Thank god its Friday! Bette exclaimed, slamming the front door and swaggering through the house with a huge grin. Tina poked her head through the back doorway and gave Bette a welcoming grin, Hey, youhurry up and get changed, Alex is gonna be here any minute. Bette made a sharp turn onto the hallway and when she got to the bedroom, she found her outfit already picked out for her and lying on the bed. She chuckled to herself, ripping her clothes off to change quickly; Tina had been beside herself with excitement the entire week, like kids get about going to Disneyland. Just as she was finishing, she heard a loud honking and what sounded like the rumbling engine of a dump truck. She walked to kitchen and stuck her head out the window to see a huge Chevy suburban backing into her driveway with Alex at the wheel and the rest of the crew bouncing in the back seat. Tina laughed at Bettes shocked expression as she explained, Alex knows a guythisll be better than caravanning it the whole way there.

Bette nodded, a quizzical look still plastered to her face. Everyone hopped out of the vehicle to help Tina load even more stuff into the back, but stopped abruptly as Bette approached. Bette looked around herself and then touched her face out of concern, What are you guys looking at? Its justweve NEVER seen you in shorts, Shane said, cocking her head to the side and lifting her sunglasses to get a better look at Bettes perfectly pressed cargo shorts. Bette rolled her eyes and grabbed the cooler from Shanes hands, finishing its trek to the suburban. Once everything was packed, Alex grabbed a bottle of engine oil and started walking toward the front of the van, Okay, you have about ten minutes to think about ANYTHING you guys have forgotten and go get it, because once I get behind the wheel, we are NOT turning back. Alice gave her a sour face, Okay, dad! and climbed into the van, with Tina and Dana following close behind, chuckling. Shane and Bette joined Alex under the hood, watching mesmerized as she poured the viscous golden liquid into some mysterious hole. Bette looked up suddenly, and shoving Shanes shoulder, screamed shot gun! She wrenched the door open and plodded proudly into the cushy seat with a, Oooh, this is nice!

A couple of minutes later everyone was happily settled in the van and as Alex turned on the engine she motioned to Bette, Front seat is navigatortheres a map and directions in the glove compartment. Dana leaned in between the front seats and handed Bette a huge stack of CDs, Front seat is also DJwed prefer an eclectic mix. Bette was momentarily flustered and glanced at Shane quickly, smiling, Maybe I shouldve just let you have it, huh? Shane nodded gravely, then massaged Tinas shoulder as if it were a pillow she was fluffing, and gently placed her head on it. Bette arched an eyebrow and hastily pulled out a CD, stuffing it into the player as Dana and Alices cries for music became more annoying. Turning back to Alex, Bette rattled off the upcoming turns they would need to make and then thumbed through the stack quickly, looking for something slightly more upbeat than Rufus Wainwrights Hallelujah. Alice suddenly, slapped her forehead with an oh, *****!

Alex: (irritated) What?

Alice: I forgot my laptop!

Dana: Why did you wanna bring your laptop?

Bette: ***** I shouldve done that.

Tina: No, you shouldnt have.

Alice: We need to go back.

Shane: Why dont you just try to relax, Alforget about work.

Alex: Listen, to the pretty lady, Alice.

Alice smiled and gestured freely with her hands, I was just kidding, catching Alexs eyes in the rearview mirror, she continued, I just wanted to piss you offtight *****! Alex flipped her off in return and gripped the steering wheel a little tighter as they joined the rest of the weekend travelers on the highway. Bette found a best of Ricky Martin CD and held it up for the women in the back to see it, Whos is this? Alice shook her head and pointed at Dana, Dont look at me; its closeted bisexuals over here. Danas brow wrinkled with mock anger at Alice, but then she turned to Bette with a huge smile, Play number one! Pretty soon, Rickys melodic voice was drowned out by the chorus of slightly tone-deaf women singing the praises of Livin La Vida Loca. Dana was bouncing wildly in her seat, banging her head to the beat of the music; Alice was air-guitaring with her own special flair; Tina and Shane were showing off their flamenco moves, bumping hips in time to the rhythm; Alex tapped happily on the steering wheel, laughing every time she looked in the rearview mirror; and Bette had rolled up the directions to serve as a microphone into which she could sing her heart out.

By the time the CD was over, they were well into their drive; Alice and Dana had dozed off, slouching all over each other and Shane had curled up on the back seat, laying her head down on Tinas lap, while Tina had succumb to sleep as well, her head pressed against the window. Meanwhile, Bette and Alex were talking quietly about med school and modern art in the front with the Indigo Girls wailing softly in the background; the heavy traffic was finally picking up. We might actually make there before nightfall, Alex commented, pointing at the orange sun still high on the horizon. Bette nodded, stretching out into her seat with a little grin. Thanks for coming by the way, it just aint camping with just four people, Alex added after a few beats of silence. Bette smiled warmly in return and started fingering through the stack of CDs as the last song began to fade away. Hey could you grab the one thats in the glove compartment and pop it in, Alex asked shifting in her seat to get more comfortable. Bette looked at the case: it was Toby Lightman and Bette looked at Alex with a questioning expression, Who is this? Shes awesome, was Alexs answer as she held up four fingers.

Bette smiled as the acoustic guitar began slowly, and sat back enjoying the mysterious musicians soulful vocals.

and Im frightened by the love thats in youbut it’s alright

Bette turned around and felt her heart stop abruptly when her eyes immediately met Tinas, who was smiling back at her. Tina blew her a little kiss, and Bette playfully turned her head so that it would land on her cheek. They were both startled by Alice clearing her throat loudly, Arent you guys a little old for that kind of stuff. Alex, shook her head and chimed in, I have to agree with Alice on that one. Tina chuckled good-heartedly, but Bette gave both of them dirty looks as she turned around to face the front again. Dana opened one eye, and lifted her face to look at Alices face, Is this Toby Lightman? Alex gave Dana a thumbs up to answer her question, and Alice started fanning herself with Dana nodding in agreement. Shane sat up, rubbing her eyes as Tina tousled her hair playfully, Are we there yet?

Alex: Damn it, Shane!!

Alice: (whining) Yeah, dad, are we there yetare we thereare we there yet?

Dana: (joining the game) I have to pee!!

Alice: Im thirsty!

Dana: Dad, Alice is sitting too close to me!

Alice: Dad, Dana stuck her tongue out at me!

Dana: Dad, tell Alice to stop touching me!

Alice: Am not!

Dana: Are to!

They carried on for a while longer, until a thoroughly amused Bette noticed the vein bulging in Alexs temple. She turned around, trying to duplicate the infamous mother look as best she could, and pointed an ominous finger at Alice and Dana, You two better cut it out, because you do not want me to come back there! Everyone laughed out loud at Bettes motherly intervention and Alex announced that they would be arriving on the camp grounds in about a half hour. About forty five minutes later they were pulling up to the central office. They all got out to stretch, while they waited for Alex to run into the office and check in. She came back out with a huge grin of triumph on her face. Bette chose to sit in the back with Tina this time, and Alice shoved Shane out of the way to get to the front seat door first. So what are you so smug about, Doogie? Alice asked, pulling on her seat belt. Alex turned to look out the back window as she threw the van in reverse, We just got a huge discount! Why, Shane asked slightly winded from Dana jabbing her in the ribs with an elbow to look at some waddling alongside the van. The guy in the office took one look out the window, and his eyes glazed over, she answered, shifting gears. And thats Dr. Howser, to you, she added to Alice.

I guess its a good thing you wore your shorts, babe, Tina said, wiggling her eyebrows and snuggling closer to Bette. Bette smiled and then caught Alexs eyes in the rearview mirror, Hes not expecting anything in return, is he?

Alex: (shrugging her shoulder) ***** probably just show up tomorrow to check up on us.

Dana: You mean check us out.

Shane: Yeah, you know(looking around the van) I dont blame him.

Alice: Was he cute at least?

Alex: Eh, youre asking the wrong person.

Dana: Yeah, hes all yours, Alwhatever he looks like.

Alice: If hes cute, I will gladly make the sacrifice to save us an extra buck.

Tina: And what if hes got a beer-belly and rotten teeth?

Alice: Then hes all yours, Tina!

Bette: (hugging Tina tighter) I think shes done with men for a while.

Alex: (excitedly) Here we are!

Alex parked the suburban and opened her window, taking in a deep breath with a smile. The area was beautiful, the Sierra Mountains could be seen in the distance with the salmon sky as a backdrop. Their entire reserved area was surrounded by tall trees with a small clearing covered with clumps of grass in middle where several stones were arranged in a circle around a pile of ashes and burnt wood. Just a few yards, the gurgling water of a small creek could be heard. It seemed like they had the entire area to themselves since the camp sites next to them were both vacant. Everyone took a few moments to look around and breathe in the fresh air. Oh godcan we make smores tonight? Dana suddenly asked excitedly