SEPTEMBER 10, 1981
CARMELITA

Carmen walked up the steps to the Glatzel's front door, knocking softly as she crossed her arms against her chest, her cool leather jacket only reminding her of how chilly it was outside as she waited as patiently as she could for a response: nothing.

Sighing, Carmen lifted her fist up once more and pounded it as hard and loudly as she could against the front door. Curses and hurried footsteps were heard on the other side before a very agitated Judy Glatzel opened the front door, only to attempt to slam it in Carmen's face. Carmen slammed the palm of her hand against the front   door and jammed her foot in the doorway, wincing slightly.

Judy cleared her throat, "She's not here."

"Really? You know that's so funny considering that when I called ten minutes ago, it was her voice I heard before you cut the telephone cable." Carmen said smugly, lifting up am eyebrow. Gotcha now, bitch.

"Listen Juanita, I don't know what you think you heard but she's not here. Maybe you called a wrong number, I know you immigrants struggle with easy everyday things when in a new country." Judy remarked, gaslighting her. Carmelita felt herself fill with a very familiar rage but instead of lashing out and punching the racist bitch infront of her like she wanted to, she instead simply shoved past her and began to trek upstairs towards Debbie's bedroom.

"She's not here!" She heard Judy shriek behind her but she simply continued her journey towards the door with girly decoration covering it.

Aurora had been calling her non-stop for the past two days and all she got were voicemails and an enraged Mrs.Glatzel who tried blaming her for the whole demonic situation. Aurora hadn't once spoken to Debbie and she decided to take matters into her own hands; by sending Carmen. All Carmen knew was that Aurora couldn't come herself because of some type of spiritual cleanse she needed to do and then she was busy with the whole Arne situation.

Apparently, today would be the first time she'd be seeing Arne since 'the incident' and that she'd be speaking to his lawyer, and she'd be dammed if Debbie 'didn't want to go' like Ms.Glatzel had stated. So she called Carmen and asked the biggest favor she could ask, and Carmen of course; delivered. Any excuse to see the pretty dark haired big brown doe eyed girl from the cookout.

Carmen bursted into the room and was met with a teary eyed Debbie who lifted her face from her pillow. In the nicest way possible; Debbie looked a mess. Her hair was nappy, unkept and unbrushed. She was in her pajamas and Carmen wasn't sure if the stain on her top was jelly or blood.

"Dios mío corazón, you look—different." Carmen said with a smile that looked more like a grimace. Debbie sighed and Carmen closed the door behind her, locking it once she heard Mrs.Glatzel's angry footsteps heading up the stairs.

"Thanks, just what every girl wants to hear." Debbie said dryly with a frown and sent her a death stare, wiping drool off of her face.

"C'mon, get ready. Today you're meeting the Warrens at the court house and you're seeing Arne and his lawyers. So get showered and dress because we're already late." Carmen said, walking towards the bed and grabbing Debbie's arm, attempting to drag her out of bed.

Judy Glatzel's muffled shouts suddenly sounded on the other side of the door as she began to bang on it. Debbie snatched her arm back with a frown.

"Are you nuts? They're never let me leave. In fact they don't want me to do anything with any of you. They've officially put me under house arrest, I'm not even allowed to try and reach out about Arne. Is he even alive?" Debbie asked, bottom lip trembling and a pang of jealously coursed through Carmen. She pushed it back, mentally scolding herself for even feeling such a thing at a time like this. Besides, she barely even knew her.

"Debbie, you're a grown adult and you make your own choices. If you want to go and see Arne, who by the way is alive but not well, then follow me. But if you're too much of a pussy to go, then I'll write you letter since calling clearly isn't an option." Carmen said, coldly crossing her arms to her chest. Judy's pounding continued in the other side of the door.

"You do realize I'm like a few years older than you, right? You can't be pushing me around or telling me what to do." Debbie said with a teasing smile.

"First of all, you're only a year and a few months older, I turn 18 in like three months and even so, just by looking at you; I get total sub vibes from you." Carmen said, nodding her head with a teasing grin on her face. Only Debbie didn't take the joke lightly as Carmen watched the smile fall right off her face and she began to nervously stutter.

"I-I don't—How did you— How did you know? Does anyone— are you the only one?" Debbie finally rushed out, pushing a strand of her unruly hair behind her ear as her eyes shifted to every object around the room.

"Relax, I have awesome gaydar because I'm naturally drawn to my kind of people, just me." Carmen said easily, watching Debbie let out a sigh of relief, "but I'm surprised no one else caught on, it's not that hard to catch the way you look at a certain someone who doesn't even notice. Some friendly advice? Make a move or move on. Now c'mon chica, chop chop!"

Debbie loudly blew some air out through her nostrils and nodded, sliding out of bed.

"Give me five minutes and I'll meet you out front." Debbie said as she began pushing Carmen towards the door, "but first, and I'm sorry for this but 'GET OUT!'" she angrily yelled, opening the door and shoving Carmen out before she slammed the door in her face.

Judy Glatzel, who was now holding a pair of keys in her hand, stood stunned before she glared at Carmen and walked to the door.

"What did she do to you, honey!? What did you do, Juanita?!" Judy angrily asked, turning back to Carmen and pointing an accusing finger in her direction.

Carmen glared at her, "the demon hasn't been vanished yet and if another one of your family members find themselves possessed, don't bother clinging to my friends for help." She said before she began stomping down the stairs, only to stop mid-step and turn back and face her, "oh and it's Carmelita not Juanita, bitch!"

"Oh don't worry about that sweetie! From the looks of it, you guys aren't that good at your job!" Judy shouted behind her and Carmelita simply flipped her the bird on the way out.

She slid into the front seat of her dad's rusty old used tow truck. He used it for work and he would kill her if anything happened to it. Usually she was more careful with it, making sure to not leave greasy fingerprints on the steering wheel but she wasn't sure if after today she'd even be allowed back home, so she was careless, even going as far as to leaving footprints on the dashboard.

After eight excruciating long minutes, Carmen heard a noise and she lifted her gaze from her fingernails, gasping when she saw Debbie slide out of her second story window and fall down below into a big pile of bushes.

Carmen's eyes widened and she slid out of her seat, standing just outside of the truck gripping the driver's door and stopping in her tracks when she saw Debbie stand, branch still in her hair as she got up and ran towards the truck.

"Are you alright?!" Carmen asked, worried and wide eyed, watching as Debbie frantically nodded.

"Go, go, go!" She yelled and Carmen didn't have to be told a fourth time, springing into action as soon as she saw Judy Glatzel sprint out of the house.

Luckily, Carmen managed to speed away before she'd gotten anywhere near them. As soon as the close was clear, Carmen side eyed Debbie, who immediately bursted out into a fit of laughter.

"That was amazing! So exhilarating!" Debbie shouted, clutching her stomach which seemed to hurt inbetween her fit of giggles.

"Glad you had fun Dee." Carmen said, an easy smile on her face as she eyed Debbie, who smiled softly to herself. Obviously, Debbie had never done a rebellious thing in her life and was proud of herself for sneaking out of the house.

Carmen switched the radio on, humming along to Led Zeppelin as Debbie pulled out a brush from her tote bag and began hackling at her tangled wet hair.

They arrived at the courthouse and before Debbie got out, she turned towards Carmen, a small frown on her face.

"About what you said earlier, no one knows, right?" Debbie asked and Carmen sent her a reassuring smile, shaking her head.

"No one but a bit of friendly advice, it's not fun living a lie, trust me. You're gorgeous Debbie and you could have anyone you wanted, don't waste your energy on someone who can't love you the way you want to. Been there, done that, not fun." Carmen said bluntly and Debbie blushed, nodding her head before she opened the truck door and turned back to face Carmen one last time.

"Thanks, you're not so bad yourself, you know." Debbie said softly and Carmen smirked, a smug look on her face.

"Great, then what do you think about going on a date with me later? Tonight at the diner, how's 8? Only of you're ready, of course." Carmen said and Debbie stopped, pondering over it before she nodded with a smile.

"8 it is then, see you later, Lita." She said softly before she closed the truck door and began walking up the courthouse steps, her heels clicking before she disappeared inside.

Carmen blew a breath of air out before she pulled away, driving straight towards a Chinese restaurant, where she had ordered takeout.

After picking that up, she drove towards Judy Warren's house, where she knew she would find her whole clan before she juggled the takeout in her arms and walked right inside.

"All I'm saying is that if it'd been me covered in blood instead of Arne, the cop would've shot me on the spot. He was lucky." Carmen heard Philip's ring from the living room, which she made her way towards.

Silence.

"Phil, the cop who arrested Arne was Black and his gun wasn't even loaded. Mr. Hansen said the police is suffering through a shortage of supply right now so they're waiting on a shipment of bullets." Carmen explained before she set down the takeout on the table.

"Where is everyone else?" Carmen asked, looking around the room. Judy shrugged, looking over at Phil who now sported a smug grin on his face.

"Drew and Suki and making out on Rory's bed." Phil informed her and Carmen snorted, amused.

"You're sister's going to be so pissed." Carmen told Judy who just shrugged.

"She'll probably think the wet spots on her bed are from her tears." Judy said sadly and Carmen frowned.

"That bad, huh?" She asked and Judy sighed.

"She's handling it terribly. In fact, she sunk into his apartment and stole one of his shirts so that his smell is around her. But I asked her if she loved him and she just went silent, so who even knows?" Judy mumbled and Phil lifted his gaze from the takeout containers.

"She's totally in love with him, it's so obvious. They might even be more in love than us, babe." Phil joked and Judy glared at him, elbowing his ribs.

"Ow!"

Rushed footsteps sounded from the hall and Carmen turned, watching as both Drew and Suki rushed into the room.

"Food! You brought food!" Drew happily said before he faced Carmen and planted a big fat sloppy kiss in her cheek, "I love you!"

Then he dove into the take out.

"Ew! You kiss like a dog!" Carmen complained before she wiped the saliva off her cheek, "disgusting."

"Believe me, I know." Suki said with a sigh, wiping her own cheek.

"So you two, are really together then?" Phil asked Drew, his usual smug look back on his face.

Drew rolled his eyes and responded while chewing, a lo mein noodle still hanging from his mouth and sticking to his chin, "hahaha funny joke. The only two Asians in the friend group are dating. Hilarious."

"It wasn't a race joke. I was just asking bro!" Phil defended before he angrily stabbed a piece of chicken off of Drew's plate and shoved it into his mouth, chewing it quickly.

"Son of a bitch!" Drew said, glaring at Phil.

"Shut up! I'm sick of your banter!" Suki yelled, "you two drive me insane!"

Both boys looked at her, wide eyed before rolling their eyes and looking at one another.

"Women." Drew said, shoving a piece of chicken into his mouth.

"Always the dramatic bunch." Phil agreed, slurping noodles.

Both boys got slapped in the back of their heads by their girlfriends. Carmen simply giggled.

"You two would be the cutest but most chaotic couple. You're like, the same person." Carmen said and both boys smirked.

"What do ya say, man? Should we date?" Drew asked Phil who shook his head, gesturing towards his body.

"No way man. I'm wayyyyyy out of your league." Phil said as he shook his head.

Judy rolled her eyes but continued munching on her food.

"So? Apart from you two fucking in Rory's room, what have we been up to?" Carmen asked, eating some white rice.

"We didn't have sex. We just kissed a bit but we were mostly looking for stuff that'll help us with the whole case. You know, stuff outside of the artifact room, no way we're going in there." Drew explained.

"Pussy." Judy said and Suki threw a piece of broccoli at her.

"That Anabelle doll creeps me out, okay?" Suki defended and Carmen snorted.

"Okay. So what did y'all find?" Phil asked Drew, continuing the previous conversation.

"We were looking for anything that would help the case. Signs of possession but also of the habitant leaving but we didn't find anything. And then, we started looking for stuff to research Rory, stuff with her blood and soul; also nothing. We're at a dead end, so we're going to go over the tapes of that night. How does that sound? Five pairs of eyes and ears are better than two." Drew said and Carmen and Judy shared a look.

"Actually—" Judy began but Carmen cut her off.

"It sounds great but I actually need your help with something first." Carmen said and everyone looked at her, getting in a comfortable position before she told them the plan.

An hour later, Carmen parked her dad's truck in the driveway, twirling the keys in her hand as she huffed and made her way to the front door, unlocking it.

Immediately, the scent of pozole, her favorite, wafted through the air and she questioned pushing back the upcoming conversation to tomorrow. Sadly, mind won over heart and she sighed, plastering a smile on her face and hoping for the best.

"Hola mamá, what's for dinner? Smells delicious. Are we celebrating something?" Carmen asked and her mother nodded, a beaming smile on her face.

"Tú favorito, Mija. I made pozole but we won't eat it until tomorrow. It was supposed to be a surprise but your father invited our family members to a party tomorrow. We're celebrating you and your medical scholarship. Our little girl becoming a future doctor! We're so proud of you!" He'd mother beamed, pulling away from the molcajete to kiss her only daughter on the cheek.

"What's all that noise? Is it the star pupil of the family? Cómo estuvo tu día, cariño?" Her dad asked, waltzing into the kitchen to greet her.

"It was fine. Thanks for letting me borrow the truck keys. Where is Ale and Ben?" Carmen asked, not seeing her little brothers Alejandro or Benito anywhere.

"They're in the shower. I was teaching them how to change oil and those little canijos got dirty." Her dad, Antonio Sanchez said with a proud smile on his face. Carmen smiled softly, a heavy weight on her chest as she thought about how it might be the last time she'd ever see it on his face.

"Don't bully them, Toño. They're barely 12 and 14. Siguen siendo mis bebés." Her mom, Julieta Sanchez said as she placed a hand on her chest, "you too, Mija." She added, addressing Carmelita.

"Julie, she looks more baby than them, she's shorter than them both!" Toño said, laughing at the pout on Carmen's lips.

"You mean you're more baby than them! You're much more immature than them!" Julie playfully scolded her husband who rolled his eyes.

"That's not what you told me last week when I took you to Florida for our anniversary, mi amor." Toño told his wife who blushed.

"Cállate!" She told him, playfully smacking his chest before turning to face her daughter.

"Don't ever get married or have kids! They'll ruin you!" She said playfully and a tear fell out of the corner of Carmen's eye.

"What's wrong, cariño?" Her dad asked, wrapping and arm around his wife as they both huddled close to their daughter.

"You don't have to worry about me ever having children. Not biological children at least." Carmen said and her mother's face dropped.

"What's happened love? Did the doctor tell you something?" Julie asked and Carmen shook her head, sniffling.

"If you don't want children it's ok, no need to be dramatic and cry, cariño. We'll still love you, always." Her dad reassured her and Carmen looked at them both, teary eyed.

"Would you still love me if I told you I was gay?" She asked, her throat burning as she already knew the answer. And it became a lot clearer as she watched the look on their faces drop, morphing into one of disappointment, disapproval and disgust. And Carmen would be dammed if it didn't hurt, she felt her heart shatter from the looks alone.

"Que acabas de decir? What did you just say? Those jokes are not funny." Her father warned and Carmen shook her head.

"It's true dad, I'm gay."

"Ay, virgencita!" Her mother said, gasping as she clutched her chest as though she were in physical pain.

Carmen didn't get to say much else before a second later, she was thrown to the ground, clutching her stinging cheek as a loud slapping sound echoed throughout the kitchen.

"Que eres jota? Una maldita marimacha? You're a disgrace." Her father said as he towered above her and she began to crawl back, frightened. She looked over at her mom, her eyes begging for help but her mother looked away.

"What are we supposed to tell everyone when they show up for the party tomorrow? Huh? How could you disgrace us like this?!" Her father yelled, grabbing her from her hair and pulling her up, forcing her to stand.

Carmen screamed, her scalp burning as she tried prying his hands away but it only made him grip her hair tighter.

"You're worthless! A disgrace and a disappointment! From now on you're not our daughter, you're dead to us!" Toño yelled, throwing her back onto the ground before he kicked her in the stomach. Carmen groaned, clutching her stomach as a sob escaped her.

"Lárgate de aquí y nunca regreses! Eres una desgraciada!" Her father shouted before he kicked her again. She groaned, coughing violently and struggling to lift her head up when she heard screams.

"Papá no!" Her brother, Benito yelled before he tackled his father to the ground.

"Dejala!" Her other brother, Alejandro yelled as he made his way towards her, only to get held back by his mother.

Carmen struggled to breathe, sobbing from her curled up position in the floor before she heard the front door open.

"Carmelita, vete! Lárgate porfavor!" Julie pleaded, watching as her husband and oldest son wrestled in the floor.

Carmen felt her body being lifted and she looked up, smiling at Phil who frowned at her bloody face.

"Get out! And don't ever come back!" Her dad shouted and she began to sob into Phil's shirt.

"You guys are cowards! You'll regret this! I promise you!" Suki yelled before she and Drew both dragged Judy away who tried fighting Toño. Carmen watched, her heart breaking when she saw the apologetic looks on her brothers faces and with each step Phil took towards Suki's mom's minivan.

As the drove away, the van was completely silent apart from her sobs before finally, after three minutes she was finally calm.

"Are you okay?" Drew asked before he cursed when Suki elbowed him in the ribs from the middle seat.

Phil was the only one upfront, driving. In the middle seat was Suki and Drew while Carmen was located in the very back, leaning against Judy who rubbed her back.

"I knew what would happen but a small part of me hoped—wished that my parent's love would allow them to overrule their hatred for homosexuals. Instead, I got kicked out and all because I was tired of living a lie, because I felt guilty."

The tension was heavy in the air before Judy broke the ice.

"You're allowed to stay with us, you know." She offered but Carmen shook her head.

"Actually, two days ago, Arne offered me his apartment. Said he was moving away soon but I guess I'll have to move in sooner than later. Someone has to run the kennel now that they're gone and I'm already taking courses to become a veterinarian just in case." Carmen said, her throat scratchy from all the crying.

"So, do you want me to drive you there? We help you unpack." Phil asked.

"Did you guys get everything?" Carmen asked and Drew turned back, nodding.

"I was in your room, passing the boxes out of the window and the rest were rushing to put them in the trunk." Drew explained.

"At least you were prepared, Carmen. I'm just sorry it ended like this but I promise, with time, they'll regret everything and apologize and you can kindly tell them to go fuck them—" Suki was interrupted when Drew covered her mouth.

"So, where then?" Judy asked, changing the topic, "to your new apartment, the hospital or my house?"

"Actually, can you take me to the diner? I have a date to get to." Carmen said and she didn't miss the amused smile on everyone's lips. Classic Carmen.

NOT EDITED

POSTED 7-19-21

I KNOW UPDATES HVE BEEN SLOW , IM SO SORRY. I HAD WRITERS BLOCK BUT ITS GONE NOW SO EXPECT DAILY UODATES AGAIN. THOUGHTS?

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS CGPATER AND A NEW POINT OF VIEW? ARE WE DIGGING IT OR SHOULD I STICK TO ONLY ONE? LET ME KNOW (: