Helena: Please…I’m serious here.

Carmen: Yeah well so am I.

Helena: Please calm down.

Carmen crosses her arms and sighs out some of her resentment.

Carmen: Okay.

Helena: The night you kissed me.  The night you and Leigh broke up.  The night you went back to Shane.  I need you to be honest with me, Carmen. This is vital.

Carmen: What?

Helena: When I asked you what it is you wanted….did you tell me the truth or just what you thought you wanted me to hear?

Carmen shakes her head, unsure of the question.

Helena: You said you wanted Shane.  Was that true?  Or were you looking to embrace the girl who’s hands you had scratched up earlier?

Carmen thinks back to angrily scratching away at Lara’s hands not long ago after a fight with Shane at The Planet.

Carmen: Shane.  Me and Lara are friends, Helena.

Helena: Really now…?

Carmen: Yes, Helena!  We are.

Helena: I know that story about you kissing her on the lip out of friendship is bullshit.  You do realize that I know that, right?

Carmen: ….I had a moment of weakness.

Helena: And who’s to say that you won’t again?  Do you want that?  Do you want to do that to your relationship?  Do you want to do that to Alice and Lara’s relationship?  Do you want to do that to Alice?

Carmen: …

Helena: Violence is not the answer…we’ve learned that with you and Shane.  But I was there when Dana left Alice.  I was there when she left her for Lara.  Do you remember that?  Because I do.  And I never….ever…want to see Alice that hurt again.  Do you understand?

Carmen: ….

Helena: Do you?

Carmen: What are you, my fucking Mom now?

Helena: No…your Mother didn’t accept you in the first place.  At least not until I talked to her.

Carmen: …

Helena: Listen.  I am your friend.  I’m also their friend.  Alice, Lara and Shane.  And I don’t want any of you to do something that you might regret.

Carmen: We’re not going to, Helena.  Alright?  I love Shane.  I’m close with Al…and I’m close with Lara.

Helena: Yes…perhaps too close for comfort?

Carmen: ..Fuck you.

Carmen turns away and towards the door.

Helena: Fuck me?  You probably would have that night!

Carmen stops dead in her tracks and grits her teeth.  She’s overcome with emotion as she turns around, facing Helena again stepping closer to her.

Carmen: I fucked up, Helena.  I made mistakes!  I’m trying to move past that now, dammit.  I’m trying to move on, but you….you just keep bringing this old shit back up!  It’s over, Helena!  All of it.  I just wanna move on…marry Shane and be happy…why can’t you see that???

Carmen begins to break down.

Carmen: …Huh..??? Why can’t you….

Helena sighs and pulls Carmen to her, embracing her.

Helena: Believe me, I want to…  Go inside….you need your rest now, as do I.

Carmen sobbingly nods.

Helena: Good night…

Helena pulls away and returns to her bed where a sleeping Tonya awaits.  Carmen stands there.

Alone.