“What the ***** are you doing here?” Shane asked when they had found a somewhat private spot to continue their conversation.

“Mark told me you guys were coming here.”

“Carmen.” Shane started.

“No. You don’t get to go first this time.” Carmen cut her off. “I’m not buying into this thing about you wanting to break up with me all of the sudden because for one minute our day wasn’t sunshine and happiness. Like I said it’s bull *****. I don’t know about you, but I have waited half my life to feel something like this.” Carmen looked directly into Shane’s eyes trying to convey the emotions that Shane brought out in her. “And I thought that we were going to give this an honest try.”

“Carmen, I’m not” Shane bit her bottom lip, pausing to collect her thoughts. “I’m not made for this. I’m not capable of being the person that you deserve. I don’t want to hurt you and that is exactly what I’m going to end up doing.” Shane shoved her hands in her pockets speaking matter of factly to Carmen.

“How do you know that?”

“It’s who I am.” Shane said quietly, her words laced with regret. She closed her eyes trying to blink away the tears, but they slipped silently down her cheeks anyway.

Carmen looked away wanting to kill whoever was responsible for making Shane believe that she couldn’t be loved. “It’s not who you are.” Carmen said catching Shane’s eyes again.

Shane let her tears fall over her cheeks now, unable to stop them as she nodded and whispered, “Yes it, it is, you know it, I can’t-”

Carmen stepped closer to her and wrapped her arms around the woman she loved. “No it’s not.” She whispered forcefully into her ear. “Do you hear me. This is not who you have to be.” Carmen pulled away from her enough to once again look into the haunted eyes that were now overflowing with years of unshed tears. “Shane, you are the most caring person that I know. You might think you hide it, but not from me. I can see you. I can see the things that make you so amazing. I can see the things that you try to hide from everyone. I know you care about me. I know you love me. And I know that we can do this. We can love each other Shane.” Carmen leaned in And kissed Shane sweetly, trying to reassure the other woman.