The ease with which she said it caused something to stir inside Carmen as she stared at this woman whom not long ago she thought she might lose in that accident.  She softly brushed Shane’s cheek, feeling that things were slowly changing for the better.

“What’s say we clean up this table, I want to get out of ttthis house!”  Shane reluctantly releasing her hold on Carmen, and making her way to the kitchen sink after scraping the remainder of her plate into the trash.

“Babe, I don’t want you to push yourself too soon.  Remember what the doctor and the therapists said – you are to take it easy” Carmen huffed.  “I know, but they also said to practice at home on my speech and walking.  We’ve talked a lot this morning but I have barely walked.  Let’s go to the park or something” she asked.

“Hmm? That does sound nice. Is this your idea of a first date” Carmen teased as she ran the dish water.  “Oh no. A first date for us would be more than a sppur of the moment thing. You know I love outdoors and it looks like it will be a pretty day.  Come on – please?” Shane now said pouting.  Carmen couldn’t help but laugh as it reminded her of when Shane put on the dress her mother asked her to wear to the Quincinera.

“Alright alright.  Since you look so cute begging, I think the park will be okay.  Let’s finish up here and then get dressed!”  Carmen said excitedly.

Later that morning….

Carmen was taking a shower, and Shane was now getting dressed slowly as her ribs were still slightly tender. Raising her arms to pull a shirt over her head made her grimace slightly, but she knew the more she did it, the easier it would get.  She sat down on the bed and bent to tie her tennis shoes.

Her cell phone had been destroyed in the accident, but luckily Alice had some hookup with the phone company through her radio job, so Shane was able to get a replacement phone with the same number. Shane didn’t know how she did it, but knew not to ask Alice any questions. Alice seemed to have hook-ups all over the place within the city.  Shane decided to see if she had any messages.  She was surprised to learn as she listened to the voice mail prompts that her mailbox was full. 

As she pressed through the menu, she heard several get well messages from the crew at WAX.  She smiled as they explained that her appointment book was full with requests for her services as soon as she felt capable.  There were a few messages from Gabriel and the more she listened, the angrier she became.  On one message, he explained that he was still in town. For what? she thought. Part of her was curious, the other part didn’t care.  Another message stated how he knew that she was released from the hospital, and because he was her father, they willingly gave out the forwarding address that she left for any medical bills or correspondence.  D*** hospital she thought.  No such thing as privacy I guess.

One more message the computerized voice alerted her.  “Shane. This is Cherie. I called WAX for an appointment and I found out about the accident.  I hope you’re okay.  Call me as soon as you’re well enough.  We need to talk.” 

Shane looked down at her phone as if it were about to sprout legs and walk.  She quickly deleted the message and snapped the phone shut.  Her hands balled up into fists as she sat there and she tossed the phone onto the nightstand.   She was furious now.  This can’t be happening.  That woman is relentless. How dare she call me like we are friends! Shane made it clear that night at the beach house that what they had was over. And what the f*** do we need to talk about!  Shane thought.

Just then her cell phone rang, and it startled Shane from her thoughts.  Looking down at the caller id,  it read Cherie. 

Unbelievable!  How does this woman manage to cause trouble even when she was miles away?  She quickly hit the IGNORE button on her phone and closed it, not realizing the shower had stopped.

“Hey babe. Who was that?” Carmen boomed from the bathroom door.

TBC