Perfumed Secrets | Kurt Cobain

It turns out California is more than just a state of mind

The gentle breeze from the open balcony door rustled the curtains and carried the salty scent of the ocean into the room. Faye blinked, she still had his arm wrapped around her. The comfort of his embrace was a peaceful start to her day. Still in the same red dress from the previous night, she slipped out of bed, careful not to disturb his sleep, and padded across the cool, marble floor to the bathroom, turning on the shower. She closed her eyes, letting the steam renew her. She then picked out a beach-friendly outfit: a light, flowy sundress paired with sandals. She waited for him to wake up so she wouldn't be exactly alone with her family. She wasn't that confident.

By the pool, Marie and John were enjoying a leisurely breakfast. The table was lavishly spread with a variety of delectable options: freshly baked croissants, flaky pastries, an assortment of fruit, yogurt, and honey-drizzled granola. There were also stacks of fluffy pancakes with syrup and berries, crispy bacon, and eggs cooked to order. The aroma of fresh coffee mingled with the scent of breakfast foods, creating a welcoming and appetizing atmosphere.

"Hi, you two," Marie greeted them as they approached. "Did you rest well?"

Faye nodded, her eyes bright. "We did. Thank you. The house is just lovely, and I haven't had that much fun in a while."

John smiled, saying, "Glad to hear you enjoyed it. We're happy to have you here."

"Sad thing I have to go back to Seattle first thing tomorrow morning."

Marie waved her hand dismissively. "Don't worry about it. You can always join us again in the summer if you'd like."

The calm of the morning was soothing, the surprisingly esasy conversation and delicious food added a light tone for the day. Faye spotted little Olive returning from the beach with the nanny. The girl's blonde hair was windswept, her cheeks pink from running along the shore.

Without hesitation, she darted toward the table and made a beeline for Faye. "Come to the beach with me!" she begged, her eyes wide with excitement.

John chuckled, shaking his head. "Olive, let your sister finish her breakfast."

But Faye smiled, placing her napkin on the table. "It's fine," she said, feeling a growing fondness for her little sister. Olive leaned in close and whispered something into Faye's ear, glancing shyly at Kurt. Faye couldn't help but laugh softly, covering her mouth.

"What did she say?" Kurt asked with a bemused smile.

"Nothing important," she teased. "I'll be right back. I just need to grab my camera."

She excused herself, slipping back upstairs to retrieve her Polaroid. When she returned, she found Kurt and Olive already waiting by the pool, the young girl practically bouncing on her feet with impatience. Together, the three of them made their way to the beach.

The scene was serene—white sand stretching out for miles, the gentle roar of the ocean waves providing a calming soundtrack. Faye felt at ease as she walked alongside Olive, her sister's tiny hand clutching hers. Somehow, this was easy, light. She hadn't expected to bond so quickly, but here they were, things were naturally okay. She snapped a few photos of Olive running along the shoreline, her laughter bright and infectious. Kurt was a few paces behind, watching the two sisters interact. His presence was comforting, grounding.

After a while, Faye and Kurt stood back, watching Olive build a little mound of sand with her hands. Kurt's voice cut through the sound of the waves. "I'm proud of you, you know."

"For what?"

He didn't elaborate, just widened his smile and nodded toward Olive. Then, before she could press him further, he ran toward the little girl, swooping her up in his arms and lifting her into the air. Olive squealed with delight, her giggles echoing across the beach. Faye grinned, bringing the camera up to her face and snapping another shot. The moment felt light and real, a rare glimpse of pure joy she wanted to hold onto.