Jenny opened the front door and walked into the living room.

“Oh *****. You startled me, Carmen” Jenny jumped a step back when she saw Carmen sitting right in the middle of the couch.

“Hi.” Carmen let out a small shy greeting, “I have something to tell you.”

“Oh god… What happened Carmen, are you okay?” Jenny squealed as she registered Carmen’s eyes so red and swollen, and all her makeup smudged.

“You’ve been crying. God.” Jenny quick-steeped towards Carmne and held her head between her palms, pressing it down on her shoulders. She realised that this was really tough for all of them, but she didn’t think Carmen would take it so hard. Wasn’t it obvious that Carmen had the hots for Shane from day 1? Jenny cradled Carmen and rocked her quietly as Carmen succcumbed to another wave of sobs.

“Jenny… I am so sorry for ever hurting you. I really didn’t meant to.”Carmen whispered after her sobs subsided. “I… just couldn’t stand it, watching Shane throw her life away, y’know?” Jenny cradled Carmen’s head in her palms and tilted it up so taht their eyes met. The intensity in Jenny’s eyes met with the confusion in Carmen’s. Yes… Carmen was still very confused, Jenny eased away from Carmen and sat apart from her, knowing that being this close right now wasn’t going o help clear the confused mind. Carmen, initially dissappointed at losing the comfort of embrace, sighed with relief as she realised that Jenny was giving her the space she needed. Jenny always knew how she felt. She turned her head away, unable to face up to the questions in Jenny’s eyes.

“Jenny, I…” Carmen started slowly, trying to find the right words. “I really like being with you. I feel safe. I am very comfortable with you.” Ending the sentence with a silent but, Carmen turned in time to see Jenny wipe a tear away. She jumped knowing that Jenny had misinterpreted her words as a rejection, an end. “Oh! no, no. It’s not like this.” She reached out to touch Jenny, knowing the closeness would reassure both of them, but drew back because it wouldn’t help matters in the long run. She drew her feet up and hugged them, trying instead to draw courage from within.

“I like being with you. But i also asked myself, am i in love with you? and seriously, i don’t know. I don’t know if comfort and ease is Love.” Carmen said wearily as she landed her chin onto her knee. Jenny closed her eyes and lean back deep into the cushions, as if in need of the support.

“Just like… I don’t know if the feeling i have for Shane is Love,” Carmen continued, encouraged by the slight tilt of Jennys head, edging her to go on. “I mean, I know it is really hard to be in the same room as her, but y’know, i was thinking that maybe it is because she is Shane, *****-on-legs Shane.” Jenny smiled at Carmen’s weak attempt at humor. “I don’t want to be just one of the many girls that is after Shane of the pleasure that she can provide. That is not what I want in a relationship. That is not Love.”

“Sometimes… Love isn’t just about want and need. Love isn’t something you know, or something you want made happen. It just comes from that spot hidden away somewhere down here.” Jenny answered quietly, pressing one hand inthe middle of her chest, and the other on Carmen’s. Jenny knew her heart. Now it was up to Carmen to find hers.

“That is the thing. I don’t know, I mean… I know that if i ever get with Shane, I will still think of you. That if i saw you with anyone else, I would still bleed inside. I know i will never be happy if I lose you.” Carmen exclaimed in exasperation. Punching her hands into her lap, as if to punish herself. Jenny shrieked and tried to grab holdof her hands. Failing to be quicker then Carmen, she launched herself and embraced Carmen in an attempt to calm her down.

“Shh, shh, it’s okay, its all gonna be alright. You are not going to lose me, we’ll be really great friends.” Carmen grew quiet in the comforting hug. The familiar rub on her back helped ease off the tension. Jenny kneeled up on the sofa to make both of them more comfortable in the embrace. They rocked together silently.

So absorbed in the moment, they did not hear Shane coming through the door. Shane stared at the sight in the living room, of Jenny kneeling on the couch, hugging and rocking Carmen who had her head nestled in her chest, her hands going up and down her back in a reassuring movement. Stunned, the keys in Shane’s hands slided down and landed on the floor with a ‘thub’, startling all three of them. Jenny shot a look up, setting her wide eyes on the intruder; Carmen looked over, but turned away immediately, not able to face anyone at the moment. Shane just stood there, open-jawed and staring, trying to comprehend what was going on.

Move Shane, move, get out of here. Shane made a mental plea to herself, not trusting herself to handle the situation now.

“I’m… I’m sorry, I will come back later.”





——-


Live in the moment, and let the moment encompass you.