"See that?" Jisoo pointed across the ravine to a fan-shaped deposit of sediments marking a dried riverbed. "It's an alluvial fan."
"What causes that?" Aurora asked with sincere interest.
Lisa fought the urge to roll her eyes. She'd taken the day off, unable to concentrate on much of anything besides the turmoil inside her, and headed up to the mountains at Jisoo's insistence. How the hell she'd let Jisoo talk her into this? she didn't know.
"Generally, a stream drags the sediments with it, depositing them at the bottom," Jisoo explained. "Sometimes a landslide can do it."
"Give it a rest, Jisoo." Lisa used the back of her forearm to wipe the sweat from her forehead.
"Rory likes it," Jisoo said, grinning at Aurora.
"Does she?"
Aurora smiled her way. "Rory does."
"I don't know what the hell's in the Park's gene pool, but whatever it is got passed down to her." Lisa slapped a mosquito that landed on her arm. "Crap! I'm getting eaten alive out here."
Jisoo elbowed Aurora. "Your mama is such a city girl."
They both laughed.
"Enough playing in the dirt today," Lisa announced. "I'm filthy and tired. Let's head back."
"Mama, you're such a party pooper." Aurora caught up with her and grabbed her hand. Lisa slung an arm over her daughter's shoulder as they headed down the path. Behind them, Jisoo continued to shout out geologic markers they passed.
"See what you started?" Lisa mumbled.
Aurora giggled. "Imagine what she's like on a date."
"That's why she doesn't date much."
"What the hell are you two talking about up there?" Jisoo hollered.
"Nothing," Lisa shot back.
"Just the native dating rituals." Aurora giggled again.
"Or lack thereof," Lisa added under her breath.
"You two are a bunch of comedians," Jisoo said. "Just so happens I've got a hot date tonight." She winked at Aurora as they climbed into her Land Rover.
Lisa eyed her across the console. "Who's crazy enough to go out with you?"
"Okay, it's not so much a date as a meeting. But if she's as hot as you say, it could turn into a date."
The rig bounced down the gravel road. Lisa had a sickening feeling as to where this was headed. "Please tell me you aren't seeing Jennie Kim."
Jisoo glanced in the rearview mirror. "Why not?"
Lisa rested her elbow on the window ledge and massaged her aching forehead. "She's got a kid. You don't date people with kids, remember?"
"I like kids. Look at Aurora."
"Aurora's different. Ordinary kids don't give a rip about geology. Besides, I thought you were seeing that archaeologist?"
Jisoo shrugged. "I was. She took off on a dig. Didn't work out."
"Does it ever with you?"
"Hey, now. Don't get all pissy with me just because you're in a bad mood. Maybe Jennie Kim is 'the one'."
Lisa let out a smug huff. "There is no 'one' with you, Jisoo."
"There could be" Jisoo frowned. "Look, if it makes you feel any better, I'm sure, hot or not, she won't go out with me. Not now, at least."
