"So, are you sure you are ready for your first day back at WAX tomorrow?" Carmen asked as she leaned against Shane sitting on the blanket. "Oh yes. I miss seeing the gang down there, and I hope I haven’t forgotten everything I know about hair within the time I’ve been away." Shane replied.

"Babe, you are the best at what you do. No one is as good as you!" Carmen enthusiastically replied, reaching her palm behind her and bringing Shane in for a quick kiss on the cheek. Shane blushed, knowing that Carmen was trying to assure her that things would go well, when inside, she was quite nervous. The therapists had instructed her to pace herself, and not overdue it. And if she felt any weakness or fatigue, then she would have to close up shop early so as not to re-injure herself in any way.

The night air soothed the two as they sat quietly for a moment, enjoying the view of the sky filled with too many stars to count, and relished this quiet moment together. Shane wrapped her arms tighter around Carmen and decided to gauge how the woman was handling things with her mother.

"Have you tried to call her today?" she asked, interrupting Carmen’s thoughts. "Huh?"

"Your mother – have you tried calling her today?" she asked again and immediately felt Carmen tense up. "Oh, uh, no. The last time I tried to call her was two days ago, and she was asleep. At least that’s what my sister said" Carmen answered and Shane could tell she was rolling her eyes in disgust at what she assumed was just a story her mother concocted to avoid speaking to her.

"Why don’t we just go over there – together – one day this weekend? That way you won’t have to go alone…" Shane suggested, and quietly waited for Carmen’s response. "No Shane. I think your being there would only make things worse" Carmen regretted the words as soon as she said them. And while they made Shane cringe just a little, she knew that they weren’t meant to hurt.

"I’m sorry, babe, I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. What I meant was, my mother could barely look me in the eyes when she walked out the apartment, I don’t think she could handle seeing you right now." Carmen stated, trying to appease her.