Title: Life Happens When You're Drinking Coffee at Starbucks
Rated T for sarcasm and adult situations
Thank you to everyone who read or reviewed the last chapter.
Chapter 5: With a Life Like Mine, No Wonder I Spend So Much Time Hiding At Starbucks.
The drive to the Lawndale police department was longer than it should have been, due to the suburban detour to Lawndale Valley… or was it Lawndale Hills? You would really think that developers would show a little bit more creativity.
As far as she was concerned, Chloe could spend a little bit more time in lock up. The only thing that stopped Quinn from thinking about strangling her own child was listening to Charles and Stacy tell the story of how the two got together complete with making out every 30 seconds. Seriously, how oblivious was she in high school that she didn't realize that Charles and Stacy were already starting to become close.
Sometimes Quinn couldn't believe how self absorbed she was the last time she called Lawndale home. No wonder David thought that she lacked a certain amount of depth back then; she really did. Not that she was thinking about David again, even if he looked better now than he did 12 years ago.
Other than the occasional arguing over the devil of local morning television and her adopted spawn, Quinn could obviously tell that the two loved each other very much. After being friends for over 11 years and being married for almost six years, they still acted like newlyweds. She was sure that if she was not in the car they probably would have done something that was illegal in most states. Personally, Quinn is surprised that they separated long enough for Stacy to go upstairs.
"Coffee?" Charles asked her as they waited in the kitchen for Stacy to come back after changing into something not covered in hot chocolate. Moments like this made her wish she sent the girls to one of the private schools in the area without the corrupted influence of the fashion cult. Then again, according to Jodie's husband, prep school kids were worse.
"No, thank you. Coffee isn't strong enough right now. I can't believe she did something this stupid. I am too young to be dealing with psychotic teenagers. She is such her mother's daughter. Lindsay did this sort of thing all the time but usually coke was involved." Quinn mumbled to herself.
"Alexis is much more influential than most drugs. I would offer you something from the liquor cabinet but we are supposedly heading down to a police station any minute now." Charles said as he poured himself a cup.
"It would probably be best to save the liquor until after my psychotic teenage daughter is locked into her room for being an idiot and a teenager. I don't know why she was shoplifting when she has a nine figure trust fund all to herself. Actually, I should probably lock her in Bianca's room with the padded walls and the bars on the windows. It will add a little something extra to the grounding." Quinn said as she imagined Chloe's horror at being stuck in that room.
"How did you find another house in Lawndale formerly occupied by a schizophrenic? Your family has the best real estate agent ever." Charles asked as he walked back over to her. Apparently, her sister's old room was legendary.
"I didn't. It is the same house. The people who bought it from my parents post divorce, never got around to remodeling that room. It now belongs to the child you met at Starbucks who doesn't know when to shut up." As she mentioned the old house, Charles gave her this strange look.
"Everybody looks at me like I'm crazy when they find out about me buying my old house. Daria and Lindy both say I am going through some crazy quarter life crisis due to the divorce from hell and dad almost dying. The price was really good and it was completely furnished. I'm perfectly adjusted." Quinn said defensively.
The two Js also said the exact same thing at least they were nicer about it. They were also trying to set her up with their friend Dave who worked at the school. Why did Quinn have this strange feeling that Dave from Lawndale high was David from high school? He was also 10 times hotter than he was when she was in high school. Not that it matter because it didn't. Okay, so if he was not a dick or treating her daughters, she would consider sleeping with him. However, that would be inappropriate. Life sucks sometimes.
"I seriously doubt that anybody would want to recapture their high school years except for someone who actually saw that as the best years of their life." She couldn't help but think of Kevin when he said that. His first four years of high school were probably the best part of his life. According to Michael, that was pretty much all he talked about.
"The only good thing that happened to me in high school was Stacy and that didn't happen until around graduation." Charles said smiling.
"Even though I was technically popular, I didn't like it that much either. I think Stacy was one of the few good things about my high school years too. I was too busy trying to make people like me to actually like myself back then. Do you have any idea how hard it was to act stupid? I'm much happier now." She said smiling.
"I can tell. You just carried on an entire conversation without mentioning clothing or dieting. You know that she missed you." Charles said obviously referring to Stacy.
"I missed her too. I didn't mean to lose touch. Things got so chaotic in college that I really wasn't talking to anybody from Lawndale except for some of the Js and Lindy. By the time things calm down, I couldn't find a single Stacy Rowe living in Lawndale County." Quinn really did try to find Stacy during the chaotic time after Lindsey died and she ended up with two preteens. She needed all the help she could get. She tried a few times after that but never could find anything.
"That's probably because she was Stacy Ruttheimer by that point. After divorce number two, her father moved to the other side of the country. He currently lives in a Seattle suburb with his two new daughters. He had to get away after he caught his trophy wife screwing his best friend on his boat. It was what he deserved after what he did to his first wife." Charles said before taking a drink of his coffee.
"I understand completely. I did the same thing after my divorce. Although, I waited about a year before I moved across the country. Also, in my case it was Chloe who caught the bastard fucking his barely legal co-star in my bed. Same results, so it doesn't matter." Quinn said with a sigh.
"He cheated on you? Fucking bastard." Charles mumbled under his breath. Quinn was almost 90% sure she liked this version of Charles a lot more than the guy who used creepy pickup lines on her in high school.
"Does anybody in this town pay attention to the Brittany Taylor report?" Quinn asked with another sigh.
"Until 20 minutes ago, I didn't know that the wonderful Quinn formerly of Lawndale high was the best-selling author and former wife of TV heart throb Jonathan Starr, Melody Powers. That does explain certain comments from your daughter Bianca earlier in the day. The man is a complete idiot for indulging in the carnal delights of one without any talent whatsoever when he already had a goddess like you at home. You were probably too feisty for someone who couldn't appreciate how wonderful you are. Would you mind signing a couple of your books for me? They would be quite collectible." Okay, that's the guy she remembered from high school except he was trying to cheer her up instead of getting in her pants.
"I see some things don't really change. I will sign a few later. Consider it my contribution to the baby's college fund. I don't really want to talk about Jonathan. It's over. So how bad are things between Sandi and Stacy?" Quinn asked changing the subject. Talking about her bastard ex husband was not one of her favorite things. She'd rather have dinner with Eric then take part in any conversation involving Jonathan.
"Preferring to talk about the evil one over your ex husband is a bad sign." Charles said giving her a worried look.
"Trust me I know. How bad is it? Why has she not quit yet?" Quinn asked the question that has been on her mind the entire car ride there.
"Let's put it this way, her job is the only thing we argue about. She worked there for almost four years before Sandi started working as a lackey for the woman she replaced. The viper slept with the boss and takes over. That was the only way she was going to get ahead with her skill set. The bitch arranged everything so Stacy does all the work and she gets all the credit." Charles said angrily.
"Just like high school. I just thought that Stacy was stronger than that. She stood up to her once before. Why can't she do it again?" Quinn asked in puzzlement.
"There are a lot of factors including Tiffany's death. I think she blames herself and therefore she doesn't want to leave Alexis behind to suffer the same fate."
"That wasn't her fault." Quinn said understanding exactly what Stacy was going through. She blamed herself for what happened to Tiffany for a long time.
"Try telling Stacy that. Things are not completely like they were in high school. I don't think she was secretly daydreaming of killing Sandi back then."
"No, just cutting her hair." Quinn said with a laugh trying to defuse the tense situation.
"I absolutely hate what's going on. It's like Stacy has the work equivalent of battered wife syndrome. It's not like she hasn't tried to leave. Sandi just makes it very hard to. Stacy has been looking for a new job for three years but hasn't been able to find anything. Every time Stacy gets an interview, the great bitch sabotages it or she somehow convinces Stacy that she can't leave. I'm trying to persuade Stacy to do her own blog right now but she won't leave because Sandi threatened to sabotage my business." Charles said angrily again.
"I seriously doubt she has the power to do that." Quinn scoffed.
"Only in her own mind. I don't think I was that narcissistic when I was trying to be the high school version of James Bond. It really doesn't matter what Sandi can really do. As long as Stacy buys into the threats, nothing is going to change." Charles said.
After that, she moved conversation to the safer ground of Charles's company. She could only keep up because her other daughter brought new meaning to the term computer nerd.
"Do I look pregnant in this?" Stacy asked once she returned downstairs. Quinn had to force herself to keep from laughing because unlike in the earlier outfit, Stacy looked very pregnant.
"You are pregnant and I enjoyed getting you that way." Charles said smoothly reminding Quinn of his high school self. That was the perfect answer.
"Good answer. I may let you get me out of this suit later." Okay now Quinn had the sudden urge to throw up at the couple behavior. She saw exactly where those hands were going. There was a reason why her current story was a period piece with nowhere near as much love as her books usually had. Maybe she was a little bit over happily ever after now that she was living in a post marriage world.
"I didn't need to know that." Quinn said as she interrupted the now making out couple.
"Sorry. Did you get a hold of your lawyer?" Stacy asked straightening up her suit.
"Brooke said she's sending someone to the station that has a lot of experience with this sort of thing." Quinn was surprise that her mom's law firm had someone who specialized in spoiled brats acting out. However, her mom's law firm specialized in working with the wealthy and self-absorbed of the adult variety, so it wasn't that much of a stretch.
"Let's go." Quinn said grabbing the bag that was becoming a permanent part of her collection as part of Chloe's punishment.
"Your chariot awaits. I assume we're taking the SUV? Charles asked as he opened the door for the two.
"Yes, unless you want to put the fashion club in the trunk." Stacy joked.
"Tempting, so very tempting." Quinn mumbled to herself.
This wasn't the first time she had to get someone out of jail. At least this time she was not stupid enough to spend the bail money on tourist trap cowgirl chic that did not belong in Virginia. After getting Lindsey out of jail more times than she cared to remember, Quinn learned the most important thing was to bring her lawyer with her and a credit card with no limit. Quinn was already planning to deduct the money from Chloe's allowance for the rest of the year.
Unfortunately, Brooke was unable to keep her mother from finding out that her baby granddaughter got arrested for shoplifting. Maybe, Bianca was responsible for that particular piece of information coming out, but whatever. Quinn didn't want to know why her mother was at her house this afternoon. Quinn already had the perfect punishment plan for Bianca after a very interesting conversation about interne opportunities at Feisty IT.
Quinn really did not want to talk about the conversation she just survived in the car with her mother. Quinn was 90% sure, her mom was channeling grandma Barksdale as she criticized her parenting skills. Quinn was so pissed off that she mentioned that unlike Helen, she was actually around for her children. She may have also mentioned how she never put her career in front of her children's needs.
Being the savvy woman that she was, her mother decided to use this as a matchmaking opportunity. Then again, maybe her mom saw this as a means to punish Quinn for stating the obvious.
The associate that her mother has been desperately trying to set her up with for the last two months was sent to get the fashion club out of jail. According to her mom, Ted Jefferson was an expert in this field but Quinn personally felt that was just an excuse to make her miserable. Her mom was getting really good at driving her crazy again.
She instantly recognized the light headed lawyer with the gum fixation that met her in the parking lot. Quinn could not believe her mom tried to set her up with a guy who almost dated Daria in high school. That was wrong on so many levels. Quinn had a rule about dating anyone that her sister would have dated. In addition, he was not her type. The only thing going for him was he was a nice person.
She didn't recognize the name Ted Jefferson. If she did, she would have had a legitimate reason to stop the matchmaking before this forced setup. Maybe her mom probably didn't put two and two together. Then again, her mom was too busy kissing Eric's ass, she probably did not know about it in the first place.
When she asked later about the name change, he told her that his parents were not very happy about him joining the 'corporate rat race' and essentially disowned him. She did remember her mom telling her several times that Ted paid his way through law school without any help from his parents. Now she knew why.
He was in his second year as a junior associate at Vitale, Davis, Horowitz, Riordan, Schrecter, Schrecter, & Barksdale-Morgendorffer-Schrecter. (Yes, her mom actually went by that name now. Go ahead and laugh, because Quinn does.)
She also knew, from various conversations with her mother, that Ted did most of the firm's Pro Bono work. Quinn personally felt her mom hired a young idealist like Ted to make herself feel better about selling her soul and possibly her first marriage to become a partner. Then again, Quinn was contemplating completely changing her graphic novel just so she could get it published, so she couldn't say anything.
"I know you're nervous, but don't be. This isn't the first time I've handled a shoplifting case. You have nothing to worry about." Ted reassured her.
"Did you win any of those cases?" Quinn mumbled as the officer walked the two back to where Chloe was being held.
"Yes. Although the last one involved a homeless teenager stealing supplies for her diabetes from Drugs 'N Stuff."
"Noble shoplifting." Quinn mumbled to herself. Quinn had a sudden desire to donate Chloe's allowance to a few nonprofits that deal with that sort of thing. Maybe her kids were spoiled.
"You deal with those sorts of cases? I thought my mom's law firm mostly dealt with greedy corporations that screw everyone over." Quinn said almost impressed.
"Usually, but that's how we pay for doing something noble. It was your mother's idea. More people want to work with a firm that does a lot of public outreach. At least, that is how she sold it to the other partners. It was why she brought me to the firm from the public defender's office. I still get to work with the same type of clients, but here I have more resources and have time to work with each client individually. Don't worry; your daughter is in good hands." Ted said with a kind smile.
"That's good to know. My daughter's legal fees can go to those type of cases." Quinn said out loud.
"I was instructed that we wouldn't be billing for this." Ted told her with slight confusion. Of course, her mom would say that.
"Consider this another part of my daughter's punishment. It is coming out of her trust fund. She can afford it. She needs to learn that stupidity has consequences. You probably don't defend girls who can actually own the entire store once their trust fund matures." Quinn mumbled the last part under her breath as she walked into the room. She was desperately trying not to channel her inner Jake but that when out the window the moment Ted shut the door of the private interrogation room.
"What the hell were you thinking?" She did not give Chloe time to respond as she continued. "It's not like I don't buy you anything you want within reason. I know that I have been distracted with Grandpa and getting the new book out on time, but if you need more of my time just ask. You know I will always make time for you even if all your friends think that I'm your big sister. You and your sister come first." That was something that Quinn always made a point of telling her children in words and deed. She didn't want to be her mother.
"Thanks for giving me the benefit of the doubt, Mom." Chloe said sardonically. "I'm not the one who orchestrated this cry for attention, Alexis was."
"I don't think it worked considering the dragon lady sent her assistant to take care of this." Quinn mumbled.
"Stacy is cool. Actually, the only time Alexis is not a complete bitch is when she is around Stacy. She brings out her human side. I don't know why Stacy is still working for step mommy dearest." Quinn felt like laughing at the nickname for Sandi.
"Stockholm syndrome?" Quinn spoke just loud enough for Chloe to hear. Stacy needed to get the hell out of that place. Sandi was treating Stacy as her personal slave. The wicked witch of morning television had called Stacy 15 times on the way there from Stacy and Charles' house.
"How did the assistant interviews go?" Chloe asked in the most abrupt subject change ever.
"If you think that was a safer subject you are sadly mistaken young lady. The experience was so bad I am not even going to get an assistant anymore. Your sister is going to be my personal gofer instead or at least she was. I think I need to find someone else. You may be taking over that position for her but without pay after this little stunt. Just tell me what happened, so I can determine your punishment. I was half-tempted to let you spend the night here but I'm not that cruel. You know I did it to Lindsey, more than once actually." By her cold expression, Chloe should know that she meant business.
"I know. You should hire Stacy as your assistant. God knows she needs a boss that is not an abusive bitch. You have to try her low fat chocolate chip cookies. They are so good." Quinn was seriously trying not to roll her eyes right then as her daughter tried to talk her way out of this.
"The distraction is not working. However, I will take your suggestion under advisement." Quinn said getting irritated. Ted instantly picked up on this.
"Ms. Morgendorffer, could you please tell me exactly what happened this afternoon?" Ted asked taking over.
"He actually wants to know what happened before he starts to judge me. We were taking part in the annual summer wardrobe search courtesy of Alexis' father's guilt gift. Everything was going great until my bag started beeping when we walked out of the Fashion Connection. Before you say anything, I was not the one who put the $1300 dress in my bag that could double as a T shirt. You know I like my clothes not to be hooker chic. That's more an Alexis' thing. Also, if I'm going to shoplift, I'm going to be smart enough to remove the tags before I walk out of the store. She said she got our bags confused. I doubt that considering my bag is a completely different color." Chloe sounded skeptical. Quinn knew what happened by that point but had to ask one more question.
"What type of expression did Alexis' have on her face when you were caught with the merchandise?" Quinn asked as neutrally as possible.
"She was smirking until they brought her back inside along with the rest of the club." As bright as her daughter was it only took her a few moments to realize what happened. "The bitch set me up." Chloe said in an angry voice.
"Ms. Richardson was probably completely unaware of the cameras in the store or the fact that they would assume that the four of you were working together as a team." Ted added to the conversation. At that, Quinn mumbled several expletives to herself. She personally blamed Sandi for this.
"Can you just work on getting Tatiana and Ashley out. They had nothing to do with what is going on." Chloe asked almost pleading. "Their parents are going to kill first and ask questions later."
"Let me see what I can do." Ted said as he got up from his chair. "What about you?"
"We can figure that out later." Chloe said with a stressed out sigh.
"I will go talk to my other clients then. I assumed Alexis' has her own lawyer?" Ted asked just before he opened the door. Quinn nodded her head yes. Although, Sandi was too caught up in her own little world to come down here herself, she did send a lawyer.
"She's currently trying to convince the store not to press charges. However, I am sure her lawyer is only looking out for her best interest. You may want to talk to the store yourself. If you can get the other two girls released now, that would be good. In case it helps, my brother in law Nikki is their spokesperson." Quinn added that last part just in case. Sometimes nepotism could be used for the greater good.
"That's right. I can use that. I'll see what I can do. It's always easier when the other parties are most likely innocent. However, it is possible that the other two girls may have conspired with Alexis to set you up." Ted said cynically. Quinn knew he had a point, but only because the girls were essentially sheep.
"They are my friends. They wouldn't do that to me." Chloe said defensively.
"I was under the impression that Alexis was also your friend." Ted added.
"Lexis Richardson does not have friends, only yes men and I was never one of those. Tatiana and Ashley are my friends and they just happened to be under the spell of the wicked witch of Lawndale High. Just make sure that they get out of this so their parents don't kill either of them."
"You are the client." With that, Ted was gone.
"Are you going to say 'I told you so' now?" Chloe asked with her head noun on the table.
"No." Quinn said as she grabbed her daughter's hand.
"I can't believe she did this. I knew she was jealous but I didn't think she would go this far." Chloe said almost in tears at this point.
"She has issues and I think your assessment was right. This was a cry for attention but I think her friends were the ones that she wanted to notice her again, like they did before you got here. Let's be honest by this point I seriously doubt Alexis' parents care about her."
"I wasn't trying to steal her friends." Chloe responded with red eyes.
"It doesn't matter baby. That's the way she saw it. Let's just not worry about that now."
"Am I still grounded for life?" Okay so she accidentally said that during the one phone call but whatever. She was angry at the time but she still came.
"No but I think you have too much free time and I don't want you hanging out with the fashion cult for a little while without supervision."
"But they are my friends."
"If they are really your friends, they will visit you at your brand new after school job preferably of the non-paying volunteer variety. Evan can still come over." She was expecting her daughter to whine about it not smile.
"Can I be a candy striper?" Chloe asked innocently.
"No. I think your grandma can use a clerical intern." Chloe's smile disappeared instantly.
"You are so cruel." She said with a pout.
"I know."
Even though she was sure it was an obvious set up, she was happy that her mom sent Ted. The man was a miracle worker and surprisingly could go head to head with Alexis' lawyer who was trying to blame everything on Chloe despite the evidence. In the end, Ted called the corporate offices of the Fashion Connection to let them know that their spokesperson, Nikki Bryant's, teenage niece was arrested for shoplifting in their Lawndale store. 20 minutes later after mentioning how bad publicity from such an incident would be, the company dropped all charges. Everything from that moment went downhill.
The first indicator of how bad things were going to be was her hysterical mom showing up to the precinct to yell at her, the cops, all the lawyers involved, and her granddaughter. For the sake of not causing a scene that would end up in the papers, she bit her tongue until she got outside.
"Mom just shut up. I am an adult. I don't need you to rescue me all the time. I also don't need you meddling in my life. Stop trying to tell me how to raise my children. Stop trying to tell me how to take care of dad. You left him for your new lawyer husband and partnership." Quinn said bitterly
"I did not leave your father." Her mom said in her defense.
"If that is what you need to believe. Stop trying to set me up with guys you think I should be with because I really don't trust your judgment. It's my life and I'm going to live it my way. I will be the one to deal with the consequences. You have no idea what happened today. You need to stop jumping to conclusions." Quinn finished as she stared her mother down.
"Like you did?" Chloe mumbled. Quinn was expecting her mom to say something but she seemed too shock to respond.
"I did listen to you, eventually. Mom, if you really want to help me right now take Chloe home and let her tell the story about how her so-called friend framed her for shoplifting. You can give her pointers on how to deal with people who pretend to be your friend but stab you in the back anyway. I'm going to go be the responsible adult and explain what happened to Tatiana and Ashley's parents as well as why they need to keep their children away from Lexis." Quinn said with another sigh.
"I could come with you." Helen said in near acquiescence. Of course, she could be looking for another opportunity to rake Quinn over the coals.
"I need to do this myself. You can wait for me at my house to yell at me about everything I'm doing wrong in the privacy of my own home. You like it better at my house anyway." Helen looked ready to yell but Quinn just walked away. She would most likely be paying for that later but it was worth it.
Dealing with the other parents was worse than dealing with her own parent. She wasn't surprised that it went so badly. Most of her fellow parents didn't take her seriously because she was 27. Most of the time they thought she was the big sister, the nanny, the trophy wife, or, the reckless/lose idiot who got pregnant at 13. There were also those that thought she was Lindsay's lover before her death and that is why she was the one asked to take care of her daughters. This situation was not different at all, although Quinn was sure Sandi was responsible for their misconceptions.
Quinn knew from the angry looks she received from Tatiana and Ashley's parents that Sandi and Lexis' were already manipulating things to make Lexis' look like a saint and Chloe look like the devil. She was essentially told that Chloe wasn't allowed around either of their daughters anymore because she was a bad influence. They didn't even give her time to explain what really happened. They automatically believed whatever Sandi came up with.
What made Quinn even more upset was Ashley's mom said she didn't want her daughter spending time around somebody whose mother practiced an 'alternative lifestyle' in addition to all the other BS that the evil one told her. Quinn quickly figured out what she meant when she called Quinn several homophobic slurs as she was walking back to the car to drop off Alexis'.
Quinn also remembered Joey telling her about a certain parent who refused to let her daughter be in any of his or his husband's classes after she caught the two holding hands at the grocery store ones. Quinn now knew that Ashley was the student in question.
Quinn may be heterosexual but she couldn't stand ignorant people. Therefore, she could not be held responsible for what she said next. She would not repeat how she responded to being called certain nasty things due to the high level of expletives but basically she told Ashley's mom that she didn't want her daughter associating with idiots.
Things were worse at Sandi's house. Sandi was expecting her to kiss her ass like in high school, but Quinn just wasn't that person anymore. Sandi could do whatever she wanted to Quinn, but never mess with her children or her friends. That just made her angry and brought out the person who barbecued her husband's things when she found out he was sleeping around.
"I know exactly what you tried to do to my daughter and I will not take it lying down. I'm not 15 anymore. I'm not afraid of you nor do I need your acceptance. I am my own person and so is Chloe. Why don't you actually focus on taking care of your stepdaughter instead of making everyone else miserable? However, that would mean you would have to care about someone other than yourself and your narcissism. Stop using Lexis as another pawn in this ridiculous game of yours." Quinn said walking away from the ice queen, but was stopped by Sandi making some ridiculous threats that Quinn would not even bother repeating. There were several expletives involved along with Sandi calling Quinn a not so nice word for lesbian that starts with a D. At some point during that expletive filled tirade little miss narcissus threatened to make Chloe's high school experience miserable by turning her into a social pariah and getting her arrested again. Not that Sandi actually used the word pariah because that would be beyond her limited vocabulary. Quinn just laughed.
"I'm not afraid of you. You have no idea how powerful I am. Stay away from my daughters." Quinn told her icily.
"How can you be powerful? What was the last thing you did other than write an autobiography with your washed up pop princess girlfriend." Quinn wanted to laugh again. Apparently, Sandi still had no idea who she really was. Her personal net worth was more than that of Sandi's husband not counting her daughters' trust funds. In addition to her own earnings from her books and the movie deals, Lindsey left Quinn a lot of money. Quinn personally believed that was done for the sole purpose of leaving her parents without a penny.
She may have made bad choices in life, but Lindsey was a genius with business or rather choosing people to take care of her business once she fired her parents. Her business manager who later became Quinn's business manager bought in early to Banana Computers, Peoplebook, find-me-a-good-job, and Search IT. She also had the good sense to get out before the bubble busted.
"Sandi, you don't know me. You never did." Quinn said walking to the door once more. "Stacy, it was good seeing you again. If you ever feel like leaving Satan the boss behind, give me a call. Melody Powers has a job for you." Quinn said smirking knowing that Sandi would not know what she was talking about.
Because she did not want to ruin her exit by waiting for Stacy in the car for god knows how long, Quinn decided to walk home. 15 minutes later, when it started pouring, she realized that was a very big mistake. There was nothing more fun than walking in the rain in late march in Maryland.
She was just about to call for a cab when a black BMW pulled up beside her and stopped. She looked over to see that it was David. Just what she needed. It was the perfect ending to the worst day ever besides her dad's last heart attack.
"Should I ask why you're walking alone in the rain without an umbrella at 9:00 at night?" David asked her in puzzlement.
"Maybe I am too shallow to remember to bring an umbrella." Quinn said sardonically as she started walking again. David followed slowly beside her.
"Okay, I think I deserve that. I never thought you were really shallow." He almost sounded sincere.
"Then why did you say it?" Quinn asked wondering if she was talking about what happened a few hours ago or what happened 12 years ago.
"It's complicated." He said quietly. "It would be a lot easier to have this conversation if you got in the car. I can drive you home." David offered.
"That's fine. I rather walk." Quinn said in irritation.
"If you died of pneumonia, I'm going to be dealing with two emotionally distraught teenagers for the rest of this semester. Grief counseling is very time consuming. I'm really doing myself a favor." He said with a slight smile.
"I'd rather catch a cab." Quinn said flatly as she took a few more steps. Unfortunately, her adorable $1000 shoes broke at that moment.
"Quinn get in the car." He nearly shouted at her.
"Fine." She said opening the door. "I'm only doing this because my shoe broke." Quinn said as an excuse as she got into the car.
"If that's what you need to believe." David responded.
"I believe you owe me an apology for acting like an ass 12 years ago and this afternoon." Quinn said as she put on her seatbelt.
"I didn't mean to make it sound like I was surprised you were a writer because I thought you were too stupid to write a book that was deeper than a normal romance novel. Your writing is very complex. I always thought that you were intelligent. I just didn't think that you would ever realize how smart you really were underneath the makeup and designer clothes. That doesn't mean that I'm not glad that you did." That made her feel a little better.
"Then why did you tell me that you wouldn't date me because you thought I was too shallow? You were one of the few people I trusted enough to actually see the real me. What you said really hurt." Quinn said grabbing her cell out of her purse as a distraction. She had a few dozen messages from Chloe, Jane, Bianca, and her mother.
"Maybe I was trying to soften the blow." That resulted in Quinn giving him a 'are you crazy' look.
"If that was the lie, I hate to know what the truth was." Quinn said frostily.
"This isn't going so well. Why does it seem like you take everything I say as an insult?" David asked with a long-suffering sigh.
"Probably because everything you say sounds like an insult." Quinn answered the sarcasm. "I know you can do better because my daughters trust you a lot more with their secrets than me."
"I'm not the mom. I'm an objective third party. It's easier to talk to somebody who's on the outside. According to my former fiancé, I have a habit of turning into a complete asshole in front of a beautiful person. I apologize for anything I have said or will say that you will find offensive."
"You think that I am beautiful?" Quinn asked in surprise.
"That's what you got from that?" David asked her in open mouth shock.
"I just survived the divorce from hell because my husband slept with an 18 year old in my bed. Chloe was the one who caught him. You probably already know that. My self-image is kind of messed up right now. Sometimes I think he cheated on me because I just wasn't enough to keep his interest. Maybe I wasn't smart enough are pretty enough for Jonathan." Quinn said honestly. This was the first time she told anyone about that particular insecurity. She was pretty sure David called Jonathan an ass but had no proof.
"You're beautiful now and you were beautiful back then. Actually, I think you're more beautiful now because you're yourself and not that person you pretended to be in high school. There's nothing wrong with you." She hoped he was telling the truth.
"Why didn't you say that back then?" Quinn asked turning slightly scarlet.
"Think of the situation like this, if your teenage daughter asked me out and I said yes what would you have done?" David asked hypothetically.
"I would have cut off your dick. Of course, this would be after the statutory charges." Quinn said without thinking.
"Any parent in that situation would do the same. I'm sure your father would have done the same thing."
"Please, I think he's more likely to do that now." Quinn interrupted with a scoff. "You don't want to know what he's tried to do to my now ex-husband. The situation wasn't the same. I think your comparison is ridiculous. One, your less than four years older than me." She started but was cut off.
"There's a bigger difference between 16 and 20 and 27 and 31." David said trying to get her to see his point.
"You may have a point. If either of my daughters brought home a 20 year old boyfriend or girlfriend for that matter, I probably would be freaking out because… well, I know my daughters too well." Quinn said defensively.
"Probably more than you think." David mumbled under his breath but Quinn didn't think anything of it as she continued.
"Although, unlike certain teenagers who live in my house or steal all the food from my refrigerator because they might as well live at my house, I wasn't trying to sleep with you. Even if I were at the time, I was already over the age of consent. When I was 16, I did not even slow dance until the third date. I didn't kiss on the lips until date number 15. The only person that ever got that far is currently the chairperson of the Lawndale chapter of the Gay and Lesbian Teachers Association of America. I was 20 before I trusted anyone enough to…"
Quinn cut herself off before she told David about losing her virginity at 20 to some escort that Lindsey hired to pretend to be Quinn's boyfriend. Apparently, he was her birthday present. Although in her defense, Quinn had no idea he was an escort until years later at Lindsay's funeral. At that moment, Quinn was starting to wonder if any of her relationships with men were ever completely real.
"As someone that specializes in adolescent psychology I would argue that you had severe intimacy problems and trust issues." David said ignoring what she almost told him. Why did she have a feeling that he knew what she almost said anyway by the smirk on his face.
"I know you're right. I was really good at letting people see the person I wanted them to see. Being shallow was my defense mechanism. The way you blew me off didn't help. At least that didn't do anywhere near as much damage as my ex husband did. I still stay up trying to figure out what I did wrong." She said being completely honest.
"How many dates does it take now before you're willing to slow dance?" She wasn't sure if he was joking or he was trying to analyze her. Maybe he was trying to get her to stop wallowing in herself pity.
"I don't know. I have not been on a real date since the divorce." Quinn said with a sigh.
"More trust issues?" He asked.
"Not completely. I'm currently driving myself slowly crazy with taking care of two children and my father. When would I have the time for a social life? I was trying to find an assistant to make things simpler but that isn't going so well. Why do I have a feeling you are going into doctor mode right now?" She said defensively.
"I'm just trying to figure out who you are right now." David answered.
"Good luck with that. Other than exhausted, I'm not sure who I am at the moment. Maybe I should consider therapy but when would I find a time? David, there is one big difference between reality and your hypothetical situation, you were never my psychologist." Quinn responded.
"I still had to be responsible. Dating your student was still highly inappropriate when I was your tutor." She was half tempted to ask him if he would have said yes if she was not his student back than but she didn't want to know the answer to that question. It didn't matter.
"My 16-year-old self is angry, but my 27 year old self understands. Looking at this situation through mom eyes it was inappropriate. I shouldn't have asked but I was unbelievably narcissistic at the time and maybe I was tired of being something I wasn't in front of everybody. However, you should have told me the real reason why you were saying no." Quinn chided him.
"Maybe, but would you have taken no for an answer under those circumstances?" David asked her looking at her for a moment.
"Probably not." Quinn said with a laugh.
"It doesn't matter anymore. You can't change the past, only the present. I already know you are a wonderful mother despite everything and a good writer." David said comforting her but she doubted his sincerity.
"Considering you see my children three times a week, I wonder if I really qualify as a good mother. You should probably know that Chloe got arrested for shoplifting this afternoon. That call came in 5 minutes after you ran away from me." Quinn said with an aggravated sigh.
"All things considered, I believe your children are pretty well adjusted. Chloe got arrested?" David said that last part as if he just heard what she actually said. "What happened?"
"Ask Chloe on Monday. I don't have enough time to tell you that entire story unless you want to drive me to my old house in Malibu. Wait how do you know where I live now? I never told you?" Quinn asked as she noticed they were only a few blocks away.
"Although I cannot divulge any specifics, one of your children mentioned in passing that their mom bought her old childhood house back." Quinn placed her head in her hands at that moment.
"Why do I have a feeling it was Bianca ranting about how crazy I am?" Quinn practically whispered.
"I can't answer that question." David said it in a way that essentially said, 'Yes your teenager thinks you are insane. I'm starting to believe her.'
"You might as well have said yes. This is why I don't believe that good mother comment. I also don't believe the good writer compliment either. Even my own grandmother referenced to my work as 'housewife pornography'. Of course, all the symbolism went over her head but whatever. Have you read any of my books? You probably think their housewife porn like my grandmother."
"Yes but they are really well written sex scenes. Your books are also a lot more than romance novels, otherwise they wouldn't be on the junior reading list at LHS. Well at least the stories that are not filled with sex scenes. I've actually read all your books." David said causing Quinn to become worried when she remembered her first book and the dedication.
"All the books? Even the dedications?"
"Yes. My now sister in law made me read the first book because she said the main character reminded her of me." At this point Quinn was pretty sure his sister in law was the former fiancé that left him at the altar. She didn't say anything as David paused momentarily. Some conversations should be avoided at all cost.
"Was the main character based on me?" Like the conversation triggered by this particular question. Quinn had the sudden urge to run out in to traffic.
"Please don't make me answer that question."
"You should have just said yes." David said pulling in front of her house.
"Probably," Quinn said as she got out of the car. She wanted to make a run for it but her stupid bag got caught in the seat belt.
"I know that you are going through a tough time right now. If you need somebody to talk to, I am available." As he said this, she watched him write a phone number on the back of his business card and handed it to her. "That's my private cell phone number."
"What is your hourly rate outside of Lawndale high?" Quinn asked jokingly.
"I meant as a friend. Maybe, we could meet for coffee sometime? Although, don't bring Bianca."
"I wouldn't have to bring her along because she would follow us. Now you know I'm going to say yes. Which one of my kids told you I had a Starbucks problem?" Quinn said as she just successfully untangled her purse.
"I can't answer that question. Because your kids are now watching through the window and giving each other high fives, I better let you go inside. Tell Chloe she might as well accompany her sister to my office first thing Monday." She turned around to actually see her children doing exactly what David said they were.
"Why am I not surprised? I guess I will see next you Saturday." Quinn said almost wistfully.
"Unless one of your children does something worth expulsion in the meantime."
"You never know, especially after what happened today. You may want to keep Chloe and Lexis separated to avoid bloodshed. She was responsible for the shoplifting thing. I better give you my cell phone number." Quinn said as she started digging in her purse for a pen.
"I already have it. Goodnight Quinn." David said as he pulled away.
Quinn was so happy that she managed to stay smiling as she was interrogated by her mother, Jane, and her daughters. The constant smiling probably just lead to more questions.
To be continued…