It’s weird how connected they feel to each other.  It’s like they’ve known each other forever.  After pulling apart, they stare at each other for a moment holding hands til Carmen realizes it’s getting too private, too intimate.

“Hey …um.”  Carmen lets go of Nicole’s hands, “…So we have to start soon if we want this place to rock, huh?”

“Um, yeah, of course.” Nicole gets back to reality.

“So, what’s first?” asks Carmen trying to lighten the mood.

“I guess you should bring your music and check the sound.”

“Right, you’re totally right.  Okay, um… you just wait for me here.  It won’t take long for me to bring my stuff and…”

“Hey, wait.  Wait.” Nicole stops her.  “You don’t have to do this right now.  I mean I’m ok with the fact that you want to start as soon as you can but… I guess it’s been a long day and emotionally draining…”

Carmen giggles and lowers her head in embarrassment.

“…But how about tomorrow?”

“That sounds like a plan.”

Both women remain in silence for some time until Nicole speaks.

“I want to know about you Carmen.  How about if we take a cup of coffee, and we share our stories?”

“All right.”

They walk slowly talking all the way to the nearest diner.  She doesn’t know what it is, but she feels incredibly comfortable with Carmen.  “Not another Latina…not again…”

———————————————————————————————————–

Shane is looking through the window of her hotel room, lost in thought as she smokes.  The room is dark.  Shane turns and looks at the bag that is on her bed.  She looks at it for a few seconds, and then she slowly walks towards it.  She stops at one side of the bed and put out her cigarette.  Then she lifts her bag and heads to the door.  She stops abruptly and throws her bag at the wall.  She grabs her head with both hands and screams in frustration.  She sits at the edge of the bed still holding her head.  She can feel her head spinning as the memories of her mother take her over.