Page 12 of Finding Molly Parsons

Carmen

Carmen listened to Mateo regale Faith with one of his clients’ mishap stories. Faith was crying with laughter as Mateo performed his tale with flair and drama. Smiling, Carmen polished off her pancakes and coffee.

Sleep hadn’t come easily last night. As soon as Carmen was alone in her room, panic set in. Welcoming Faith into her home was the right thing to do, but something was telling Carmen their lives were about to get complicated. Never mind the fact that finding this Molly woman was going to be a massive undertaking that wouldn’t necessarily turn out the way Faith hoped. There was also Faith’s family to consider.

The way Faith described her father, Carmen knew they would have to deal with some kind of fallout. Yes, Faith was an adult, but Carmen had met men like him. He wouldn’t give up control that easily.

If Faith’s parents showed up, Carmen had to take into consideration how that would affect Mateo. It had been a long time since either of them had dealt with people like that. Carmen and Mateo’s childhoods had been tough. They’d both been through a lot, and they’d both tried their hardest to put those memories in the past where they belonged. A shot of pain reminded Carmen that not everyone one in her and Mateo’s life had been bad. Camila Ruiz was the one and only person in their young lives that gave a damn. The older woman worked at the group home. It was Camila who taught Carmen and Mateo Spanish. When Camila passed away from a heart attack, it felt as real as losing their own mother. That’s why Carmen and Mateo adopted the surname Ruiz. It was the only time they’d felt seen, and in some way loved. Wanted. After Camila, the two Ruiz kids only knew pain and suffering. Especially Mateo. The worry that a run-in with Faith’s father might trigger Mateo played heavily on her conscience.

Carmen suffered busted lips and bruises at the hands of her so-called caregivers. Mateo had suffered so much more. How was Carmen supposed to keep him safe and help Faith at the same time?

Those had been the thoughts rolling around Carmen’s head for most of the night. By the time the sun was peeking over the horizon, Carmen was almost bouncing off the walls. Music hadn’t helped. TV just irritated her more. So, Carmen did the one thing she hated. Exercise.

Plugging in headphones and running at the ass crack of dawn was not her idea of a good time, but nothing else was working. Carmen didn’t want Mateo or Faith to see how unsettled she was.

A three-mile jog had done the trick. By the time she got home, the sun was up. Mateo and Faith were still in bed, which gave Carmen the chance to shower and put on a clean boxer briefs and tank combo. All because she’d showered didn’t mean she had to get dressed, right? Maybe Mateo was on to something? Maybe Carmen had become a little too comfortable working from home.

“Hey Carm, how about a movie marathon today? We can introduce Faith to a few essential movies and TV series.”

“Is this the beginning of her lesducation?” Carmen chuckled. Mateo had a twinkle in his eye. That man was over the moon to be Faith’s guide into Queerdom.

“Absolutely. Plus, it’s Sunday. You know Sundays are sacred.”

“Oh, are you religious?” Faith asked.

Carmen snorted, “If by religious you mean with face masks and manicures, then yes. Mateo is devout.”

“At least I’ll look good when I get to those pearly gates,” Mateo tutted.

“I’ve never had a manicure,” Faith remarked, studying her fingernails.

“Well, that’s about to change, chica. I’m going to Pretty Woman the shit out of you!”

Carmen laughed again. Poor Faith, she had no idea what she was signing up for. At least Carmen wouldn’t have to suffer another Sunday being attacked with wax strips and tweezers. “Don’t think you’re off the hook, hermana. Those eyebrows are close to becoming a single unit.”

Faith giggled behind her hand. Carmen scowled at Mateo. “My eyebrows are fine.”

“No, honey, they are not. Plus, you need your undercut shaved.”

Carmen grazed her fingers along the back of her neck. Okay, she needed a little maintenance performed on her hair, but that didn’t mean she was going to let him go all Miss Congeniality on the rest of her body.

“Faith, why don’t you grab the robe on the back of your door while I get my kit. Meet us in the living room.” Faith nodded and scampered off, her mood much lighter than the day before. Carmen sighed audibly. “Okay, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I just didn’t sleep much.”

“Give it up Carmen. What’s wrong?”

Carmen shot a look towards the door. The last thing she wanted was Faith to hear her worries. “I’m worried. I don’t know where to look for Faith’s aunt and—”

“You’re worried about dear old dad showing up.” Mateo finished, slipping onto the stool next to Carmen.

“Yeah,” Carmen sighed.

“Are you worried for Faith or for me?”

Carmen should have known Mateo would see straight through her. They shared a bond tighter than blood relations. Their survival as kids had depended on trusting each other. “Both?”

Mateo gave Carmen an understanding smile. “You know, I’m like six months older than you right? Yet here you are acting all old sisterly on me.” The tut he gave for effect helped break the tension. “Carm, I know this is going to be tough for us both. First, we’ve never had to look out for anyone but each other. I mean, what do kids eat these days? Is she potty trained? Gosh, so many things to think about.” Carmen knocked his shoulder playfully. “But at the end of the day, Faith is a young woman who needs our help. And I think we are uniquely qualified to offer her that. Yes, sure, if her parents show up, it could trigger me and possibly you. Don’t forget, I’m not the only one that went through shit, but that’s why you forced us both into therapy. I can handle myself and I trust you to do the same.”

---