Riza: Couldn't you tell thats what I was planning from the beginning? Read it over. I dropped lots of hints. There is more of a resolution to that in this chapter, and in the epilouge (that I haven't written yet)
Kat P. Thanks. Aren't I so twisted.?
Katmeister: Thanks so much for all your love.
"Hey," Carmen came in after she knocked on Krista's bedroom door. She almost went to the wrong room. The remodel had made the house confusing, "My bus leaves in an hour. I wanted to say goodbye."
"You're leaving?"
"Yeah. I gotta get home to see my friends and re-pack. In a couple days its back to school."
"I wish you didn't have to. I want you to be here for me. I know it sounds selfish."
"I wish I could stay for you too. You call me the moment you go into labor, and I'll be here as soon as I can."
"I'll do that."
"Want to see me to the station? Paul's loading the car. We're going to swing by the hospital on the way there."
"I think I'll stay here. My hair's all wet. I'm not presentable to go out in public."
"You sure?"
"Yeah."
"Okay."
"But Carmen,"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks. For everything this summer. I do appreciate it."
"I was just following my gut. Thank you for letting me be a part of it," she pointed awkwardly at Krista's stomach, "It made the summer interesting. I'm glad we got to spend time together, and really get to know each other."
"Me too. I wish it could have happened sooner."
"I wish it hadn't taken this."
"Yeah."
"Carmen!" Paul called up.
"Coming!" she responded. She turned to Krista, "Bye. I'll see you soon enough."
"Bye Carmen. Have a safe trip back."
"How long do you think they've been asleep?" Tibby inquired.
"I dunno. Knowing Bee, they were up late."
"She wouldn't do that to Lena, considering what happened."
"Yes she would."
"When do you think they're going to wake up?"
Lena opened one eye and threw a pillow at Tibby to shut her up. Lena put the other pillow over her head and groaned.
"Apparently now," Carmen chuckled, "Lets wake Bee up. Carmen and Tibby yelled in Bee's ears. Lena reacted by waking up more thoroughly. Bee pretended to be asleep.
"What time is it?" Lena groaned.
"9:31 am," Tibby responded.
"Urrrrrrr," Bridget groaned.
"How late were you up?" Carmen was concerned.
"Nearly four," Lena replied, "It was her fault," she pointed at Bee.
"I was just showing Lena a good time."
"Well you two must get up and get dressed right now," Carmen ordered, "We're going to breakfast."
"After breakfast, it is beach time. You guys remembered to pack right? We have our bags in Carma's car."
"I totally forgot that was today," Bee admitted, "I thought we were leaving tomorrow."
"She had me out til all hours of the night last night, so I didn't get a chance."
"Quit blaming it all on me!" Bee was cranky.
"Lets go, Lets go," Tibby said.
"Alright" Bee responded.
"Do you want us to pack for you?" Carmen asked.
"No, I'll get to it."
Carmen was elected to drive because Bee wanted to nap in the backseat. Though not as daring a driver as Bee, Carmen made good time to the beach. They performed the ritualistic running into the water, and then dried themselves in the sun.