My Heart is Still Singing
The Puzzle Fits
Sunday
I stopped by a delicatessen shop on my way to Sonja's then went back to the truck and quickly put the additional items into the picnic basket that I had brought with me. I put the salads, meat and eggs into the ice chest with the drinks to stay cold, guessing that her vegan self will eat the egg salad I had bought. I needed meat and bought some roast beef. She'll laugh I'm sure.
As I went to knock on the door, I was met by Sonja. She was in some shorts and those kick ass work boots she wears, sun hat in her hand. I had never seen her hair up like that, she looked nice. Once again she asked about the boots. "You'll need them" was all I would say at her questioning eyes.
I held the door open for her to get into the truck then grab two bottles of water out the cooler and started to drive. Driving toward Lake Pontchartrain I finally found the cove I had hoped was open. I looked again and seeing no one backed into the space. That made it a little easier to get the blankets and stuff out of the back of the truck. Her eyes got big when I checked my revolver and stuck it back into the holster. I said "look, you never know when a gator will appear, even in the city". Then she quickly said "if you felt that way why didn't you bring a shot gun"?
We laughed and talked through the afternoon. She opened up more about some of her family, disclosed a couple of secrets about Brody and wondered if we would ever be clear of D.C. She looked more relaxed than I had ever seen her.
Percy
Couldn't believe it when he said wear your boots. My boots? Shit where are we going?
I am sitting here watching the road go by and seeing the past few days rewind in my mind. Never in a million years did I think that I would be riding in LaSalle's truck holding his hand. Facing Tammy tomorrow will be hell, but right now I didn't care.
LaSalle finally found this spot he had been talking about on the way. No table? Well this should be interesting. It wasn't 'til he got out that I realized he had his revolver on. He pulled it out and checked the rounds as I looked puzzled said "look, you never know when a gator will appear, even in the city." Then I blurted out trying to stay calm "if you felt that way why didn't you bring a shot gun?" forgetting that he had a whole arsenal in the hold under the bed of his truck.
For some reason I didn't need booze to enjoy this time with LaSalle, I mean Christopher. Calling him that brought calm to my heart. The conversation flowed quickly and for the first time in several months I realized that that closeness between us was back with an extra emphasis.
I hear my heart singing. I had found a place in his and everything was right I thought as we drove back into the city to retrieve my jeep. I smiled as I tried to figure out how I was going to get past Gregorio tomorrow without grinning like a silly school girl.