Carmen left her hand on Shanes refusing to let the girl pull away from her again.

I know about the woman. The one before me. The Hollywood wife, Carmen said in hopes of getting her to talk more. The look on Shanes face showed that she had not been expecting that.

*****. How did she know about Cherie. *****. Alice. The girl could just not keep her mouth shut. Cherie was, she paused thinking of how to express it to Carmen, the first person I trusted with feelings in a long time, and that trust was misplaced.

I understand, Carmen said the anger leaving her voice. However, when Shane looked at her like she couldnt possibly begin to comprehend what she felt, she was reminded of how little Shane really knew about her. You seem to think youre the only person in this conversation whose had her heart broken by a pretty girl.

Youve had your heart broken, Shane asked not denying it, but not believing Carmen either. The look Carmen gave her was one of such open naked honesty that Shane unconsciously squirmed in her seat.

Shattered.

The pain in the other girls eyes reminded Shane of a hundred mornings that she had looked in the mirror and tried to remember a time that she didnt hurt.

She broke me into a million pieces and I never thought Id find all of them, Carmen continued. She made me feel like I would never know anything good ever again. She made me hate myself, at that Carmen let go of Shanes hand and took a swig of her beer. At the loss of contact the knot began recoiling Shanes her stomach. She made me promise myself I would never let anyone in again.

Shane leaned forward and took Carmens hand looking into the other girls face. Carmen smiled and brushed the hair out of Shanes eyes. Which is complete bullshit. I tried so hard to keep everyone at arms length, I cut off my friends, I cut off my hair, and I cut off my heart. I thought I was great at going though the motions until one day my mother slapped me across the face, told me to suck it up, and smile like I meant it, because no one in the world deserved to be as sad as I was. With that Carmen laughed. Then she told me that she loved me but Id better do the dishes or I was going to get thrown out.