The title of this chapter belongs to a fabulous poem by E.E. Cummings. this was supposed to be a chapter only but I decided to divide it in two parts leaving it at a very lousy cliffhanger. Tell me what you think.
Chapter 10 -i carry your heart with me(i carry it in my heart) part I
"'Tana, I'm trying to have a conversation here." Dave sighs frustrated because I've zoned out again for the fifth time since we sat to lunch.
"Sorry, I'm sure I'm just being silly but.." I look at him and at my phone and to the menu and back to the phone where I fumble with it's visor and check my reception again.
"What's wrong? You never give two shits over your phone, you spend a whole day without looking at it unless it's Laura's school. What's with today?"
"She promised she would text before lunch…" I keep talking really low like I'm having a conversation with myself so I miss the change in Dave's face.
"Oooooooh" Dave flashes me his signature smirk "so that is what this is about? What's her name again? Brenda? Brianne?"
"Brittany and I swear it's not because we…aham, not because it happened. It's just that Laura had a dream and with the case and the man's obvious preference for blondes… whatever I guess I'm just being paranoid. "
"Hey, I understand, she totally fits our profile."
"I know right? I know I can take care of myself, if he was targeting Latinas it wouldn't bother me the least but Britt is new in town and she trust people. She always thinks people are good and she wants to help. Not to mention that half of the time she's in her own little world of unicorns and leprechauns. She would never notice someone acting suspicious even if they were wearing a neon sign saying it on their forehead." I slump in my seat and finally choose what I want.
"You got it that bad huh?" Karofsky seems to forget I have cutlery at my reach because he is looking at me like I've just shapeshifted into a puppy. But I'm too worried to insult him. I take deep breaths and try to focus on what Dave was talking before Britt became a subject.
"Sooo what happen with Sebastian?"
"He was a douche but these are desperate times Santana. You have no idea how lucky you were to find Brittany, I think you need to thank Quinn for putting you guys together."
"Why do you say that? I mean I know that Brittany is everything that is good in this wretched world, restoring my faith in humanity and all things related but…"
"I'm afraid I'm not gay enough…" He whispers and I have to strain to hear it. He lowers his head as the waiter comes back with our food and…Oh my God are those tears.
I change seats and sit next to him on his side on the table. I don't really know what to do I'm never been good at consoling people so I just pat his back awkwardly and hope his little moment passes soon.
"They made fun of me, I stand out like a sore thumb last night. He came approaching me and he was so handsome. However he had nothing on his head. I'm glad I got a way out of that."
"Any dude would be happy to have a beautiful man like you with such a great heart. If they can see it damn, they must be blinded by all those sparkling things they wear. You'll find someone soon, I mean… Even annoying Blaine got himself a boyfriend."
"He is not annoying, Santana. "
"His hairdo is."
He chuckles a bit and I spot Puck getting inside the restaurant.
"Puck's entering, pull yourself together or he'll think I've dumped you again."
"Was that why he always went "hang in there" everytime he met me at coffee-room last year?"
"Yup, it took him a while to register I was a lesbian. Or he pretended that so I could provide him with proof…in video" To be honest, Puck was always the first one to support me other than Dave, I just wanted to make Dave laugh. However, he does ask me for sex tapes now and then.
"YO, have you started without me?!"
"Of course, Puck. You said you were going to the bathroom but, as usual, you got too dazzled with yourself in the mirror and took forever to get here."
"I can't help that I'm a hunk" he sits down and begins stealing fries from my plate.
"You are lucky I'm on a diet otherwise I'd cut that hand off. You know I hate people taking food from my plate"
"Staying in shape for BrittBritt? Damn, that one must wear you out. Quinn tells me she's really hot –"
I raise one hand and give him a tiny slap on his face. Dave stares at our banter with no trace of sadness on his face. He has always told me that Puck and I sound like an old married couple.
"Don't oggle at my girl okay? Even if she isn't technically my girl, or I'll go all Lima Heights Adjacent on you. I'm dead serious" Unfortunately with all my swag I only manage to make me laugh louder.
"Now, I'm gonna need that sextape." Dave laughs at my sight and I'm about to respond but Puck continues. "Have you heard from Quinn though?"
"Quinn? Why you asking? I thought she was in your bed or something? Weren't you supposed to be having mad sex last night?"
"Well yeah, but she's not answering my texts."
"Maybe she's having cold feet." Dave says but Puck and I answer in unison.
"She's not like that"
"If Quinn doesn't agree with something she says it, in your face."
"No, tact whatsoever if something is bothering her. Besides she always responds to texts even when she's mad at me. Mad as in she'll put a knife on your neck and corner you in her kitchen." Puck says shaking his head. Karofsky and I look at him confused and he explains. "it's been known to happen."
We both go "oh" at the same time and I notice Puck checking his phone just as I was thinking about Brittany.
"It's just, we are supposed to have dinner tonight and I can't even confirm if she's going."
"I know the feeling, Britt said she would text and she hasn't said anything yet."
"Whatever, I'm not running after her. She's going to Britt's class and we'll pick both of them. What about Laura?"
"I was going to take her with us but I asked my Mami to take care of her for a bit. I'm picking her up before we head for the gym."
"Okay. I guess like that we can have grown up talks. Changing the subject, what have you learned on the theatre?"
"There's a sleazy dude that owns the place that can be a possible suspect. –"
"Hold that thought, Artie is phoning me….YO bro! Whatcha got for us?"
Dave and I see Puck's face while he speaks and goes "humhumm" every now and then. He finishes the call, gets his food and finally I remember I had a burger to eat.
"What?" I say with my mouthful, I'm a class act sometimes, I know. Just keeping it real.
"The results came up, the DNA we found on the girls nails belong to a dude called Jas- jesse"
"Jesse St James?" I swallow the food in my mouth. He looks surprised at me like I've just told him the future.
"How do you know?"
"That's the person who was talking you about. I guess it's time we pay him a visit."
As we step into the street and start walking towards our cars. We try to think of a strategy for nailing Jesse at least until we get a warrant. I decide the boys should go while Blaine and I stay at the department, they look a lot more intimidating than we do. Besides, and I can't believe I'm saying this, I don't want Berry to be in trouble. If this is our killer we don't want him to know straight ahead that she was the one to point him out. He will connect the dots eventually but I'm hoping it only happens after we have him in custody.
Puck stops near where we parked and stops before he gets in the mustang he recuperated and calls it "his baby".
"Guys, Artie said something about our victims eyes. Apparently, this one didn't have blue ones. I don't know if it's necessarily relevant." With that he gets in and drives away.
Karofsky is already inside the car but I'm standing with my door open in shock. He is staring at my face and I bet he can see the jigsaws moving in my head forming idea. A very scary, very out of the blue idea. She's attending dance classes, Berry's comment this morning, Puck's cancelled booty call.
Of course, this is relevant.
Quinn.
What do you think? Am I doing this right? Please do share your thoughts :)