Shane: Welcome back.

Shane then ran her finger over the fresh wounds, whipping away the blood. Then she walked out, into the next room.

Carmen, still crying pulled the wet, naked, skinny girl into her arms. Alex had no strength to react, but accepted the hug warmly. Carmen kissed her forehead.

Carmen: My baby, I missed you so much.

Shane held the phone.

Shane: No Alice, I don’t care if you and Cally are going to the movies. Believe me, you’ll want to see this. No I didn’t have the baby. Just get your dirty bisexual ass over here!

Shane hung up the phone and walked back into the bathroom, grabbing a first aid kit on the way in.  Carmen was drying Alex off. Shane put the kit on the counter and opened it. She took out some Adhesive stitches and started to put them in useful places. Carmen left and got Alex some clean clothes. When Shane was done, she kissed Alex’s forehead and took her hand.

Shane: I thought you were gone. I thought I had lost you. When I said we’d have with this baby, things we never had with you, I never meant it that way. I was just really upset because I couldn’t have shared more time with the most amazing person I know.

Shane pushed her daughter’s hair back and Started to really cry now. She sniffled and sniffled.

Shane: What you don’t get is that I need you. More than anyone or anything. Alex, you’re my daughter, as well as my best friend and I will do anything to protect you. I love you.

Alex let a tear fall as her Madre appeared with fresh clothes. Her parents dressed her, then carried her to her bed that had remained with fresh sheets. Her room was untouched. Her homework was still on the desk. Her Madre knelt on the floor beside her bed, brushing her hair back and looking over her daughter’s pale face.

Carmen: Don’t ever scare us like that again!

Alex nodded.

Carmen: I’ll let you talk with your mother, but then get to sleep okay?

Alex nodded and Carmen got up, kissed her forehead, and left the room, but soon peaked her head in again.