But I am a mother, I know my daughter better than she knows herself; plus the fact that the Latin community in L.A. isnt very big.

Shane couldnt help but smile. Mercedes had the same exaggerated expressions as Carmen, when she talked, that always made her smile.

Carmen took pains to suppress it. I thought it was a passing phase. But after a while, I guess it became something you pretend is not there.

But you knowthat that I was Shane asked hesitantly.

I assumed you were a guy at first. Carmen never seemed so happy in her life before you. So happy, but the way she hid you, well, I guess I just knew.

Carmen never meant to lie to you. Its just that It was all me I

Shane, I know I know dont worry about it. If Carmen is not ready to tell me, then I will continue to hide myself.

Hide? Shanes eyes shot wide open. All this time in the hospital, they thought it was great timing and pure luck that Shane would leave right before Mercedes arrived. But now she understood that Mercedes actually waited for her to leave before she appeared. How stupid of her to think that no one would have told Mercedes when the whole hospital knew.

Im so sorry I

Dont be, I am glad we came face to face at last. No? Mercedes said in a motherly manner. Shane felt safe with her. If only she had a mother of her own that treated her as nice. The world would be perfect to live in.

Does Carmens siblings know?

Oh no no no Anna would hit the roof. That implusive child. Roddy is just interested in his own stuff, and her other siblings, well they probably too busy with their own family to take notice.

Shane looked back down on the ground. Her eyes followed this hardworking ant trailing a path with a piece of leaf on its back. That was hard work, but what Shane would have to go through was probably going to be harder. She felt like she let down Carmens entire family, like she was the cause of the secrets that Carmen and Mercedes had to keep, of the lies they had to tell.