Shane sat in the car fiddling with her keys, she could see the balloons and banner from the parking lot. She needed a smoke to calm her nerves but thought against it when she realized that it was a party for a five year old. She didn’t want to go through this again, the mess of nerves that entangled her intestines, or the worry of what they would think of her. She was tempted to just start the car and leave when she felt that familiar hand on her arm, giving her what she needed.

     Carmen was wearing a simple white sundress that looked perfect on her; her hair was pushed back out of her face. She was smiling the smile she had the day Shane had meet her family, only this time it Shane’s family they were meeting.

   “Are you ready to go?” she went to grab the present from the back seat, making it obvious that they were going.

   “…” Carmen could only smile at the look of fear on Shane’s face, she was freaking out.

   “Well then let’s go,” she opened the door and started to walk over to the party.

     She stopped and turned to look back at Shane who was just sitting in the car. She got out after a few minutes, her arm snaking its way around Carmen’s waist. She lent down for a quick kiss, before they went over. It was a pink nightmare, complete with a clown Shane just stared at all the decorations of princesses and felt like she was going to be sick.

   “Who’s the party for again?” Carmen asked as she waved at Torrence.

   “It’s for her husband’s brother’s daughter.”

     They were meet by Torrance who ran towards them; she went to pull Carmen into a quick hug. She hesitated when she went to hug Shane; they just stared at each other looking for something to say.

   “So did you guys make it okay? I know it’s a crazy drive to make down here, what with traffic and all.” She was just as nervous as Shane was. “Well I guess you’ll want to meet everyone… so where is Shay?”

     She led them over to the picnic table that was covered in a bright pink table clothe and food that five year olds loved. That just happened to be what Shane ate most of the time, Shane could feel the eyes on her and Carmen as they got closer to the group.