Previously:

After a few minutes Carmen unlocked the door, opened it and extended her hand for Jenny to take. Jenny cautiously placed her hand in Carmen’s and allowed herself to be pulled from the car. Carmen grabbed Jenny’s keys and purse and walked towards the house with Jenny behind her.  When they entered the house Carmen placed Jenny’s things on the table and turned around and pulled Jenny into an enormous hug.
    “Whatever it is Jenny. It’s going to be ok” Carmen said softly into her ear.

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The anger and hurt that Jenny had been feeling lessened in Carmen’s arms. She felt protected. She felt safe. Carmen felt the tension in Jenny’s body subside so she removed her arms from around her shoulders.  She looked intently into Jenny’s troubled eyes.

    “Hi” Carmen said.

    “Hi” Jenny responded barely above a whisper.

    “Are you hungry?” Carmen asked “Do you want some coffee or maybe some tea?”

Just at that moment Jenny’s stomach grumbled reminding Jenny she hadn’t eaten since lunch yesterday.

    “Some tea would be wonderful, thank you” Jenny said.

    “Ok. Make yourself at home” Carmen told her.

 Carmen turned and headed toward what Jenny assumed to be the kitchen.   As she waited Jenny wandered the living room looking at the assortment of photos and art work in the home. The home itself was a large two story beachfront property. In most of the photos she saw Carmen and a gorgeous blonde in various locations but mostly photos of the two at the beach.  Carmen looked genuinely happy. Jenny smiled to herself as she wondered who the blonde in the photos was. ‘I hope she is happy. She deserves it’ Jenny thought.

    “Jenny?” Carmen said. “Didn’t you hear me calling you?”

    “No, sorry. I guess I was somewhere else” Jenny replied.

    “The tea is ready. I set it up on the deck along with some breakfast so we can get some morning sun. It’s a beautiful day ya know” Carmen told her giving her a small smile.

    “Yeah, sounds good” Jenny said as she followed her outside.

The day was beautiful indeed and Jenny had to admit that the warm sun and the fresh air were making her feel slightly alive again.  Carmen had cut up some fruit and toasted some bagels which they enjoyed in comfortable silence as they watched people walking and jogging along the beach path.  After some time Jenny turned her attention to Carmen. She studied her face closely.