"The excellence of a gift lies in its appropriateness rather than in its value"

Charles Dudley Warner 'Eleventh Study,' Backlog Studies, 1873

"I'm so nervous!" Carmen said to Lena on the phone when she had gotten back to the house, "I'm meeting his father in two weeks!"

"You're nervous? I'm the one who made a rash decision about going back with Kostos! I just melted right back into his arms. Now that he is gone, I think about how stupid it was. I mean at least Brandon and Paul lived in the same county as I do. But I have a history with Kostos."

"First loves live on, but remember, he has a baby!"

"In his defense, we were not going out when the child was conceived. Kostos really didn't cheat on me.."

"You have to remember, Kostos has baggage, I don't think you're ready to deal with that yet."

"I just really don't know if I love him. I know he is hot, and I have such an insane physical attraction to him, but I don't know if I'm in love with him."

"Be honest to him. You have to do that by being honest with yourself."

"Thanks, And you need to stop worrying. Paul wouldn't put you in any danger. Physical or emotional."

"I guess I know that."

"At the same time, he must really trust you to invite you to see his father. You told me that your Dad said Krista couldn't handle it."

"Thats what I'm afraid of. Right now, I'm going to try to focus on whats going on now. Win is down for a couple weeks, and I'm going to make the most of it."

"He is my guest, I should have to give up my room," Carmen insisted to her father and Paul, "I can sleep on the couch or in Krista's room. There is enough room for an extra mattress in there."

"We can put a mattress in my room," Paul insisted, "Its bigger than Krista's. It'll be easier to fit an aerobed in it."

"I don't want to inconvenience you Paul," Carmen begged, "He is my boyfriend, and should inconvenience me."

"Its no trouble. He'll only be here two weeks, its no big deal."

Carmen smiled and knew not to argue anymore. She came to find out that Win's things were already in Paul's room.

"Its almost dinner," her dad explained, "I'll go bring the air mattress and linens into Paul's room. The guys can set it up later."

"Okay," Carmen commented, "I'm just going to go up and wash my face."

"Carmen!" Paul called after her, "Me and my girlfriend are going to the drive in tonight after dinner if you and Win want to come with us."

New girlfriend? Carmen cringed inwardly. This obviously wasn't Lena as Carmen had wished would happen, "When did you get a girlfriend?" she asked, wishing she hadn't sounded so rude after it came out of her mouth.

Paul blushed, "She goes to the same college as I do. I met her in my psychology class a couple quarters ago. Her name is Amy."

"Oh, Amy," Carmen repeated, "Thanks. I'll ask Win if he wants to go. I'd like to," she headed upstairs.

Win was coming out of the bathroom.

"Hey," she said with a tinge of seduction on her voice, "Paul asked us to go to the movies on a double date. You interested?"

"When?"

"After dinner. Don't worry, Paul isn't big on PDAs," Carmen joked, "Wasn't big on talking when I met him either," she laughed mildly at her own joke.

"Lets take separate cars," Win winked, "Mine is in the back driveway."

Carmen smiled, "Dinner will be done in about five minutes. I'm just going to freshen up, I'll see you in a few minutes."

"Okay."

She kissed him on the cheek. It was weird to have Win so readily accessible. During the school year, they only saw each other twice a month, but now that he was living in the same house as she was, albeit for two weeks, things seemed different.

"What are we seeing tonight Paul?" Carmen asked over dinner. She was embarrassed that she had neglected to ask.

"Its classic movie night. They're showing Grease."

"I haven't seen that," commented Win.

"Really?" Carmen awed, "Everyone has to see Grease! Its a good thing you're going tonight, or I would have to be very ashamed that you haven't seen Grease."

That was the first time Carmen had ever seen Paul kiss someone. They had parked the cars next to each other, with Paul's on the left. While Greased Lightning was going on, Carmen looked over to Win to see if he was enjoying himself. Boy, did she get an eyeful. Through the corner of her eye, she saw Paul making out with Amy. Carmen blushed, then averted her eyes quickly.

"What is it?" Win asked thoughtfully.

Carmen was speechless, she just pointed her eyes and head at Paul's truck and nodded sideways.

Win laughed.

"I feel so violated," Carmen half joked, "My eyes are burning out!"

Win laughed again.

"You should be glad that you're an only child!" Carmen got an idea, she took her cell phone out of her pocket, and text messaged Paul, "Hey! You're in public."

Carmen watched as Paul was interrupted by the text ring. He pulled the phone out of his pocket and read it. Paul chuckled, and responded, "Sorry. Next time I'll just make out in the living room ;) "

Carmen stuck her tongue out at him.

Paul laughed, then put is phone away, and turned back to Amy.

They kissed near the entrance to Carmen's room, "Goodnight Carmen," Win said as they broke apart, "I'll see you in the morning

"Goodnight Win," Carmen called as she went into her room.

Carmen went into the bathroom that was adjoined to Krista's room. She heard a giggle from Krista's room, and she knew that Krista and the friends she was having over for a sleep over were still awake. Carmen washed off her make-up and then went back into her room to change into her pajamas.

She finally went back to knock on Krista's door.

"Yeah!" Krista yelled back.

"Mind if I come in?"

"Enter!"

"Hey, mind if I join you?"

Krista smiled, "Be our guest."

There were three other girls in the room. There was one with slightly darker skin, who Carmen thought was part Latino. Another was very pale, the third was in between the two. Along with Krista, the blonde, this group reminded Carmen of her sisterhood. She smiled, and sat down amongst them. They were watching the Breakfast Club. At the kiss scene near the end, Carmen had a flashback and shuddered.

"Huh?" Susie asked.

"Oh," Carmen sighed, "Nothing."

The movie ended, Carmen got up to go to her own room, "Thanks. I needed a break from all that testosterone. 'Night."

"Goodnight," they all replied.

Carmen woke with a start to a loud knock on her door.

"What!"

"Its 10am," Krista called in, "Breakfast is almost ready. Its a special breakfast, you don't want to miss this."

Carmen sat up in bed after hearing Krista's enthusiasm, "Hey Krista, do you want to come in for a minute?" she asked,

Krista entered.

"The reason I shuddered last night was because I was remembering how my eyes were burned out by my seeing Paul and Amy making out," Carmen shuddered again, "Also last night."

Krista laughed, "I don't like seeing him making out with girls either. It just doesn't seem right."

"He never seemed that public to me before. I mean I would have seen before now, wouldn't I?"

Krista laughed again. What was so funny about this? "His usual make out spot is in the back yard on the rock, underneath the tree. He says girls find it romantic. I just don't get it."

"Nature, some girls like that kind of stuff. My friend Bee for instance, I don't think she'd live inside if she didn't have to."

"Yeah, Susie is kinda like that," Krista replied, "We should get down for breakfast."

"Are you going to tell me whats going on?"

"No."

Krista went down stairs first. Carmen brushed her hair, then went down herself. Halfway down the stairs, Carmen smelled bacon and eggs. After she turned the corner, she noticed the entire kitchen table was covered with all different types of food. There was bacon, scrambled eggs, toast, three different cereals, fruit and waffles. It looked like enough to feed ten people. She came to find out that that was the whole idea.

Win came into view, throwing an apron onto a chair, "You like it?" he asked.

"Was this all you?" Carmen countered

"Not quite, Lydia bought the food and helped with some of the preparation. Paul gave me the whole idea. Krista and her friends were the ones who set up the backyard. You should see it, it is beautiful. The movie thing was a diversion cooked up by Paul to get you out of the house, so Krista could decorate the backyard. Your dad did the eggs and toast."

Carmen was so happy, she was on the verge of tears.

"I told them to wait outside while I unveiled. You get the first plate. Don't worry. I made enough for all my helpers, and then some."

Carmen was speechless, she just grabbed a plate and began taking a little bit of everything. Everyone else spewed into the kitchen and lined up behind her. She walked slowly out to the patio area. Win was right, it was beautiful. There was the regular patio furniture with its umbrella up, and next to that was a small wooden table with two chairs, and a sheer table cloth. Roses were scattered around and stuck on different parts of the yard.

Carmen sat down at the table for two, and waited for Win to come out of the kitchen. He was the last out., everyone waited for him. Along with his plate, Win had a flower for Carmen's hair.

"Win!" she exclaimed, "Everything is just too perfect! I wish I could kiss you right now, but I haven't brushed my teeth."

Win had an answer for that too. He pulled a package of Listerine Pocket packs out of his pocket. Carmen let one dissolve on her tongue. Win got up, and she gave him a passionate kiss. Then they started to eat.