———————-

Carmen collected her bag and she saw that Jenny’s stuff were still thrown all over the driveway. She picked up the stuff silently and left them at the doorway, not wanting to enter the house again. She turned just in time to catch someone staring at her.

“Hey, Tina…”

——————————————–

“Hey, Tina” Carmen attempted weakly, hoping that Tina wouldn’t question her unheveled look. She hoped wrong.

“Oh god, Carmen, what happened.” Tina’s first instinct was to ask, but sheknew the answer immediately and walked over to give Carmen a hug.

“I… well was in a discussion with Shane.” Tina smiled down at Carmen and gave her another reassuring hug.

“Well, come with me to my apartment and we will get you cleaned up. And then some.” Tina offered, knowing Carmen was in need of a friend.

“No… I can’t, I… well.. have to go to work, Kit is expecting me soon.” Carmen rejected politely, unsure of the friendship Tina was offering. Tina was after all Shane’s friend, and she didn’t want Tina to be in a spot.

“Oh bull, let me make you a deal, you come over my place and keep this pregnant sow company while i pack some stuff and I will drive you to the planet.” Tina insisted, not wanting Carmen to be alone. Without so much of a warning, Tina took the hand of Carmen and led her towards her car, parked at Bette’s driveway.

————————————

Shane sat at the podium of the backyard. Her third ciggarette burnt it’s last and she stubbed it out into the emptied can of beer. She was smoking and drinking, but she was also thnking, of nothing in particular, the only coherent thoughts was of Carmen’s face.

She had washed off her face after Jenny went back to her room to rest. And not knowing what to do, she decided that fresh air was good. But the humid air in the backyard, left over by the afternoon’s killer sun was not refreshing, and it didn’t help her much. She picked her ciggarette box and took another stick, staring at it absentmindedly, unaware of someone walking up towards her.

“Hey, you” Bette called out, a big goofy grin deep set on her face.