Chapter 14

The next day, when Carmen arrived at Shane’s apartment with Ernie in tow, Shane was already up. “You told me that Bandit’s owner is returning today?” Shane scooped Ernie up  and Ernie started licking her hand.

“Yeah…my friend Alexis is coming back today.”

“Can I bring him to the beach or something? If you want, you can come along too…” To the beach? She looked at Shane who had held Ernie high up in her hands and was nuzzling his little belly. There was a little twinkle in Shane’s eyes and Carmen knew she was moved. “Okay I’ll go….”

When they reached the beach, Carmen released Ernie from his leash and he trotted merrily on the sand. When they saw his little body getting smaller and smaller in the distance, both of them called out his name. “Ernie!” “Bandit!” They looked at each other and started laughing. Ernie turned to look at both of them with a confused look, wondering which one to listen to, before making up its little mind and running back to Shane’s arms. Carmen looked sideways at Ernie. Even little Ernie was besotted with Shane and Carmen understood why. There was something charismatic about her, and the more Carmen looked at her, the more she was reminded of a placid, tranquil lake with bottomless depths underneath.  Carmen feet were sinking into the porous sand as she walked along the beach. She was lagging behind Shane when Shane turned back to look at her. The wind was blowing her hair into her face and against the perfect backdrop of the azure blue sea and horizon, she was breathtakingly beautiful. Ernie planted his sandy paws on her chest and licked her on the face. She laughed then. A genuine, hearty laugh. Carmen stood there for a long time, admiring the scenery in front of her and mesmerized by the woman in front of her, whose real face she felt she was seeing for the first time.

“Wait for me…Shane” Carmen called out as she took off her sandals.

“Damn you’re slow…” Shane said as she extended out her hand. Carmen looked at her outstretched hand and she lifted her brows at the mischievous glint in Shane’s eyes. Nonetheless, she took it. This was the second time they had held hands, but it was the first time Carmen felt this tingling feeling inside her chest. Suddenly she felt Shane tugging her towards the waves and before Carmen could react, the waves came crashing in, wetting her shorts and shirt. Carmen promptly retaliated by giving Shane a push on the back, and Shane stumbled into the incoming waves. She planted her hands on her hips and glared at Shane whose jeans were wet. There was a guffaw from Shane but when she turned back, there was no trace of amusement on her face. Her eyes were riveted to Carmen’s stomach and when Carmen looked down, she realized the wet shirt had clung to her stomach and the outline of her navel was visible. She tugged at her shirt in consciousness and she turned her attention to Ernie instead.

Shane started walking alone on the shoreline and Carmen knew that whatever she felt towards Shane was more than mere protectiveness. “You love her don’t you Ernie?” Ernie wagged his tail as Carmen ran her fingers down his back. “I know….I know exactly how you feel….” Carmen said in a hushed whisper. When it was time to go back, Ernie was lying contentedly on Carmen’s lap and Shane stroked his fur. There was something oddly erotic about the aristocratic grace of Shane’s fingers running through Ernie. Ernie opened one eye lazily to peer at Shane and then flipped on his back, exposing his little belly. A smile tugged at the corner of Shane’s lips and she scratched his belly. “Yeah, baby boy, I know….I’ll miss you too,”

Carmen looked out at the purplish streaks that ran across the sky. It was already dusk and when the car started moving, it was as though the scenery was moving past Carmen at such a speed that she could not hold onto it even if she wanted it to. The magic of the day was over….but the desire in her heart, had just been awoken.