The morning came and with it Arizona's doubt whether she should set things clear with Mel and state that they should only be friends or if she should just let it go of her fears and let things happen naturally. Right now, the only thing she was sure of was her need of caffeine.
She managed to change her flight back to NYC for the next morning and chose a casual and comfortable outfit for the roadtrip to Oregon. It was ages since she'd been at this Estate and she was actually excited to go back there.
Before 8am, Mel was already downstairs with her car packed up, waiting for Arizona. She was highly excited to show her current home to her new friend, and – who knows – the woman she was developing an interest in.
"Good morning, Dr. López. You look like you're very excited for such an early hour" – Arizona chuckled, seeing Mel singing inside her car to what it looked like a special roadtrip playlist.
"I am, indeed. I'm very excited to get on the road and show you a little bit of my life" – Mel smiled. Her smile was sweet and warm.
"Let's go, then. But first, and most important, happy birthday! And I need coffee. I mean, if you want me to be a good company" – Arizona chuckled, making Mel smile again.
"You're already a good company for me. And I took care of it already. I've imagined you would want some coffee before we hit the road" – Mel handed her a cup of coffee she bought before Arizona arrived.
"You're perfect, I must say" – Arizona said, overly happy with her coffee.
"I'll remember that" – Mel teased.
They were having a great time singing all the songs Mel had chosen, looking like they were friends for a long time. Definitely didn't seem like they had known each other for just a few days. Mel was such a light and free spirit, and reminded Arizona of herself that age.
Arizona decided to dive in that trip and really get to know Mel.
"Tell me more about you" – Arizona asked.
"What do you want to know?" – Mel asked, interested.
"Anything. You said you wanted me to know you better, so c'mon, spill it out" – Arizona teased.
"Well, I am a morning person, as you could see today. I am passionate about medicine and I am a dog person" – Mel said.
"Oh, a dog person? Do you have a dog?" – Arizona asked.
"I do, in Mexico. His name is Puppo, take a look" – Mel handed Arizona her phone, with a gallery filled with her dog's pictures.
"He looks adorable. Don't you want to bring him to US?" – Arizona asked.
"Definitely. But I knew Portland was an in-between jobs, so I'm waiting to have my life defined to bring him. For now, my brother is looking after him" – Mel explained.
"Are you close to your sibilings? And your parents?" – Arizona asked.
"My brother is like my soulmate. We're very close and it hurts me so much to live away from him. My sister and I, on the other hand, let's say we have a lot of issues. She's very conservative and bossy. We do not get along. And my parents, well… it's complicated" – Mel didn't say much.
"Why? If you don't mind sharing" – Arizona insisted.
"I'm close to my dad, but he's all about the family business and that gets in the middle of our relationship every now and then. My mom is a high-society lady with no other concerns other than keep the family name clean and shining. You can only imagine what it was like for her to know I'm gay" – Mel chuckled.
"Ouch. I suppose not so good" – Arizona said, sympathetic.
"Indeed. That's one of the reasons I wanted to be out of the family business. I couldn't bear to give up on my life and happiness to please them" – Mel explained – "And what about you? Do you have a good relationship with your parents?"
"I do, actually. We are very close to each other. My father is a US Marine colonel, so we've moved a lot when I was growing up. I only had my family to hold on to, so that made us even closer. My process of getting out of the closet was easier than the most, I suppose" – Arizona explained.
"And do you have any brothers and sisters?" – Mel asked, no clue the answer was going to be sad.
"I had a brother. Timothy. He died at war" – Arizona said, looking out at the window on her side of the car.
"Gosh. I'm so sorry" – Mel didn't know what to say after that.
"It's ok. We were super close like you and your brother, so you can imagine how hard it was on me when he died. I miss him every day" – Arizona was emotional and Mel decided to change the course of the conversation.
"I can't begin to imagine. I'm really sorry. Let's talk about something else, then? It's your turn now. Tell me what your favorite thing in the world is" – Mel asked.
"My daughter" – Arizona smiled.
"I said thing! Not a person" – Mel teased.
"I want to say coffee…?" – Arizona chuckled.
"Well, that's a good thing. Mine is smell" – Mel said, making Arizona look at her confused.
"How so?" – Arizona asked.
"Well, I love smells. Specially people's smell. Like… that thing it's someone's scent. Not their perfume, but their naturally smell. That is my favorite thing in the world"