly, “but does he still live there?”

“Need a different directory to know. Be right back.”

Dorthea leaned against Kim. “I think I’m going to faint.”

Kim gently rubbed her back. “You’re doing fine.”

“What if he isn’t there anymore?”

“I’d be surprised if he was, that’s a long time to live in one house. If he isn’t, we’ll just keep looking.”

“What do you think is taking her so long?” Dorthea asked anxiously several minutes later when Debbie had yet to return.

“I don’t know. Take it easy, I’m sure she’s not going to leave us standing here forever.”

“Sorry, ladies. I decided to look through the directories back there instead of lugging them up here. They’re are a great resource but they weigh a ton,” she added dropping two thick volumes on the countertop. “Bingham is listed at that address until 1972. After that, a Diane Hartling is listed and Bingham doesn’t show up again; at least, not in the Gardena directory. And before you ask, I only have directories for Gardena.”

Dorthea accepted the news with a mixture of hope and disappointment.

“Maybe we could talk to… what was her name?” Kim asked.

“Diane Hartling,” Debbie provided.

“Right. If she bought the house from Paul, she must know something about him.”

Dorthea frowned. “We don’t even know he owned the house.”

“Well, I can answer that,” Debbie said. “Let me check the tax records for seventy-two.”

“Hey, it’s good news,” Kim told Dorthea when they were again left alone. “Why do you look so disappointed?”

“I guess I just wanted it to be easier.”

“Like he still lived in the same house? Did you really expect that?”

Dorthea sighed. “I don’t know what I expected. It just seems like every bit of good news is followed by bad. It’s just such a roller coaster ride. I think my emotions are running on empty.”

“Don’t give up yet. I’ve got a feeling that we’re on the right path here.”

Dorthea looked at Kim in surprise. “You do?”

Kim smiled. “Believe it or not, I think we’re close to finding Paul.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“1740 West 160^th Street,” Debbie said as she walked back to the counter, “was owned by Paul Bingham. He paid the taxes on it until he sold the property to Diane Hartling in seventy-two.”

“There you go,” Kim grinned at Dorthea. “We’ll go talk to her. Thank you,” she told Debbie. “Thank you very much.”

“Wait a minute,” Dorthea injected. Kim and Debbie looked at her expectedly. “Um… do you have… um… death certificates here?”

“Dorthea!” Kim was surprised by the unexpected question.

“There’s a good chance Paul is… well, you know. I don’t want to bother this woman if he is.”

“Death records are kept at the state capital,” Debbie said then watched as Dorthea’s shoulders slumped in frustration. “Why don’t you ladies have a seat.” She indicated a pair of chairs at the end of the counter. “I’ve got a friend up in Sacramento. Let me give her a call.”

“That’s okay. I don’t want to put you to any trouble.”

Debbie laughed. “No trouble at all. I haven’t talked to her in a couple of weeks, this will give me an excuse to call up there. Do you know Paul’s date of birth?”

Dorthea shook her head.

“We think he would have been in his late twenties or early thirties in thirty-eight,” Kim offered.

“Well, that’s better than nothing. Go ahead and sit, this shouldn’t take too long.”

Kim took Dorthea’s hand and led her to the chairs while Debbie returned to her desk. “You don’t really think he might be dead?” she asked softly after they settled on the comfortable chairs.

“It’s likely.”

Confused by the response, Kim asked, “Dorthea, why would you even start this hunt if you thought that?” Dorthea looked down at the hands folded in her lap. “Honey?” Kim prodded gently. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”

When Dorthea finally looked up, her eyes were wet with unshed tears. “What if he’s disappeared again? What then?”

Unconcerned with their surroundings, Kim reached over and tenderly wrapped her hands around Dorthea’s. “We follow this as far as you want. Then we go home and go on with our lives.”

“But—”

“No buts. Whether we find Paul or we don’t, it doesn’t change who you are. Or who we are.”

“I’m so mixed up inside.”

“I know, sweetheart.”

Dorthea gazed at Kim lovingly. “What should we do?” she asked confident that Kim would provide the right answer.

“I say we take the chance and go talk to this Diane whats-her-name and find out what she knows, if anything, about Paul. It may provide you answers, it may not. But either way, we’ve tried.” She opened her purse and pulled out a small package of Kleenex. “Dry your eyes, honey,” she said as she held out the tissues.

“Thanks.”

“Well, I owe my friend dinner next time she’s down at this end of the state.”

Dorthea and Kim turned to see Debbie was again standing behind the counter. They quickly stood and joined her.

“There is no death certificate on file for a Paul Bingham. At least, not one who would have been his age in 1938.”

“I guess that’s good news,” Dorthea said. “Can you tell us how to get to 160^th Street.”

“That’s easy. Go back out to the front of the building. Go west, that’s to your right, three blocks. That’ll be Manhattan. Turn right again. It’ll be the first street on your left. That’s a distance of about two blocks but 161^st doesn’t go through to Manhattan.”

Dorthea reached across the counter. “Thank you so much,” she said when Debbie took her proffered hand. “I know we took you away from your work—”

“Don’t be silly. I enjoyed the break, just don’t tell my boss,” Debbie lowered her voice conspiratorially then laughed. “I’m glad I could help. It seemed important.”

“It was,” Kim replied. “Thank you.”

“Good luck,” Debbie called out as Dorthea and Kim walked out of the office.

#

 to be continued...

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