Thank-you everyone for the reviews. I LOVE reading them.
Enjoy! Please read and review! Please forgive any grammatical errors.
I do not own Glee, the movie Definitely, Maybe, the songs mentioned in the story, or anything.
Author's Note: I figured that I owed you guys a good, long chapter after more than a month of no updates. Enjoy!
"No, No, No, No!" Heather yelled repeatedly before dropping her notebook carelessly on the floor. It was obvious that Heather wasn't pleased by the latest development in the story. Mark froze awkwardly as if he had never been around a child's temper tantrum. I rested my hand on her shoulder,
"Heather, calm down." I said firmly.
Her brown eyes connected with mine. I saw that they were misty, as if she was ready to cry. Heather nodded at my statement. Then she got into a fetal position and laid her head on my lap. "I don't like this ending! I don't want that witch to be my mother. This isn't fair."
"Heather, we don't call people out of their names."
Heather looked up at me, shock across her face. "She betrayed you and was going to leave the state without telling. Santana was gonna take me away from you!" Heather shook her head at the idea. She grabbed my knee before saying, "I want to stay with you, Daddy. I don't ever want to be anywhere else."
My heart melted from Heather's words. I chuckled at the way she was clutching my knee as if she needed it, not gravity, to keep her from floating away. "Heather, you're not going anyway. No one took you away to New York."
"I don't understand…Santana is pregnant…" Heather said softly. She looked pensive as she turned her forward. "I don't understand…"
I ran my fingers through her hair and tried to calm her down. Between Heather's words, the tone of her voice, and her racing heart beat against my leg, I knew she was upset. But the reality was... she didn't have to be. "Heather, listen. There are going to be parts of this story that may make you upset. I'm telling you the story now, because I think you're mature enough to handle it. You cannot react like that every time there is a part that you don't like."
Heather nodded timidly, as if slightly embarrassed by her previous outburst.
"Do you want me to continue?"
Heather nodded again.
"I promise to try and explain everything as clearly as possible." I said softly still running my fingers through her brown hair. "Let me continue…"
I sat back down on Santana's bed, because at that moment everything just seemed heavy.
It is funny how drastically your life could change in one moment. I think everyone has them. Those moments that affect your life so profoundly that you know your life won't be the same after that moment has happened. One of those moments was with Santana that morning in her dorm. Whether I liked it or not, my life was going to be forever different from this point on.
I remember that moment so clear. Another funny thing is these moments are always so vivid in your mind. I think because your emotions are running so high that it is hard to forget. I remember sitting on the bed looking around Santana's empty room. The room that had never really been settled into at all. Santana's room had been packed into two small personal suitcases and a duffel bag. She was able to pack everything quickly and in only three bags. I think there wasn't much of a life to pack because she never intended on making one here. She waited for her first opportunity to leave and took it.
"Sam, I'm sorry." Santana said weakly. Her voice was full of remorse and I heard it, but it didn't make me feel any better. I heard her say my name twice, but I couldn't bring myself to look at her face. I was livid and depressed at once which isn't good combination. I did manage to bring my line of vision back up to her stomach. I stared at her stomach slightly amazed that a little person with now inside of her. This little person knew nothing of the world. A little person knew no prejudice, emotions, words, or anything. The baby had nothing to its name, not even moments. The baby had almost a blank mind, a blank existence. It probably only knew its mother's voice. To him or her, the only thing that existed in this world was Santana's voice. At the thought, surprisingly, I felt a small twitch at the corner of my mouth, but I didn't let myself smile.
"Please say something, Sam." I heard Santana practically beg. I finally looked up to Santana's face. I hadn't seen her so upset since she broke up with Brittany. Her face had mascara streaming down her face. Her eyes were puffy and red. Her stance was passive. She looked so sad, terrible, but still beautiful in spite of it all. I stood and continued to look at her face again. There was nothing but agony and anticipation written across it. She looked like she was holding her breath, waiting for me to answer. It made me worry that the baby wasn't getting enough oxygen. So I spoke, not to put the baby's mother out of agony, but to spare him or her any harm.
"What do you want me to say, huh?" I asked. "You used me. You took advantage of my trust. Santana, I confided in you and you betrayed. Not only did you betray me, you lied."
"I'm sorry." Santana said softly.
"Don't you know any other words?"
"I'm-I-I don't know what to say. I needed an out. I couldn't stand the thought of being the pregnant lesbian on campus." Santana said touching my arm. I pulled it away and Santana sighed. "How can I make it up to you?"
"Is it Matt's?" I asked flatly.
Santana took a step back. Then she said softly, angrily. "How dare you. Of course, it is-"
"Well, you tried to push yourself on me last night. How many other guys have you thrown yourself at?" I internally winced. I couldn't believe I had said that her. I wanted to hurt her, but that felt wrong.
Santana stepped back hurt. "Nothing happened between us. We fell asleep-"
Then I said more awful words. "Thank God. I hate to be the one attached to you for the rest of my life." I stood up off the bed.
Santana heatedly walked over to her bags. She picked them up and threw them on the bed. "Well, I won't be your problem anymore. I'm leaving this state and I'm never coming back."
I shrugged. "Isn't that what you've always wanted?"
Santana just stared at me. She looked tired.
I leaned against the door and stared back at my former friend. "Do you know what the crazy part is, Santana?"
"Do I wanna to know?" Santana said crossing her arms.
"I would have been there."
"What?"
"Santana, you were one of my best friends." Angry was replaced with sadness. I felt a familiar burn on the back of my eyes, but I wouldn't let the tears fall. She didn't deserve to see how much she hurt me. How much she meant to me. "I would have been there. I would have told you everything was going to be okay. I would have held your hair through the morning sickness. If you wanted, I would have held your hand through labor. I would have done all of that because you were my friend and I love you. Apparently, you don't feel the same or think enough of me."
"Were?" Santana said sadly. She stood shocked at my revelation. "You can still be there."
"I can't…I can't be your friend anymore." I sighed. "I guess our story did end in a tragedy." I remembered the song Santana had sang to me in glee. No song could repair this.
"It doesn't have to…" Santana said.
"It does. This is the way you wrote it, literally.
I saw a few tears escape Santana's eyes, and I silently prayed that she couldn't see mine. I opened the door and started to walk out of the room.
"Sam-"
I stood in the doorway and looked at her. "Sam, you said love in the present tense."
I stared at her for a while, before I said, "Tell Matt the truth and be a better mother than you are a friend." I closed the door.
I never saw Santana in person again.
I didn't know where to go. Santana's world may have changed today, but my world was going to change tomorrow. I didn't know what to do. I had downplayed how much buzz I was getting from sports shows because I didn't want to give my hopes up. Playing in the NFL was one of the few things that I had ever wanted. But I knew I wasn't the only person who would be thrown in the gutter. A negative light would be shown on the university, and Coach Sullivan. After everything he had done to help me, he deserved a heads up on the media blitz that was coming his way. I knew what I had to do. I walked toward the athletics' department.
Coach Sullivan wasn't in his office, so I went to the field to see if he was there. Surprisingly, half of the football team was on the field, including Matt. It was surprising because the season was over. It had been over for awhile. What were they doing? Why wasn't I invited to a team meeting? I had left my phone in my dorm in a rush to stop Santana from leaving, so I thought maybe I didn't get the message about the impromptu meeting. Maybe, I was invited. Nevertheless, I walked toward the group to see what was going on. I stopped when I saw Matt leaving the group. He was fuming. Matt stormed off in the direction of the locker room. He only stopped to look at me for a second before walking into the locker room. Did I just imagine that death glare he gave me? I walked behind him to see what was wrong. Before I walked in the locker room, I heard a teammate yell, "I wouldn't do that if I were you." I ignored the warning and went after Matt.
I walked down the hall and around the corner, until I saw lockers. The room smelled of faded disinfectant. I called Matt's name several times, but the only response I got back was an echo of my own voice. I looked all around the empty locker room, I didn't see Matt. One last time, I said loudly, "Matt, are you okay? Why were you-"
I was blindsided when Matt rammed me into the lockers. I winced in pain not from the impact of metal lockers, but the locks that had taken blunt jabs in my back below my ribcage. "What was that for?" I asked rubbing the bruise that was surely forming.
"What the hell were doing with my girlfriend, yesterday?" Matt yelled at me.
"What?"
"Some of the guys said they saw you with her yesterday." Matt yelled. "They saw her go in your dorm room last night?"
I winced again, this time from the realization that Matt was still under the impression that him and Santana were still together. Santana had lied so much during the past year, I wouldn't be surprised if she never did break up with him. "She said you two were broken up."
"Liar." Matt said coldly. "Santana would never do that."
"It is true." I said. "Matt, I didn't sleep with her."
"Oh wow. What a big consolation!" Matt said sarcastically. "You still cheated with my girlfriend! Tell me why I shouldn't kick your ass right now?"
Before I could answer, Matt started in again.
"You, Sam?" Matt shook his head in disbelief. "I can't believe you would do this to me. I thought you were my friend."
"I am!" I yelled.
"Liar!" Matt said running full force. He shoved me into the lockers again. This time he was pinning me down by the shoulders. How had it come to this? I was tired of being everyone's punching bag. I gave Matt one hard shove in the middle of his chest. Matt stumbled back. He looked me and positioned himself to lunge at me. I braced myself for a seemingly inevitable fight. Matt surprised me when he stopped himself. He took a deep breath and sat down on the bench. I leaned against the lockers, thankful no fight had started.
Matt roughly ran his hands over his head before looking up at me again. "Did our friendship mean nothing to you? After everything we went through-"
"You don't understand-"
"No! You don't understand!" Matt said. "After everything! After everything that has happened in the last two years, you would do this to me? I was there for you, man. I almost got arrested running through a damn airport shoeless for you. I was there when you were moody and self-pitiful when you broke up with Mercedes. I was there helping Rachel and Kurt plan your surprise party!" He paused and let out a frustrated sigh. "Even if Santana and I were broken up, you don't date your friend's ex-girlfriend! I can't believe that I almost considered you a brother to me."
Matt was right and the sad part was that he didn't even know the half of it. He didn't know about Santana's sexuality, about Brittany and Santana, about Santana's pregnancy, or that I had dated Santana. I was tired of lying and the games. It had gotten me nowhere but on the verge of a national scandal and the hatred of a dear friend. I wasn't going to lie to him anymore. "Santana is pregnant."
Matt looked at me and I saw the blood drain from his face. "What?"
"Santana is pregnant." I said again.
Matt stood up, "I need to find her." Matt shoved past me before leaving the locker room. I heard him say 'I can't right now' to someone. I walked out of the locker room to see Mike waiting outside.
"What's up with Matt?" Mike asked.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
"Being your friend." Mike said. "It looks like you need one."
"Yeah. I really do. Considering that I seem to be losing friends by the hour."
"Sam…have you heard?" Mike asked hesitantly.
"About what?"
"The steroid story."
I nodded. "Yeah. Santana told me an hour ago that Time magazine was running the story tomorrow. Santana wrote it."
Mike looked at me surprised. "Santana wrote it? It didn't say that in the article I read."
"What?" I asked. "What article?"
"Sam, the story has been leaked." Mike said. "It is all over the Internet right now. Today."
An hour later, Mike and I were at the outside cafeteria eating lunch. Well, Mike was eating lunch. My stomach was in knots and I couldn't even think about eating. I had told Mike about everything that had gone down in the last 24 hours. After I finished telling him everything, he just shook his head.
"This is messed up." Mike said. "Santana really did you in."
"Yeah, tell me something I don't know." I said. It was then that I noticed other students were looking at me. I heard loud whispers of 'look', 'that's him', 'druggie' and 'steroids'. I sighed. It was only going to get worse. I was now the spectacle, the university scandal. It was only going to get worse from here.
"Sam, everyone knows that steroids story is a lie." Mike said before taking a drink his soda.
"Are you sure?" I said looking at the people staring at us. Most people averted my gaze when I looked back at them. However, there were some people who were bold.
"Hey, Shoot-em-up Sam." I heard a guy walking say. I cringed at the nickname. It was the first time that I had heard the nickname that would follow me for the rest of my life.
Then two other guys walked up to our table. One of them put a pen and paper in my face. "Can I get your autograph? I mean while you're still the quarterback." I snatched the paper for his hand and ripped it. The other guy laughed, "Oh, he's angry! You won't like him when he's angry!"
"Don't you have something better to do?" Mike asked.
Both of the guys laughed before walking away. I looked at Mike. "See? And it is only going to get worse. People will think this story is true-" I felt a hand on my shoulder. "What do you want?" I yelled, assuming the two guys had come back. It wasn't.
I looked up to see Deshawn.
"Someone is on edge." Deshawn said.
"Sorry, Deshawn." I said. "I thought you were someone else."
"No problem." Deshawn said sitting down between Mike and me. "Hey Mike."
Mike nodded.
"Nebraska, listen. I heard the story-"
"It isn't true."
"I know that. You're too honest." Deshawn said as if he was insulted I thought otherwise. "Anyway, I came over here to see how you were doing."
I gave a half-smile. "Thanks."
"You go to this school?" Mike asked. "I never see you around."
"What is with the shades? It is cloudy out." I asked. Deshawn was wearing sunglasses even though the day was cloudy. There was a storm coming today. I didn't know it was going to be my own personal one.
"I attend this university, Mike." Deshawn said. "I need the sunglasses, because honestly, I'm hung over and tired." He took his glasses off. "Nebraska, I wanted to tell you something."
"What?" I asked
"I don't believe the story…and I know my sister doesn't either." Deshawn said standing up. "Keep your head up, Nebraska. Don't let people let you feel ashamed for something you didn't do."
"Thanks. I needed to hear that."
Deshawn nodded, before walking away.
"That was nice." Mike said. "What are you going to do now?"
"The story is out of my hands. There is really one thing I can do at the moment." I said. "Make things right with Matt."
I walked back to Santana's room looking for Matt. He wasn't in the common room, game room, or his dorm. I figured he may be there.
I was right. I opened her door to see Matt sitting on her bed staring at the wall. A note clutched in his right hand. He looked lost and confused staring at Santana's blank walls. I felt guilty that I had allowed this to happen to him.
"How long have you known?" Matt said low, angry.
"I found out that she was pregnant this morning. Before I saw you."
Matt shook his head. "I'm not talking about that."
"What are you talking about?"
"How long have you known that Santana was a lesbian?" Matt said balling the note in his hand and throwing it against the wall.
I sighed. "How did you figure it out?"
Matt pointed to the note on the ground. "That's all she left me. A note saying she is really a lesbian and she doesn't need me to help raise the baby." Matt shook his head angrily. "This is my baby too! She doesn't get to do this."
I decided to answer his first question. "Santana came out the closet a couple of months after we dated our junior year of high school."
"You dated?" Matt said shocked. "In high school?" Matt stood up. "If she has been out since high school, then everyone knew. You, Mike, Finn, and Puck…you all lied to me. What? Was I the joke of the group?"
"No, it wasn't like that Matt." I said. "Santana didn't want us to tell. We were keeping our friend's secret."
"Looks like you chose the wrong friend." Matt said. "I don't ever want to see you again. I don't want to see any of you." Matt shook his head. "First, it was my dad. Now you. I'm tired of everyone lying to me."
"I want to make this right, man." I said.
"You can start by telling me where she is going." Matt said. "I deserve to be a part of my kid's life."
I nodded. "She is going to New York to live with Kurt, Blaine, and Rachel."
Matt nodded. "I still can't be around you. I'm too angry." Matt started walking toward the doorway that I was standing in.
"Where are you going?"
"New York." Matt said. For the second time that day, he shoved past me and walked out.
Heather sat up and grabbed her notebook from the floor. She flipped through her notebook full of scribbles and notes. She stopped on a page in the middle. It was list of the potential moms. From the top of the page to bottom, it said QUINN, SANTANA, MERCEDES. Heather picked up her pen and placed it at the edge on Santana's name.
"Santana isn't my mom, is she? Heather asked.
I shook my head, "She isn't." I looked as Heather put a line through Santana's name. I looked at the TV thinking about Santana. How was she? What had become of her? Was she finally happy? I had missed our friendship over the years. I had missed our easy conversations, her candidness, and her nicknames for me…
Heather must have noticed my thoughtful expression, because at that moment she tapped my arm. I brought my attention back to her and she frowned at me. "Did she break it?"
I burrowed my eyebrows in confusion.
"Did she break it?" Heather said again. This time, she tapped the part of her chest where her heart was.
I nodded and said sadly, "Yeah."
"Its okay, Daddy." Heather said reaching over and hugging me from side. I found it amusing that Heather was trying to comfort me over something that had happened many years ago.
"I'm fine, sweetheart." I said hugging her back. "Everything is fine-"
Suddenly, I heard a loud snore coming from the other side of the couch. I looked over to Mark in a deep sleep. His arms were hanging over the arm of the couch. His legs were stretched out in front of him and his mouth was wide open. I shook my head. "And this is why we have a bedtime, Heather."
"How could he fall asleep during this story?" Heather asked. In Mark's defense, he had just come in that morning on a red eye flight. I was actually surprised that he stayed awake that long.
"What time is it?" I asked absentmindedly, before looking down at my watch. "It's 8:45."
"I have fifteen minutes left!" Heather said quickly. I looked her and could tell that she wanted me to continue the story. I would have continued if I hadn't suddenly been hit by a wave of fatigue. I had only slept for an hour in the last 24 hours. I needed sleep, too.
"Let's call it a night, Heather." I said on yawn. I looked over to a sprawled out Mark. "Mark, wake up."
Mark responded with a noise that was somewhere between a snort and a snore. I said again, "Mark, wake up."
Mark jolted up with his eyes still half-lidded. "Huh?" He said rubbing his eyes. He looked over to us. "Why did I miss?"
"Santana isn't mom." Heather said opening her notebook. She was crossing off more notes in her notebooks.
"Not surprising." Mark said.
Heather raised her eyebrows and looked at Mark. "Why isn't it surprising?"
"Ummm…" Mark said before looking over at me. I nodded as a signal that he could continue. "Santana only has one kid. Matt, my brother, is his dad. His name is MJ."
"MJ?" Heather asked. "Like after Michael Jackson?"
"No, no." Mark said chuckling. "MJ stands for Matt Jr."
"What is he like?" Heather asked.
"Ummmm..." Mark said rubbing the back of his neck. "Skinny, glasses, kinda nerdy…" He put his hand out to gauge MJ's height from the ground. "About this tall. A little taller than you."
"Alright. I think it's time for sleep." I interjected. I was this tired and it was only Tuesday. It was going to be a long week. "Heather, go get ready for bed."
"Wait! I have one more question. Just one." Heather said quickly as if to convince me the question would be fast.
I sighed. "What's the question?"
"Where is Santana now?"
"She is a reporter for CNN." I said
Heather's eyes bulged at the statement. "That's where I know her! I saw her on TV."
I nodded. "Bedtime."
Heather nodded and walked back to her room.
"I'm going to bed, too." Mark said standing up.
"Wait, Mark. There are a few things I need to tell you. The couch in the basement pulls out into a bed and I cleared the bookshelf down there. You can put your things there until I can get you a dresser. Be ready to leave for school by 7am. I'll give you a ride." I said. I stood up and started to walk to the hall toward my room.
"Sam, wait." Mark said tentatively.
I turned around and looked at him. "Yeah?"
"Thank-you for letting me stay here." Mark said. "I realize that I've been sorta rude when you were just tryin to help me."
"Your welcome."
Mark nodded before walking toward to the door next to the kitchen. He opened the door and walked down the stairs to the basement.
I picked up the box from the table and put it back on the top shelf in my closet in my room. Then I walked to Heather's room. She was sitting in bed writing to her notebook. I watched in amusement at how focused she was reading over her notes. I don't know how long I was standing there, but at one point Heather said:
"I promise, I'm going to bed, now!" Heather said scribbling one last note.
"That wasn't…I was just thinking."
"Thinking about mom?" Heather asked curiously. She seemed to be prying for a way to talk about her even more. I look at her and debate to whether to indulge Heather any longer. My eyes and legs both felt heavy. But as I looked at Heather with her legs pulled to her chin with arms wrapped around them as she rocked back and forth, I could tell she really wanted more information. "I was thinking about you. But we can talk more if you want."
"Really?" She said quickly, eagerly. Then she softened some of excitement in her voice. "I mean, I know you're tired…"
"It's fine." I said on a yawn.
"Dad, you're tired." Heather protested.
"Heather, its fine."
I walked over to the chair that was near her bed. Mr. Big Bear was in the chair. I picked up the huge teddy bear that Mr. and Mrs. Hummel had sent Heather one Christmas. I always thought it was unusual that they had sent a Valentine's Day looking bear for Christmas. However, they must have known something I didn't since Heather took to it right away. She even named it within the few minutes of holding it.
"I think I'll call you, Mr. Big Bear!"a five-year old Heather exclaimed on Christmas morning. I laughed as Heather hugged the Bear but she then fall down as the bear hugged back. The toy bear was much bigger than her.
"Not funny, daddy." She said laughing.
I walked over and picked her up. Heather shook her head. "Put me down. I'm too old."
"You know you love it." I said and she smiled at me. "Come on, we got to get ready to go Uncle Puck's to meet everyone. It had been a tradition started a few years ago. Heather and I would go to my parents' for Christmas Eve and on Christmas, we would go over to Puck. Anyone from glee who was in Cleveland would go to Puck's for Christmas.
I sat the bear down on her floor next her bed. I sat down in the chair that Blaine had brought for the room when it was decorated seven years ago. As I looked around, I noticed a lot of things that were gifts from her glee aunts and uncles. Broadway posters on walls from Rachel. Jewelry box from Kurt and Blaine. A 'Belle' doll that she got as a souvenir from a trip to Disney World with Puck, Lauren, and their family. A floral comforter from Mike and Tina. A Miami Dolphins sweater from Matt. A notebook from Artie. I wondered if Heather knew how much she was loved. I had one gift from her mother in that box that I had showed her earlier. Soon, I would give it to her.
I moved in the chair and I heard it creak. I never really liked this chair. However, as tired as I was, at that moment, the creaky, old, hard chair was the most comfortable piece I had ever sat in. I leaned my head against the wall and closed my eyes.
"Daddy, you're falling asleep!" Heather said
I shook my head. "No, I was just thinking…"
"You've been thinking a lot." Heather said. "Can you tell me what my mom was like?"
"Your mom is caring, loving." I said with my eyes still closed. "Your mom was smart and strong. She loved you and only wanted the best for you."
"Why do you talk about her in past and present tense?"
I opened my eyes and looked at her. "What?"
"This is the first time I ever noticed it." Heather said. "You talk about her in past and present tense." Heather wrote more notes down in her notebook.
"Ummm…Heather-" I said on a yawn.
"Good night, Dad. You're tired. I'll question you tomorrow." Heather said before she put her notebook on the nightstand and put underneath the floral comforter.
"Good night, Heather." I said. I walked back into my room. I got in my bed and fell asleep in two minutes.
After dropping off Heather at school the next morning, Mark and I walk in the crowded high school. I'm used to navigating the crowded high school halls, but Mark doesn't seem to be adjusted yet. I looked back and Mark was being pushed at least six people behind me. Mark yelled, "I'm going straight to class!" I nodded in his direction and walked off to the counselor's office.
First period started when the bell rang. I walked out of my office to see ten kids standing in the outer room and some lining the hall to the counselor's office. The secretary looked slightly overwhelmed trying to sign in at least ten more students in a line going out of the door and answering calls. I sigh and think, "It's going to be a long morning". I call the first student back to my office to try to get all of these kids seen.
The morning actually flies. Keeping busy really does make the day go by faster. I've seen about twenty students so far and it isn't even one o' clock yet. It has been mostly panicked seniors who just realized they are graduating and a few students having social problems, and one overly prepared sophomore asking for a letter of recommendation –two years in advance of graduation. I look at my schedule and see that I have one more student. There is no name on the list. I like to prepare for the student I'm going to see by looking over their file. I walked out into the outer waiting room.
"Loretta." I said. The secretary looks up and smiles. Loretta is an older woman with an affection for what she calls "old school R&B". She often plays it when the traffic to the counselor's office is low. I'm starting to really grow fond of the music. The sound has become a signal that I have free time to go through my pile of other work.
"Yes, Sam."
"Do you know who my next appointment is?"
"Let me take a look." Loretta goes into the appointment database set up on her computer. While she is going through the database, she says, "How is it going, Sam?"
"It's going."
She smiles, but her eyes stay on the computer screen. "That doesn't sound good. Don't worry it'll get better. Mark seems like a good boy."
"How did you-"
"I wouldn't let him back yesterday, but he said he lived with you. So that's the only reason I let him back while you had another student."
I nodded. "I'm getting used to it."
Loretta nodded. "How is little Heather? Sweet as ever?"
I smiled. I would always be grateful to Loretta. The steroids lie was-is still following me when I applied for this job. The school administers thought I would be a bad influence on the students. Besides Artie, she was the only who said that they should hire me. "Yeah, she is doing great."
"Okay, here we go." Loretta said. "You're next appointment is-"
"Me." said the daughter of the woman I had given a promise ring to about 15 years ago. The blonde stood in the doorway.
"Come on back, Beth."
"Oh, you're back." Loretta said reaching underneath her desk. After a few moments, Loretta pulled out a new box of tissues and put them on her desk. "I'll have the tissues ready for that child."
Sitting in the chair across from my desk, Beth looked more together than she had looked yesterday.
"So, how are you, Beth?"
"Good. I meant even say great."
I looked at her surprised. "May I ask what caused this turnaround?"
Beth smiled. "It was Mark, actually."
"Really?"
"Yeah. We had a heart to heart yesterday and he made me realize that my mom gave me a gift. I can finally figure out who I am….I'm going to find my parents." Beth shuffled through her bag. "I actually already found the address of my father."
"Great. How is your mom doing?"
"She is good. She told that she supports me 100%."
"Great."
"Mr. Evans, I wanted to thank-you. Also, I wanted to give this to you to give to Mark." Beth handed me a picture.
"What is this?" It was a picture of an African-American woman and boy blowing out six candles on a birthday cake.
"It is a picture of Mark and his mom. I think he dropped on the stage yesterday…it seemed really important to him."
"Stage?"
Beth blushed. "Um...yeah, we were singing together…"
"Sounds like fun. Wait, I thought singing was gross."
"I didn't say gross. I said 'ewww'." Beth said. "Okay, maybe it was a little fun. Anyway, I have to go. Next period is about to start."
I nodded. "Okay. Come back if you need to talk."
"Thanks. Oh. I do have one question."
"What?"
"I'm having a really hard time finding an address for my biological mom, Lucy. Do you know a better way to find people than Google?"
I smiled. "Take it one at a time. I'm sure that you'll get answers from your dad."
I went to the teacher's lounge to eat and plan the 16th annual Fall talent show. A show I had never planned before and didn't want to plan. Artie had volunteered us without telling me
At first, I was annoyed but I wanted to take part after I found out the cause. The show helps raise money for the arts department in collaboration with its sister school, which was Heather's school.
I already had my guitar club students scheduled to perform to their dismay. I felt their pain. It was considered an uncool show to perform for. I felt like Mr. Schue for making them do it, but we were in desperate need of performers.
The sound of the heavy door opening and closing echoed in the room. I expected to see Artie, but was surprised when Mike sat down across from me in a chair.
"Mike? What are you doing here?" I asked putting down my coffee on the table between us. "How did you get pass school security?"
Mike looked at me in disbelief. "Seriously, Sam? Are you asking me how I got pass those two guards? The overly pregnant woman who doesn't look like she can even stand and the 80-year-old man that is one hard sneeze away from breaking a hip?"
I chuckled. "Budget cuts. Still, what are you doing here?"
"Don't sound so happy to see me." Mike said sarcastically.
"Always good to see you man, but I don't show up to your job randomly." I said
"Artie told me to come."
"Why?"
As if on cue, Artie opened the door in a dramatic fashion. His face stern and serious, he rolled up until he was next to us. "I'm glad you're both here."
"Artie, what is going on?" Mike asked, looking toward Artie.
"Guys, things just got real."
I couldn't help but let out a small laugh. "What are you talking about?"
"Dr. Green said that you and I couldn't top the fall concert that he put together last year." Artie said.
I looked at him confused. "Who cares?"
"I care! This is the last straw. I will not take his disrespect anymore. His wheelchair jokes are insensitive. And I'm tired of him saying that I'm unqualified to teach African-American and Asian-American history courses-"
"But you aren't really qualified…" I said slowly, hesitantly.
"You teach Asian-American history?" Mike asked
"Focus!" Artie said quickly looking between us. "Dr. Green needs to go down. Him and his stupid corner office. And his stupid PhD." Artie began in a mocking voice, "Oh, my name is Dr. Green and I have a PhD. I could teach college….Jerk."
I laughed. Artie strongly disliked Dr. Green, like most people in the school. Dr. Green always carried a superior attitude.
"Why am I here?" Mike asked.
"The show that Sam and I put has to be the best the school has ever seen. We need professional dancers." Artie said putting his hand on Mike's shoulder. "I was hoping I could get the friend discount…"
"Friend Discount?" Mike asked.
"Our entire budget is only $150 dollars…I'll pay you back in babysitting."
"$100…" I said slowly, correcting him.
"What?" Artie asked. "Who is messing with my money?"
"I forgot to tell you. The school financial officer took $50 out of the budget. They need to get the spray painting message off of the side of the school. They needed to get it professionally cleaned."
"I saw that when I was driving in!" Mike said. "Was it a senior prank?"
"Beth said she and her friends were making a statement."
"Beth?" Artie said. "Damnit Puck! I'm getting the $50 dollars from him."
Mike shook his head. "You can't do that. Does Puck know yet?"
I shook my head. "I called again. He is still out of town. Beth is going to try and contact him." Just then, my cell phone buzzed and I fished it out of my pocket. I half-heard what Artie was saying. I read the front of my phone. It was a text from Mark.
Can I hang out with a friend afterschool?
I was surprised Mark had made friends to hang out with so fast. I figured there was no harm in him having some fun.
Be back by curfew.
He texted back immediately.
Thanks
"Sam, are you even listening?" Artie asked.
I put my cell phone back into my phone and answered honestly, "No."
"Well, I said that I think we should have an open talent show this year." Artie said. "Instead of making the glee club, drama club, and your guitar club perform. We could even ask the kids from the sister elementary school if they want to perform."
"Great Idea." I said. "I'm sure Heather would love to sing."
"Great! We can add Heather to other three acts." Artie said. "I will beat Dr. Green's 'money raised amount' if it kills me."
"How much did he raise?" Mike asked.
"$650." Artie said.
"Seriously?" Mike said. "Can I just give you the money and you pretend that it was raised?"
"It is the principle of the matter." Artie said. "I want to beat him 'fair and square' to shut him up."
The bell rang for next period. Artie sighed. "Sam, prepare. Mike, think about what I have said." Artie said leaving the room. The door closed.
"I'll pay for the dancers." I said.
Mike waved his hand. "Don't worry about it. So, how far are you in the story with Heather?"
"Steroids story just broke." I said
"Oh. Yeah, that wasn't your best day."
I laughed thinking back to that day. Then my mindset turned more serious. There was something I had been thinking about asking Mike for awhile. I figured now would be the best time. "Mike, there is something I wanted to ask you."
"What is it?"
"With everything that has been going on with Heather and this story, I've been thinking. If anything ever happened to me-"
Mike shook his head. "Nothing is going to happen to you, Sam."
"If anything ever happened to me," I said again, this time stressing the statement. "I want you and Tina to be Heather's godparents.
"Wow." Mike said sitting up straight.
'Wow' was all he had said. Then it was silent. I wasn't sure if he was shocked or trying to think of a nice way to 'no'. After a few seconds, I asked, "What do you think?"
"I'm surprised. Honored." Mike said. "Honestly, I thought the logical choice would have been Kurt and Blaine.
"Yeah, I thought about them, but Heather's life is here in Ohio. I wouldn't want her to move away if she didn't have to."
Mike nodded. "I have to talk with Tina about it, but I'm sure the answer is yes."
As soon as Heather and I walked through the door of our house, Heather ran to her room to get her notebook as usual. I sat down on the couch and it wasn't long before Heather was back in the room, plopping down next to me on the couch.
"Start the story, Daddy."
"Hold on, Heather. Tell me how your day was at school?" I asked. "You were quiet on the ride home."
Heather shrugged her shoulders and mumbled, "It was okay."
I shook my head. "No, it's not. What happened?"
Heather shrugged again and looked to the side.
"Don't do that Heather. Don't shut me out." I said. "You can talk to me about whatever it is."
Heather looked up at me. "I don't like Melissa anymore."
"Your new friend? Why not?" I asked. Many reasons ran through my head as to why. I settled on the one I feared the most to make sure it wasn't true. "Is she bullying you?"
"No, no, no!" Heather said quickly. "I'm not being bullied…you'll think I'm stupid."
"I won't. Sweetheart, I could never think you're stupid."
"Melissa is taking everything that is mine. She is stealing my life."
I couldn't help but chuckle at Heather's accusations. "Stealing your life?"
Heather looked at me shocked before putting a throw pillow from the couch over her face. "You laughed! You think I'm stupid."
"I don't think you're stupid." I said gently pulling the throw pillow from her face. "Sweetie, no one can steal your life."
"Melissa has." Heather retorted. "She took my solo-"
"Heather, I thought we agreed that you can't win everything." I said reminding her of our conversation yesterday.
"The solo was the first thing. Today, she was named student of the month. I always get student of the month! Then, she took the Nancy Drew to read during reading time. Everyone knows the Nancy Drew book is mine! Then she…"
I listened as Heather listed all of the things Melissa had taken from her. It amazed me. I had I spoiled her? When did my little girl start to feel so entitled? "Heather-"
"The last thing was that…" Heather said sadly. "Katy picked her first in gym." Heather looked like she may cry and that's when I figured out what was really wrong. Heather wasn't afraid Melissa was going to take her life, but her place with Katy. "Dad, Katy is my best friend! She has been my best friend since I can remember!"
"And she still is. You know Katy is extremely competitive like her mother." I said thinking back to glee club.
"Melissa is a little better athletically." Heather said on a shrug. "I guess I'm overreacting?"
"A little."
"Can we start the story?" Heather asked. "Please?"
I nodded. "Sure. Okay, so the next part of the story starts in April of that year-"
I was interrupted by the sound of the door bell ringing.
"Who is that?" Heather asked.
I shrugged. "I don't know. It may be Mark." I stood up and walked into the foyer to answer the door. I opened it to see Kurt and Blaine.
"Hello, Sam." Kurt said while Blaine nodded.
"Hey guys. Come in." I said stepping to the side, so they could walk in. "How is everything going?"
"Good." Blaine said. "Except from the constant calls from the law firm. Apparently, the words 'I'm on vacation' mean nothing."
"As for me, it has been chaotic." Kurt said. "Deshawn booked the wrong hall. It wouldn't have been a problem, if the invitations weren't sent out months ago. I went to the right place and it was booked up for five months straight. I nearly had a heart attack but I regained my composure." Kurt shook his head and sighed seemingly thinking back on the moment. "Luckily, I was able to find out who was holding an event at the right hall during the week of the Jones anniversary party. I had to bribe a sixteen old to move her party to our hall and let us have her hall."
"How did you manage that?" I asked
"$200, Broadway tickets for five people, and she will get a personal backstage tour with Rachel." Kurt said putting his and Blaine's coats on the coat rack. "It was some tough negotiations with that little brat."
"You should have let me handle her." Blaine said. "I do negotiate and convince for a living."
"You weren't there. It was a now or never moment, babe." Kurt said. "As for Deshawn, I have given all of his duties to Miranda."
"That's his wife, right?" I asked
"Yeah, this whole process should go a lot smoother now." Kurt said. "Deshawn is like a brother to me, but he is the most disorganized person I have ever met in my life. Miranda is definitely the better choice to help with this."
"Why isn't Mercedes helping?" I asked Kurt flatly. "Why is it just you and Deshawn?"
"Well, Mercedes is busy-" Blaine said.
"This is her parents' anniversary." I said a little more harshly then I intended. "She should help."
Kurt winced, before he said, "That's not fair. She wants to help, but she is on tour. Mercedes cannot help plan a party from Arizona or whatever state she is in today. She is too far away."
"Mercedes is always away." I said
Kurt shook his head. "Okay, Sam. If I remember correctly, you were the one always telling her to follow her dreams. You were always pushing her away and you were the one who told her to leave."
This time, I winced. "I know but it would have been nice for her to push back."
"What does that mean?" Kurt asked
"Nothing." I regretted bringing it up.
"It isn't nothing." Blaine said. "Did you want her to fight back for you?"
"Drop it." I said quickly. "Umm…Heather is in the living room. She'll be ecstatic to see you guys."
Kurt smiled. "That wasn't a denial."
"This conversation is over." I said walking back into the living room. "I'm sorry I brought it up."
To say Heather was excited to see Kurt and Blaine was an understatement. During the next half-hour, there was a lot of laughter, hugs, smiles, and summer vacation planning. Then Heather excitedly told them how far we had gotten in the story. When she got to the last part, the door bell rang again. I walked in the living room and opened the door. It was Mike.
"Come in, Mike." I said. "What's up?
"I wanted to talk to you about the godparents thing." Mike said. Then there was eruption of laughter coming from the living room. "Is somebody here?"
"Kurt and Blaine are here." I said. Again, there was more laughter.
"Wow. Are you sure you picked the right people? Heather sure sounds happy with them." Mike said.
"I have already given it a lot of thought and I made my decision." I said. "Want to come in the living room?"
"Sure."
Mike and I walked back in the laughter filled living room.
"Mike!" Kurt said standing up and hugging Mike. "I haven't seen you in forever."
"Good to see you too, Kurt." Mike said returning the hug.
Kurt pulled away before Blaine said, "Hey, Mike."
"Hey Blaine."
"Hi, Uncle Mike!" Heather said.
"Heather, how is the story going?" Mike asked.
"Santana isn't my mom." Heather said.
"Thank god." Mike said.
I elbowed Mike in the side and he shrugged in response.
"Anyway-" I started to say, but the door bell rang again.
"What is this a party?" Mike asked.
I shook my head, before walking back into the foyer. I opened the door. This time, it was Rachel.
"I'm ready for my close up." Rachel said leaning on the doorway with one arm.
"Hollywood." I said giving Rachel a hug. Hollywood had become my nickname for Rachel ever since she and Kurt's play opened. Rachel didn't care for the nickname. She told me to at least call her Broadway instead, but Hollywood stuck. It had since grown on her. "Congrats on the Tony."
"Thanks. It happened a while ago, but I'm still on Cloud 9." Rachel said
I nodded before motioning for her to come in. "Kurt, Blaine and Mike are in the living room with Heather." I said taking her coat and putting it on the coat rack.
"Oh! How is my little diva?" Rachel asked.
"Great. She has been asking for you."
"Well, I will make her wait no longer." Rachel said walking in the living room.
I heard Heather before I saw her. I smirked. Heather had almost yelled "Aunt Rachel!" before running over to hug her. "I missed you so much!"
"I missed you too, sweetie." I walked back in the living room to see everyone greeting each other.
Rachel sat down next to Heather on the couch. "Now, have you been doing the voice exercises that I taught you?"
Heather nodded. "I have, but they really didn't help me."
"What do you mean? Why not?"
"I started a glee club at school."
"You started a glee club?" Rachel asked excited.
"I-we're so proud of you." Kurt added.
"Well, the exercises must have worked." Rachel said. "If your voice was in shape to start a glee club."
Heather nodded again. "Well, the thing is I tried out for the solo part of our first performance."
"And you got the solo of course." Rachel said. "My future starlet."
Heather shook her head, almost embarrassed to admit it. "No, the new girl, well my friend, Melissa got the solo. She sang better than me…"
Rachel's face fell. "Melissa? She took your spot?"
"Oh, God…" Mike mumbled.
"I did everything you said, Aunt Rachel. I practiced and picked a song that would show her my voice the best…but I still lost." Heather looked up to Rachel and didn't want to disappoint her.
"That's okay, sweetie. Better luck next time." Rachel said.
"I should have done better this time. Maybe, I'm not good enough…"
Rachel shook her head. "I don't want to hear that. Don't be so hard on yourself. All of the greats have had sent backs." Rachel grabbed Heather's hand. "You are a great singer. What do I always tell you?"
Heather smiled. "They can't take away my talent."
"Exactly. Now give me a hug." Rachel said. Heather gave Rachel a hug as Rachel ran her fingers through Heather's straight, brown hair. I was happy that Heather had a mother figure at least some of the time between Tina and Rachel. Then I saw Kurt try to inconspicuously mouth 'What are we going to do?' to Rachel. Rachel shook her head. I thought that was odd.
"My dad is telling me the story about mom." Heather said with her head still pressed against Rachel. Rachel pulled her away gently and looked in her eyes. The worry was apparent on her face.
"Sam told you about what happened in the emergency room?" Rachel asked
"Rachel!" Blaine said quickly to stop her. Kurt winced, while Mike rubbed his hand to his forehead.
"I didn't." I said
"What emergency room?" Heather asked. Then she sunk down into her seat on the couch. A realization hit her. "This story doesn't have a happy ending, does it?
"Sweetie, I'm so-I'm-…I'm an idiot." Rachel mumbled.
"Did my mom die in child birth?" Heather asked.
Everyone silently looked to me for the answer. Even though Mike, Blaine, Kurt, and Rachel were there that day, they probably thought it was best that I answer. "No, she didn't die in childbirth."
"No." I said.
"Well, is she dead or alive?" Heather asked.
"I told you, Heather. I can't answer that. It's complicated." I answered. "Honestly, it is."
"No! Mark was right. It is a yes or no answer. Please just tell me." Heather said. I saw that she was on the verge of tears. As mature as Heather acted sometimes, I forgot she is only nine.
"Heather, calm down." Rachel said reaching for her arm. Heather snatched her arm away. The action putting hurt on Rachel face.
"I won't. Apparently, everyone knows except for me. I'm tired of everyone lying to me." Heather said. "Will I ever see my mom? Can you answer me that, dad?"
I stood there, not sure of what to say. I didn't know. I decided flattery may be the best route to calm her down. "Do you want me to tell you the end or do you want to solve the mystery? Like the great detective you are."
Heather calmed down some and crossed her arms. "Do you promise that I will know what happened?"
I walked over and crouched down in front of her. We were face to face. "I promise." I said. "Heather, why don't you go and get your notebook, so you can show Aunt Rachel?"
Heather nodded and walked back into her room. I waited until I heard her door shut until I started talking. "Great." I said sarcastically.
"I'm so sorry, Sam."
"It's fine." I said plopping down on the couch. I took a deep breath.
"Did she say Mark was here?" Rachel asked. "Is Matt in town?"
"Matt will be here soon." I said. "Mark is living here."
"What!" Kurt, Blaine, and Rachel said in unison.
"Please, can we not talk about it? That is another long story that I know nothing about." I said. "Do you guys think I told Heather too soon? You should have seen her. I mean she freaked out when I told her about Santana. I haven't even gotten to the emergency room part yet."
"I think she is going to freak out, regardless of what age she is." Rachel said. "I'll help you, Sam. I think I'll be best person to talk to her."
"That statement is arguable, but we'll all be here." Kurt said.
Mike and Blaine nodded.
"Um…I know that you don't want to talk about it, Sam, but…"
I sighed. "What is it, Rachel?"
"Well, do you think Matt may get here in the same timeframe that I'm here?" Rachel asked quickly.
I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know."
"This is not about you right now Rachel." Kurt said.
"It was one quick yes or no question." Rachel added. "Actually…one more question…is he single?"
"Ignoring Rachel." Kurt said. "Did Heather say who she thought her mom was?"
I shook my head. "I wonder what is taking Heather so long." I said before getting off the couch. I walked down the hall to her room. I knocked on the closed door. "Sweetheart?"
There was no answer, so I opened it to something I didn't ever want to see. The sight of Heather crying silently on the bed broke my heart. Heather saw me and tried to wipe away the tears quickly with sleeves of her shirt. I walked over and sat on the bed facing her. I looked at her in silence. Heather continued to look at purple sleeves, which had seemingly become the most fascinating thing in the world. I broke the silence first,
"I'll skip to the end. I will tell you everything right now. I don't want you in this kind of pain or agony, sweetheart." I said. "I'm sorry. I thought making it a mystery would be a fun way to tell you-"
"A sad ending." Heather said flatly as tears began rolling down her face. She didn't even try wiping them away this time. With puffy eyes, red cheeks, and tears rolling down her face, Heather couldn't hide the fact that she was crying now. The silence of her crying was what pained me the most. I never want Heather to go through pain in silence. I wiped away the tears.
"It depends on how you look at it." I said. "Do you want to know?"
Heather looked at me before shaking her head. "Nancy Drew didn't cheat. Neither will I. I'm going to figure this out myself. I mean…how many times do I actually get to solve a real life mystery?"
Heather got off the bed and walked over to her bathroom. "I'll be out in a minute."
I nodded and Heather opened her bathroom door. "Heather-"
Heather stopped and looked at me, standing in the doorway. "Yes?"
"I love you."
Heather smiled. "I love you, more Daddy."
"Not possible."
Heather closed the door and I walked out of her room to rejoin everyone in the living room. I stopped midway in the hall when I heard whispered arguing coming from the living room. The whispered arguing was about Mrs. Jones…and me. I moved to the side of the hallway so they couldn't see me. I listened and watched.
"What the hell are we going to do?" Kurt said. "Sam will be so angry when he finds out."
"I don't know." Blaine said. "I still can't believe Mrs. Jones would go there-"
"Why not? She is playing God!" Mike said quietly, harshly. "Do you know how much sleep I've lost over this? I promised after the Matt/Santana fiasco that I would never keep a secret from a friend this big."
"Why did you agree to keep this secret with us all those years ago?" Blaine asked
"Tina made me promise." Mike said pacing back and forth. "God, this isn't right. Sam is my best friend."
"Don't you think we feel guilty too?" Blaine said "Hopefully, Sam won't figure it out."
"If Sam doesn't figure it out, Heather will!" Rachel said quickly.
Blaine shook his head. "Heather is smart, but she won't connect those dots."
"I hope Sam does figure it out." Kurt said.
There was silence, but then I heard Rachel ask, "Why? I thought…"
"Sam deserves the truth." Kurt said. "So does Heather and everyone in that situation. Plus, I hate these secrets. It engulfs me with guilt every time I see Sam."
I know the entire group had agreed to keep this big secret from Heather, but what secrets were they keeping from me?
"What the hell are you guys talking about?" I asked walking into the room. "I thought no one knew anything about why Mrs. Jones was at Heather's school."
The room was filled shocked silence.
Rachel stood up quickly, as if she was repelled from the couch. "It isn't our place to tell you."
"Whose place is it?" I asked. "Are you guys going to make drive to Lima and ask Mrs. Jones what is going on myself?"
The blood seemingly drained from all of their faces. The tension and silence in the room was thick. Mike broke the silence, "Don't do that."
"Why not? What are you keeping from me, Mike?" I asked. "Maybe you aren't the right person to be Heather's godfather-"
Mike stood shocked. "You don't mean that."
"Wait! You made Mike and Tina, the godparents?" Kurt said outraged. With the amount of anger and indignation in his voice, you would've thought I'd just told him the sky was red instead of blue.
"Kurt, calm down." Blaine said quickly, grabbing Kurt's shoulder.
"I will not!" Kurt said still outraged. "No offense to them, but Blaine and I should automatically become the godparents of Heather. You should have discussed this with us first.
"Excuse me-"
Kurt continued. "Don't forgot that you needed our help to get full custody of her."
I stared at Kurt angrily. "I'm her dad. I get the final say."
Kurt rolled his eyes.
"I'm not sure if I can trust any of you anymore." I said. "What is going on-?"
"I got my notebook." Heather said walking back into the room. Heather frowned picking up on the tension in the room. "Why is everyone upset?"
"I think we should go." Rachel said nervously as if the thick tension in the room had taken her breath.
"You just got here, Aunt Rachel." Heather said sadly. Heather walked over. Her arms wrapped Rachel in a tight hug. My expression softened at the disappointment in Heather's voice. "Don't go."
"I'll be back, before I leave. I promise." Rachel said before returning a big hug to Heather. "See ya later, pretty girl." Rachel let go and started to walk toward the foyer.
"See ya later." Blaine said following her.
Kurt nodded quickly and walked out too. I heard the door open and I saw Mike start to leave.
"Mike, please tell me." I said. Mike looked at me sad, guilty. Then he glanced at Heather before he said, "This isn't the appropriate time. See ya later, Heather."
Mike walked toward the foyer. I heard the door close.
"What is going on Dad? Why was everyone sad?" Heather asked.
I looked down at Heather, and didn't know what to say. I wish I knew what had just been discussed in my living room.
I guess I now knew what Heather must be going through. As nervous as I was about telling her the ending, I knew Heather must be going through something worse. After the confrontation with my former glee mates, I stood there racked with questions. I know had my own personal mystery. I was curious, anxious, and slightly afraid of the truth, but I was going to find out the truth. I finally said, "I don't know."
"There are a lot of things you don't know, Daddy." Heather said before sitting down on the couch.
I laughed genuinely. "You're right." The truth was, at this point, I didn't even know my friends. "How about we start the story?"
"Please." Heather said.
"Well, it was April of that year…"
Ever since the news had broken out, everyone on campus avoided me like the plague. I felt like a leper and most people wouldn't come near me, in fear that scandal and embarrassment would spread to them. I heard whispers behind me. These whispers were worse than the homeless whispers. At least, the homeless whispers were true. I saw the horrible things people wrote in the school newspaper. The worst was when someone wrote 'DRUGGIE' diagonally in permanent marker on my dorm door. Months later, Matt still hated my guts. Also, I felt guilty that Coach Sullivan was suspended for four games, because of me.
However, I was fortunate that I had not only my own family, but my glee family to support me. Everyone always told me to keep my head up, and to ignore the media, but it was hard. My story had sparked a national debate on steroids and professional sports.
It was Saturday and I was at home with my family. I felt safe and unjudged there. It was also the draft day and I didn't want to be at school.
My dad made me watch the NFL draft. I don't know why I had buried my dreams of the NFL when Santana's story was released. The nail in the coffin was when the owner of the Tennessee Titans was asked by a reporter about whether the Titans would still draft me. The owner said in response, 'We look for real talent. Not drug-induced.' I think those words became etched in my brain after that.
My family sat and watched as the draft started. The Titans were first, since they had traded two second round draft picks to another team for the very first pick. I sat and waited for the Titans to pick someone. Someone I knew wasn't going to be me.
"Oh, Sam." My mother said. "I forgot to give this letter. You got it today in the mail." My mom handed me the letter from the table next to her. I looked at the letter. It was a letter from Quinn. I opened it.
Dear Sam,
I hope this letter finds you well. I'm sending you the promise necklace we made that one day in the library. I hope it brings you luck. Don't roll your eyes, because it is LUCKY. I know you don't believe it is, because it didn't help you get to Mercedes in time. But you didn't wear it around your neck. Sam, wear the necklace, I don't care if it looks girly. I really hope it brings you luck. I know you need some.
Anyway, I know the steroid story has been hard on you. I know you have probably already been given this advice, but don't let it get you down. The people, who matter, know it isn't true. Your family and friends know the truth, and we will help you to clear your name somehow.
Love Quinn
P.S. - I have big news but I think Finn wants to be the one to tell you.
I wondered what the big news was. I pulled the promise ring-necklace from the envelope and put it around my neck. What could it hurt?
"The Titans are ready!" Stevie said excitedly. My family still had hope that they would pick me. I was glad someone had hope that a team would pick me.
The announcer said, "Titans have made their decision. They have chosen as quarterback-"
"Sam." My mom said hopefully. I wasn't sure if she was talking to me or vicariously making the announcer to say my name.
"Victor Thomas out of UCLA."
I shook my head. "I knew it."
I heard a two small disappointed sighs from my mom and Stacy. I felt my dad's hand grip my shoulder. "They missed out on you."
"Their loss is someone else's gain." Stevie said.
We watched as the Seahawks and the Redskins both picked running backs. Next the Cleveland Browns were up.
The announcer said, "The Cleveland Browns have made their decision. They have chosen kicker, Matthew Rutherford, out of Ohio State." I smiled as Matt's face flashed across the screen. I wanted to call and congratulate him, but I didn't. I knew Matt didn't want to hear from me and I didn't want to ruin his moment in anyway.
"Isn't that your friend?" Stevie asked.
I half-smiled. "Was."
"What happened?" Stacy asked.
"It's a long story, Stacey." I said standing up. I walked over to the coat. I grabbed my coat and keys. "I'm going for a drive to clear my head."
"Don't you want to watch the draft?" My mom asked.
"Mom, let's face it. I'm not getting drafted."
"Oh, Sam-"
"It's fine." I said opening the door. "I've come to terms with it."
"Have a little faith, son." My dad said.
I shook my head. "I'll be back." I walked down our walkway to my car parked on the street. Mr. Burt had fixed my car after the airport incident, and it never broke down again. I turned the car on and drove.
I drove for at least twenty minutes I think…I lost track of time. I got lost in the feeling of the wind rushing in through the rolled down window and country music dancing from the speakers to my ears. I was in my own world. There was only one part missing. I pulled down the flap containing the mirror above my head. Next to the mirror, there was a taped picture of Mercedes and me at junior prom. Sometimes, I wished I could go back to that time, when I had who I was missing. At that moment, my phone rang and I debated whether to answer it. I didn't want to stop my drive. It felt good. I sighed and pulled my car over, concluding that it meant be an emergency. I looked at the caller ID and saw it was Mercedes.
I clicked the answer button. "Hello."
"Sam?" Mercedes said nervously. "Um…I…" Then I heard her sigh as if she was getting her bearings together.
"Yeah, it's me. How are you, Cedes?"
"Great." Mercedes said before she hesitantly said, "Are you okay?"
"I guess you heard."
"Yeah…"
"Well then, you know, you probably shouldn't be talking to me." I said.
"Why?"
"Are you sure you want people to know that we know each other. I can hear it know. Pop singer associates herself with drug addict." I winced at my own words, and I felt Mercedes wince through the phone.
"Sam, don't talk about yourself like that." Mercedes said. "I know the story isn't true. You know it isn't true."
I sighed. "I know but I'm reminded constantly on the computer, the newspaper, and especially on television."
"Sam, what happened exactly?" Mercedes asked. "I was going to call Santana and then curse her out, but Kurt told me about her condition. It didn't feel right cursing out a pregnant woman."
I laughed. I was about to tell her everything that had happened, but I stopped. "I don't think I should."
"What? Why not?"
"I don't know…" I said playfully. "The last girl I told turned me into a national scandal."
"True…but I won't tell." Mercedes said playfully back. "I promise."
"Prove it."
"Ummm…well…" Mercedes said as if she was thinking hard. "I never told anyone that you watched Sesame Street until you were twelve."
"Whoa! I told you not to ever repeat that." I said.
"Sam, I would never tell anyone. It stays between us. Your secrets are safe with me…" Mercedes started to softly sing 'Diary' by Alicia Keys. "Just think of me as the pages in your diary…"
"I love hearing you sing." I admitted.
Mercedes stopped singing and said, "I love hearing you sing. But you already know that."
I smiled. Mercedes and I talked for about an hour about her life, my life and everything in between. I kept hearing phone signal that I had a call waiting several times, but I didn't want to stop talking to her. After awhile, I heard someone call Mercedes name in the background. Then Mercedes said, "I'm coming Emma. Sorry Sam, I have to go."
"It's fine." I said
"We have to talk more often." Mercedes said. "I miss this."
"Me too. I'll call you later." I said. Then I said almost automatically, "I love you." I immediately smacked myself in the forehead. Everything had been going good. Why did I do that? It was the truth, but it seemed inappropriate somehow. I listened for a response. There was an unbearably long silence, which was probably the worst response next to 'I don't feel the same.' "Cedes-"
"I love you, too." Mercedes said softly. "I will always love you." I heard the click. Mercedes had hung up the phone. I hung up my phone and smiled. My day was instantly better. Maybe this promise necklace did have good luck. I looked at my phone and saw that I had a slew of missed calls.
2x missed calls Puck
1x missed call Artie
4x missed calls Mom and Dad
2x missed calls Mike
1x missed call Kurt and Blaine
1x missed call Finn
What the hell happened? I turned my car on and did a quick u-turn towards home. I was afraid of what had happened. I hoped everyone was okay and that it wasn't bad news.
When I got pulled up hastily in front of my house, and parked the car. I ran up to the house and opened the door with my key. "What happened?" I yelled in the house. "Is everyone okay?"
"Sam!" My dad was sitting at the kitchen table. He walked over and hugged me like he hadn't seen me in years. "We've been calling you."
"What happened-"
"I am so proud of you."
He pulled away and looked him. My dad's face was indeed full of pride. "Why?"
"Oh, Sam!" My mom said happily. She was crying. "Stacy rewind the tape. I told you it was a good idea that we taped it."
Then Stevie ran over and hugged me. This was something that he hadn't done in a long time, since he discovered from his friends that it wasn't cool to hug.
"What is going on?" I asked Stevie. Stevie let go and smiled. "You'll see."
"Look!" Stacy said pointing to the television.
The same announcer walked in stage. Like before, he leaned into the microphone. However, unlike before, the announcer said, "The Cleveland Browns have made their decision. For their second round pick, they have chosen quarterback, Samuel Evans, out of Ohio State."
For a moment, my heart stopped.
"Oh my God…" I said slowly. All the air had come out of my lungs. I couldn't believe it. A team had picked me. Someone had taken a chance on me. I was in the NFL. I saw my face flash across the screen. During a fleeing moment, I wished I had gone to the draft ceremony and walked on stage to get my jersey. I saw the announcer hold up the number 7 jersey. I wished I was there holding the jersey, but then I looked at my family. It was funny how the gasps and boos of draft audience on TV contrasted the cheers and happy tears of my family before me. I decided that there was no better way to celebrate than with them. Here was another life changing moment. I was in the NFL and Mercedes had given me permanent real estate in her heart.
Quinn was never getting this necklace back.
Later that night after my family had calmed down; we started to watch a movie. Since I had gotten drafted, I got to pick the movie. Of course, I picked Avatar. Everyone was so happy for me that no one complained. One third of the way through the movie, I heard the door bell ring.
"Is anybody expecting someone?" My dad asked.
Everyone shook their heads. "I'll get it." I said before I walked over to the door. I opened the door to see Finn fiddling with his fingers on my steps. "Finn?"
Finn looked up and smiled. "Hey, Sam."
"Come in." I said stepping to the side and opening the door wider. Finn walked in the house and I closed the door. Finn greeted my family with a "Hi".
"Congratulations on the draft, Sam." Finn said. "I guess you were the better quarterback."
"Thanks." I said. "Finn, you know you're welcome here anytime, but did you drive all the way from Lima to tell me that?"
"No, I actually found out about the draft on my way here. I tried to call you, but I guess your phone must have been blowing up." Finn said. "I came here for another reason."
"What is it?" I asked.
"Well, I came to draft you as my best man." Finn said proudly. He must have thought hard about the line.
"You don't mean…"
"I asked Quinn to marry me and she said yes." Finn said smiling as big as I had ever seen him smile.
"Congratulations!" I said while giving him a quick hug. "What? When did this happen?"
"It happened a few days ago, but Quinn and I wanted to tell Burt and my mom first." Finn said. "We'll tell Quinn's mom whenever she comes back from that trip."
"I'm happy for you guys." I said genuinely.
"Well?" Finn asked
"Well what?"
"Will you be my best man?" Finn said.
"Of course, I will." I said before turning to my family.
Hey guys!" I said over to my family who had been out of ear shot. "Finn has great news."
"Quinn and I are getting married!" Finn said.
"Congratulations!" My parents said in unison.
"Yes! I love weddings!" Stacy said. "Can I be a flower girl?"
"You're too old." Stevie said.
"Shut up, Stevie."
"Wait a minute-"
I looked over to Heather. "Wait a minute, dad. Quinn marries Finn? But-but that can't be right."
"Why not?" I asked.
"Because I thought Quinn was my mom, but she is married. This means Mercedes has to be my mom."
"Does it?" I asked.
Heather looked at me suspiciously. "Dad, don't do that. Don't confuse me. This marriage has thrown me for a loop."
"Heather, why don't you think it over, while I cook dinner."
Heather nodded and looked through her notes. After we ate dinner, we decided to take a break and watch TV instead. Around 7:00 pm, Heather went into her room to do her homework.
I sat on the couch half-watching the television. My mind was filled with thoughts of what Rachel, Blaine, Mike, and Kurt were talking about. Why was Mrs. Jones there? What did they know? How did it involve Heather? I looked up at the clock and noticed it was 8:30 pm. Where was Mark? It was only his second day here and he was already late for curfew. In my mind, he was grounded for a week, if he stayed that long. Then I heard the door bell rang. I kept my cool as I walked over to the door. I was angry with Mark. I had given him an inch and he took a mile.
I opened the door, shocked to see a frazzled Beth and a black-eyed Mark.