“One time I got really sick but everyone else had to keep hustling to get me some medicine so no one could stay with me. I was sitting under the pier one afternoon and this dog just comes walking up to me and starts licking my face and lying down in my lap. It stayed by me the whole time I was sick, it was crazy. I got the meds but I still thought it was the dog that made me better so I named her Remedy… and yeah.” She cleared her throat self-conscientiously and leaned her head back on the tree, focusing on the sounds around her.

Out of no where, she felt soft lips pressing against the palm of her hand causing a smile to cross her face.

“Thank you.” Carmen said quietly.

Shane was genuinely confused, “For what?”

“For sharing that piece of you. I know it wasn’t easy and I just want you to know that I appreciate everything you tell me about yourself.”

“It’s really not that special but,” she kissed the back of Carmen’s head, loving the feel of the silky smooth hair against her skin, “you’re welcome.”

The smaller woman sighed contentedly and pulled Shane’s arms tighter around her body, basking in the rays of light that were filtering through the branches above them.

“So now that I’ve said something about me, it’s your turn.” Shane offered in order to take the focus off of herself.

“I honestly don’t know what to tell you.”

“Tell me anything. Did you have any pets?”

“Yeah, I had a pet turtle once and his name was Alexander but my mother said he was to stinky so I had to give him away to my friend. And I had a hamster for a while and her name was Harriette.”

“Harriette?” Shane asked incredulously.

“Yes Harriette because she was hairy.” said with a sarcastic air to her voice.

A throaty chuckle erupted from Shane, “That’s original. How about… you’re first boyfriend.”

“You seriously want to hear about that?”

“Uh huh.”

“Okay. Well his name was Daniel and we were in the 6^th grade and it was a huge deal because we were one of the first kids to start dating in my grade. He was really cute and I was really straight back then and he was my first kiss but we broke up do to irreconcilable differences.”