Chapter Text
We are in the Mikaelsen's hallway, facing the door. Sunlight is flooding in through the windows, everything is quiet, apart from some animal noises coming from outside. Suddenly, we can hear muted voices outside, and the sound of a key being inserted into the keyhole. The key is turned, and the door opens.
Swann enters the hallway, wearing shorts, her dinosaur-t-shirt and hiking boots. “Home sweet home, Kitty!“ she exclaims with a grin, before she bends down to untie her shoelaces.
Next, Kat stumbles into the hallway, looking very exhausted, her face all flushed from the heat and physical exercise. She's wearing her trademark jeans overalls – short, of course, due to the heat - a blue t-shirt and a sweat-soaked bandana in her hair.
“And not one minute too late, I thought I might collapse any minute right there!“ Kat moans. “How do you do this, babe? You didn't even break a sweat although we hiked for dozens of kilometres!“
“Ten kilometres, Kitty,“ Swann corrects her girlfriend with a smile. “But I told you before that it is a bad idea to go hiking just wearing canvas shoes – why do you never listen to people who obviously know better?“
“Because I'm a fuckin moron, that's why!“ Kat exclaims. “Better be more persuasive next time, I blame this all on you for not convincing me to do the right thing...“ Kat adds in a mock-accusing tone.
Swann smiles broadly while Kat drags herself into the dining room – her little firecracker hasn't changed at all, for which Swann is grateful. She follows Kat into the dining room.
Kat slumps down into one of the chairs and starts taking her shoes off carefully. “Fuck, my feet hurt like hell...this is so unfair! How can just walking around be so exhausting? I'm used to fighting matches on the wrestling floor, after all...“
“Different kind of stamina involved in that, Kitty – and your matches are much shorter, of course,“ Swann says. “Shall I get you anything from the fridge?“ Kat nods gratefully. “Yeah, I'll have two cans of soda – one to drink, one to cool my sore feet with.“
Swann goes to the fridge and takes out three cans of soda. As she comes back into the living room, she can see that Kat has also taken her socks off and is studying the soles of her feet intently. “I've never seen such huge blisters in my life!“ she exclaims. “What does the expert say, shall I puncture them?“
Swann looks at Kat with mock-indignation on her face. “Aha, now you want my advice? After ignoring everything I've told you before?“ Then she smiles broadly. “Cool them first and puncture them later, when the swelling is not that severe anymore.“
Kat continues fingering her feet. “But at least Clara and her city-slicker friends got something to take back to their grey, dull city. Did you see how impressed they were of things which are totally normal for us, like seeing deer, squirrels and the like?“
Swann grins, throwing Kat two of the soda cans – she catches them easily. “They were more than impressed I'd say, it was a completely new world for them. But wait till you arrive in the big city for the first time since your vacation in Seattle a couple of years ago, I guess you will also be mightily impressed.“
“I can hardly wait for it, babe,“ Kat says with a passionate look on her face. “This whole road trip will be something else, you mark my words. We'll see so much along the way, experience so many new things...and we'll be together, just the four of us!“ Kat opens one can of soda and starts drinking greedily. Then she takes the other can and uses it to cool her blisters.
Swann sits down next to Kat. “We'll start tomorrow in the early morning, don't forget that, so no sleeping in tomorrow! When you're ready with your blisters, we should go upstairs and check everything we want to take once again.“
Kat nods absentmindedly, focussed on her feet, wincing at the pain. “It's getting a bit better now, the cooling seems to help.“
Swann fidgets on her chair – there is still this one thing she has to tell Kat, this one thing she saw at their gig yesterday. “Soooo...“ she ventures “...did...did you notice anything unusual during our gig yesterday?“
Kat snorts and rolls her eyes. “What was NOT unusual during out gig yesterday? I was completely flooded with impressions and impulses – you'll have to be a bit more specific, babe.“
Swann takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. “Well...I'm not 100% sure, but...I think I saw your dad at the gig.“ Swann watches her girlfriend's eyes widen with surprise, then her brow furrows. Swann continues. “He was standing at the very back of the room...no, in fact, he wasn't even in the room, her was standing in the doorway. I'm pretty sure it was him. He was watching you intently, but I couldn't see much more. He was there for a couple of songs, and then I didn't see him anymore.“
Kat watches Swann with an expression on her face which is hard to interpret – something between surprise, anger and disbelieve. After a long moment of silence, Kat sighs, taking Swann's hand firmly into her slim, strong one. “Thanks for telling me, babe – and don't worry, I won't shoot the messenger. But give me a moment, I have to wrap my head around this...“
Swann is glad that her girlfriend didn't go ballistic because of this news, and she says “Of course, Kitty, this might take some time to process. Tell me if you want to talk about it, okay?“ She strokes the back of Kat's hand lightly with her thumb.
They remain like this for some time, Kat's conflicting emotions are showing on her face. Then she says “Okay...so I'm actually happy that my dad took an interest in what I'm doing – he rarely does, he usually thinks everything I do or think is rubbish anyway. But the way he did it....just makes me extremely angry! Why do it secretly? Why didn't he want to show me that he cares? Does he think that makes him weak? He's such an arsewipe...“
Swann spots some tears appearing in the corners of Kat's eyes, and she immediately puts her arm around her girlfriend's slender shoulders. She waits for a minute to see if Kat has more to say, but she just stares into the distance, trying to fight off the tears.
“Maybe...you could see this as a....new beginning?“ Swann says. “We know that your dad is very set in his ways, and very conservative, so it actually is a big deal that he went out to see a punk band perform. Maybe...wait if he wants to talk to you about it at some point. I think it was his way to try to reach out to you, to be a part of your life again.“
Kat snorts. “A pretty shitty way of doing that, but I get your point. Baby steps, is it? I will try, babe, your advice on dealing with my parents has been pretty solid so far. But anyway, this will give me something to think about in the near future.“
Then Kat's face lights up again. “But you know what? My dad can go fuck himself for the time being! We've got the whole summer in front of us, a summer just for us! So let's not linger on gloomy thoughts, let's make the best of it!“
Swann smiles broadly. “That's my Kitty again! Gloomy thoughts don't suit you, you know? Alright, let's go upstairs and check our gear once again, and then I will show you the itinerary I worked out for us. Sounds good?“
Kat nods. “Sounds great, babe. Alright, lead the way, and I'll hobble after you the best I can currently...“ She gets up wincing, favouring the blister-free parts of her feet.
They've stashed the stuff they want to bring along in the guest room – the one Swann stayed in when she came visiting Velvet Cove during the last months. Good memories of wild nights together are connected to this room...how magical it was to see each other again after so many months...
Kat manages to move surprisingly fast despite her aching feet, so she catches up with Swann pretty quickly. Swann has already picked up her checklist and a pen. “Right, Kitty,“ she says “Let's go through it again. I tell you the item on my list, and you tell me if it's there, alright?“
Kat yawns theatrically. “Sure, babe, that sounds like a lot of fun.“ Swann laughs and tries to give Kat a playful punch on the shoulder, but her girlfriend is much too quick for her. “Seriously now, I really want to make sure that we don't leave anything important behind. Okay, let's start. Tent?“
“Check,“ Kat says. “Our sleeping bags are also here.“
“My cooking equipment? Cooker, saucepan, pot, plates, cups, cutlery, spices?“
Kat goes through the box with the cooking equipment. “Yeah, everything here, babe. Plus some canned food and packs of dried food.“
Swann marks this on her list. “Camcorder, including batteries and spare tapes?“
“All here – it would really be a shame if we forgot that, I'm sure that we all want to remember the details of this road trip forever – maybe we'll show the tapes to our grandchildren one day,“ Kat muses.
Swann can just stop herself saying “But for this we would need to have children first“ - she doesn't want to put any pressure on Kat when it comes to children, though Swann would really love to be a mother one day. So she just marks the items on her list and continues.
“Nor will bring her boombox, but we should bring your CD-carrier – got it here already?“ Kat holds it up for Swann to see.
“Right, what's left. Ah, spare clothes, underwear, socks and the like. Also hiking boots, we can't forget those, especially for your tender feet now.“
“Yeah, yeah, just rub it in, Holloway...“ Kat says with mock-annoyance in her voice. “My boots are here, next to your canvas shoes – that's footwear sorted out, I guess.“
“Okay...oh, one last item – first-aid kit and everything connected to it. Band-aids, cooling spray, different kinds of ointments...“
Kat looks around. “Ah, here it is.“ She opens the small satchel and peers inside. “Seems to be everything inside what we might need, even in the case of a major emergency.“
Swann nods contently. “Great, everything accounted for – that's the way I like it. Our wallets with our money and Traveller's checks are downstairs – you've got your passport, right, Kitty? Otherwise crossing the border into Canada might become tricky...“
“Of course I've got my passport, I'm not an idiot, you know?“ Kat says in a mock-indignant tone.
“Just checking, my little firecracker – you can be unpredictable at times...“ Swann says with a smile. “Oh, and we also have to remember to pack our toothbrushes and toiletries tomorrow morning – soap, deodorant and the like.“ Kat nods.
“Now, have a look at my maps – I'll show you our route on it.“ Swann starts unfolding the biggest of the maps – a map of the whole United States – and puts it on the bed. She has marked the route they're going to take with a blue marker pen. Kat steps up to it and scrutinizes the route.
“That's a fuckin long way, isn't it? When we were on holidays in Seattle with the family a couple of years ago – remember? I told you about this before, this is where I discovered punk and the Riot Grrrl scene – we flew there, and even that took 7 ot 8 hours. But who am I telling this to...you flew the distance from Vancouver on a regular basis these last months...“
Swann nods grimly. “And I drove the whole way on my own when I first came to visit you last March, during Spring Break. That was no fun at all because I had to do it in just three days...a thousand kilometres a day! But the thought of seeing you all again made it bearable...and the closer I came to Velvet Cove, the more excited I got, of course...“
Kat embraces her girlfriend gently. “And then you drove back to Vancouver on your own again...that must have been even worse, going back to your ordinary life with nothing like this gal here to look forward to...so glad that you put up with this shit, not many people would have.“
Swann hugs Kat back and gives her a tender kiss on the cheek. “How could I not return to you, Kitty? There was just no way that I would leave the love of my life behind just because of moving away...and it's not only you, Nora and Autumn are almost equally important to me. Remember our promise? Nothing will tear us apart!“
Kat smiles and nods approvingly. “Alright, let's stop the nostalgia now, it's the present which is important. I can see on the map that you've circled our stops, right? The first one is not that far away, if I'm not mistaken.“
“That's right,“ Swann answers. “I thought we take it easy on our first day of the trip, so it's mainly just driving out of the Great Lakes-area and into Minnesota, about 600 kilometres. Our goal will be a great campsite I spotted on my way here back then – it's called Camper's Paradise. The area there is fantastic, lots of lakes and beautiful nature.“
“So it's camping at our first stop, right?“ Kat asks. “It will be great to build a big campfire there...we can't forget the marshmellows! What else can we do there? It sounds that we will have a lot of time to spare...“
Swann nods. “It won't be so different from what we can do in the Great Lakes area...and the little place nearby, Nevis, is also much like Velvet Cove, I assume. Hiking is always an option, plus canoeing or something like that.“
“Oh, canoeing sounds good, actually – I have never really done it.“ Kat points out. “Isn't it strange? You live next to a gigantic lake all your life, and you have never gone canoeing? Maybe it's the cold up here, not much time in the year for doing stuff like that...“
“Let's just decide what we want to do when we get there – the girls should be able to have their say too,“ Swann responds. “Anyway, what we will have to get used to on this roadtrip is getting up early and departing early, otherwise we won't be able to do stuff at our different stops. The people who are not driving can catch up on sleep in the car...which leads me to our next section of the trip, and maybe the most boring one: driving through the whole of North Dakota...“
Kat peers at the map. “I guess...roughly 600 kilometres or so of driving straight on on the interstate? Fuck me...we'll have to change drivers often, babe...and from what I know about North Dakota, I presume it will be mostly...fields and level ground all around us?“
Swann nods. “Yeah, I remember it well from the times I had to do this drive. The good thing is that there are some interesting cities we'll be driving through, which will provide a bit of a distraction. But apart from that...we should stock up on the coffee before me make this drive.“
“But our destination won't be in North Dakota, as far as I can see on the map?“ Kat asks.
“No...I was basically at a loss here where to stop at the end of the day, but then I discovered the city of Glendive in Montana, just behind the border to North Dakota. There's a place I always wanted to visit: the Frontier Gateway Museum! It has fossils and dinosaur bones on display!“ Swann answers.
Kat starts laughing brightly and wholeheartedly when she hears that, making Swann blush a bit. Between gasps, Kat manages to press out. “Sorry for that, babe...it's just SO classic Swann to choose a place...at which you can have a look at old bones! I love you so much for that, you complete and utter weirdo!“ Kat presses her face onto Swann's shoulder, still rocking with laughter, mumbling “So sorry, babe, don't be mad at me please...“
Swann bites back an angry remark and takes some deep breaths. She knew Kat when she decided to become her girlfriend, and that she can be quite irrational and intense at times, so she just waits for her anger to pass. She manages to smile and say “You know me, Goblincore till the end.“
Kat finally manages to get a hold on herself and looks her girlfriend in the eyes. “Seriously now, babe...I'll gladly go to this museum with you, I want to know more about your world, about the stuff you're interested in. I've been around the skulls of animals – mostly hunting trophies – all my life, and I never took a fancy to them, maybe I need a change of perspective here. Anyway, where will we stay in Montana?“
“Oh, I found a cheap motel where we can all stay in one room,“ Swann responds. “There's a double bed – for us, of course – a single bed and a studio couch. The town is also not that small and close to a state park, so there should be plenty for us to do in the evening. But again, we'll have to get up early, because we should get to our next destination as early as possible.“
Kat looks at the map again. “That's quite a detour here, into...Wyoming, really?“ Then her face lightens up. “Wow, Swann, that is such a great idea – visiting Yellowstone! I've seen the geysirs on the telly, in a documentary...but to see them in real life...“
Swann smiles. “Glad that you like it. I've always wanted to go there, it's kind of the Mekka for every outdoors-freak. If we get there quite early, we'll be able to spend 5-6 hours looking at the natural wonders there before it gets dark. That will be a total treat...“
Kat nods excitedly. “I'm already looking forward to getting there...and I volunteer to drive a lot of that stretch. Nora and Autumn tend to drive like grandmas at times...By the way, will it be camping again at Yellowstone?“
Swann makes a so-so gesture. “Maybe we can get a lodge, but we'll have to see if one is available when we get there, they don't reserve those for only one night. Otherwise, they'll have a nice campsite we can use. But I really hope we can get this lodge, that would be a dream come true...staying at a lodge in Yellowstone with my three favourite gals...“
Kat nods grimly. “Even a greater incentive to get there early that day...I guess I will have to take speed limits only as a kind of friendly reminder that day. But moving on from that, what's the next stop?“
“Stop number four will maybe be the least spectacular so far, at least for me – but the trip there will be fantastic, all through the Rockies. Nora will love it there, but it will be first culture shock for you: the big city!“ Swann says with a smile. “We'll stop in Spokane, Washington – as far as I know the second biggest city in Washington. There's be lots of stuff to do there, we could go to the Arts Museum or just catch some live music in one of the bars there.“
Kat nods. “Yeah, it will be good for Nora to be in a city again after that much nature – she was never an outdoorsy person really. But catching some live music sounds good...I love life in the country, but some things are really missing here...“
“I agree,“ Swann says. “I would love to go back to living in the country, but the big city has its perks, too. Anyway, we'll stay in another cheap motel in Spokane – there have been lots to choose from, so I picked one close to the city centre. Next day, our final part of the road trip starts – and you will finally see my new home in Vancouver after all this time!“
“Can't wait for it, babe!“ Kat exclaims. “And keep in mind: just one more year, and we will never be separated again!“ She looks at the map. “Looks like some rocky terrain we'll have to drive through to get to the coast – looking forward to that. And oh! We'll pass Seattle on the way to the border! It's so close to your new home!“
“Exactly, Kat. After about 3600 kilometres, we'll get to the Canadian border – after that it's just a short drive to Vancouver. We live in one of the suburbs, in North Vancouver, it's quite nice there actually – doesn't much feel like living in the big city, so the culture shock shouldn't be too big. And then...we've got another week or two to do whatever we like with the girls!“
“I can SO not wait for it!“ Kat responds. “Just being with you and the ladies...exploring things...making new experiences together...that's so sweet. And we'll also go to Seattle, of course! We should definitely check out the colleges while we're there...and the music scene!“
“I want to show you so much in Vancouver...“ Swann muses. “I often discovered something and thought, hey, wouldn't it be great to share this with Kitty and the others? But I couldn't, of course. You're in for a treat, all of you are – and my dad is also looking forward to having you around.“
“Your dad – Steve, I'll have to remember to use his first name – is really cool, you're lucky there,“ Kat says. “What about your mom, will she be there too? If it's not too insensitive to ask that...“
Swann sighs. “It's fine, Kitty, I know that I can share everything with you. My mom and my dad are going...through a difficult time. To be honest, I expect them to divorce pretty soon. I will definitely stay with my dad then...he just gets me much more, and I'm old enough to decide this for myself. So my mom is at her sister's in Sacramento now, officially on holidays, but if you read between the lines...Some things are just not meant to exist forever, I guess. Still, it's a major bummer.“
Kat takes Swann hand and squeezes it lightly. “Yeah, that's fucked up, babe...but you're almost an adult now, and you're strong as hell, so I know you can deal with it. Still, I'd like to meet your mom sometime – I want to find out why she didn't support you more, why she always wanted to tell you what you have to do and what you have to look like. But I'm sure I'll get the chance someday, as I'm planning to stick with you for a looooong time.“
Swann smiles lightly. “Thanks, Kitty – with parents like this, it seems that we have to watch each other's backs, right? But as you said before – away with the gloomy thoughts! Autumn will pick us up at 7 am sharp tomorrow, so let's have some dinner and then go to bed early – we might not get too much sleep while we're on the road.“
“We can sleep when we're dead!“ Kat exclaims. “Or when we're over 30...so practically dead...“ she adds with a wry smile.