Tara 3

Untitled Part 61

     "You know who I am, don't I feel real to you?" Dr. Carmine Ambres touched Roman's face, letting her hand slide across his nose and then returning to rest on the top rim of the stone bench. Tree leaves from the garden dangled down over them, an occasional leaf falling, the branches creating their shadow from above in correspondence to the sun's movement.

    "Yes. You do feel real. I know that you are, dead, Carmine. And if I'm here talking to you then I know I must be dead too. Am I in a good place?" Roman's brows lifted, he tried to lessen the sound of a swallow passing through his throat.

    "As you said yourself Roman. Limbo." Carmen Cervantez took another sip from her decanter, but the liquid within was now a coffee tan with ice cubes floating about bringing a rattle as she drank.

     "There is something more important Roman." Carmine steered Roman's attention back on her.

     "More important than discussing my death?" He laid his hand flat upon his chest.

    "Yes Roman." Carmine's face became serious.

     "Like what I'd like to know? I'm having a hard time with this. I'm trying Carmine."

     "Maybe it's better this way Carmine?" Carmen Cervantez set her clear decanter down on the bench. She turned her legs and stood. She began pacing.

     "I don't know what you mean? Better? How can that be better?" Carmine's head shifted with stiff motion aiming herself at Carmen's pacing, for Roman it was almost like watching a tennis match.

     "If Roman is having a problem with death that's his problem, but with what is at hand I think we can use that abnormality to the best interests. Do you see what I'm getting at?" Her pace stopped for a moment, but then returned.

     "Maybe? Yes?" Carmine pulled her hand from the rim of the bench. She soon stood to join Carmen.

     Roman sat on the bench and leaned back. He wanted to intervene, but as Carmen paced, Carmine spoke, and he listened.

     ._________.