Carmen smiled, her eyes still closed as she rolled closer to Shane and enjoyed the warmth herself. “Morning.” She murmured against Shane’s neck. They stayed that way, each women enjoying the easy silence and the comfort provided by the other. But finally Carmen unburied her face from Shane’s neck and the two of them made eye contact for the first time that morning. And both of the were happy to find the other wearing a mirror image of the goofy smile that had been plastered on their faces since the previous night. “Hey there was something that I wanted to ask you.” Shane said as Carmen yawned again. “What was the third thing?”

“What?” Carmen asked a little confused.

“Number one was ‘get your hands off my girlfriend’. Which I thought was very impressive by the way.” The right corner of Shane’s mouth turned up into a smile. “Number two was ‘you’re not getting off so easy’. What was number three?” She asked again.

Carmen smiled. “Number three was ‘how the ***** do you get hit on in a straight bar?’” Shane let out a chuckle and then leaned in and kissed Carmen. “Wellwhen your hot.” Shane let her voice drag as Carmen hit her with a pillow. “What is it?” Carmen asked in concern as Shane’s smile faded.

“Iuhwant to tell you something.” Shane started. “I wanna tell you about Mark.”

“You don’t have to you know. I can wait till you’re ready.”

“I am. I mean, I want to tell you I don’t even know why I couldn’t before.” Carmen nodded her understanding and waited patiently for Shane to continue. “I watched all of Mark’s tapes. All of ‘em.” Shane paused. “And I started to see myself the way that other people might see me. The way that Mark saw me. The things that he could think about me by watching those tapes. And then I started to see myself in a sorta different way.” Shane paused and Carmen took hold of her hand helping her go on. “I sorta scared myself you know. I can’t explain it really, but those tapesI don’t know if I would be here if I hadn’t seen them. I don’t’ know if I ever would have been able to even think about being with you if I hadn’t seen them. Do you understand?” Shane asked Carmen, knowing that she wasn’t the most articulate person on the planet, but wanting her girlfriend to understand her decision to forgive Mark.