Chapter 2
Carmen
Carmen stood by the kitchen counter, rubbing her eyes and scratching her ass. God she hated mornings, especially after a late night looking after Mateo. That man could party like he was still twenty-one.
“Coffee, that’s all I fucking asked for. Coffee! Did I get coffee? Of course not,” she grumbled to herself.
Why she’d believed Mateo when he’d promised breakfast and coffee in bed last night was anyone’s guess. That man was flakier than pastry. “You always fall for it, Carmen. Always. ‘Come on Carm, just stay out a little longer. I swear I’ll treat you like a queen in the morning with coffee and breakfast,’ yeah right.”
“Chica, are you talking to yourself again? It’s not right, we need to get you a woman.” Mateo called from the living room.
Carmen ground her teeth. Not only did her best friend fail to deliver on his promises, he also woke up fresh as a daisy, unlike Carmen, who felt like death warmed up. The universe was a cruel mistress. Mateo had been the one to sink tequila shot after tequila shot. “He’s your best friend, you can’t kill him,” she continued to grumble.
“Oh shit, Carm, you look like trash.”
Carmen stopped scratching her ass and turned around. Mateo stood in all his five-foot-nine glory, wearing a pink silk robe. His hair was still immaculate and set above the complexion of a fresh-faced youth. At that moment, Carmen hated him.
“Stop scowling at me. That’s why you’re getting lines. I’ll give you a facial later.”
“Oh, just like you were going to bring me coffee and breakfast this morning?”
“Is that why you’re being such a delight? Chica, I tried to wake you for breakfast earlier and you slapped me upside the head, mumbling about pandas.”
Huh. Pandas. “Whatever,” she griped, sounding like a sullen teenager. Turning back to the coffee machine, Carmen poured herself an extra-large cup. Bringing the black gold close to her nose, she inhaled deeply. Oh yeah, that’s the stuff.
“Anyway, it’s not breakfast time anymore. Hell, it’s past lunch.”
Carmen peered up at the clock above the kitchen door. Well shit, Mateo was right. “Pizza?” she asked, still unable to get over Mateo’s breakfast betrayal.
“Sure Hermana, I’ll call it in. Maybe after you’ve inhaled that coffee, you can take a shower.” Mateo wrinkled his nose.
Carmen nodded and shuffled into the living room. She’d shower later. It’s not like she had to go anywhere. Plus, her boxer briefs and tank top were comfy.
As the caffeine worked its magic, Carmen felt half human again. They had to stop partying so hard. Carmen was pretty sure her liver was ninety percent pickled by now. But when Mateo asked for something, Carmen knew she wouldn’t refuse. That man had been through enough shit to last a lifetime, he deserved to get whatever he wanted, and if that was for Carmen to bust a move, and a gut, dancing and drinking in some skanky ass gay club, then that’s what would happen. She just wished he didn’t need that every Friday and Saturday night.
“I got you a veggie supreme, with a side of mozzarella sticks.” Mateo sashayed into the living room and gracefully lowered himself to the sofa.
“Gracias,Hermano.”
They sat for a few minutes in silence. Carmen knew it couldn’t last; Mateo detested silence. Sure enough, he shattered the peace. “Chica, did you see that fine man get all up in my space last night?” Mateo was fanning his face with the pizza takeout menu. “Damn, I could have had some fun with him.”
“Why didn’t you? He was up for it.”
“Now Carmen, you know that’s not my style. I like the chase, but I’m not a one-night kind of guy.”
“Did you get his number?”
“No, Luis pitched a fit about that drag queen ripping the tiara off his head. I had to deal with that. When I got back to the dance floor, Mr. Fine was dancing with someone else.”
“There’s always next time,” Carmen laughed. There was always a next time. A knock on the door interrupted the conversation.
“I’ll get it,” Mateo sang. Carmen rolled her eyes. One hundred bucks, Daniel is the delivery guy. Daniel was Mateo’s not-so-secret crush. Whenever they ordered pizza, they went to Vinnie’s. Not only because it was the best pie in Seattle, but because Mateo enjoyed looking at Daniel.
“Hey, chica, there’s a white girl at the door for you.” Carmen scrunched her eyebrows. Who the hell had turned up? Becky maybe? No, she’s out of town. Donna, possibly? They were the only white girls that would come knocking, but it was far too early in the day for either of them, regardless of whether they were in town.
Hauling herself off the sofa, Carmen studied her attire. Rainbow boxer briefs and a scraggy tank top did not scream sexy. “Eh, it is what it is,” she mumbled.
Mateo passed her in the hallway with a judgmental look on his face. “Damn Carmen, she’s young, even for you!”
What the hell did that mean? Carmen didn’t sleep with young women. Twenty-five was the lowest she’d ever go, and that was stretching it. Ten years her junior was the limit. Carmen arrived at the partially closed door. As soon as she opened it, she understood Mateo’s concern. The girl in front of her looked barely eighteen. She was gonna kick Mateo’s ass for thinking this girl was Carmen’s booty call.
“You’re not Molly,” the girl barked, her eyes wide, and face pale.
“And you’re not an extra-large veggie supreme with a side order of mozzarella sticks. Looks like we both lost out, huh?”
“Damn,” the girl growled. “Damn, damn, damn.”
Carmen had no idea what was happening, but she knew she wanted to extricate herself from whatever it was. “Sorry for disappointing. Um… bye.”
“No wait, please,” the girl begged. Carmen stopped closing the door. “Do you know Molly Parsons? This was her last address.”
“Sorry, kid, no idea who that is.”
“How long have you lived here?”
Carmen could see the desperation on the young girl’s face. “Six months. The property was already vacated by the time I moved in.”
The girl nodded, her eyes vacant. “Was there any mail or anything left behind? Anything with a forwarding address?”
“Nope, nothing. Sorry, look, I gotta go. Take care.” Carmen gave a weak smile as she shut the door. A weight sat in her stomach. A second knock made her jump. Daniel stood in the doorway, pizza box in hand. Over his shoulder, Carmen could see the young girl slumped over on the sidewalk, her head in her hands.
“Hey, Carmen, I got your delivery.” Daniel said, setting her food down on the hallway table. He’d delivered enough to their address that they were almost friends. Of course, at the sound of Daniel’s voice, Mateo appeared.
“Hey, D,” Mateo cooed. Carmen rolled her eyes. Their flirtatious banter was nauseating. Carmen’s racing mind muted their conversation. Watching the girl on the street was tugging at her chest. There was something familiar about the situation, something desperate.
Brushing past Daniel, Carmen approached the girl. “Hey.”
“Oh, sorry, I’ll move. I just needed a second,” the girl croaked. Carmen could see the tears streaking down her face.
“I was gonna ask if you wanted some pizza.” Carmen hooked her thumb over her shoulder and gave the kindest smile she could. Whatever was going on in this girl’s life, Carmen knew she needed help.
“Oh, no, you don’t have to do that, thank you.”
“Come on, no offense, but you look like you could do with a good meal.” Carmen regarded the girl. She was a waif of a human, thin, almost gaunt, with pale skin. Her hair was long, almost down to her ass. Her clothes… well, they would look good on the set of Little House On The Prairie if she were being honest. This kid was not from around here, that was for sure. “I’m Carmen.”
“Faith.”
“Okay then. Let’s get some food.” Carmen held out her hand. She could see Faith weighing up her options. After all, Carmen was a stranger. A few moments passed before Faith grabbed Carmen’s hand and let herself be pulled to her feet.
Turning on her heel, Carmen gestured for Faith to follow. Daniel and Mateo were still flirting, so she paid them no mind, although Mateo shot her a confused look when he saw Faith.
“Just stick your backpack near the door,” Carmen said as she took the pizza box into the living room. “I hope you like veggies,” she added. Faith’s reaction was strange. The girl was looking at the takeout box as if she’d never seen one before.
“I love vegetables. I don’t know if I like them on pizza.”
“What’s your favorite topping?” Carmen was happy to make small talk. She could see Faith relaxing.
“I don’t know. I’ve never had one before.”
Carmen looked at Faith. Is she being serious? The red tinge on the girl’s cheeks told Carmen that yes, in fact, she was telling the truth. That raised a bunch of questions, but Carmen knew better than to pepper the girl.
“That’s okay. We all have to start somewhere. And how good is it that your very first pizza is going to be from the world’s best pizza place?”
“I’ll take your word for it,” Faith replied, smiling.
Mateo flounced in, looking from Faith to Carmen. “I didn’t know we were expecting a guest.” He smiled, offering his hand to Faith.
“Mateo, this is Faith.”
“A pleasure.”
“Did you finally ask Daniel on a date?” Carmen asked, hoping to take the focus away from the young woman who looked like a deer in headlights.
Mateo tutted. “Girl, I’m not gonna do that. We flirt, that’s it.”
“That’s stupid,” Carmen mumbled.
“You’re stupid,” Mateo shot back, causing Faith to giggle.
“Ignore him,” Carmen smirked, “he’s just moody because he’s bloated.”
Mateo gasped, bringing his hand to his chest. “How dare you!”
Carmen smiled when she saw Faith laugh. There was a time to find out what Faith’s deal was but now wasn’t it. Carmen knew better than anyone that sometimes a person just needed company, someone to make them feel safe, without adding pressure.
“You know you bloat after a night out, stop lying to yourself.”
“I might be bloated, but I’m still better looking than you.”
“In your dreams, Hermano.”
“Are you brother and sister?” Faith asked, her voice quiet.
“In every way but blood, honey. We took the same surname.” Mateo smiled.
“That’s nice,” Faith replied.
“What about you, any siblings?” Mateo was less patient than Carmen. He wanted the gossip.
“No, just me.”
Carmen looked at Mateo when Faith dipped her head and took a small nibble of the pizza Carmen had put on a plate for her.
Carmen shook her head before Mateo could even open his mouth. Faith needed some time and Carmen was happy to give that to her.
“How’s the pizza?” Carmen asked through a mouth full of mozzarella sticks.
“Wow, it’s awesome. I think I could eat this every day.”
“Amen, sister,” Mateo chimed.
“Do you… do you think there’s a way I can track down my aunt?” Faith was nibbling on her lip now instead of the pizza. Carmen wanted to scoop the girl up and give her a big hug.
“I’m sure there are ways. Um… do you have more information?”
“Not much, just that she was supposed to be living here. Apparently, she moved to Seattle three years ago. I tried searching for her on the internet at the library. But there is nothing.”
“And you don’t have her phone number?”
“Nope, just this address.”
Carmen nodded her head and then looked at Mateo for support. What should she do? The girl clearly needed help. “Do you have anyone else in Seattle you could ask?”
“Nope. I… I had to leave home, you see.” Carmen sat patiently, waiting for Faith to open up. “Um… my parents… they’re… well, they aren’t wonderful people.”
Mateo moved to sit next to Faith, his hand rested gently on her forearm. “You can talk to us, sweetie, you’re safe.”
“My dad is an angry man. He has a certain way of thinking. He believes things that meant I couldn’t stay at home.”
“Did he hurt you?” Carmen asked.
“Nothing too bad. The thing is… well, I’m gay and if he or my mom ever found out… well, it would be really bad.”
“So you ran away?” Mateo asked, his voice full of understanding.
“No, I left. I’m eighteen. I waited until I legally turned into an adult.” Carmen had to give Faith her due, the kid had thought it through. “I had a letter sent to the sheriff’s department letting them know I left of my own free will. My parents will come after me, and I didn’t want the police involved.”
“Smart,” Mateo smiled.
“I left in the middle of the night.” Tears formed in Faith’s eyes. The stress of her journey must have been getting to her. Well, that’s what Carmen surmised. “I found out about my aunt a few months ago. She left for the same reason I did. I thought, if I could just find her, I would be okay,” Faith sobbed.
Carmen scrubbed her face with her hands, regretting it immediately when she felt pizza sauce smear across her face.
“Let it all out,” Mateo cooed softly as he hugged Faith closely.
“We’ll help you,” Carmen announced. She and Mateo knew exactly what it was like to be scared and vulnerable. They’d grown up in the system together. By the time they were fifteen they’d run away and started a life of their own. Away from foster parents who used them as their personal punching bags and servants.
“What?” Faith spluttered.
“We’ll help you find your aunt. Right Mateo?”
“Damn right, honey. We got you.”
“You don’t even know me,” Faith replied, her eyes wide. “Why would you do that?”
“Because everyone needs a little help now and then. Plus, you’re family.” Carmen could see the confusion on Faith’s face. “I’m a lesbian and Mateo is gay. Family, see!”
Mateo chuckled when Faith gasped and smiled. “I’ve never met anyone else like me.”
“I’m sure you have, you just didn’t know it. We gotta get your gaydar working, chica,” Mateo clucked.
“All in good time,” Carmen laughed. “First, let’s get you settled in. We have a third bedroom, it’s only small though. You’re welcome to it.”
“I… I haven’t got any money,” Faith whispered. Carmen’s heart was breaking for this girl.
“Unnecessary. If you could help with a few chores, that will be enough.”
“Of course, you name it.”
“And,” Mateo added. “I get to play dress up!” Carmen huffed out a breath. She should have known Mateo would want to use Faith as a mannequin. Kudos to the man, he had impeccable taste, and Faith could definitely do with a change of wardrobe. But Carmen wasn’t sure Faith was ready for the full Mateo Ruiz experience yet.
“Dress up?”
“Honey, I’m gonna make your entrance onto the scene…”
“The scene?” Faith looked more confused than ever.
“Gay scene. A place of wonder,” Mateo said with as much dramatic flair as possible.
“Mateo, maybe we should get her settled in first before…”
“Nonsense. We want Faith to look awesome when she meets her aunt again.”
There was no point in arguing with him. In a flash, Mateo pulled Faith up and dragged her to his room. Carmen closed the pizza box and followed. Faith was already sitting on his bed laughing as Mateo held up different women’s garments to his torso showcasing them with a twirl.
“What’s your style, Faith? Dresses? Pants? Shirts?” Mateo called from inside his wardrobe.
Carmen sat next to Faith on the bed and gave her a smile. “He loves fashion. He especially loves a chance to dress someone. That being said, if this is too much, just say. He won’t be offended.”
“It’s… well, it’s a little overwhelming. I’ve worn the same style of dress since I was tiny. I was never allowed to pick clothes.”
“Has anything Mateo showed you looked appealing?”
“The jeans were nice. And the t-shirts. Although, I’m not sure I’d want them that sparkly all the time.”
Carmen chuckled. Mateo loved anything that sparkled. “He does have some that won’t blind you in the sunlight.”
“Who got blinded?” Mateo asked, exiting his wardrobe with an armful of clothes.
“I was just explaining that not all your t-shirts are glittery.”
“Oh no, girl, I have every style you could think of.”
“Um… why do you have women’s clothes?” Faith asked.
“I own a women’s boutique.”
“Do you work there too, Carmen?”
“God no. I’m a graphic designer.”
Mateo snorted. “I’d go out of business if Carmen worked with me. She has no interest in fashion… as you can see.”
“These are my sleep clothes, you ass.”
“Uh-huh.” Mateo smirked.
“I like comfort, nothing wrong with that.”
“Comfort is fine, you living in sweatpants is not.” Mateo punctuated with a perfectly arched eyebrow.
Carmen muttered under her breath. Faith chuckled. “You really don’t have to give me clothes, Mateo.”
“Let me, please. That dress,” he said, waving his hand at Faith, “is hurting my soul. You are a baby gay that needs some guidance. Let me be your sherpa.”
“Por Dios,” Carmen laughed.
“Okay,” Faith smiled.
“Excellent. Now I think we know what needs to happen now, right Carmen?”
This is what Carmen had been afraid of. “I’ll get the disco ball,” she sighed.
“And the red carpet!” Mateo shouted at her retreating body.
“Disco ball?” Faith parroted.
“Oh yes. It’s fashion show time,” Mateo squealed.
Outside Mateo’s room, Carmen rolled out the red carpet. She’d love to say that this wasn’t a frequent thing she did, but that would be a lie. Mateo loved himself a fashion show. Carmen shivered when she recalled the swimwear show Mateo and his friends put on last summer in their old house. No lesbian should ever be subjected to that many men in Speedos.
Laughter filtered out into the hall. Carmen hoped they could help Faith find her aunt. Now they just had to figure out where the hell to begin their search.