Restless On A Road Trip: A Lesbian Romance

by Nicolette Dane

  “Hold on to your butt,” said Maggie as we surmounted the highest point of the range and began our descent.

  “That sign says to not ride your brake,” I said, looking out the window and pointing. “Why’s that?”

  “I think that’s for the big rigs,” said Maggie. “If they ride their brakes, they can overheat and give out.”

  “Ah,” I intoned. “Well, let’s not let that happen to us.”

  “It’s really hard not to keep your foot on the brake,” mused Maggie as she drove. “This road is super steep.”

  “Drive us to safety, Mags,” I said, tenderly petting her leg. “Drive us to safety.”

  She smiled at me and blew me a kiss.

  Before setting off on this trip I had a lot on my mind. I didn’t quite know what I was going to do next. The divorce was final and I was on my own. I was happy about that, definitely, but at the same time it made me feel lost. Work was… whatever. I did account management at a financial services firm. It wasn’t very exciting, though it was stable enough. It didn’t seem like the right fit, ultimately, though. I was envious of Maggie who got to do something she loved, teaching fashion at an art school. I mean, how cool is that? I felt boring in comparison. I just wasn’t sure what direction I was actually headed in.

  But now, as we drove, I was comfortable in the uncertainty. I didn’t dwell on it. I felt that, at my age, I still had a lot of life ahead of me, a lot of opportunity to define myself and figure out what made me happy. And I felt that was beginning with Maggie. With our relationship. With what was becoming of us.

  I hadn’t allowed myself to imagine what it would be like to actually be with another woman in a long time. I tried to stuff those feelings down. I tried to deny them. But I didn’t have to hide anymore. I knew that the road ahead of me could be tough, there could be some hurdles, but I guess that’s what life’s all about. If we didn’t have to fight for what we wanted, would we even want anything at all?

  “Boop!” said Maggie, gingerly poking her finger into my side. I laughed, looked down, smiled. She looked at me and grinned and then returned her eyes to the road.

  This was like a dream come true.

  Now in the barren desert of Utah, the mountains decidedly browner than those in Colorado, we drove north to Salt Lake City after some deliberation over heading south to Moab. Although Moab would have been a great pitstop, we had an AirBnB booked in Salt Lake and Moab would have put us behind a day. Once agreeing that we should stay on schedule, Maggie admitted the need to relieve herself so we pulled off at an empty roadside rest stop. The air conditioning inside the car kept us cool but the outside looked scorchingly hot.

  “Here we are,” said Maggie, putting the car in park. “Once I shut this thing off we’re probably going to get really freaking hot. You ready?” she asked, hand lingering on the ignition.

  “No,” I said. “Wait a sec.”

  Unbuckling my seat belt, I swiftly leaned over and pressed myself against Maggie, immediately swooping in for a kiss. Our lips met and our kiss began. I could tell Maggie was first caught off guard but she soon melted into it. Her hand reached over and gripped onto my shirt, the two of us each beginning to gently groan as our kiss grew heated.

  Our mouths opened and tongues came out, lightly mingling, and I started feeling around on her body, looking for something to hold onto. The sun beat in through the windshield but the AC kept us cool. I could feel my breathing grow more labored as I ardently made out with my wonderful and beautiful friend.

  Slowly, I pulled back. Maggie and I simultaneously opened our eyes and looked at one another. Smiles grew across our lips. Maggie stifled a small laugh and she appeared both embarrassed and excited. It was a pretty sweet moment, pretty powerful if I’m being straight. Sure, we had already had sex, both that time with Piper and the morning after together in our bedroom, but there was something about this sudden kiss that made me feel so much more intimate with Maggie. I could tell she felt it too.

  “What was that for?” she asked softly through her smile.

  “I just wanted to do it,” I said.

  “Are you coming on to me, Dana?” Maggie said teasingly. Bringing her hand up, she put her finger to the corner of her lip.

  “I might be,” I said.

  “You know I really have to pee,” she murmured, putting on a sexy tone to humorously contrast with what she was actually saying.

  “You always have to pee,” I replied in a similar tone.

  “Open your mouth,” she said. There was a beat of silence until we both broke out into laughter. I smacked her arm lightly. Then, with adoration, Maggie leaned in and pushed a swift kiss to my lips.

  It was really hot outside. Over 100 degrees, but very dry. I waited for Maggie outside of one of the rest stop stalls. In the time we had been there, a few other cars had pulled in, travelers like us spilling out into the scenery, walking around the craggy overlook, traipsing up the ascension that offered a small covered bench. It was calming. It was pleasant. Nobody seemed rushed. They just took out their cameras, posed, snapped photos, had a respite from the long drive they were on.

  The door to the stall popped open and Maggie came out.

  “Ugh,” she groaned as she stepped back into the daylight, wiping her wet hands on her shorts. “Unless you really have to go,” Maggie said. “Don’t go in there.”

  “Did you wreck it?” I asked with a glimmer in my eye.

  “No!” she protested and laughed. “No, that bathroom was already wrecked before I got my turn.”

  “Was it really that bad?”

  “Um, yes,” she said. “I feel like I need a shower. No toilet paper, no paper towels. I’m thankful there was a sink in there.”

  “So if I hold your hand it shouldn’t be too gross?” I asked. “Right?”

  “Right,” Maggie smiled. She reached her hand out and I took it.

  Together we walked up the slope toward a small desert overlook. To either side of us, we could see lizards slinking around, running scared as we approached them. It warmed my heart to hold onto Maggie’s hand, though I certainly didn’t need to feel any warmer. The heat was oppressive and the sun was bright. If we weren’t in shorts and sunglasses, things might not have been so peachy.

  “My feet are going to get so dirty,” remarked Maggie, looking down to her flip-flops. She absently kicked a small stone out of her way.

  “I guess that’s just part of our desert vacation,” I mused, yanking her closer to me as we walked hand-in-hand. Maggie purred softly as she nestled into me. I felt her hair against my bare arm.

  “I’m really liking this,” said Maggie, offering my hand a squeeze as she spoke. I knew what she meant.

  “Me too.”

  “I always kinda had a thing for you, Dana,” Maggie said sweetly. It was a revelation to hear that. We had been such close friends for a long time and I had never seen it. Or maybe I just hadn’t wanted to see it.

  “Really?” I said. “I find that hard to believe.”

  “No, really!” she said with a bright smile, tugging at my hand. “But c’mon, what was I going to do? You were into dudes. I wasn’t trying to be some predator!” We laughed together.

  “Yeah, I guess I might have been slightly offended,” I said. “If not secretly intrigued.”

  “I mean, you’re so super pretty,” Maggie said. “And you’re fun and funny and sweet. We’ve always had a good time together.”

  “That’s true.”

  “What do you think of me?” she said through an innocent grin, turning to look at me as we stopped at the apex of the short climb.

  “I think you’re surrounded by incredibly beautiful mountains,” I smiled.

  “Cut it out!” said Maggie, lightly smacking me on the arm. She looked behind herself and saw those enormous ranges, tall and imposing, jaggedly carved into the majestic landscape around us. “I mean, yes, it’s beautiful… of course! Do you find yourself slowly becoming unimpressed by all this?” she said in mock
-seriousness. “When everything is amazing, it’s like nothing is amazing!”

  “You’re a dork,” I said, unable to wipe the happy smile off my face.

  “So c’mon,” Maggie said, softening, her hand petting my arm now. “What do you think about me?” The tone was suddenly very intimate, almost serious, but still pleasant and warm and accepting. It felt like an important moment.

  “Maggie,” I said, trying to find the words. “I mean… yeah! I’ve always felt so incredibly close to you. I’ve always thought you were a great person, an admirable person. And you’re gorgeous! Like, seriously. Do you really need me to say it?”

  “Yes,” Maggie said simply. “You don’t think I’m a little runt? You know, because I’m so short?” I laughed tenderly at her.

  “No way,” I said. “I’ve always adored you. If you had come on to me when we were younger, I mean, I probably wouldn’t have done anything about it. But inside… I would have probably been filled with such an intense desire for you. The same as I feel right now.”

  “That’s good to know.” Maggie grinned and scrunched her nose up, causing her sunglasses to lift up slightly.

  “Look,” I said. “I’ve got to tell you. I’m really confused and torn up. This is tough for me. But I’m also really enjoying this liberation. Out here,” I said, spreading my arms out. “I’m just some stranger. Nobody knows me as Dana Cox. I’m just a random person who can hold hands with you and kiss you and nobody knows my past.”

  “Cox,” repeated Maggie, sticking her tongue out. “Girl, you need to change your name back.”

  “Are you ruining my moment of opening up to you?” I said with a skeptical laugh. But it was expected. This was how Maggie and I always interacted. I loved how playful we were together.

  “No, of course not,” she said. “But Cox? Like Dana Dicks. Dana Pen—“

  “Stop!” I said, holding my hand up. “I promise I’ll change my name back soon, despite what a pain in the ass it’ll be.”

  “Your maiden name was so much nicer,” mused Maggie with a wistful smile. “Dana Darling. Because you’re such a darling.”

  “Right,” I said, rolling my eyes.

  “Well, Dana Darling,” Maggie said, continuing on. “I’m glad whatever this is that’s happening between us… I’m glad it’s happening. It’s really making me happy to have this with one of my best friends.”

  “Me too,” I said. I smiled with mounting joy as Maggie and I looked at each other. Then, as though we could read each other’s minds, we both leaned in and kissed.

  After a wonderful moment of silence, we began walking back down the hill and toward the car. I was ready to be back into the air conditioning and I’m sure Maggie was as well.

  “I do have a question for you,” I said as we walked. “What happened between you and Piper that it didn’t work out? You know, so I can try to avoid that fate.” I grinned.

  “Control freak,” Maggie grinned back. “She might seem easygoing, but she’s a bit crazy. Really hot, definitely, but a bit too much for me.”

  “And it’s not going to make anything weird between us?” I asked, gripping onto Maggie’s hand tightly. “You know, what we did with her?”

  “Oh my God, no!” she said. “Are you kidding? Piper is a total fox and I’m glad we got to do that together. Heck, if it hadn’t happened, we might not be here right now.” With that, Maggie held up our knitted hands and smiled at me.

  “You might be right,” I said. Then, simply, I affirmed it all. “Cool.”

  It was overwhelming how happy I was. I felt my eyes well up with tears. Maybe I was just getting crazy from the heat. Or maybe this was what real happiness felt like. Either way, I didn’t think I’d ever feel like this in life. I didn’t know this kind of happiness existed. And I was greedy for more of it.

  “So this is the place,” said the young woman, Mallory was her name, standing there in front of us in tight black yoga pants and a tank top. She had muted auburn hair tumbling down in curated ringlets. Her grin was wide and her teeth were big. “It’s not much but it should be a great home base for your stay in Salt Lake City.”

  “Thanks!” said Maggie brightly, looking around. The entrance to Mallory’s condo put you immediately in the kitchen, which then lead out to a small living room with a small couch. There was no television, but there was a flatscreen aluminum computer to the side of the couch. A staircase off the living room lead upwards to a loft, over the kitchen, where the large bed lived. “I like it. It’s very calming.”

  “I’m a yoga teacher,” said Mallory matter-of-factly. “Oh! I have mats rolled up over against the far wall,” she said, pointing. “The sun comes in through the big window in the morning and it’s a great time to practice.”

  “We’ll keep that in mind,” I said.

  “Also,” continued Mallory as we walked through her condo. “I don’t know if you knew this, but on Sundays in Salt Lake City you can’t buy any alcohol. So I made sure to get you a bottle of wine in case you were looking to relax.” She motioned to the coffee table in the living room, upon which sat the wine, two glasses, and a corkscrew.

  “That’s so super sweet of you,” said Maggie. “We would have had no idea about that law.”

  “Is this your first time doing AirBnB?” asked Mallory.

  “We did it on our way out,” said Maggie. “In Omaha.”

  “Very cool,” said Mallory. “So I’ve just got a little instruction list over there in the kitchen with all the specifics. Feel free to text me with any questions. And really, eat anything you want that I have around. The bananas, especially. And if they go bad while you’re here, don’t feel bad about tossing them. Cool?”

  “Cool,” Maggie and I said together.

  “So are you just friends traveling together or…” said Mallory, looking back and forth between us.

  “Yep,” said Maggie. “Just traveling together. We’re hoping to do some hiking.” I could see the smarmy grin on Maggie’s lips.

  “Oh terrific,” said Mallory. “I left some brochures on the coffee table about all the stuff to do around here. You’re going to have a blast.”

  “Definitely,” said Maggie.

  “So I’m going to take off,” Mallory said, wrapping it all up. “I’ll be staying with my boyfriend. Like I said, just text with any questions.” With that, Mallory handed off the keys to Maggie.

  “Thanks,” said Maggie. “We’re really looking forward to it.”

  After some more pleasantries, Mallory said goodbye and left us standing in her condo with our bags slumped down on the hardwood floor. Maggie and I were both feeling quite exhausted from driving.

  “That wine sounds good,” Maggie said absently.

  “Yeah,” I said. “I’m game.”

  “I’m going to shower first,” she said. “How about you?”

  “I should do that, too,” I said. “I’m feeling pretty sticky.”

  “How about you go first,” Maggie said with a sweet smile. “I’m going to plop down on that couch and close my eyes for a few.”

  I smiled and nodded.

  Once showered, I posted up on the couch in fresh lounge shorts and a tank, eagerly opening the wine bottle to pour myself a glass. I just relaxed into the small two seater couch, feet up on the coffee table, looking through a brochure, sipping my wine. I felt tired but the shower had helped revitalize me. Maggie and I didn’t really have any plans for the evening, probably just a quick run out to some restaurant for dinner, as our real explorations would begin the following day. Being in a new space, in this young woman Mallory’s place, it was a nice feeling. It wasn’t like you were in a hotel. It felt lived in and comfortable.

  As I meditated on how our time in Salt Lake City might go, inspired by the brochures Mallory had left, I heard the bathroom door crack open and I looked to my left. With a smile on her face, Maggie slinked out, her blonde hair darkened from dampness, a cream colored towel wrapped around her short lissome body.

  “Yo
u’re already drinking without me?” she whined, scurrying up to the coffee table. “Pour me one too!”

  “Of course,” I said, grinning up at her. Taking hold of the bottle, I slowly poured her glass full and once I had done so, Maggie quickly snatched it up and took a sip.

  “You better not already be half way through that bottle,” she said. Her face was a beautiful alabaster white, devoid of any makeup. Her eyebrows looked a little thinner, eyes a little less pronounced. But Maggie was stunning, with or without a painted face. My heart beat quickened as I appreciated her prettiness.

  “I was good,” I smirked.

  “Good,” she countered firmly, taking another drink. Holding her towel to her chest with one hand, Maggie leaned down and set her glass back on the coffee table.

  “Not a bad shower, eh?” I said.

  “Good pressure!” said Maggie. “Did you go exploring the house at all while I was in there?”

  “Like riffling through that girl’s stuff?” I asked with a short laugh. “No.”

  “Let’s do it!” said Maggie with a light in her eyes. “It’ll be fun.” Maggie tightened her towel and secured it with a tight fold into itself at her breast and then scurried over to her duffel bag. Picking it up, she motioned for me to follow with her head. Without thinking much more about it, I stood up from the couch and followed Maggie as she ascended the stairs up to the lofted bedroom.

  “This bed is nice and big,” said Maggie as we reached the loft, tilting her head slightly. “Look at all those wicker baskets underneath. I bet that’s her clothes and stuff.”

  “Maggie,” I chastised, following her still as she explored. “We can’t go through her stuff. C’mon.”

  “I’m not going to do anything bad,” countered Maggie with a devilish grin. She got down on her hands and knees next to the bed, looking at the baskets and choosing one to take out. As she did this, the towel she wore inched up her backside and exposed her just slightly. I could make out the subtle curve of her pleat, her fur shower damp, and I suddenly felt an aroused excitement move through me.