We met them at breakfast in the lodge up the highway from some of our favorite spots and enjoyed talking with them so much that we decided to include them in our planned hike. I really liked Clarice right from the start. She was pretty but relaxed about it, her make-up was either very light or nonexistent and her hair was brushed but not 'done', giving her that old Farrah Faucet-Majors 'just-climbed-out-of-bed' look. Dressed in tan shorts that revealed short and stocky, but well-developed legs, a plain cotton shirt and well-used hiking boots, she was the picture of 'Ms. Outdoors'. I was dressed almost exactly the same way and perceived her to be a true outdoors woman like myself, not a ‘flatlander’ pretending to love the mountains.
Steven, likewise, appeared to take a liking to Malcolm, a black man of medium build and a quick smile. And, this was good: Steven was raised in the Deep South and I thought he may have learned and kept prejudices I certainly didn't have. But, like the southern accent, Steven appeared to have shed both (if he ever had either!). We all talked over fresh toast, bacon, sausages, juice and coffee like we'd known each other for years.
Clarice and her boyfriend had stayed in the lodge overnight and were just sightseeing for the day before their return trip to Bakersfield ("The best place to get away from in California!" she'd said). Steven and I were out for a short hike and maybe a little easy climbing. Since getting married almost 5 years ago, we'd managed to get away on quick trips like this at least twice a month and both of us had come to needing the time outdoors.
Finishing breakfast, Clarice and I went to the restroom and discovered (only after we were both looked inside) that it was designed for only one occupant. We looked at each other, shrugged with mutual smiles and went in together.
"You first," she said, turning to the mirror and opening her small fanny-pack.
"Your boyfriend is a really nice guy. How did you meet him?" I said, conversationally.
"I think you mean, 'How did I get involved with a black man,' don't you?" Clarice said easily.
I was already peeing when she spoke but that stopped it faster than I could have if dead Elvis had just walked in. Clarice noticed and laughed.
"Look, it's OK! I only said that because I saw you looking at him then at me all through breakfast. Am I right, Kendel?"
"Ok, you're right; I didn't think it was that obvious. I meant no offense and I am happy with Steven, but I was wondering!"
"I like your honesty, girl! Malcolm and I met through a newspaper ad I put in the personals: 'short, blonde Star Wars fan seeking intimate experience on the dark side. Use the force and let's watch the movie, (or make a new one!)'".
I saw in the mirror that my mouth was hanging open and Clarice turned and leaned close to me face, saying,
"And, boy, oh boy, he used 'the force' on me!" We both raised right hands and smacked them together, laughing. Someone outside knocked on the door and I finished and got up.
While I was pretending to study my face in the mirror, she sat down and said,
"I don't know if we will stay together much longer; we made an agreement at the start that we would see about it after a few months. I like him well enough but I'm not sure he's what I want out of the bed! In the meantime, though, we are having a... 'deep understanding'!"
Still laughing, we rejoined the men (also laughing between themselves) and decided to drive up the road a bit together and hike beyond Twin Bridges. I sat in back automatically, beside Clarice and behind Malcolm. Steven smiled at me in the rearview mirror and when Clarice elbowed me, we both giggled. Both men turned around, looked at us, looked at each other and shook their heads causing all four of us to laugh as we drove out of the lodge's parking lot.
We found a popular spot to hike and/or climb a small waterfall and got out of the car. Malcolm looked dubious but Steven assured him that it wasn't as hard as it looked. He did not look all that reassured but Clarice was itching to go. Steven offered to give Malcolm some pointers and Clarice went to Malcolm and said,
"Why don't Kendel and I go up first? We can all meet at the top in a hour or so, or if it doesn't look like you'll be comfortable with the climb, we'll come back down and we'll all go someplace else?"
Malcolm looked relieved immediately, gave her a nice kiss (while Steven gave me the same), and Clarice and I started towards the hill.
"That was a little risky on the fragile male ego, Clarice."
