The light on the porch. Carmen nervous and holding my hand. I suggested she leave the bags in the car just in case it didn’t go right. The ring on the door and I can already hear mom and dad making a fuss. The door opens and I am holding Carmen’s hand and she is very close to me. And they smile like the jokes on us.

“Come on in girls.” Mom says.

“Hey kiddo.” Dad gives me a big hug and a kiss. They both hug Carmen. And they ask how was the flight and the movie and things overall.

“Guys slow down. We have something we want to tell you.” I say trying to slow everything down a little.

“Come on Shane…we know…..it’s been in the papers those silly supermarket magazines….the rumors.”

“What rumors?” Carmen asks

“Well that you two are…you know….lovers,” mom whispers for some odd reason. “I mean come on Shane…it’s sort of written all over you two…since L.A. we noticed….you don’t think we where surprised by this, you never had any boyfriends….we are not blind you know….we just figured you would you know bring it up on your own.”

“Yeah I know my daughter. And you both look good together. “ Dad said obviously thrilled that I landed Carmen.

“Well our work here is finished Shane…shall we go…”  Carmen jokes.

“Oh no….you have to spill and tell us how it all came about. And Shane your brother is terrible at keeping secrets….” Mom said halfway into the kitchen.

“Jeez…Shay finally blabbed huh?”

“Yeah…he got hit pretty hard in one of his games….I think he was a little delirious…he said he was afraid that he would wind up like you never being able to trust a girl and well it all made sense….” Dad said.

“Is he ok?”

“Oh yeah just a slight concussion….boy did he get the fucker who hit him though…they threw him out of the game…I am surprised you didn’t know.”

“Yeah I have the satellite in my trailer but with the movie we haven’t had the time you know?”

“I bet…”

“Come on dad…we where busy, right Carmen?”

Carmen just smiled at me.

“Go on and get unpacked and then we can eat and watch some of Shay’s games….”

“So dad you really are ok with this?”

“Well Shane…the heart wants what it wants….I wanted to walk you down the aisle and see you have kids some day….but I don’t know, you don’t seem like the marring type just yet……we’ll see…..but I just want you to be open and honest with yourself and if that means you like Carmen then who am I to say anything…you are my baby girl…now go on before I wind up getting more mushy….dinner will be ready in an hour.”

They made up a room for me and Carmen. Some of my stuff was in it. Some music and books nothing really put away or on display.

“That was easier than I thought.”

“I know what you mean.”

“Shane…what now?”

It seems like she asked me that question before….except it wasn’t her, it was Ramona.

The end.