“Ma, I am with someone.” Mercedes turned once again looking at Carmen.

“Who is he? Where does he come from? What’s his name?” Mercedes began
to get defensive knowing that all this time she had no idea. Freddy was
eavesdropping.
“I didn’t want to get you involved because you always get so caught up
in my love life.”
“What love life? You haven’t had one for years! Ever since Freddy.”
Little did she know that it was because she wasn’t interested in men.
Freddy felt something in his chest and his smile that he had on earlier
died.
“Carmen, I’ll tell you what I think.” Carmen knew it was coming. She
was prepared for her words. She was expecting the whole “you should get
married and have kids” speech but her tone was different this time.

“I want you to be happy, and when I saw you this morning sleeping with
Freddy, I saw that you weren’t. Maybe its because you are with someone
right now, and having another man in your bed was not a good idea or
maybe, you’ve fallen in love.” Carmen got up and stepped towards her
mother. Mercedes threw her tea towel over her shoulder as Carmen
lightly grabbed her arms.
“Ma, I am happy. And I know you want me to get married and stuff,
but its too soon, and Freddy isn’t the one.” Mercedes sighed. She
looked up at her daughter and hugged her.
“Tell me that you’re happy.”
“Ma,..I’m happy.” Freddy walked in as soon as she let the words escape her mouth.
“Good morning ladies.” She could tell Freddy was upset. It was the same face she had seen when she last saw him before he left.
“Hey Freddy, I thought I could show you the studio I work at later on.”

“That’s a good idea.”
“Ok, great, but first I have to see a friend and have a cup of coffee.”
“Is it your boyfriend?” Carmen knew he had been listening to
their conversation. Carmen looked at Mercedes, they had both equally
lost a little bit of respect for him knowing he was listening. A part
of her felt for Carmen now and felt that Freddy wasn’t as suitable.
Carmen looked at him and just left.

Shane had been at the planet talking to the girls
about current events and random things. When Carmen walked in she
immediately got up and greeted her at the door. Tina, Bette, Alice,
Dana, and Jenny, all looked at each other surprised. Shane never got up
for anyone like that before.