"Good morning, Ashley," the voice said over her smart speaker alarm clock, "today is Wednesday, July 10, the time is Four AM."
"Alexa, shut up," Ashley mumbled in the general direction of her alarm. But not understanding the words "shut up" the device continued talking, giving Ashley a weather report.
But Ashley was now fully awake as she made her way to the shared bathroom. At the sink brushing her teeth, was Aurora, still wearing only her panties.
"Good morning, sunshine," Aurora said as she spit into the sink.
Ashley resisted the temptation to shoot back a snarky reply and sat down on the toilet to pee. Aurora rinsed with mouthwash then exited the bathroom, returning to her room to dress and finalize her packing.
Dressed and packed, they each grabbed some juice and fruit for a quick breakfast then were out the door to the public transit station nearby. They planned to ride transit from Boylston to Logan International, arriving with time to spare, and grab a more filling meal prior to boarding. Ashley and Aurora pulled wheeled suitcases behind them down the quiet pre-dawn sidewalks, arriving at the transit station ready for the first bus of the day. They paid their fares and hopped on the bus.
Though both wanted to cherish every second of their adventure, none of what transpired was worth reporting here, so suffice it to say that Ashley and Aurora eventually found their way onto the plane and settled in for their cross-country journey to San Francisco. The first leg was a short flight to New York and once back on board the plane that flew to SFO, they chatted quietly amongst themselves, drifted off to sleep, and passed the time.
Aurora had the window seat and looked down upon farms, rivers, and eventually mountains. She'd never been to the west coast before and had failed to fully appreciate just how vast the USA was. It was one thing to look at a map, but quite another to observe it from eight miles high. Magnificent as it was, Aurora glanced over towards her friend only to see her napping, so Aurora decided to do the same.
Both girls slept, though neither could say they had a deep, restful slumber. The rocking of the plane and the brightness of the ambient light was enough to return the sleeping travelers back to states of alertness, so Aurora contented herself with playing the game of guessing the location from above. Ashley found herself gazing out the window and stealing glances of Aurora's shoulders. As she slouched in her seat looking out the window, Aurora's tee top pooched outwards away from her chest. Ashely saw nothing but bare skin as she looked more closely at her unaware companion; it was plainly evident that Aurora had not bothered with a bra. Ashley couldn't see Aurora's full breast, but she noticed the gentle swell of her skin as it transitioned from chest to breast. She wasn't sure why that suddenly she wished she could see more, but then she quickly dismissed her thoughts as a mountain came into view out the window. But after the mountain passed, she stole another glance at Aurora's bare shoulder.
The plane had been flying all day, but when the pilot announced the local time, it was not quite noon. After the pilot said his message, the airplane began its descent flying out briefly over the ocean as they made their final approach.
Once landed, Ashley turned her phone back on and saw the text from her mother that she had parked in a domestic flight parking garage and was already waiting for them at the designated meeting point, though it would still be at least fifteen minutes before the passengers could disembark.
"Ashley!" Claire called out to her daughter as soon as she saw her making her way towards the meeting point.
"Mom!" a smiling Ashley replied as mother and daughter embraced. Ashley noticed a one or two more wrinkles on her mom's face and a few more visible neck muscles, but despite the steady progress of the aging process, Claire still emitted a radiant beauty. Her mom's hair also had more gray streaks than she remembered.
"Please don't grow old, mom, I need you,"
she thought as the embrace tightened.
"Welcome home, my baby," Claire said as she squeezed Ashley even tighter. She was careful what she said, not wanting to upset Ashley with reminders of the divorce.
Aurora felt a little out of place at the mini family reunion but then Claire welcomed her and reached to include Aurora as her hug became a group hug.
"Aurora, it's so nice to see you again, you're looking as gorgeous as ever." Aurora blushed at the compliment.
Ashley and Aurora had one checked suitcase apiece, so they waited until the baggage began sliding down the conveyor and onto the carousel. Once they had suitcases and carry-ons they made their way to Claire's car, and they left the terminal. Knowing they'd be right back at SFO the next day for their flight to Eureka, Claire booked a room nearby, which would also allow the weary travelers a chance to deal with the three-hour time difference. There were still a couple of hours until check-in, but lunch and a stop at Seal Point Park provided a relaxing diversion for Claire and Ashley to catch up and for Aurora and Claire to become better acquainted.
Once at the hotel, Claire and Ashley took advantage of the pool while Aurora rested in the room. Eventually Aurora made her way to the pool and the three women made plans for dinner. None wanted to take on any more activities given that they'd all be on a flight tomorrow, so after dinner they visited the exercise room to work out tired leg muscles, then returned to the pool. By 10:00 PM they were back in their room.
The room had two double beds. Claire suggested Ashley and Aurora sleep together while she took the other bed for herself.
"Mom," Ashley began, "maybe Ror would rather sleep alone."
"I don't think you'll want to sleep with me," Claire replied.
"Why, mom?" Ashley asked, "do you have cooties or something?"
"Or something," Claire said.
"Well, I claim the shower first," Aurora interjected, "and you two can work out the details. I really don't care how we sleep."
Aurora showered, followed by Ashley then finally Claire.
"You sure you don't want to sleep with me?" Ashley asked once again as Claire emerged from the shower in her robe.
"I'm sure, now stop arguing with your mother."