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“Oh, don’t look so surprised, Miss Ruiz. I’m an old woman with sweet fuck all to do. Your comings and goings are my entertainment. Well, not as much as Ted across the street, that is. You should see him try to walk in his wife’s stilettos. Why the woman thinks it’s sexy is beyond me. It’s not like Ted is built to be on stilts. The man weighs as much as a bus and has the balance of a potato standing on its end.”

Faith couldn’t stop herself after that. Her laughter ricocheted through the house. Enid sipped her tea as if nothing had happened. Carmen looked shell-shocked before bursting out in tears of laughter. Both Carmen and Faith held their bellies. It took them a good five minutes to calm themselves down.

“So, will you go to Vermont?” Enid asked.

Faith nodded. “That’s the plan. I traveled to Seattle thinking Molly would be here, but… well, you know how that turned out. Carmen and Mateo were kind enough to take me in and help me out.”

“I’m glad there are still some kind souls left in the world. Is there anything I can do to help, dear?”

“If you think of anything else about Molly, I’d love to hear it.”

“I’ll see if I can find some pictures for you. I’m sure I have a couple. How about I fetch you over when I have them?”

Faith beamed in delight. Would she finally get to see what her aunt looked like? “Oh Enid, that would be wonderful, thank you.”

“My pleasure, Faith, you’re a chip off the old block. I can see that.”

Faith felt a chill run through her. She naturally thought of her parents when she heard comments like that, but after a moment’s contemplation, Faith calmed. Enid thought she was like Molly, not her parents. Finally she had someone worth measuring up to in her family. That meant more than Faith could articulate.

After another glass of iced tea, Faith and Carmen said their goodbyes with a promise to visit again soon.

“Enid’s lovely,” Faith mused as they walked back to the house.

“She has a toilet mouth,” Carmen laughed.

“I think it suits her though. Do you know what I mean?”

“Yeah, you’re right. Now, how are you feeling about the information she gave you?”

“Honestly, relieved. I just hope she’s still there.”

Carmen let them through the front door. The sound of salsa music boomed through the house. Faith strained to see what Carmen was staring at. Oh boy. In the living room was a very pink and glittery Mateo. Dancing his heart out to the music, whilst vacuuming the floor.

“Why?” Carmen shouted. Mateo looked up and smiled. His eyes were just as glittery as his body.

Shutting off the vacuum, Mateo danced his way over to them. “What did you say, chica?”

“I asked why,” Carmen replied.

“Why what?” Mateo looked confused.

“Why are you vacuuming dressed as a unicorn on steroids? And where the hell did you get that tutu?

“Oh, it’s fabulous, isn’t it? Luis gave it to me. Anyway, I’m wearing it because it’s my dress rehearsal. I need to see how I move in the outfit. Don’t want chafing.”

Faith stood silently watching the two converse. She’d never tire of their back-and-forth. “What the hell are you rehearsing for?”

“I think you look spectacular,” Faith interjected. He really did look magical.

“Don’t encourage him,” Carmen mumbled.

“Thank you, Faith. At least someone around here appreciates my style. And, Carmen, I knew you would forget. I can’t believe it.”

“What did I forget?”

“It’s Pride on Saturday. This is my outfit.”

Faith’s ears perked up. She’d heard about Pride events. They were supposed to be spectacular. Her heart raced. Would Mateo and Carmen let her go with them?