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“Things have just been so good for us; I’m worried about breaking our luck.”

“Hermana, it’s not luck. We’ve worked hard to get where we are. Nothing will change that. Faith needs us to be the role models we so desperately needed growing up. She also needs adults who understand her and can help guide her through what I’m sure is a really exhausting time. Not only is she fresh out of the closet, but the way she was brought up means she has so many other things to learn and experience.”

“I hear you,” Carmen replied thoughtfully. Taking on Faith was a massive decision. Yesterday, Carmen’s heart had overruled her brain. In the cold light of day though, was it the right decision to involve themselves in Faith’s business?

“No, you don’t. I can hear your cogs grinding from here. We’re not teenagers that need to keep the world at bay anymore, Carmen. That girl needs our help and I intend to give it. With or without you!”

Carmen gritted her teeth as Mateo stormed out of the room. Damn it, she shouldn’t have opened her mouth. It was rare that Mateo and Carmen disagreed, but when they did, Carmen usually found herself in the wrong. Out of the two, she was the one who struggled to let go of the past. Even at thirty-seven, Carmen let her past dictate her present and future. Most of the arguments between Carmen and Mateo were about her inability to let herself live fully. Mateo hated Carmen working from home because he thought it gave her an excuse to shut the world out. He wasn’t wrong.

“Fuck,” Carmen hissed. She could hear Mateo laughing with Faith in the living room. How Carmen wished she could be like him. It would be great to go through life not expecting the worst in people, instead Carmen was in a constant state of awareness and suspicion.

“Carmen, get your ass in here. My tweezers are itching to pluck your unibrow.” Rubbing her face vigorously, Carmen prepared herself. Mateo would play nice in front of Faith, but the second they were alone, he would be pissed at her all over again.

???

“I didn’t know my skin could feel so soft,” Faith whispered. Carmen, Faith and Mateo all sat in a row with their heads leaning back on the sofa. Mateo had given them each a facial.

“Honey, this is essential maintenance,” Mateo replied.

“I feel tingly,” Faith giggled.

“That’s because your face can breathe now all the dead skin is gone.”

“Ew, gross, let’s not talk about dead skin please,” Carmen gagged.

“We wouldn’t have to if you exfoliated once in a while, Carm.”

“I exfoliate.”

“You two are hilarious,” Faith cackled.

Carmen smiled. It was nice to see Faith relaxing. It was also good for Carmen to have spent some time with her and Mateo. Just being around those two helped quell Carmen’s worries. Mateo was right. There was a reason Carmen felt the need to offer Faith their home. Stripping away all the uncertainty left Carmen clearheaded. Faith was a good kid from the little Carmen knew of her. Everyone deserved support, and that’s what Carmen would give. Now she just had to channel that thought to Mateo, so he didn’t rip her a new asshole as soon as Faith left the room.

“Right, now that we are silky smooth, I suppose I should tackle your hair, Carmen. No self-respecting lesbian is going to jump into bed with you looking like that.”

“Wow, you’re just full of compliments today, Mateo. So good for my self-esteem.”

“Just telling it like it is, Hermana. Now into the bathroom you go.”

Carmen hauled herself up from the couch and trudged to the bathroom. Stripping off her tank top, Carmen surveyed herself in the mirror. Her undercut was overgrown. Her skin was also pale. “Jesus,” she mumbled as she prodded the skin on her face. “You’re getting old.”

“No, you’re just not getting enough sunlight,” Mateo stated. He directed Carmen to sit on the stool that was reserved for haircuts. Carmen had argued until she was blue in the face when Mateo first told her he planned to set up a hair station in the shared bathroom. The idea of Mateo using their space to play hairdresser irked Carmen until she actually allowed Mateo to give her a full treatment. Now their bathroom resembled a salon, and Carmen loved it.

“Listen, before you jump all over me about earlier, I know I was wrong. I was just panicking a bit.”

“Alright,” Mateo replied, leaning Carmen’s head back against the sink to wash her hair.

“That’s it, just ‘alright?’”

“Yes, that’s it. I know you needed your freak out, but I also knew you would come to the right decision.”

“Are you… are you sure you will be okay if her dad turns up?”

“Yes, I’m sure. My time fearing asshole men is well and truly over. Faith needs us to be strong for her. She’s a good kid.”

“You get on well with her.”

“You will, too. Just let yourself, Carmen. For once, don’t overthink, just connect. I can’t be your only constant, chica. I will be, you know that, but I shouldn’t be the only one.”