If you love her, and promise to take care of her, that is all I need to know. If she is happy with you, then I am happy. Because I want her happy.

Carmen still doesnt know.

You can choose to tell her about it, though I much prefer her to tell me herself.

Shane felt torn now with an agenda of her own to hide the truth from her Carmen. It bothered her so much that Carmen was feeling all this apprehension of being caught, but at the same time, she could understand why Mercedes would want Carmen to confess on her own. Wrong or right, it was not her place to decide.

—————————————————

Carmen awoke to the sounds of a Gameboy she was all too familiar with. The gun-rattling sounds could only mean one thing – that Roddy was beside her.

She opened her eyes and turned her head towards the sound. There she found a freshly showered Roddy jabbing intently at his gadget. With a final beep and a cute little tune, Roddy shook his Gameboy and cursed under his breath.

Busted? Carmen asked smiling.

Roddys head jolted up at the sudden voice and jumped up, leaning towards his sister, flabbergasted.

Im sorry, did I wake you? Roddy asked, voice almost in a panic. He still hadnt recovered from his initial shock of having Carmen faint on him.

No no You didnt Carmen smiled at her precious little brother. Roddy was a good boy, he may not have excellent grades like Anna, but he wasnt a spoiled child even though everyone showered him with their attention. He would scrimp and save every penny he had for the things he wanted, and the Gameboy was a good testament of that.

You came alone? Carmen asked as she looked around the room for her other family members.

Anna dropped me here on her way to pick up Carla and her kids. Ricardo will be here as soon as he gets off work.

Okay and Momma? Wheres Momma? Carmen realized she had not seen her mother since she blacked out.

I saw her talking to Shane in the garden when I came in.

——————————————-

Shane? Shane! Carmen asked in shock. You you knew about

Roddy just shrugged, Its no secret, I mean it is a secret, but I guess it is not difficult to find out.

How how did you Carmen fumbled, lost for words. She had so much to ask, but her mind was spinning really fast and she didnt know how to even begin asking.

Hermana, I may be young, but that doesnt mean I am blind.

I didnt mean it that way Carmen said sadly.

I know. Well, I figured stuff out awhile ago. They didnt add up for the longest of time, but when I figured you like girls, the pieces all fit together nicely.

I oh my gawd And you told Momma? Carmen imagined the scene between Shane and her mother turning ugly and she was getting more worried by the minute.

Nah, I think Momma knew before I did. I guess she was waiting for you to tell her yourself. Roddy shrugged again. He was acting like it was nothing, and Carmen didnt know what to make of it.

Momma knows Momma knows Momma knows… played over and over in her mind. How was she going to face her mother now? She must have been so hurt when Carmen lied to her time and again.

Carmen? Roddy asked concerned as Carmen slipped into a trance.

You are not bothered? Carmen asked suddenly.

Roddy shrugged for the third time nonchalantly. Why should I be? You are the same hermana I know, that I grew up with. Who you sleep with doesnt make you any less of my hermana.

And Momma doesnt mind either?

I dont know, we never talked about it. I guess not, since she didnt say anything about Angela.