2 WEEKS LATER
Shane was hobbling around the the kitchen.
She had just about gotten used to crutches but they were still an insane inconvienience.
She opened up the fridge and got a beer out, then paused and put it back in. She decided to go for something healthier for a change. Why?
'Cause she felt like it.
And the idea of developing a beer belly wasn't appealing in the least.
She attempted to bend down and get into the cupboard under the sink - and was failing. She could only reach down so far then her leg would just get in the way. She used her crutch to open the cupboard door, then tried to reach down and grab the blender on the bottom shelf.
"Shane? What's with all the clanging?" Alice called from the living room
Shane ignored her. She was beginning to get frustrated and she tried again. No such luck.
Who's fuckin genius idea was it to invent low cabinets anyway..
Alice walked into the kitchen and raised an eyebrow at Shane's odd position and scary facial expression and cleared her throat.
"Uh.. What are you doing?"
Shane ignored her again and grabbed onto the tabletop above the cupboard to try and reach lower.
"Here, let me help"
"NO! I can do it!" She sounded more aggressive than she had intended. But she hated the idea of not being able to get something as simple as a blender without someones help.
Alice sighed and put her hands on her hips as she watched Shane reach down awkwardly and grimace as she leant on her crutch to get lean closer. She clenched her teeth as her fingers streched and grasped the handle of the blender. She breathed out and stood back up and pushed her crutch against the cupboard door to close it.
Shane remained silent as she went to the fridge and took out a juice carton.
Alice leaned on the counter and looked at her friend.
"...You heard from Carmen yet?"
"Nope" Shane replied quickly, as she hobbled around her and began to throw pieces of fruit into the blender.
Alice knew that tone. It was the 'don't-wanna-talk-about-it-and-let-you-know-I-care' tone.
"Look. Just give her time... I mean you said she kissed you right?"
Shane looked at Alice about to argue, but then she stopped and shook her head and turned on the blender.
If she was completely honest, she was scared to think about it. She didn't know what to expect, after all it was Carmen.
Whether to get her hopes up, or learn to deal and let it go. It seemed to be going so well, and after the accident and everything, she thought they'd be able to start over, simple as.
Ah.. who are you kidding.
Of course it wasn't going to be simple. She couldn't believe she was stupid enough to think Carmen would come running to her just like that. What she did to her in Canada was unforgivable, how could she expect Carmen to want her, or to even love her after that.
As the fruit spiralled round in the blender, her mind went back to the day at the hospital.
The kiss was,
...mind blowing.
And a complete shock on her part, but that kiss sealed the deal for Shane. She was whipped. She didn't want anyone else- she wouldn't have anyone else.
She'd take on an SUV all over again just to feel her soft lips again.
Man she smelt good.
She once again mentally kicked herself repeatedly for leaving Carmen in the first place.
Stupid, stupid, stupid. If you hadn't been such a fucking coward you'd both be happy now.
Alice rolled her eyes as she waited for the loud whirring to stop. Shane flipped the switch up and poured out the smoothie into two glasses.
She passed a glass to Alice and forced a smile. Alice smiled back and felt sorry for Shane.
Yeah, she made bad choices, but with good intentions. She's only human.
She had to figure out a way to sort Shane and Carmen out.
Shane sighed and stared at the floor as she took a sip from her glass.
Regrets sting like a bitch
2 WEEKS AGO
Shane was smiling like a goofball and had completely forgotten about any pain she was feeling, the lethal smell of disinfectent or even the fact that she was wearing possibly the most uncomfortable dressing gown possible. She cleared her throat,
"So-"
She was interuppted by a knock at the door. A nurse entered and gave an apologetic smile, she had sensed that she was intruding on a 'moment'.
"Sorry to interupt. Miss Morales, a telephone call for you at the front desk"
Shane sighed and shook her head, as Carmen smirked and stood up. "I'll be back" and leant down and kissed her on the forehead.
The nurse led Carmen to the telephone, Carmen smiled and mouthed a, "Thanks" as she lifted the reciever.
"Hello?"
"Carmen! Are you okay?"
Carmen rolled her eyes,
"Yes Mami, I'm fine."
"Are you sure?.."
"Mom. I'm FINE. seriously, nothing more than a few cuts and bruises"
"That isn't what I'm talking about Carmen"
Carmen became silent, she didn't need this type of talk from her mother right now.She knew what she was going to say and she didn't want to hear any of it.
"Mother please. I dont wan't to talk about that right now"
"Carmencita. You know I like Chane, but I cannot bear to see my mija go through that again. I just want you to make sure you know what you are getting yourself into."
"Carmen, I just don't want you to get hurt again."
"..I know."
"Be careful mija."
The dial tone echoed through the reciever and she placed the phone down back on the reception counter.
She felt her heart beat harder in her chest. Her mind was suddenly a broken record, replaying memories over and over again.
"No, wait. I don't want you to go...
I miss the way you smell..."
Her heart was slowly being torn apart,
"You're the first person I want to make that promise to...
Would you marry me?..."
again,
"Am I really trying to marry the most unobtainable person in the world?
...She's not proud of this. It's just who she is."
and again,
"...I love you"
and again.
"Miss, are you okay?"
Carmen felt a hand on her shoulder and and she realised that there were tears rolling down her face.
"Yeah, I'm okay"
The nurse wasn't convinced,
"Are you sure?"
She wiped away the tears and laughed nervously to herself
"Mhm. I'm fine. Thankyou."
She looked towards the hallway leading to Shane's room, and then at the Hospital entrance.
A blue mini screeched to a halt in front of the doors and a very panicky Alice stumbled through the automatic doors, carrying a bag full of clothes. Carmen turned around and picked up a magazine from the reception and pretended to read it.
"Hi, Shane McCutcheon? NO no no! I'M not Shane, where IS Shane McCutcheon?? Okay. A02. Right. Gotcha. Okay."
Alice rushed past Carmen and through the doors leading to the patient rooms. Carmen heard a disant,
"You crazy bitch! Thank fuck you're okay.."
Alice's voice soon faded, and Carmen put the magazine back down and walked out of the hospital