Chapter 13 – Molyvos
They slept in the next day as their only plan was to check out the Castle at Molyvos. Santana wanted to do some rehearsing to knock the rust off her skills and they both wanted to relax after their full day the day before.
They got to the restaurant around ten and were waiting for the hostess to seat them when a shouted "Brittany!" had them turning around.
Trevor was running toward them and, went he got to Brittany, they fist bumped and exploded it; both of them giggling as they did so.
"Trevor!" Delia sounded exasperated. "You can't run off like that."
"Aw, mom, I just wanted to say hi to Brittany."
"Trevor, I understand that but, maybe, telling me where you were running off to would have been the better choice? Hello, ladies, it's nice to see you again." Delia smiled at them. "I hope he didn't bother you."
"Not at all. Trevor's muh-boi!" Brittany laughed as she high-fived Trevor.
Delia laughed just as Greg joined them. "Ah, here's where you two got to. Hi Brittany, Santana." Greg gave them a friendly smile. "What are you ladies up to today?"
"Breakfast then we're going to check out the castle," Santana answered him.
"Hey! That's what we're doing!" Trevor piped up.
"Well, if you don't mind, why don't we all have breakfast together then sight-see the castle together?" Greg suggested.
Santana looked at Brittany. Brittany grinned and Santana nodded.
"That sounds awesome!" Brittany squeal-hopped. "Santana can be a little boring, it'll be nice to have someone fun to play with," she stage-whispered to Trevor, who burst out laughing.
"Hey!" Santana feigned offense which caused Brittany to laugh.
The hostess came to seat them and the five of them sat down to breakfast.
"Have you tried the train yet?" Delia asked them as they were finishing up their meal.
Santana nodded. "Monday we took it into Petra so I could find a guitar."
"Oh, right," Greg interjected, "you're playing the lounge tonight. I'd forgotten; we actually have reservations to see you. Figured we should get there the first night before everyone discovers you," he winked at Santana, who blushed at the compliment.
"I hope you're not disappointed."
"If you're even half as good as Bill and Stephanie said, you'll still be amazing." Delia smiled.
"We were going to take the train up to the castle. Is that okay with you ladies?"
Brittany nodded. "Yeah, that was our plan, too. We had a really busy day yesterday and with Santana playing tonight I don't want her to get worn out. And the train will get us there and back quicker."
Greg nodded. They settled the bill and stood up, making their way to the exit and then out to the train station.
Xoxoxoxoxo
Brittany found herself sitting by Trevor while Santana, Delia, and Greg were seated ahead of them. She was looking at the guide book when Trevor tapped her arm.
"What's up, buddy?"
He looked a little embarrassed. "Um, Santana … do you think … I mean … ugh."
"Take your time." Brittany coaxed the boy gently.
"Okay. So. Greg isn't my real father."
"Okay," Brittany assumed there was more to the story.
"My real father left when I was five. I don't remember much … except for the yelling and the hitting," he squirmed a little in his seat. "He used to drink, I think. And he'd hit mom and me. Then he left."
Brittany nodded to encourage him.
"When mom met Greg, I was almost seven. I was really confused and … well … kind of a jerk. I was really jerky to him. I didn't like him, I didn't want him in our lives." He shrugged. "Mom fell in love and they got married when I was almost nine. Mom put me in counseling to 'work out my issues'," he rolled his eyes, "I was so mad, you know?"
"I get it, sure."
Trevor nodded. "So, I guess, I mean, the counselor helped me to figure out why I was being a jerk and everything. Lots of boring stuff about, I dunno, projection and my father and whatever. Greg's a good guy, though. I mean, he put up with my jerkiness and he never yells or hits me or anything like that. He never tries to exclude me from plans. I mean, my grandparents would have taken me so he and mom could have this trip alone but he said no, we're a family and this was a family vacation."
"Sounds like a decent guy."
"Yeah," he sighed, "and, I can't just say 'sorry' and all that cuz … lame. But … I wanna let him know that … yeah, I'm sorry and he's a cool guy and I'm glad mom found him cuz he makes her happy and all that." He looked at Brittany. "He wants to adopt me." He bit his lower lip. "And … I kinda want him to but I can't, I mean, telling him just feels weird."
"Feelings are weird sometimes."
"Yeah."
They fell silent for a moment.
"So, there's this song."
Brittany smiled. There it is. "Okay."
"It's by Brad Paisley and it's called He Didn't Have To Be and I think it'd be a good way to tell Greg how I feel without being all girly about it."
Brittany laughed. "All girly? Something wrong with girls?"
Trevor blushed. "No, but, you know what I mean. I'm a boy and boys don't talk about stuff like girls do."
"Well, I can tell you that boys can and do talk about their feelings but it's something you need to get comfortable with. And, I'll talk to Santana when I get a chance and ask her about it. I don't know if she knows the song but I'm sure if she can, she'll take care of it."
"Thanks, Brittany!" Trevor hugged her.
"You're welcome."
The train came to a stop and everyone hopped off to explore the Castle at Molyvos.
Xoxoxoxoxo
The five of them enjoyed exploring the castle together and then enjoyed lunch before going back to the hotel and parting ways. Santana and Brittany headed up to their room.
"Hey, San?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you know a song called He Didn't Have To Be? Brad Paisley?"
Santana nodded. "Yeah, I mean, I've heard it, why?"
"Trevor told me an interesting story today." Brittany went on to fill Santana in on her conversation with Trevor.
"Okay, let's see if we can find the music online and I'll learn it."
"Thanks, San. I think it'll really mean a lot to all of them, you know?"
"Of course." Santana frowned in thought.
"What's that look?"
Santana shook her head. "Just thinking about Shannon, and music, and now Trevor and wondering if I can wrap it all together."
Brittany kissed the tip of her nose. "You're something else."
Santana smiled. "Something good?"
"Always."
xoxoxoxoxo
Santana mounted the stage; she'd put her guitar there earlier. She turned to face the crowd and waved before slipping her guitar over her head and settling on the stool.
"Good evening, everyone! I'm Santana Lopez and Giorgio asked me to … hopefully … entertain you tonight." She smiled and started playing Melissa Etheridge's "Bring Me Some Water".
That got the crowd going and she launched into another upbeat tune before bringing Brittany up to sing "Islands In the Stream".
The crowd loved her; loved them.
She grinned as she continued with slower songs then another upbeat tune.
As her first hour drew to a close, she took a drink from the bottle of water Brittany had handed her.
"This is the last song of this set," she started, "I left it for just before the break because there's a bit of a story behind it and I wanted to make sure to give it the time it deserved.
"Last week, I won an open mic night at The Aegean Overlook Taverna and the owner liked me enough that he offered me a three night gig; which I took.
"The next day I met some folks who had been there the night before and they talked me up so much that the other folks we were with decided they wanted to see me but they were here in Molyvos and I was playing in Mytilene.
"As luck would have it, I ended up here this week and Greg, Delia, and Trevor are in the audience tonight.
"Trevor told my girlfriend, Brittany, an interesting story and asked her if she'd ask me to do a song for him. I spent the afternoon making sure I could play it so … without further ado … this one is for Greg, from Trevor."
When a single mom goes out on a date with somebody new
It always winds up feeling more like a job interview
My momma used to wonder if she'd ever meet someone
Who wouldn't find out about me and then turn around and run
I met the man I call my dad when I was five years old
He took my mom out to a movie and for once I got to go
A few months later, I remember lying there in bed
I overheard him pop the question and I prayed that she'd say yes
And then, all of a sudden, oh it seemed so strange to me
How we went from something's missing to a family
Looking back, all I can say about all the things he did for me
Is, I hope I'm at least half the dad that he didn't have to be
I met the girl that's now my wife about three years ago
We had the perfect marriage, but we wanted something more
Now here I stand surrounded by our family and friends
Crowded 'round the nursery window as they bring the baby in
And now, all of a sudden, oh it seems so strange to me
How we've gone from something's missing to a family
Looking through the glass, I think about the man that's standing next to me
And I hope I'm at least half the dad that he didn't have to be
And looking back, all I can say about all the things he did for me
Is, I hope I'm at least half the dad that he didn't have to be
Yeah, I hope I'm at least half the dad that he didn't have to be
Because he didn't have to be
You know he didn't have to be
Santana finished the song and could see the tears in Delia and Greg's eyes. Trevor had his head down until Greg pulled him into a tight hug; then he was crying, too. Santana smiled and gave it a moment.
"Thank you all! I'll be back at ten! Stick around or come on back!"
She stepped off the stage and Brittany engulfed her in a hug.
"That was amazing, San."
Someone tapped her on the shoulder and she moved from Brittany's embrace only to be pulled into a tight hug by Delia. "Thank you. Oh, my, goodness, you have no idea how much that meant to us."
Santana smiled as Delia released her and wiped at the tears slipping down her face. "It's been a hard couple of years. I can't believe Trevor set this up so thank you, so much, for helping him say what he needed to say but couldn't."
"You're welcome." Santana's smile grew wider. "I'm glad I was able to."
Delia hugged her again then made her way back to Greg and Trevor.
"That …" Brittany started.
"Is what I want my life to be, Britt." She turned to Brittany. "I want to help kids. Help them say what they can't. Help them when their parents throw them out. Help them when there's no one else they can turn to. I want … I want to find a way to do what I just did for Trevor … for any kid that needs it. I want to help kids like Shannon find their way and their voice."
Brittany smiled her mega-watt smile at Santana. "I think you'd be awesome at it." She told her before pulling Santana into a soft, deep kiss.
Xoxoxoxoxo
Santana waved to the crowd. "Thank you all so much for coming tonight! I've had a great time and I hope you did too!"
The applause was almost deafening.
"Last song of the night, as always, is for you, Britt. I love you."
She's got a way about her
I don't know what it is
But I know that I can't live without her
She's got a way of pleasin', mmh
I don't know what it is
But there doesn't have to be a reason
Anyway
She's got a smile that heals me, mmh
I don't know why it is
But I have to laugh when she reveals me
She's got a way of talkin', mmh
I don't know what it is
But it lifts me up when we are walkin'
Anywhere
She comes to me when I'm feelin' down
Inspires me without a sound
She touches me and I get turned around
She's got a way of showin', mmh
How I make her feel
And I find the strength to keep on goin'
She's got a light around her, ooh
And everywhere she goes
A million dreams of love surround her
Everywhere
She comes to me when I'm feelin' down
Inspires me without a sound
She touches me and I get turned around, ooh, oho
She's got a smile that heals me, mmh
I don't know why it is
But I have to laugh when she reveals me
She's got a way about her, mmh
I don't know what it is
But I know that I can't live without her
Anyway, hey
"That's it for me for tonight. I'm Santana Lopez and I'm here the rest of the week so stop by again!" Santana packed up her guitar and stepped off the stage.
The crowd was still milling about and she felt two small arms wrap around her waist.
"Hey, Trev," she smiled softly at the young boy.
"Thank you, Santana," he whispered.
She ruffled his hair. "You're welcome. I hope it helped."
He pulled away and nodded. "Greg's gonna adopt me." He grinned widely.
"Congratulations, buddy, that's awesome! I'm happy for you and I'm glad I was able to help."
He waved and walked back to where his parents were waiting. Greg met Santana's eye and mouthed "thank you" to her. She smiled and nodded.
It felt good.
Xoxoxoxoxo
Songs:
He Didn't Have To Be – Brad Paisley
She's Got A Way – Billy Joel