Kit: "The idea is that any band can come here and play. I love listening to live bands…. What kind of music does the band that you were going to bring play?"

Christian: "Salsa."

Kit: "Don’t tell me Carmen listens to salsa now."

Christian: "She not only listens to it, she dances to it, too. She and .." He bites his tongue again to keep himself from mentioning Sasha’s name.

Kit: "And?"

"…some friends go out dancing at a club downtown every Friday night."

Kit, laughing: "Some friends? I see Carmen has a lot of things to tell me."

Christian: "Uf!!! You can’t even imagine. So see you tonight." He shakes hands with her.

Kit: "Yeah, we’re going to throw a great party for that crazy girl."

Christian leaves, and Kit goes to the bar to talk with Lara.

Lara: "Who was that guy?"

Kit: "Carmen’s friend, the one from New York. Can you believe Carmen’s been at her mother’s house since Thursday, and today is her birthday?"

Lara, totally amazed: "Carmen’s here? And what did he tell you about how she’s doing?"

Kit: "According to her friend, she’s great. You know, I think Carmen is with someone…and tonight we’re going to find out."

"Tonight?"

Kit: " Yeah, her friend is going to throw her a surprise party right here, and you have to make the birthday cake. Needless to say, you’re invited to the party."

Lara: "Great!! I’ll start making it right away. Do you really think Carmen is with someone else? Because it’s been just three months, and if I remember correctly, she was deeply in love with Shane."

Kit: "I bet you anything you want she already has someone… it’s the only way she could be doing as well as her friend said. And with what Shane did to her… what must that other nut be up to now?" She begins to laugh. "Imagine if she showed up tonight…that would be so crazy. Well, I have to go to Bette’s. See you tonight… bye."

Morales family home, 11:30 A.M

Christian knocks at the door carrying three enormous bunches of roses. Mercedes opens the door, but doesn’t recognize him. "Yes, don’t tell me… somebody sent Carmen flowers."

Christian, in Spanish: "I see you don’t recognize me, Mercedes. I’m Christian, the one who used to live down the street…. My mom is Sofía. Remember?"