Chapter 3- Desperate Measures
I helped Ben put on his jacket and closed up the diner. It seemed as though I had done this same action 1000 times except I have never left the diner feeling quite so happy. As I walked Ben back in to Shari's apartment I heard aggressive shouting outside the door. I held Ben close to me with my hand gently over his mouth in case it was a break in. I pulled out my cell phone and called Shari, 20seconds later I heard ringing from on the other side of the door. The voices hushed and Shari picked up.
"Shari, I'm outside with Ben is everything okay?" I questioned with worry.
"Take Ben away, NOW!" Shari cried in to the phone.
"What about Lucas, is he okay? Where is Lucas Shari."
"Lucas is okay, Dani, just go! Please I don't want Ben seeing me like this again."Shari cried into the phone. I then heard a male voice in the background asking where Ben is. At that I hung up, picked Ben up and ran as fast as I could down the road gripping to the young boy. I didn't know where to go but it was November and the air was growing cold. It was around 10:30pm and most stores were closed, I did the first thing that came to my mind without think about it. I grabbed my phone from my pocket and called the number written on the paper. As soon as I dialed the number I regretted it but the small boy in my arms became colder by the second.
"Hello?" I heard the voice and froze.
"Um..Hi..I'm sorry, I know you weren't expecting me to call so soon but I kinda need a place to go. Just for an hour or two. I know it's late but I can't leave the boy standing in the cold for too much longer."I gasped for air as I my words pored out before I could control them.
"...Who is this?" The tone of the voice stung a bit and I quickly started to regret calling.
"Dani." I whispered as I began to feel defeated.
"Oh, Dani, yeah come on over. Is everything okay?" Santana's voice grew and softened.
"Thank-you. I'll explain when I see you. Can I get an address?" Santana gave me her address and I hailed a taxi then helping the boy in to the back seat. Before I knew it my heart was racing and I was knocking at Santana's door.
"Hello again, how are you?" Santana smiled as she let us in to her small studio apartment.
"Haha..Hi.. thanks again for letting us come over."I shrugged embarrassed.
"No worries, I was just making hot chocolate. Want some?" This was mostly directed at Ben but we both nodded. We sipped on our hot chocolate as we made small talk. Before I knew it Ben was curled up on Santana's couch asleep. When we were sure that Ben was no longer able to listen Santana asked.
"So what's wrong Dani?"
"Ben's father, Paul, he's a real jerk. He has been trying to get custody of Ben since Shari divorced him when Ben was 1. Paul is a user and gets extremely aggressive. Shari had a restraining order against him but she took him back 2 years ago when she got pregnant with Lucas. It was less than a month later that he beat her up and left her alone with no money, a two year old and a child in her stomach. Paul doesn't know that Lucas is his son and Shari want's to keep it like that. Paul comes looking for Shari at least once a month. I take the kids and she deals with Paul until he gives up and leaves." I breathed out fast as I released all that information.
"Wow, that's awful." Santana gasped as she looked down at Ben nuzzled up against my side.
"Yeah, She's a great lady, just makes awful choices. It's her kids I feel bad for. They are both so helpless. They can't run like I did." I explain as I looked in to Santana's sad eyes.
"Are you their aunt?" Santana asked, which made me chuckle. Shari and her kids have mocha skin which contrasts to my pale olive skin.
"No, I actually just rent a room in Shari's apartment. She needed extra cash and I needed a place to stay. It works out pretty well. I usually take care of Ben and Lucas in the mornings while she works from 4am until 10am. I then work in the afternoons and play my guitar in the station at night." I explained comfortably.
"It's nice that you can be there for them, So what made you move to New York?" Santana asked getting more curious of me as the conversation progressed.
I explained what happened with my parents and how they caught me making out with Cindy. I told her about my dreams to be discovered and how I have always loved performing. I then turned the questioning to her. I asked her about her glee club, how she met Rachel and how she's liking New York. She has pretty similar dreams to mine except she is more passionate about acting. That's when I heard the door knob turning. Rachel and a baby faced boy casually walked into the apartment discussing the new issue of a fashion magazine. The two looked up at me then to Ben sleeping next to me when the boy spoke.
"Wow Santana I didn't know you buckled down and had a child already."
"Shut up Kurt."Santana snapped, "This is Dani, my co-worker from the diner."
Kurt smiled and waved while Santana filled me in that she roomed with Rachel and Kurt.
I caught Rachel out of the corner of my eye whisper something to Kurt, they both shared knowing looks and shuffled to the kitchen leaving me alone with Santana and Ben. My pocket buzzed as I received a text from Shari saying the coast was clear. I picked up Ben and grabbed my purse while Santana called us a cab. Santana walked me down out of her apartment and in to the cold air where the cab was waiting.
"Hey Dani.."Santana began as made my way into the cab.
"Yeah?" I asked before closing the door.
"May I ask you out on a date?" Santana asked with a coy expression.
"Yes, I would like that." I smiled "I'll text you."