Her feet felt like lead. Every step she took was harder than the last.  She stopped in the middle of the street.  I cant face her.  I know shes read the note by now.  What could I possible say to her?   She turned back towards her car.  The damage is done. As usual I screwed up again.  Thats what my stepfather would say.  He thinks he knows me so well.  Well, congratulations Dad. You were right.  Shane pulled the keys out of her pocket, determined not to look back.  Inside her jeep, she started the car and pulled away from the parking lot.

Inside the church, everyone was frantically running over each other trying to give Carmen space – breathing room.  Her mother, closest to her face, tried shaking her.  Carmen? Carmen wake up!  Someone call an ambulance!  Mercedes screamed to no one in particular.  Hysterical, she placed a jacket that she snatched from someone in the pew under Carmens head when she felt her starting to stir. 

Carmen?  Carmencita Can you hear me? 

Was that Shanes voice? Carmen slowly opened her eyelids, trying to focus on who was standing over her.  Shane?  Carmen spoke in barely above a whisper.  Sympathetic looks were exchanged between Alice and Bette as they looked down on Carmen, hearts breaking for what she must be going through.  When Carmen first starting falling, they were immediately at her side – the note slipping from her grip as she hit the floor.  Alice quickly scanned the note as everyone else had rushed to see how they could help.  She relayed to Bette the contents of the letter and as they stood over Carmen, they both tried to think of words to somehow pacify the situation. Unfortunately, those words never came as they instantly rushed to help Mercedes lift Carmen into the nearest pew. 

What happened? Carmen asked.  You fainted honey, answered Mercedes. 

Oh was all Carmen could muster when she realized that what she hoped to be a dream all of a sudden became a clear reality.  I need to know what happened Carmen, what did the note say? Mercedes insisted. 

We should probably get her something to drink and let her come to her senses before we start asking questions Ms. Morales Bette interjected.  In Bettes mind, she could see the embarrassed look on Carmens face. She knew that expression all to well as she herself was no stranger to feeling like the wind had been knocked from you when life through you an unexpected curve ball.