Chapter 17- Calm Before the Storm

            Shane woke up, expecting Hermes to be sleeping next to her, but when she felt an arm wrap around her and a warm body cuddle into hers as she opened her eyes. She looked over to see Carmen, moaning in her sleep and snuggling into Shane. Shane looked over at her confused. She kissed her head and whispered in her ear.

Shane: Carmen

Carmen: mm?

Shane: Carmen?

Carmen: ‘ive maw minutes

Shane: Where’s Alex?

Carmen: In bed, go to sleep.

Carmen lifted her head, still half asleep, her eyes shut and gently kissed Shane’s cheek. She then nuzzled her head into Shane’s chest. She fell back asleep and let out a huge snore. Shane smiled. She must be tired because the last time Shane remembered Carmen snoring was the night on their one year anniversary. And that was after they had spent all day in bed, fucking their brains out. Shane kissed the top of her head and rubbed light circles on her back as she played her life with Carmen over and over again in her head.

Alex woke up. She felt a bit dizzy and dazed but she looked over at her alarm clock. 2 PM. She knew Madre was up. No matter how late she had stayed up, Madre would be out of bed and dressed by 7, it was like a rule or something. Then, her and mom would usually stumble out at the same time. Madre made them brunch as they played video games or watched TV. But not today. Alex grunted and rolled over. Her hand hung over the bed as her face was squished by the pillow. She felt something below her. Sure enough, there was her mother passed out on the floor. Alex brought her hand to her face and tried wiping the sleep out of her eyes, but soon fell back asleep.

Just then, Carmen burst through the door.

Carmen: Guys, get up!

They both groaned.

Carmen: There’s a huge storm coming and I need your help, we gotta get everything inside.

Shane slowly got up. She stretched out the kinks and yawned.

Shane: I guess I can’t wash the car today, or the windows like I planned.