Page 16 of Finding Molly Parsons

“Intrigued. I thought our little bedroom adventures were over after you all but ghosted me.”

Carmen bit her lip and made a fist with her free hand. She should have known Rachel would be pissed. “Sorry—”

“Oh stop, I’m teasing. We both knew what it was. Is everything alright? You’re not in trouble are you?”

“No, but I have a few questions, if you have five minutes?”

“For you, kitten, I have ten.”

Carmen chuckled. Maybe they could find their way back to their bedroom adventures, just one more time.

Chapter 5

Faith

Even though the last 24 hours had been an emotional whirlwind, Faith was feeling pretty good. Whether it was because Mateo and Carmen made her feel safe or simply because she could stop running long enough to take a break from the usual feelings of anxiety, she wasn’t sure. Whatever the reason, Faith was happy to go along for the ride.

The simple act of sitting with her new friends eating pancakes this morning and having a facial and manicure was so far from her norm, Faith reveled in it. It was a hard pill to swallow sometimes, realizing how much of the world she didn’t know.

What eighteen-year-old didn’t know about current affairs? Or which TV show was popular? Running from her life in Kentucky didn’t just mean Faith could finally live as an out and proud queer woman. It meant she had time to learn about the world and her place in it.

There were so many things about herself Faith had yet to discover. Number one being her style. Hanging around Carmen and Mateo had brought home to her just how dowdy she looked and felt. Mateo was tall, trim, and immaculate. His clothes were wild and often feminine, but Faith adored everything Mateo wore. Probably because the man had so much confidence in himself that it was almost infectious.

Carmen was a little different. For Faith, Carmen was more of a role model. Sure, Carmen was the first lesbian Faith had met—that she knew of anyway—but that meant nothing. Faith could have met a thousand lesbians and would still hold Carmen up on a pedestal. There weren’t many people in the world that would selflessly help a complete stranger. But Carmen Ruiz had.

If Faith was going to walk the rainbow road, she wanted to have someone like Carmen guiding her. Like Mateo, Carmen seemed confident in herself. Yes, she walked around in boxer briefs and an old tank top most of the time, but she was still herself. Maybe even more so than Mateo.

“Hey, I just wanted to apologize again, for freaking you out earlier,” Carmen said awkwardly as the two of them sat in the kitchen drinking coffee. She’d returned from her room after talking to her police friend. Faith wanted to know what they’d discussed, but didn’t want to push.

When Carmen had come running into the living room early, Faith thought the worst, especially when Carmen said she just wanted to warn Faith. That had instantly made Faith feel sick until Carmen explained she meant the book Faith was about to read. Then the panic turned to embarrassment for them both.

Faith knew the basics about sex. Her mother had given her a God-fearing version of sex education. Only when Faith had a conversation with Alice, did she actually learn the important and relevant aspects of sex.

Sex with a woman though? Nope, nothing. Maybe Carmen’s books could help her in that department. Not that she was anywhere close to actually sleeping with a woman.

“It’s fine, honestly,” Faith replied, hoping to make Carmen feel better.

“I’m going out, back in an hour,” Mateo called from the hallway.

“Where are you going?” Carmen hollered.

“Just out. I won’t be long.”

“Bring tacos.”

Faith chuckled again. The dynamic between Carmen and Mateo was fascinating. They were best friends but fought like brother and sister.

“I really do like your hair,” Faith commented. With a freshly shaved undercut, Carmen looked great.

“It’s a good style for me. Look,” Carmen began, freeing her hair from its bond. “I can wear it down for meetings and I look all professional and straight-laced,” she grinned, flipping her curly locks over her shoulder dramatically. “But in an instant I can wear it up in a ponytail or top knot and I am stylish as hell.” Carmen whipped her hair into a messy bun. “Two styles in one.”

“I wish I had a style.” Faith had been thinking long and hard about who she was since she stepped into Carmen and Mateo’s world.

“You may not know what your style is yet, but you do have it. Tell me, what do you want to change?”

“Um… maybe have some length taken off my hair. I was never allowed to cut it.”

“That’s easily done. What else?”

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