Days had passed while Shane and Carmen had both
spent hours together. Still in between the time they had together,
neither of them admitted to their feelings. Carmen felt trapped. Was it
time to ask her where they stood? But she gave up thinking about it
knowing she would convince herself that it wasn’t the right time. What
she had with Shane was good and it was better than nothing.

     After a long weekend, Carmen made her way home
thinking about Shane as soon as she left her door. Pulling up to her
drive way she noticed a familiar car but couldn’t remember whose it
belonged too. Entering her house, she placed her bag on the side and
made her way to the kitchen where her mother was laughing. When she got
into the kitchen, her mother had a huge smile that extended to her
eyes. She noticed an old friend and was taken by surprise. It was
Freddy her childhood love. She knew her mother would be ecstatic hoping
that their past would soon reunite something in the present and perhaps
their future. Freddy stood up and took a moment to take in Carmen.
Carmen smiled and made her way to him and gave him a good hug. The kind
that only good friends could give. He was tall, handsome, and well
groomed. But even as he stood in her presence she remained with Shane
on her mind. Was here just to visit? She had hoped so. There was no way
Carmen was ready for any of this stuff he might pull. But something
sympathized within her. This was her first love. It started as puppy
love when they were kids but grew into a love that was unconditional.
She questioned the unconditional part, after all they had broken up
before they graduated. It was like the first time you saw your ex after
a long time and you couldn’t help but smile. It felt like a smile that
was full of memories and good times. It had been a couple of years
since the last time she had seen him but she was grateful that he had
visited.   
 ”What are you doing here?”
 ”Is that anyway to treat an old friend?”
 ”Shut up Freddy, you know what I mean.” She playfully hit his
shoulder. She turned to see her mother staring at her knowing exactly
what she was thinking. Mercedes loved Freddy like her own son and when
they had broken up she took it harder than she did. Soon after they had
broken up Freddy moved out of town and tried to start his own career as
a music artist. She remembered the nights where he used to sing to her
with his guitar. Those nights were beautiful. Kind of like the nights
she had been having with Shane.
“I thought I’d stop and visit you guys since I was in town. I had a
little gig down here and was looking for some good party spots. And who
else would I go to?” He smiled and stared at her waiting for a reply.