Chapter 8
Carlota has lost track of how many hours she's been sitting in the same position. Since Patricia left, she's been at the table with her fourth or fifth cup of coffee of the day - she's lost count.
Her plan was to keep reading the Writers book until her coworker Vanesa arrives at the shelter to replace her, but that simple fact of knowing with certainty that Patricia likes women has her completely unfocused and unable to think about anything else. That's why Carlota doesn't notice when her coworker opens the door and enters the shelter, nor when she approaches and greets her; she only becomes aware of her presence when Vanesa nearly gives her a heart attack by touching her shoulder to snap her out of her trance.
"Hey, want to come back to earth?" Vanesa says, shaking her.
"Jesus," Carlota startles, jumping to her feet, "I didn't hear you come in."
"I noticed," her coworker smiles. "What were you thinking about with that concentrated look?"
"Nothing in particular," Carlota lies.
Vanesa doesn't believe her because she knows anyone in that state has their mind very occupied, but decides not to push it.
"Well, how did the lockdown go?" Vanesa asks, until something catches her attention and she smiles when she sees Coco. "And who's this handsome furry guy?" she asks, approaching his cage.
"His name is Coco," Carlota explains, "a girl found him on the road during the storm and brought him here, though you won't believe what happened to her."
When Carlota begins to explain Patricia's story to her coworker, Vanesa prepares herself a cup of coffee and sits across from her, listening with such interest that she barely blinks.
"That's wild, so you haven't been alone these two days, I'm so glad," Vanesa comments.
That's when Carlota explains that she already knew Patricia from their university days and that there's been some tension between them over a job position dispute, but that's not what catches Vanesa's attention - what really sparks her curiosity is her coworker's final comment.
"She left this morning when her ex came to pick her up, who's a woman."
Vanesa's eyes narrow as she focuses on Carlota with a smile.
"Why are you emphasizing the fact that her ex is a woman?"
Again, and as it's becoming an habit she doesn't like, Carlota feels herself getting hot and her cheeks flushing.
"I wasn't emphasizing anything, I just stated the obvious," she defends herself, flustered.
"An obvious detail that wasn't necessary - it was enough to say her ex came to help her," Vanesa teases.
"What's the big deal? It just surprised me, I didn't know Patricia liked women."
"Well, look at that, your former classmate is one of us. Here's your first lesbian friend," Vanesa claps. "It's fantastic, you can meet up with her to go out and start meeting girls, her friends, for example."
"What?" Carlota gets agitated. "No way would I meet up with Patricia, besides, I doubt she's forgiven me for what happened with the job position, and you don't know how harsh she can be when she wants to," she starts saying, increasingly nervous and flushed. "I assure you she hates me, Vanesa, not to mention Patricia would never agree to meet with me."
Again, Vanesa's dark eyes narrow, and Carlota lets out a huff.
"What?" she asks uneasily.
"You're saying she wouldn't meet with you, but you want to meet with her, don't you?" she asks, leaning forward.
Carlota coughs and for a moment fears she'll choke again.
"I don't know why you're saying that, I don't want anything with Patricia," she stammers, increasingly uncomfortable.
"I didn't say you wanted anything with Patricia, you're the one saying that," Vanesa continues to prod, delighted with the new situation.
"You're impossible," Carlota blurts out.
"Sometimes, yes," Vanesa admits, getting serious, "but you know what I think?"
"I'm not sure I want to know," Carlota responds fearfully.
"Doesn't matter, I'll tell you anyway. I think you like this Patricia a little bit, that's why this conversation is making you so nervous."
"I don't like Patricia," Carlota insists, standing up. "How could I like such a harsh woman? You haven't met her, if you knew her you'd understand."
"You're right, I haven't seen her, maybe you could ask her to come by sometime and introduce us," Vanesa continues to press.
Carlota doesn't answer and starts gathering her things, ready to leave.
"Hey, don't get mad," Vanesa says, approaching her. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable, it just caught my attention that you pointed out her ex was a woman, that's all. But if this Patricia hasn't sparked even a tiny bit of curiosity in you, then it's fine, we won't bring up the topic again, I promise," her coworker assures and hugs her.
Carlota accepts the hug while her increasingly confused mind wonders if she really wants to forget about Patricia completely.
"Everything okay?" Vanesa asks her.
"Yes," she responds, still dazed, "I'm going home. I desperately need to sleep in a real bed."
"Of course," Vanesa responds.
Carlota grabs her purse and says goodbye to each animal one by one before leaving.
"By the way," Vanesa says before Carlota walks out the door, "how did you two sleep if there was only one mattress?" she asks mischievously.
"I'm sure you can figure that out on your own," Carlota responds, rolling her eyes.
"Yes, yes I can," Vanesa laughs. "See you at the adoption fair?" she asks as a goodbye.
"Of course, try not to be late."