Chapter Text
The old brown truck’s engine hummed steadily as they left the Denver urban sprawl in a western direction and one of Max's mixes was playing on the car audio. Chloe was leisurely driving, keeping her eyes on the silver Ford focus she was tailing at a safe distance.
The Avril Lavigne song “Complicated” came on, and Chloe rolled her eyes with a playful smile as Max started moving to the music, turned it up, and sang along. Max's enthusiasm mellowed Chloe, and before long, she was tapping the wheel and singing along too.
“Gee Max, didn’t know you still listened to that…”
“Why not? She is awesome, and I will never forget how your dad drove us to that concert in 2007! I t's one of the best memories of my childhood.”
“Yeah that was pretty awesome.” Chloe said, her eyes lighting up as if she suddenly found something really precious that had been lost or stored away for a long time.
“Gets better, Chloe. That evening, remember how we got this huge cup of cola and two straws and did a contest, who could drink the longest and we bumped our heads… then drank side by side with our cheeks touching?”
“Um, yeah, that was pretty cool too, and I like your cheeks- ugh, don’t make that face, I mean your face cheeks, honestly!” Chloe pleaded jokingly. “No, don’t make that face either, I also think your other cheeks are fine too… argh! Why am I a lesbian again?”
Max chuckled. “Well, that night at the concert when we were side by side, I think I had my first feelings for you. Just before the instrumental of ‘complicated’ started, Avril came to the edge of the stage, looked into the audience and straight into my eyes, gave me one of her wild smiles and winked before she danced off. I had butterflies in my stomach like when I was in love because my idol had seen me, as an actual person, I existed in her world! But that feeling faded as soon as I looked at you and we were goofing around with that cup of cola. I was not thinking of Avril when we were cheek to cheek. That is why every mix I make has that song on it.”
Chloe smiled at Max lovingly. “Oh my god, Max… that is like so fucking sweet. I never knew. About the song, I mean... For years I couldn’t hear Avril Lavigne because that was one of our last big happy memories and made me think of all that I lost… But yeah. It was pretty dope, and, looking back... I felt something too I think. … Shit, we were greener than grass back then!” she said with a dreamy smile.
“Yes, we came a long way from Portland, my love.”
Max slid over the truck’s bench towards Chloe and rested her head on the other woman’s shoulder. “Does it bother you driving, with me like this?”
Chloe’s voice trembled with emotion. “No, Max, you don’t bother me… not one bit… I would drive like that forever.." After a brief pause she added “But please, do use the seat belt.”
Max clicked the belt in place and settled on Chloe’s shoulder for a while as they drove on. It was now three-quarters of an hour since they had left Denver, heading west. The road had started rising and descending from time to time, winding between and around big rocky hills. Slowly, the roadside became more dotted with trees, mostly pines, eventually turning wooded. On this warm, mid-May afternoon, the windows of the truck were rolled down, and the wonderful aroma of pine and other forest scents drifted into the car, creating an almost dream-like atmosphere.
As Chloe leaned on the opened window with her elbow, she looked at Max for a second. “Hey Max, smells awesome, doesn’t it? Almost like back… You know, in Arcadia Bay…”
“Yeah Chloe, it’s actually nice to smell evergreens again. I always love the sound of the wind in them too. I think I like these mountains, and it makes it easier to believe that this town we are going to is really as awesome as Steph says...”
“She did hype it a bit, huh? I guess she and Alex had a lot of emotional experiences there. But if they like it, has to be something good about it. And if I think about some of the dumps we have stayed in-”
“Or drove out of in the middle of the night with wheels spinning… Remember that little place outside of phoenix?”
Chloe grinned. “To be fair, David warned us… and I was dumb to make that remark about this really bad little league game we saw in Phoenix… How was I to know it was an away game of their local school team? Yeah should have checked before I tried to pretend to be a cool local”
“Oh my god, yes! I was pretty scared there for a bit. They threw beer bottles at us as we drove off! I do think the lid of the cargo bed still has a dent from that, but we also laughed like crazy five miles down the road”
“That was insane! I am happy our lives have become less precarious over the years. But I wouldn't give up any of it, because it was with you , Max!”
“I feel the same, Chloe. And we had so many amazing times. That time you had that brilliant idea to just buy a whole cargo bed full of bottled water and stuff like rice, crackers, chocolate and… wasn’t it onions? … Which we then sold at like 8 times the cost to people going to Burning Man? That night was magical, how we were beside that road selling stuff to all sorts of people driving by… Seeing the glare of the festival in the far distance under the starry sky and having a thick wallet…”
“And how those two hippies couldn’t pay, but gave us some shrooms and weed edibles in exchange for the last tray of water bottles and three onions.”
Chloe smiled deeply endeared. “Heh, you were adorable when you were tripping! ‘Oh my god Chloe! I can take photos with my eyes Chloe, with my eyes! I am a human camera!’ and then… ‘Hey Chloe, do you know you have this shining flower between your eyebrows, and I see blue butterflies all around you, your eyes, they are shining this angelic light’…”
Max snickered. “Well, you looked ridiculously beautiful with your eyes emitting this light and that flower shining between them… I mean… even more beautiful than normal. It was like I could see all your love for me shining at me.. And those butterflies were made of light! It was one of the most profound experiences of my life”
Chloe smiled at Max with dreamy eyes. “You know, Max… That’s so beautiful, I am not even going to make some silly joke, because I don’t want to ruin that…”
She drove quietly for a while with a dreamy, happy smile on her face.
“But you too saw that UFO a week later when we were driving out of Rachel, Nevada.” Max remarked after a while.
“Oh fuck yeah, that was the shit! I have never been scared of aliens except in that old movie that we saw when we were far too young, you know the one with those face spiders… But I was a bit scared then. That thing was hella huge and black against the stars and it made no noise. I wasn't even afraid of the aliens, just that that thing would come down on us, land and crush us. Must have been a mile wide!”
Max nodded and sat quiet for a while, then said “ Some adventures, huh, Chloe? But, now our lives seem to be getting more stable, with the contract with Steph and Alex’s band, I wonder… How do you feel about our life… I mean we’re engaged and I am so going to marry you, no matter what… but what else do you want and see in the future? Do you want to travel for more years or do you feel like settling down somewhere?”
“Oh, serious talk, Caulfield?” Chloe started, then quieted down and pondered for a moment. “You know… the adventures we had are nice and all… And we can always have them, but adventures need some kind of base camp. Like those guys going up mountains have, and even the army has supply depots and places tired and wounded troops go and damaged machines are sent to be repaired. While you were off photographing at Luke AFB, Sgt Reed explained all of that when we worked on the truck together-”
“Oh… do I need to be jealous?” Max interjected, “my fiancee under our car with another woman?”
“Haha no, you nerd! She was cool and all and hella professional and even attractive, but for me there is only you, you know that! And she knew it too. That's why your feet are now not on a hole with a plank and a mat over it but on an armor plate that would stop a landmine. She talked me through welding it on. And you know… even though I like new David, I still don’t care much for the military typ-” She stopped mid sentence when she saw Max's face distorted in a massive smile.
“You are so cute when you are trying to reassure me…”
“Shit, Caulfield, got me again!” she said laughing.
More seriously, she went on: But, I was trying to say… Yeah, I feel I’d love for us to find a nice place to have a real home. And maybe someday… A kid?”
“Really? You would want a child?”
“Um… yeah, I think so… well, doesn’t have to be my own birth kid, like we could adopt and shit or one of us could get pregnant from a donor, that sort of thing… Even heard of this new experimental thing where you can get pregnant without sperm, like with stem cells and shit, if that comes true we could have a baby from the both of us…
“But yeah, I think I learned a lot from our adventures and like… grew a lot from what we went through back in Arcadia Bay and after. I really think that now, I could be a decent mom… and with you there with me, maybe I can even be great?
What I learned might be useful to a kid. Maybe I could be someone a kid would look up to? Be happy and feel safe with? I like that idea…”
She looked into the distance with a light smile as if she had lost a great weight. “Crazy, huh? I used to think I sucked. Maybe I actually did for a while. But really... If we find somewhere nice, like where a kid would be happy and safe, I’d love to have a child.”
“Wow, Chloe, all-in on the commitment!”
“Too much, Max?”
“No, not at all! I wouldn't be wearing your engagement ring if I wasn't ready to go all the way with you. I like… no, I love it! And I feel the same, Chloe. I’d love for us to have a home, a solid place somewhere to set roots and invite friends, my parents, David, your uncle Aaron, Kate, Steph and Alex… Maybe even Victoria…
“Having a child… Yeah, I see that too, very much. And a place where Brown Betsy can have a garage or at least an awning over her head. She deserves one” max caressed the passenger-side dash, continuing on the metal of her door. “She brought us through so much...”
Chloe glanced at Max's gesture, deeply endeared by it. “Then let's start looking for one. We could check in Seattle… or we could contact that nice writer lady who helped us when we got stuck on that desert back road because the truck broke down. Her town seemed pretty wholesome… Or maybe somewhere else-”
Max’s phone receiving an App interrupted them briefly. She sat up and slid to her own side of the car to get it, and, with a wink at Chloe, used the passenger side seat belt.
“Oh! Alex says, we will be turning right and off this road in a minute. After that, twelve more minutes and we will be there”
Chloe was prepared and gently slowed down as the silver car in front of them turned on the indicators and reduced speed for a right hand turn. Chloe did the same and a few seconds later they were on a side road, increasing to normal speed again.
“Steph is an awesome driver. I have never felt this calm and chill on the road. ‘Just follow the silver car’ and she is super aware of me being behind her, doesn’t make any weird sudden maneuvers. And Alex texting every turn or other change…it's almost like riding the bus!”
“Yeah, that's pretty chill,” Max agreed. She then continued “But, I am glad we agree. Time to find a home. And you’re right! Nothing has to stop us from going out and seeking new adventures now and then. But it will good to have a home to return to, maybe even neighbors that will be happy to see us return”
Chloe smiled as she nodded in agreement. “Let's do that. If we can find a neat place to live where we can also make steady money… Let's keep our eyes open and talk about this some more soon. Ever since we had that… like ‘pouring out our hearts and guts’ with Steph and Alex, future talk doesn’t seem so heavy any more!”
“Yes, I feel like that too. It is like the past held us back, and finally let go so we can move forward… Or maybe we are now going towards something and no longer running away from something.”
Pausing for a bit and looking out the window, smelling the pine scent coming in strongly, she added: “You know, I have to say these forests and mountains are impressive. Very different from Oregon. And New Mexico, obviously. But so far, Colorado has not been shitty to us.”
“I think so too. Even for a place that doesn’t really look like Arcadia bay and isn’t at the sea It is still a lot like Arcadia bay in how it feels . Yeah. I am really curious to see this Haven springs.” Chloe said.
A few minutes later another text said “Almost there. Just a few more miles, follow us in!”
Briefly after that, They past a city limits sign saying “Welcome to Haven Springs, Colorado” and listing the population and elevation. The population number seemed to have been altered recently.
The forest gave way to a valley that the road winded down into. From the relative elevation they were on, they could see a town sprawled out beneath them. A small river ran through it, a lake, glinting in the slowly descending sun, on the opposite side. High mountains and forests all around. The road was quiet, they passed only two cars and a bus, which was just pulling out of the town as they approached. They slowed down, made a sharp turn past a supermarket, then another one left, down a street, by a small church, left again and just a few tens of yards Steph started to maneuver her car into one of a row of perpendicular parking spots.
When Steph was done parking. Chloe brought the truck to a halt after expertly driving it straight into the head-in parking spot beside Steph and Alex’ silver Ford. Almost happy as a child with her achievement, Chloe uttered: “Yeah Max, who’s awesome, huh? In one go!”
“Oh Chloe, I’d think you were awesome even if you couldn’t drive at all. But yeah, it is pretty cool!”
“Thanks, Max. On both of those! Well, let's get our stuff from the back and see what this town is all about!”
They got out of the car while the doors of the other vehicle also opened as Steph and Alex got out.
“Weird to be back here… huh, Chen?” Steph said while looking around, wide eyed.
“Yeah, It’s been a while. Nothing much seems to have changed, I think… Except for the excellent company we are in- Oh, It does seem like Ryan gave the lantern a paint job… and look, the Brown Bear diner across the street seems to be fully booked!”
Max smiled as she was taking a big roller case from the truck’s cargo bed and handed Chloe a large military pack, leaving several well sealed and fastened watertight shipping crates in the cargo bed, carefully resealing the tarp covering it.. “You two are pretty awesome yourself, actually. Well, let's go see this famous Black lantern, because I am starving!”
“And the dispensary! Haven't had a blunt in so long” Chloe added.
Looking at Max she playfully rolled her eyes “Alright, no need to fuss, I will get edibles!”
Max smiled and pecked her on the cheek. “Lets go, stud!
Steph and Alex, having taken their bags from their car as well, led them around the corner and to a door that had a shingle Marked “The black lantern” above it. As Steph opened the door, music welcomed them.
“Awesome! ‘Alabaster daydreams.’ What else? The best welcome!” Alex said with a sigh.
The four of them burst inside. Ryan was behind the bar intently doing something on a laptop and said “Be right with you, after I-” His eyes had briefly glanced at them and instantly recognized familiar features, forgot about what he was doing and turned, then walked towards them.
“Holy cow! Steph? Alex? That is one hell of a surprise!”
He hugged both of them at the same time. “Why didn’t you call? I’d have had drinks and food ready for you!”
Steph laughed. “and miss this? ”
Alex added, gasping: “yeah, I wouldn't want to miss my rib-crushing hug! So awesome to see you again Ryan, you look great!”
Ryan gently let go and looked at Max and Chloe. “I see you brought guests!” He extended his hand. “Welcome to Haven Springs and to the Black Lantern! I am Ryan Lucan. Steph and Alex probably told you all kinds of crazy things about me, and I can assure you they are all-”
“True” Alex and Steph said almost in unison, then burst out in laughter.
Chloe, managing not to laugh, took his hand and said “I am Chloe, Chloe price, and this gorgeous brunette here is my charming fiancee Max Caulfield”
“You.. Are Chloe Price ? Wow, I never thought I’d have the pleasure. Steph told me of her legendary gaming sessions and the fun you had at pride so many times. And, nice to meet you too, miss Caulfield”
“Please… just call me Max” Max answered somewhat insecurely, shaking Ryan’s hand.
“If you guys will just call me Ryan, you have a deal… Well, let me put your luggage in the corner there. Don't worry, this isn't Los Angeles, it will be safe… And sit down, sit down, you must be tired! -No, maybe not that table, that’s Ducky’s regular place. Best take this one.” He indicated the next booth closer to the door.
Max sat down on the seat facing the door and shifted towards the wall, Chloe joined her by sitting on the aisle side. Steph sat down on the seat facing away from the door.
“Now, let me get you some menus, just yell what you want…” Ryan said, turning towards the bar looking for the menus.
“Let me help” Alex said, grabbing a notepad from the bar and saying with a somewhat playful voice and toothy smile “Hi, Welcome to the Black Lantern. I am Alex, your server this evening. What can I get you?”
“Beers all around, on me!” Steph said. Adding, with a cheeky voice and a lustful look at Alex, “And get yourself something nice too, hottie”
Alex smiled and rolled her eyes, going behind the bar just as Ryan came back with some menus. Noticing Alex behind the bar, Ryan smiled and remarked “Oh, good, I see the cavalry has arrived!”
“Clippety clop” Alex responded jokingly. “Happy to help out, it’s a bit like old times!” She grabbed five beers from the cooler and uncapped them.
“Awesome, I still haven’t found enough help, Izzie has been chipping in when she is not at the record store… Oh, let me take some of those” Ryan said, taking three of the bottles in his hands and walking them to the table. Alex took the others in one hand and a tray of finger snacks in the other.
“Looking good, hot stuff!” Steph teased Alex. “But really good waitresses wear skirts!”
Alex smiled, stuck out her tongue at Steph whilst crossing her eyes and put the items down. She then walked back to get three of the menu’s Ryan had left on the bar, passing them around to Chloe, Max and Steph.
Steph and Alex had a brief whisper, then Alex turned to Chloe and Max and said “Steph and I want to treat you to dinner. After all, we invited you here and we want you to feel as welcome here as we felt when we first came here.”
Max said “Thanks! I wish we could do something in return, but you know how our cash situation is”
Steph smiled. “No worries babe. I got ya.” She added “Tomorrow I’ll get on the phone with our agent to get them to hurry with the first payment for your photography.”
“You’re a photographer, Max?” Ryan asked her.
“Yes.. Well, I am trying to make a name, which is a bit harder because...um… Circumstances... made me unable to graduate.
“But I have done quite a lot of photography for the military back in Arizona and New Mexico and did a lot of work for the Navajo nation, even cooperated with an expose by a local journalist about some really bad mining company polluting the water with uranium waste. They got fined a huge amount and some responsible employees went to jail.. Maybe you heard of them.. Typhon mining”
Steph, Alex and Ryan almost sprayed their beer.
“Uh.. yeah… We, erm, heard of them.” Alex said. “Did you hear about them going down? Like the whole company?”
“Yes I do remember that from about a year ago. The Navajo invited us when they held a tribal gathering to celebrate the ‘death of an enemy'. Typhon tried to cover up some other scandal and ended up killing a person, didn’t they?”
“Yes… That happened here and that person was my brother Gabe. Steph and Ryan helped me expose them and get them prosecuted.”
“Sorry to hear about your brother… but Typhon going down was you?” Awesome. You don’t want to know what damage they did to the Navajo. Dozens of people were sick and three died. A whole stream and a bunch of farmland that won’t be usable for years.”
“Awesome you exposed them for that. That probably weakened their political support so we could take them down easier. Funny how we were working together without knowing it…. Now you actually earned dinner!”
Chloe corrected Max. “Max is modest. She actually took a big risk climbing on some slippery cliffs to take pictures of the polluted spring and the illegal exit to an abandoned mine shaft that they used to dump the waste on Native lands.”
“Don’t discount yourself Chlo. You spotted that entrance from a distance and by researching on google maps, it was a team effort.”
Chloe put her arm loosely around Max and looked at her endearingly. “You will always be my partner in crime, Love!” As Max smiled back at her, she changed to a subject. “Now, let's eat… or I will be your partner in starvation! Steph, Alex.. Ryan, what do you recommend?”
Steph fell into a familiar mantra: “Come to the black lantern for their top-notch burger game. Best burger in 20 miles any direction. Bar none. So go there now. And tell them.. Steph sent you… Shit I still know it by heart after over a year! But, no lie...”
“Burgers it is then! What do you say, Caulfield? I’m so hungry, I could eat the leather of this seat”
Max nodded and took a sip of her beer. “Anything is fine with me, as long as it isn’t shellfish.”
“Coming right up!” Ryan said, taking another gulp of his beer and getting up. “I guess this one will be on the house for your efforts against Typhoid Mining!”
Everyone chuckled at the joke that had, by now, become a staple.
“I’ll help!” Alex said, while she got up from her seat.
Ryan, with a look of appreciation, said “Thanks, Alex, But before I forget… Max, if you need some work… Before I spent most of my time working this bar, I was a full time state park ranger, still am part time. I know the park management is looking for a photographer to document some wildlife and rare biomes and also to do promotion shots for brochures and trail maps. I’ll give you a referral if you want? And.. How is your wedding photography?”
“I can do nature photography, sure! Weddings were a big part of our bread and butter during our time on the road, why?”
“Well, it wouldn’t be right to discuss that, before-”
At that moment the door opened and a woman stepped in. Like Chloe, she was somewhat tall for a woman. Slender, long black hair and a black spaghetti top on skin tight light blue capri jeans. Heeled black strap sandals completed the outfit. She was wearing a choker with a silver pentagram and her gray shoulder bag had several band patches on it, one of which was clearly the Drugstore Makeup logo.
“Oh there she is!” Ryan exclaimed, walking towards her and kissing her gently on the lips “Good to see you honey. We got visitors today…” He gestured to the table where the others were sitting.
The woman, whom of course was Izzie Margolis, exclaimed “Holy shit, seriously? I know that girl! Padmé?! ”
Max suddenly looked like she was struck by lightning. “ Melody ?”
“You know each other?” Echoed the others.
“Uhm, yeah.” Izzie said, still looking at Max in disbelief. “It’s a long story…”
“First, let me introduce you correctly” Ryan said. “Well, Steph, Alex, Chloe, Max… As some of you know, this is Izzie, my girlfriend. But, what you don’t know… is that, last week, she has consented to become my wife. Yup, we’re engaged, and we agreed to marry in about seven weeks, on the anniversary of the first day we met!”
Beaming, Izzie flashed a cute sparkling engagement ring. The group burst into expressions of happiness and congratulations. Izzie also greeted Steph and Alex with a warm hug.
While Ryan pulled up a chair for Izzie, Alex chuckled as she said “well that's a coincidence, So are me and Steph, and Chloe and Max here too… So, that means we are all engaged.” Alex said with an ironic smile on her face. “Life sure is strange, isn't it?”
“It’s actually pretty awesome,” Izzie said. We are all about to find a lot of happiness-- Oh, thanks sweetheart” -Ryan handed her a white wine- “I don’t know about you but I feel we deserve it, There is enough past heartbreak to go around this table a lot of times. To the future! Izzie said, raising the glass she just received. Everyone met her toast.
“Well, I will get to finally making those burgers.” Ryan said. Turning to Izzie, he asked “What do you want to eat, sweetie?”
“I think I’d like a small salad with a boiled egg, love. I had a big lunch at the record store today, so I’m not that hungry”
“I will have that for you in a minute. Don’t start that story yet please, I really want to hear it…” With that, he disappeared into the kitchen, with Alex right behind him.
Izzie spoke to Max: “So, how have you been… Max, is it? I guess Chloe here is the one you missed so much?”
“Yes, I eventually went back to Arcadia bay and met up with Chloe again. We had a really harrowing adventure and then the storm-”
She paused and swallowed as Chloe grabbed her hand and squeezed it, “We went on the road after that, traveling from town to town for years, Until I got this photography contract from some band… And that band turned out to be Steph and Alex’ group. It was quite funny, I had met them a few times and they asked me to bring my fiancee some time. It was hella surprising that Chloe and Steph turned out to know each other.”
“I can get that. Almost as big a surprise as seeing you here today… Hey before we spill the beans, let's meet up and talk some later? I am dying to know more but I promised Ryan to save our story for him!”
Max smiled and agreed. “I am really hungry anyway so some food first might be a good idea…”
Izzie turned to Steph, raising her wine glass slightly. “… And always a nice surprise to see you in the Lantern, Steph! So stoked to see you and Alex doing great! An actual record contract and a real tour!”
“Yeahit's awesome to be here again!” Steph began. “But it is also good to see you being so happy, like so glad to see you and Ryan really hit it off and that you have found a home here… And shit, you look smoking hot!”
Izzie beamed with happiness. “Thanks Steph… And this place…it's pretty awesome. I never felt this at home anywhere except with my mom in capitol hill and, I guess… You know, Colorado springs. Everyone just kinda accepted me almost immediately, even more in the weeks after you two left. And I actually feel safer here than I ever did, back in Seattle. You would not have caught me on heels, always felt I needed to be able to run.”
She looked ponderous for a moment. “but maybe that was my own insecurity too. I was a different person when I lived there. It was fine enough when I visited mom to introduce Ryan to her.”
Chloe looked at Izzie in puzzlement. “Why would you be so afraid? From what I hear,it's pretty safe for women on the streets in Seattle. Max used to live there and she could cycle to school alone. To tell you the truth, we are thinking of maybe going there to settle down, asit's lesbian friendly too”
Izzie blushed, as Steph looked at her with her eyebrows raised as if she was saying “see?”
“Well… I guess since you are friends, I can tell you that I am trans. Used to get harassed a lot, I have been the victim of violence at times.”
“Steph, she is shitting me, right?” Chloe looked at Steph questioningly.
Steph couldn’t contain her laughter. “No she isn't shitting you, just used to shitting on herself.” She put her hand on Izzie’s forearm. “See, silly? The only one that sees a trans any more… is you .”
Ryan, who had arrived with the table settings, said “I never saw anything but a beautiful woman, from the first time Izzie stepped in the door of the Lantern a few years ago.” He stood behind Izzie and put a hand on her shoulder, which made her smile, neigh her head to that side and caress his hand with hers.
Ryan continued “But if you’re into shitting someone, I have an idea…” Beckoning Steph to listen in, he whispered something to Chloe.
Chloe said: “Sounds funny, but, are you sure? I don’t want to get shot!” Ryan and Steph said some more things that put her at ease. “Alright, what the hell, I’ll do it!”
Going back to the kitchen, Ryan came back with two plates of burgers which he placed in front of Chloe and Max. “Enjoy, ladies!” He then went to the kitchen again and came back with a bowl of salad, on which he had made a heart with the dressing. Alex came right behind with two more burgers for Steph and herself.
Sitting down while looking at Steph with steamy eyes she said “The buns are just as you like them, babe”
Chloe grinned “Get a room, you two!”
Steph giggled “Better stop it, Chen! You don’t have the key for the upstairs any more, remember?”
Alex, smiling with the tip of her tongue between her teeth, ran her finger from right behind Steph’s ear down along her neck, following her collar bone. “We can always find… or make… accommodations...”
“Please Chen, mercy!” Steph groaned.
“Alright… For now…” Alex winked at her, then said “Have a good one, all!” and started cutting and eating her meal.
Chloe, looking at her meal with great enthusiasm, remarked “This looks pretty good… Enjoy!” and dug in.
Max said “Cheers!” as she started on some of her fries.
Izzie and Steph also joined in; after adding their own meal greetings they started on their food.
Ryan sat down on a stool he pulled in next to Izzie’s chair so they both sat at the end of the table. As Izzie ate, she shared bites of her salad with him.
For a while everyone was mostly focused on their meal, and they talked little except asking for sauce to be passed, Ryan sharing around some more drinks and everyone’s praise for the quality of the food. When the plates started to get empty and the eating winded down, Max remarked “You really didn’t exaggerate. This meal alone would have been worth driving out here!”
“Isn’t it great?” Steph mumbled with her mouth half full.
“I think you have to adjust that mile count in the ad. Maybe ‘Best burgers in Colorado’? I don’t think I ate this good many times since… my mom…”
Ryan grinned proudly. “Thanks for the compliments! But if it’s all the same to everyone else, I’m dying of curiosity. How do you and Max know each other, Izzie?”
Max and Izzie exchanged glances, and Max smiled at Izzie encouragingly. “It’s more your story than mine, and I don’t know the correct words for your… situation back then.”
“Yup, I’ll start, and you can fill in if you feel like it. Well… you can probably guess I didn’t always look like the gorgeous woman I am now,” she said with a wink. “At one time, I was an unhappy kid with a very manly father determined to make me into a son. More fit for the 1950s than the 2010s, actually. So, on Saturdays when my mom worked but he didn’t, I took to volunteering at a park in Seattle. My dad couldn’t object to that, and I got to dodge his physical training and hard labor schemes designed to make a ‘strong man’ out of me.
“Often, I’d hang around the park after work was done and then pick up Mom from work to never be home alone with Dad. One nice Saturday afternoon in summer, I was hanging out on one of the fields when I heard a girl crying. So I walked over and asked if she was okay. That girl was Max.”
Max chipped in. “Yes. My move from Arcadia Bay, leaving Chloe…” She looked at Chloe with a pained expression. “It damaged me mentally. I was on meds, in therapy, had breakdowns, cut off my hair… My parents were desperate. They did everything but realize that I simply needed to speak to Chloe and go back home.” She continued with a sad smile. “They meant well but went into denial. They, along with my teachers and therapists, even discouraged me from thinking of Arcadia Bay and Chloe.”
Max looked at Chloe briefly as her eyes became watery. “In the end, I didn’t dare even try to contact her anymore. It had been so long… I felt I had failed, lost it all… I tried to pretend to everyone, including myself, that I was okay and had moved on while inside, I was breaking apart and not well at all.”
Max paused briefly, sighed, and took a deep breath. “One day, I decided to go to the park. When I sat down on a bench, a mother was calling her daughter, who was, of course, out of a million names… named Chloe. After hearing her call ‘Chloe? Where are you?’ a few times and seeing the mother happily reunited with her child, I burst out crying. All my months… years of trying to cover over the pain broke open again…” Max's eyes filled with tears, and Chloe grabbed her hand with both of her own.
“You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to, Max. Shit, I wish I had known it was that bad for you… I would have stowed away on a train to get to you!”
Max wiped her eyes with her sleeve. “It’s okay… it’s good to talk… and thank you, I know you would… Those five years were really bad for both of us. When I started crying, I heard Izzie ask me if I was okay. We started talking, and she... was still a he… uhm, I hope I’m saying this right, Izzie…”
Izzie smiled endearingly at Max and confidently took over. “It’s okay, Max. I don’t take offense at people who obviously mean well but get the words tangled up...
“Yeah, I was still living as a boy back then, dressed as androgynous as I could and with as long hair as I could get away with. It sucked. When I heard Max crying, we talked, and she told me about her problems, and then I talked about mine. That became a regular thing. I’d do my best to support her, and she would do her best to help me.”
Izzie looked at Max with a sweet smile. “She was so kind and understanding. Assured me that I wasn’t a freak, told me about a girl at her school who was like me and went to school in a dress, and that everyone called her Daisy. Max taught me to sit like a girl and eat like one. Later, when we met again, she even brought me a skirt to wear, and that was super awesome. She slowly helped me realize that I really wanted to transition. We even planned how I could start by talking to the Rabbi of our synagogue as a first step, which I did.”
“But why do you call each other Padmé and Melody?” Alex wondered.
Izzie’s eyes shot to Max for a second and then to Alex. “That's a bit silly, maybe. As one of Max’s first ideas for me was to get a girl's name, and I had explained to her that I wanted to be a singer, a girl singer… she called me ‘Melody’. And since she helped me so well, giving me ‘girl training’, she reminded me of Jedi masters… I called her my Girl Jedi master… but as she looks nothing like Yoda, I called her ‘Padmé’. Pretty silly, isn’t it, Max? We never actually knew each other's real names or any other information.”
“Yes, I often really regretted that. After you stopped coming to the park, I wondered if you were okay. Maybe your dad had sent you to that horrible military school you talked about? Then I got the scholarship and left for Arcadia Bay—correction, I ran to Arcadia Bay. I did leave a note hidden at that bench we always sat on, but it’s either still there or maybe blown away by the wind and rain long ago. I asked about you at the volunteer center in the park, and they did know you, just not where you lived or how to contact you. I left a note there too, but I guess they never got it to you.”
Izzie’s expression was filled with regret. “Sorry… I first told my rabbi, who was super kind, you know, I told you about that back then. Then he and I told my mom together, but we struggled to find a way to tell my dad. That didn’t work so well… my dad threw a fit when I started resisting his plans for me. Eventually, it came to a head, and I told him. He wrecked the living room trying to catch and beat me, and when my mom got home in the middle of that, she went ballistic—at him.”
Izzie smiled with a tear in her eye as she recalled. “She stepped in between him and me, and when he didn’t back down, even hit her accidentally when he tried to get past her, she told him she wanted a divorce. After he was out the door, she told me I could wear girls' clothes from then on, at home, at synagogue, and to school. There were many weekends I couldn’t go to the park, first because my dad began to stop me, and later because we had appointments. The few times I could go, you were not there either. I hid a note too, probably got lost like yours.
“Anyway, I did get to go to school in girl clothes, just like Daisy at your school! Stuff went pretty fast from there. I went to a gender psychologist and a psychiatrist, and after they agreed, and as soon as Mom had full custody, I got puberty blockers and more talks with psychologists. At 18, everyone gave the okay for hormones and surgeries. But by that time, you had moved, I guess. Because I remembered you saying you cycled down that street, I sometimes walked down 13th Ave East in hopes of randomly meeting you, but no.”
“You probably walked by my parents’ apartment several times, but I wasn’t there to look out of my room’s window to see you because I had left. It really makes me glad to see you again and to see that you ended up so happy.”
Max and Izzie looked at each other with emotional smiles.
Ryan said, “Wow, that is an interesting story. I already knew a bit about it from Izzie, but never knew who it was that she met in the park. Hah, seems that the only ones who didn’t know any of us earlier are Alex and me…”
“Yeah I almost feel left out…” Alex joked.
“Hey... before we really settle in to talk the night away…” Chloe started. “Max and I really need to find a place to crash, do any of you know anything affordable?”
Ryan smiled. “I know several options. There is the apartment upstairs, of course… And Izzie lives with me in my family’s house, so the loft of the record store is free too and our house has a guest room. All free, so as affordable as it gets… maybe depends on what Alex and Steph want to do?”
Steph and Alex looked at each other and Alex said “Well Ryan, since we know you and Izzie well already, maybe we could use your guest room? I do kinda feel like seeing Gabe’s and my old place again, but I don’t really need to sleep there, and it might be nice for Chloe and Max? The place above the store is small even for one person...”
Ryan nodded. “Well, if you are ok with it, so am I. The place is in fine condition, all you need to do is plug the fridge in. I even had it cleaned and dusted by Mrs Jenson now and then and Izzie has been through it occasionally. The roof garden is picture perfect, of course. Well, ladies, you get to sleep upstairs, provided you don’t drink all the booze while I am away!”
“Sounds Awesome, and we will leave a few bottles for others, won’t we?” Chloe said while putting her arm around a happily smiling Max.
“I advise you to leave the green glitter schnapps” Steph remarked with a grin, while Alex laughed with her.
At that moment, Jason Pike walked in. Ryan got up, winking at Chloe., then went to greet him and said “Hey Officer Pike! The usual?”
Chloe did a big fake gasp in exasperation and, with a fake sounding voice, said “Shit, Max! It's the cops! We’re cooked!” and raised her hands.
Pike, only noticing them at that moment, turned around with a look of concern, seeing Chloe with raised hands, Max with a terrified look … and then his eyes caught Izzie, Alex and Steph almost rolling over the table laughing. Ryan was hanging over the bar snickering.
A small smile appeared on Pike’s face as he nodded and relaxed. “The only crime I see here is a conspiracy to prank an officer of the law. Well, I guess I had that coming. I’d have done it to you at some point if you stuck around long enough… Still, it was taking a chance. There are officers that are… easy on the draw, so to say. Please don’t try that again, for your own sake.”
Ryan, containing his laughter, replied “Oh, Pike, we all know you don’t even load your gun unless you’re on a call where you feel you might need it. It's Haven’s biggest public secret. And why would you? The worst you usually get is shoplifting grade schoolers at the supermarket, or helping a drunk I sent home find his way. And you have the community behind you, anyone taking a shot at you would go down in a hail of gunfire, and then Ethan would start swinging his Larp sword at whatever was left. You know we love you! Here, have a whiskey on the house”
“Thanks, Ryan. Coming from you, especially, that means a lot… I was instrumental in getting your dad sentenced to fifteen years after all.”
Ryan looked Pike in the eye sincerely and stepped up to him, putting his hand on the other man’s shoulder. “No, Pike- … Jason. My dad got himself sentenced. He should have come clean all those years ago. Not making it worse by cover up after cover up. He said so himself. No, don’t blame yourself- I don’t. And don’t forget who helped get that USB stick you used to do it…”
Pike met Ryan’s eyes and relaxed visibly “Thanks, man! That really makes me feel better.” After pondering for a moment, he took the drink Ryan handed him and turned around to Steph and Alex.
“Now, who did I just see here? Two of my favorite law abiding citizens?”
Alex got up to give him a hug, Steph also greeted him, then introduced him to Max and Chloe.
“Well… Miss Price… You have made a definite first impression. I will remember this.”
Looking at Max's worried expression he chuckled. “Gosh, I am doing it again, am I? No need for worry. Let me buy you two drinks! Ryan, three shots!”
He winked at Chloe and Max “So you can say you exchanged shots with the deputy and walked away” He laughed heartily at his own joke even before the others joined in.
After the shots were gone, Pike went to sit at the bar and relaxed conversation about various trivialities began. Alex helped Ryan at the bar now and then refreshed the drinks on their table a couple of times.
Max yawned a bit “I don’t want to be a party pooper but I would like to take this to a bit more relaxed place, like a place with a soft couch or something. Don't mind chilling with you guys longer but I’d like to get out of my shoes and relax.”
“Sounds awesome, Max.” Chloe said. turning to The others, She said: Shall we go upstairs? Is there enough room for us all?”
“Enough to dance ” Alex said with a smile.
“I’ll come with for a bit and then go back down to help Ryan.” Izzie said. “Hey Ryan, love, I am going up with the others, I’ll come down and take over for you in a bit, to give you a break!”
Ryan , who was just pouring some beers for a customer, raised his right arm and gave her a thumbs up.
Max and Chloe got their luggage and prepared to carry it upstairs. Max asked “Should we empty the cargo bed of the truck?”
“Is anything in it that is harmed by water or cold?” Izzie asked.
“No, mostly watertight boxes with some dried foods, clothes and some houseware, some albums, that sort of thing.”
“It will be safe. No one will go rummaging through your stuff here. Maybe just bring the box with the emotional stuff inside, why take even a small chance on that?”
“I‘ll get it!” Chloe said, and walked to the door. Outside, she quickly walked over to the car and got the appropriate watertight box from the truck, after which she resealed the tarp that was protecting the cargo bed.
Walking back to the front of the Lantern, she paused for a moment. It had gone dark by now and the young moon shone on the lake and the trees of the park. Sounds of night animals were gently audible all around. She even saw two deer slowly striding through the park and lying down to rest for a bit.
“This doesn’t look half bad” Chloe Mumbled to herself whilst breathing the fresh air with subtle forest scents.
“It’s nice, huh? I love this town ever since I moved here ten years ago.” A woman’s voice said from behind her.
Chloe turned around to see a pretty, dark skinned woman w standing close by, a teen boy by her side. Chloe’s eye was caught by an intricate silver necklace with blue stones that the woman was wearing.“Yeah, we just arrived here this afternoon, so far it has only been good surprises, one after another…”
“Well, let me add a welcome to the ones you probably already got from others. My name is Charlotte Harmon, but call me Char. I run the dispensary and art studio over there? And this is my son, Ethan.” She lovingly rubbed her hand through Ethan’s hair.
“Thanks! I am Chloe, Chloe price. I am here with my Fiancee, Max. We’re friends of Steph and Alex, they talked so highly about this town, we decided to take a look!”
Turning to Ethan she said “And Ethan... or should I say ‘Thaynor’? So you are the cool dude Steph and Alex play their Larp’s and tabletop with? Awesome! Maybe I can join in some time!?”
“Yeah, that would be awesome! Steph told you about me?” Ethan said with a smile. “Is she here too? And Alex?”
“She is inside, Alex too! Maybe they went upstairs, but yeah she and Alex both came with us.”
Ethan’s smile became wide and cheerful as he cried out “Sweet! Can I go see them, mom?”
“Sure, run along, I’ll be in in a second.”
“Awesome! Seeya, Miss Chloe!” Ethan blurted out, while he ran inside.
Turning to Charlotte again, Chloe remarked “Awesome kid! And I think that if my pay comes in, you will have a customer in me, I hear you have first rate products.”
Charlotte looked at her with a friendly smile. “Thanks. I am crazy about Ethan. Strange how fast time goes. He will be going to high school in about sixteen months…” For a moment she looked dreamy and misty eyed. She then added “But if you want something, you don’t have to wait for your pay, I can get you something right now? If you’re a friend of Steph and Alex’s, I trust you implicitly.”
She put her hand in her bag and retrieved a bag of MJ gummies, which she handed to Chloe “Here. Pay me when you can. And do be careful. They are strong.”
“Wow, thanks Char. This town just got even better. I have to bring this box upstairs, but I hope to speak again some time soon? I think my fiancee Max will love you! She’s an artsy type too. I am more of a tool… um.. minded person. So if you need something fixed sometime while I’m in town, just give a holler”
“That's pretty neat… don’t go saying that too much tho, there is a real shortage of repair persons here. We have taken to just pooling our problems and hiring out of town handymen for whole days to save cost. So you might get flooded with requests…”
Chloe looked ponderous. “Might be a nice way to make some money, actually… I’ll give it some thought.”
Char opened the door for Chloe who nodded in thanks and maneuvered through the door with her box. Inside, Ethan was talking intensively to an enthusiastic Steph, and Alex was behind the bar with Ryan. She silent mouthed “They went upstairs” to her.
Char put her hand on Chloe’s arm and said “Later, Chloe, it was nice meeting you. Hope you were serious about the Larp and roleplay stuff, Ethan has been dying to get a chance at some games…”
“Don’t worry, I was. Played with Steph all the time in high school! See you soon, and thanks again!” After that, she made her way upstairs. The door to the top of the stairs was open and cheerful voices could be heard.
“Coming through!” Chloe said loudly as she entered the door into the apartment’s hallway. Turning to her left, she saw Max and Izzie removing sheets and tarps from the furniture. “Holy shit, this looks better than the place we had in Colorado springs even!”
“Yes, isn’t it great, Chloe?” Max said, smiling.
Chloe put the box down beside the night stand and moved the roller case and backpack, which were by the door, to the wall by the desk. She then pulled the covering from the bed and folded it.
“Look, it even has an arcade machine and a foosball table!”
“Yeah and it seems like a champion lived here: look at the bottle on the mantlepiece there, it says ‘foosball champion’ on it”
Izzie joined in the conversation, “That was Alex’s brother, Gabe. He lived here when he first arrived in town. Later when Alex came he gave it to her because he was living with his girlfriend Char. He would probably have married her if he had not died…” If it should happen that you stay here for longer than just a few days, we will have to have a careful conversation with Alex about what to do with his, now he, things. We were kind of keeping this place aside for her and Steph, but I think they outgrew it. If they ever live in town again, I am sure they will want their own house. Still, I'd be a little careful. Some stuff might still be emotional.”
“Sure. We get it.” Max said. “We have both known loss and sadness, I wouldn't dream of just callously throwing anything out or treating something with disrespect.”
“Anyone in here?” Steph’s voice could be heard as she came in the door, with Alex on her heels.
“I’ll go help out Ryan downstairs,it's usually getting busy by this time… Here take this key, it opens the door upstairs and the front door of the pub. Ask if you need anything, don’t hesitate.” Izzie said to Max, handing her a key.
“Thanks Mel- ...Izzie”, Max said, hugging the other woman.
“All good… Max!” Izzie said, genuinely answering the hug.
Meanwhile, Alex was slowly stepping from spot to spot in the apartment.
“You ok, love?” Steph asked her.
“Yes. … I think so.it's just so weird to be in here again... It’s so… unchanged . That hair pin on the night stand. I put that down the day we left. I wanted to use it to keep some strap in place in my luggage, but forgot-” She walked over to the bathroom “My Jasmine scented cream rinse. I noticed I forgot that when I was showering in Denver…” She looked around in wide eyed amazement- “Huhh.. this is weird”
“What’s the matter?”
“Well, you know how I can sense emotions attached to items… I can now feel ours, from when we were here… ”
“Uhm if you’d rather stay here and have us go to Izzie and Ryan’s… That's ok, I get the place means a lot to you two…” Chloe suggested.
“That's sweet of you, Chloe” Alex answered her with a sad smile. “But no. This, more than anything shows me I have to let it go. I will take a few things, like that foosball trophy and one of these days look through the place one last time, put whatever I really want to keep in storage and everything else is yours to do with as you see fit during your stay, and I’ll let Ryan know to do with it what he wants afterwards..”
She looked around intently, shrugged briefly, and then continued. “Someone like me, an empath who can feel past things as easily as present ones… nostalgia is even more dangerous to me than to others because I can’t only think about what things were like and what I felt… I can go back there. And if I do too much, I might never want to leave… No, I will happily be here with you, visit while we are both here… but this place carries far too much baggage for me. If Steph and I ever live in Haven again, we will get a house somewhere. And if I come here again at some future time, I hope it will be changed…”
She looked at steph with a loving smile, “Although, I will enjoy going up on the roof and once again feel…”
Steph smiled back at her. “If you want to feel that again you don’t need an empty roof, you can get that anywhere… Directly from me.”
Alex’s gaze relaxed as she looked at steph. “Thanks. Steph. You’re right. I should let that go too.” She walked over to the other woman and tenderly kissed her on the lips.
Max and Chloe looked at eachother endearingly, while Max’s eyes became small slits in her joy as she did a happy shiver and fell into Chloe’s arms.
“Lets put on some music and hang out! I’ll go down and get something to drink from Ryan, maybe some snacks?” Alex suggested. The others agreed and they spent a few hours talking about various things, like the town, Alex’s adventures there, Max’s work against Typhon in new mexico and about Steph and Alex’s tour plans.
Around midnight Ryan and Izzie, having closed the pub, joined them for a few last drinks until they decided to go home, taking Alex & Steph with them.
A bit later, Max was just done brushing her teeth . She had donned a knee long mid gray night shirt with pink and turquoise hearts on it and her fluffy gray slippers as Chloe was just done unpacking some of their clothes and putting them in a drawer of the bed side dresser.
She said “That was a pretty great day! Um… I'm putting my clothes in the orange drawer, and yours in the green and light blue one… your underwear and socks are in the top right small drawer.” Looking up at Max, standing there, she lovingly spoke “Oh.. I love seeing you in that shirt”
“Aww thanks for unpacking my clothes, Chloe. You are so caring. You have to be careful I won't get pampered”
“Dont worry, Caulfield, I fully expect to get one of your shoulder massages sometime soon”
“Whenever you want, babe…” Max looked around the apartment. “This is a pretty neat place, huh?”
“I think it's dope as fuck. Even the shower looks comfortable and the view over the park is sweet too. And...hear how quiet it is outside?”
“Yeah, no airplanes, no buzz of cars or shouting voices… and no constant sirens like in our old place.” Max sat on the edge of the bed nearest the wall and lay down, leaving her slippers on the floor.. “I am actually pretty beat. Didn't sleep that much last night because I was nervous about the key turnover of our place in Colorado springs.”
“You should stop fretting so much, Max. We left that dump better than we got it, nice paint job and my plumbing work… Gary should have paid me for that.”
“I guess I always get nervous when I move places. Maybe I crave stability more than I want to admit…”
Chloe sat down on the room side of the bed and began removing her shoes and socks. Getting her own slippers from her bag and putting them on.“I get that, Max. We have been running around for so long. What we talked about in the car this afternoon… I meant every word of it. If we find a spot where we want to stay, I am all for making it work.
Oh! `When I was getting that box from the car, I spoke to Charlotte, the owner of the dispensary. She gave me some edibles, and I found out I can make some money by doing handiwork around town. There is no plumber or electrician and no carpenter here, she lamented having to get people from out of town.”
“That's great Chloe! I think I can make some too on photography work for the state park. From what Ryan said I think that can be a pretty nice set of contracts, and I think some brochures for the new tourist places that are opening might want photo’s too, so maybe we can do some hiking and photography?”
Chloe had now changed into a spaghetti dress nightie. “Sounds good! I would love to see some trees and green stuff around me…”
Max said “Hah. Isn't it awesome how far we have come? How we struggled to make it at first, and how easily we now just set down and find ways to make money? We could probably work the bar for Ryan if we were desperate, but we actually have options.”
“Yeah, we are almost like one of these logistics crews sergeant Reed talked about. Like land, deploy and have fuel depots, bathrooms and kitchens set up before the troops are even in the same country… One big oiled machine.”
“Enough on the sergeant Reed, miss Price!” Max said jokingly.
Turning to Max and kissing her on the lips, she said: “No worries, love. In my heart, you are the commander in chief!”
“Oh, Chloe, you know all the right words…” Max said while caressing Chloe’s face.
“Do you want a weed gummy? You’ll sleep awesomely…”
“Maybe tomorrow night? If it’s a nice night we could go on this roof terrace and watch the stars? I just love doing that when I’m high.”
“Sure. You’re the one person I won't ever mind sharing my stash with!”
“Hey, Does Charlotte also sell shrooms?”
“Don’t think so. They are not legal for sale, even in Colorado. But I will ask her if she knows any way of getting some if you want to have some sometime. I bet she knows someone who knows someone…”
“Seems fun, I’d love to see your loving light eyes and butterflies again!”
“If I find some, this time I am joining you!” Chloe said. “I wonder what you look like when I am tripping. … Hey, mind if I do have some edibles?”
“Of course, babe, sweet of you to ask, but as long as you don’t go crazy, I have nothing to say about it.”
They both crawled under the blankets while Chloe chewed on two of the gummies.
“Hmm I think I will have one after all if it's ok?”
“Sure thing! What color do you want? I have red, white, orange, green or yellow”
“A red one!” Max said with enthusiastic eyes.
Chloe took a red one between her fingers, feeding it to Max. As Max was chewing and suckling the gummy, Chloe resealed the zip lock bag and put it on the nightstand.
Chloe stretched out in a relaxed way and said, “This bed is pretty comfortable, isn’t it?”
Max, cuddling up to Chloe, murmured, “Yes… especially like this…”
Chloe put her right arm around Max and gently stroked her hair and face with her other hand. Max quietly moaned in enjoyment and placed her right arm over Chloe’s chest.
Chloe stretched her left arm and managed to flip the light switch, casting the apartment in darkness, apart from some light of the waxing moon that fell through the blinds on the west side of the room.
“You can tell Charlotte that her edibles are awesome… I’m feeling pretty baked” Max whispered sleepily after a while.
“Yeah, I know what you mean… I’m feeling it too, it's hitting like a ton of bricks… Sleep well cutie…”
Max murmured something unintelligible, and before long they were both asleep.