“It’s time Shane.” I knew Shane wasn’t going to like it but we had to go.

“No.” I heard Shane say from under the covers.

“Yes, Shane. It’s time.”

“I don’t want to.”

“Yes. Wake up, its time to get up and get ready to go to my mom’s.”

“But what if she hates me?”

“She doesn’t hate you. Now get up and get dressed. We are leaving in half an hour.” I walked out of the room to finish getting ready myself.

—————————————————————————————————————————————

After getting dressed reluctantly, I was driving to Carmen’s mom’s house. This is the first time I am going to see her after Canada. Carmen had told her we were back together and living together. Carmen didn’t say much about her mom’s reaction, but I don’t know if that meant it was a good thing or a bad thing.

“We’re here Shane.” I hadn’t even realized that I had driven us there already.

“Carmen, is your whole family going to be there?”

“Yes Shane. It’s Sunday afternoon. That means that there is a family dinner going on.”

“Carm, I don’t want to go in there with your whole family staring at me and hating me.”

“It’s fine Shane. Everything is going to be just fine.” Before I could say another word Carmen was out of the car and waiting for me to walk in. I got out and walked around to Carmen. She grabbed my hand and we headed to the door. Carmen opened the door and we walked in. Something was different about today. There was no noise, there were little children running around and there weren’t tons of people standing around talking and drinking.

“Mama?” Carmen called.

“In the kitchen.” We heard her call.

“Hi Mama. Where is everyone?” Carmen walked up to her and gave her a quick hug.

“Not here. Hello Shane.”

“Hello Mrs. Morales.” I didn’t know if it was ok to still call her Mercedes.

“Mama, where is everyone?” Carmen asked again.

“I told them not to come. I said that I needed to have a little meeting with you and Shane.”

“Ok?” Carmen said.

“Let’s go. We are going out to dinner.” Mrs. Morales said and she headed towards to door.