“Yeah, so Carmen you wanted to talk, about what?” I asked a little impatiently

“I want you to know that…I didn’t plan on seeing you. It wasn’t my plan to find you or fuck things up for you, especially after the way I left, and now to run into you clean and on the straight and narrow…..and in love……I was hoping deep down that you wouldn’t come, that you’d hate me enough to not come here, back to this place…”

“Are you in trouble?”

“Heh….am I?”

“Carmen it was lined up that we where going to run into each other. It was meant to be. So there is no point in second guessing. I am here and as for all that other stuff, you wanted a change, what’s so wrong with that? If you hadn’t wanted the change we would be dead or on the other side of San Quentin by now.”

“So rational now, before I ask my question tell me about her. You love her right?”

“Carmen.”

“Its ok if you do. Its ok.”

“…..I….think I do….love her….she is….she is the most decent loving person I have ever known. There is this sweetness to her. I don’t know, it’s her goodness, her passion for things, it’s the way we are when we’re alone, her sexiness…… yeah I think I love her.”

“And me, did you feel that way for me?”

“………It was different…..it was a different time.”

“Did you feel it?”

“No…..you tell me, you wanted to see me to talk so what gives?”

“………I need money. Mom is sick, my sisters are broke, Manny’s lawyer is draining us, we need money. I need money. I didn’t want to have to ask you for this, I didn’t want to bring you back into this…..”

“You….need me for a job?”

“I need you….ok…I was wrong you where right. I ran from you and fuck me if you didn’t get out and fix your life…..I couldn’t hack it……You owe me Shane…..you owe me……We need your help……I don’t wanna mess things up for you and your woman…..but I need your help….I loved you first…I loved you when everyone else wanted you dead…..”