“Oh, right. Sorry.” She motioned for Carmen to sit down at the table she had been at. She complied and Kit continued, “I need you to keep DJ’ing at the Planet.”

 Carmen shook her head, “You know I would do almost anything to help you, Kit, but you know I can’t do that.”

“Look, I’m not asking you for much, but I haven’t been able to find anyone that can DJ as well as you. But that’s not the only reason I need you here. You’re really good at dealing with customers. Something I’m gonna need in a manager.”

“What?” Carmen asked, looking around and chuckling as if her friend were pulling some kind of prank.

“It would only be for a week. I need to go visit Mangus’ parents.”

“Really? Wow.”

“Yeah. In Vermont.”

“Ouch, I’m sorry.” There was a quick pause, “Hey, look at the bright side, at least people won’t think you’re a migrant worker.”

“Yeah, instead they’ll think I’m tryin’ to rob ‘em.”

Carmen laughed, “I’m sure it won’t be that bad. I mean, not much crime, big houses. It’ll be nice.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right. Still, I’m freakin’ out.”

Carmen looked down at the table for a couple seconds, her smile fading as she thought. She looked back up at Kit.

“I’ll do it. I’ll manage the Planet while you’re gone. I mean, this is a great opportunity to get some experience under my belt, right? And I can deal with being around Shane, I mean, we’re both mature adults, right?”

“Adults, yes. Mature, not necessarily.” The two women laughed as a man walked over, handing a to-go cup to Carmen. “Thanks.” Then to Kit, “Well, I really should get going, I’m apartment hunting today.”

“All right, thanks for stopping by. I’ll keep in touch so I can show you the ropes.”

“OK, and thanks for the opportunity, Kit, it means a lot to me.”

“No problem, girl.”

They hugged and Carmen walked out, happy to have her job, and hopefully soon her life (albeit a life without Shane), back.