#rivervale_lodge

"Mountain?" Gerd looks around for him!

"Oh Mountain" She peeks in the kitchen

"Mm?" he's got a mouthful of a dagwood.... but he looks up. And chews.

"A dagwood? Wow, that's a classic" She does study food, the better to fight her eating disorder

"is this a bad time? To talk?" She asks

He chews..... chews.... swallows....

And takes a drink of cider.

Clears his throat. "No. What can I do for you?"

"It's about our trip. I was wondering if, assuming Dagmar's okay with it, if Connor could come along?"

No beard movement.

No beard movement for her either. Though, there's more than one reason for that

"HE asked, and I don't think it's a prank. Hes got a normal seeming now. I think he wants to see part of the world as a boy"

Frank puts his sandwich down and takes a drink of cider.

Gerd waits patiently

"Gerd, will you join me? Can I get you food or drink?"

"Why does this sound like a prelude to 'the talk'... or at least 'a talk'?" She smiles though "I'll get something" She pours herself a drink, tea, and then takes an apple.

Frank settles in, waiting. He's good at that.

Soon, she has joined him

And, between sips and crunches, waits expectantly

"There's a part of OT... Over the road work that I haven't brought up til now. Figured there was time but... well. "

"Okay... forgive my ignorance but I don't know what that means exactly. Does it mean connor can't go?"

"Not necessarily."

"What I wanted to talk to you about was... well."

He visibly steels himself.

"OTR is... demanding. There are time deadlines required by the companies that employ drivers, that are regulated by the government. The mortal government."

"A driver might make his ... or her... own schedule within that but... must -meet- that."

He takes a sip.

"Please imagine for a moment you're one of those mortal drivers."

She's listening

"You get a rest break. You pull into a truck stop, do your paperwork and maintenance as needed. You might have a situation where you get a shower and a hot meal, or maybe a sandwich or cab-cooked meal and your bunk."

"With me so far?"

"Sounds like roughing it, and no time for sight seeing" She nods

Frank nods. "I often chose, years ago, to stretch out rough in the highway brush. For more than one reason."

"Because as generous as she has become, my Rig is bound, in some ways."

"So... you're a mortal trucker. You get a shower and a hot. You're going back to your rig to sleep."

Frank levels his gaze on Gerd. "And another trucker walks in with an attractive teen at his side."

"Not a problem. I'm clearly your niece. I got one uncle, I can use another"

"There are a lot of uncle's nieces in the truck lots out there, Gerd. You're worldly enough to know what I mean."

"How about I cut my hair , dress in boy's clothes? " an offer

"And Connor?" quietly. He doesn't LIKE this.

"Okay, so you have two nephews? I mean, there's worldly but surely not EVERYONE is going to assume the worst? "

Frank takes a drink of cider.

"Gerd."

"I'm taking this as a very round about no, is that right?" Patiently.

"Do you think everyone on the road likes girls?"

"No I'm not that naive, but ... " A sigh "if you don't want us along, just say so. "

"Do you want to come over the road?"

"I was hoping to on the trip yes. " She admits

"You want to bring Connor?"

"Yes." She nods