here’s another quick one…  Shane & Harmon join the Morales’ for dinner…

Chapter 11

Shane walked in as the rest of the family was already seated at the table.  Carmen’s 3 older sisters, Ana, Maria and Selma.  Her cousin Carlos that threw her out of the yard also sat there eyeing the lanky girl. And 2 other guys.  Shane knew that they must be Carmen’s cousins also, but couldn’t quite remember their names.  Carmen’s brother Lucas, 2 of Carmen’s aunts, Mercedes and Harmon.  Shane felt so nervous, uncomfortable and a bit frightened.  Okay, she was shitting bricks.  They were conversing with one another, but silenced quickly when they saw Shane enter.

“Hi.”  Shane said very low and offered a weak smile.  Carmen looked at her apologetically rubbing her arm for reassurance.  She grabbed Shane’s arm and guided her to her seat.  Carmen took a seat next to her mother on her left.  Harmon on the other side which left him to sit in between Carmen and Shane.  Shane sat right next to Ana, who sat next to Maria, who sat next to lucas and then Selma who sat next to the one of the aunts who sat next to the other two cousins followed by Carlos and then the other aunt who sat on the right of Mercedes.

“Shane.  How are you?”  Shane looked up shocked to see Carlos speaking to her.

“I…I’m good.  You?”

“I’m fine…  I’m fine.”  He said as Carmen shot him a look.

“Carlos.  Leave Shane alone!”  Carlos looked at her innocently, but the latina knew what her cousin was doing.  “Mami, can we eat now?  Please?”

“Sure.. sure.. We say grace first.”  Shane, Carmen and the rest nodded as they all bowed their heads waiting for the older Latina to begin.  Mercedes cleared her throat, “Ahm… Shane?  You say grace.”

Shane’s face shot up immediately as did Carmen’s.  Shane looked back and forth between Carmen and Mercedes and the rest of the group.  Carlos of course having a smirk on his face and one of the aunts leaning over and popping him upside his head.  “Uh.. no.. no.. it’s okay.. I uh..”

“Shane.  You say grace now before the food gets cold.”  Mercedes said sternly without even looking up.  Carmen once again looking at Shane apologetically and mouthing ‘sorry’ to the lanky girl.