Shane stared up at Carmens ceiling contemplating the question that the darker woman had just asked her. They had finished their dinner a while ago. Shane had helped Carmen clean up and do the dishes and now they were both laying on the living room floor talking and staring up at the ceiling. It had began as a mock fight for the remote when they had wrestled each other to the floor. During the playful struggle Carmens shirt had rode up to reveal a longish scar that ran horizontally across the bottom of her ribcage. Shane had traced the scar with her thumb caught off guard by the fact that she had never noticed it before. This had led to Carmen talking about her family and where the injury had come from. So for the last twenty minutes the pair of them had been laying side by side getting to know each other. Or more accurately Shane had been getting to know Carmen. The conversation had been pretty much one sided, but now it looked as though it was getting around to Shanes side. It was quiet as Carmen waited for Shane to answer and Shane waited to decide if she wanted to answer. She really did want to open up to Carmen, but wanting to didnt make it easier to actually do it. Well, she had to start somewhere, Shane thought as she took a deep breath. The last time I saw my mother I was eighteen. Shane paused to let the memory take shape in her head. I had found out about this place that she used to stay at and I used to go see her every once in a while. Shane stopped again and Carmen waited patiently for her to continue. My mother always used to tell me that the reason that I couldnt live with her was because she couldnt take care of me the way that she should have been able to and she wanted something better for me. I never understood it when I was younger. I guess when youre a kid you cant understand stuff like that, But I get it now. Shane said simply before she continued answering the question. I went to see her to tell her that I was going to school, you know the hair thing, and she told me that she was really proud of me. And I could tell that she meant it. Shane struggled to keep her voice flat, taking another deep breath. I went back a couple of months later to tell her that I finished school and that I was gonna get a job and a place for the both of us, so she could get outta there. Only I never got the chance. When I went back she was gone. I went there everyday for two weeks, but she never showed up again. I still go looking every once in a while, but Shane let her voice trail off and then rolled over so that she was hovering above Carmen. Shane stared into brown eyes noticing the protectiveness that had crept into them as Shane had told her the story. Shane held the gaze for a few more seconds before she leaned down and covered Carmens mouth with her own. It was their first of the evening and Shane made sure to take her time kissing her. When Shane finally pulled away Carmens eyes smiled slightly as she grabbed Shanes wrists and rolled them both over, switching their positions. She stared intently into her eyes before she spoke. So how about that movie? Shane nodded and Carmen got up off the floor and held her hand out offering Shane help. Shane accepted the hand that Carmen held out and let herself be dragged off of the floor also