Shane: May I ask who we’re having dinner with tonight?

Cherrie: A few friends.

Shane nodded and walked on. She had turned into a zombie these days. She followed orders exactly as she was told. She couldn’t remember herself when she had been so obedient. The waitresses at the end of the hall opened the door to the room they’d be dinning in. The view was incredible. There were people there already. Everyone came over to shake hands and greet them.

Cherrie: Feel free to get anything you want.

Cherrie let go of her arm and sat on the sofa enjoying a sip of white grape wine chatting up the different people there. Shane nodded. She walked over to the windows and looked out at Los Angeles’ amazing nightsky. She has acquired the habit of just staring out the window now. Maybe it was the only thing that made her feel close to Carmen. The door opened and Carmen walked in with Carlos after her. Shane didn’t bother to turn around. Cezar followed them in along with some other dinner guests. Carmen froze halfway there. Shane hadn’t returned her call for almost a week. Now she was standing there, bathing in the light.

Cezar: It’s nice to see you again Cherrie.

Cherrie got up and hugged Cezar.

Cherrie: Yes it is.

Cezar: This is my daughter Carmen and my godson Carlos.

Shane turned around hearing the name. She found herself staring right into Carmen’s eyes. Green met brown. Carmen staggered towards Shane. She lied. She hadn’t been at the hospital. She had been with this woman. This woman, Cherrie.

Shane: Carm.

Cherrie saw them and went over to Shane and wrapped her hand around her arm.

Cherrie: Hello Carmen, it’s nice to meet you.

Cherrie held out her hand to shake Carmen’s. Cezar instantly steppped in between them.

Cezar: I must apologize for her, she hasn’t been feeling well.

Cherrie: Oh, poor thing. Well hopefully the food here can lift her spirits. Common Shane, you need to eat too.

Carmen’s eyes were on Cherrie’s hand that touched Shane with such familiarity. Then back into Shane’s eyes. She was searching for an explaination. Shane looked down embarassed and was led away by Cherrie. She passed by Carmen and sat down in the seat next to Cherrie. Everyone got in their seats too except for Carmen.

Cezar: Honey, dinner’s starting.

Carmen was holding back the tears.

Carmen: Please excuse me.

She ran out of the room. Shane got up instantly too. Cherrie grabbed her arm.

Cherrie: Shane, dinner.

Shane looked at her, then at Carmen, who was disappearing through the double door. She pulled free of Cherrie.

Shane: I’m sorry. I’ll be back.

Shane took off after Carmen and caught her before she got much far. She pulled Carmen into a desserted hall.

Carmen: Get off of me!

She pushed Shane roughly.

Shane: Carmen!

Shane caught Carmen’s hand and pulled her into an embrace and wouldn’t let Carmen go. She pounded on Shane with her fists.

Carmen: Let go! Let go!

Shane couldn’t do anything to stop her from screaming and moving. So she decided to just kiss her. That definatley shut her up. She started to cry.

Carmen: Get your hands off of me. I don’t ever want to see you again.

Shane: Carmen, it’s not what it seems.

Carmen: What the fuck am I suppposed to believe? Look at the way she touches you! How she looks at you! The adoration in her eyes, she obviously wants to fuck your brains out!

Shane: Carmen stop it. It’s not like that.

Carmen: Then what is it like Shane? What is it like?

Shane didn’t answer her. Cezar didn’t want Carmen to know. Shane didn’t know if this was the right time to tell her about anything. Getting Carmen involved would make matters worse. Carmen was straightforward and the last thing Shane needed was Carmen running in there asking for the information Cherrie held.

Carmen: You don’t have an answer? Fuck you Shane, fuck you.

Carmen slapped Shane as hard as she could. It was hard enough to draw blood.

Shane: Carmen, believe me.

Carmen left with tears streaming down her face. Shane leaned up against the wall. She didn’t know whether it was her heart that hurted or the bullet wound. Either way she felt horrible. Her heart raced and the walls seemed to close down on her. When she opened her eyes, she was back in the hospital hooked up onto a heart monitor and an oxygen mask over her face.

Shane: Carmen…