After lunch, Carmen and Anna strolled along the carpark towards the car, chatting casually about Anna’s plans to return to school. Just before Carmen opened the door to the passenger seat, her phone rang. Carmen smiled knowingly as she had been expecting Shane’s call.

 “Hey baby.”

 “Hey peach. How are you feeling?” Shane’s pleasant voice came through the receiver.

 “Aching, but I’m fine. Will you be home when I get there?”

“Oh… Sorry, you have gotta wait a little while longer. Alice is not feeling so good and I am Aunt Agony.” Shane lied. In actual fact, she was already home. Making preparations for Carmen’s return.

“Awww, okay then. I am on my way home now. Hurry back, cause I miss you.”

—————

After Shane hung up the phone, she glanced sideways to the clock on the wall. 3.15pm. she had approximately 25mins before Carmen arrives home. Time to get things a-kicking.

—————-

As Carmen got into the car, Anna started the engine.

“Shane gonna be home when we get there?”

“No.”

 “Darn.”

As Anna pulled up at the house, Carmen gave her little sister a tight hug and a kiss on the cheeks, and made a move to get out of the car. Anna stopped her, putting a hand on her arm.

“You sure you will be fine? Alone at home I mean.”

“Anna, this is not the first time I am home alone. I am not a kid.”

“I didn’t mean it like that.” Anna pouted, “I am just saying that you just came out from Radiation Therapy. Shouldn’t someone be here for you?”

“Oh. Sorry dearie.” Carmen felt bad snapping at Anna, and embraced her sister hard again. “Don’t worry. I will be fine. I am just going to pop my pills and then take a nap, and by evening everything will be fine.”

Frowning, Anna decided to relent anyway. “Okay then, you take care. You hear? Just call me or Momma if you need anything.”

 “I promise.” Carmen placed a final loving kiss on her sister’s cheek and got out of the car. She waited for the car to disappear at a cross-junction before turning and heading towards the door.