Jane Morgendorffer (Part 29)
Helen talked to both of her sisters at length over their mother's early departure from Highland. Rita sided with their mother while Amy wished that she could have been there to witness Helen's verbal beat-down. Jane and Quinn were both relieved that their grandmother had left early. Daria could see the change in Jane's demeanor right away. While Maureen had been there, Jane was quiet and defensive. Once Maureen walked out the door, Jane began to calm down. Seeing her mother upset when she returned from the airport angered Jane. Now Jane was sitting in their room, writing in her notebook with a scowl on her face. After several minutes of watching her sister writing furiously, Daria tapped Jane on the shoulder. Jane looked up from her desk and over at a pair of concerned hazel eyes.
"Are you okay?" Daria asked.
"I'm fine," Jane mumbled.
"I'm sorry that your grandmother didn't like us."
"My grandmother doesn't like any of us. I just wish she would quit comparing me and Quinn to Erin. I don't want to be like my cousin - when I reach her age, I want to be something more than a stuck-up teenager who whines to her grandmother to get whatever she decides she has to have." Jane could feel her eyes watering.
Daria put her arms around Jane and gave her a hug. "From what your grandmother said about Erin, I don't want you to be that way either. When we are teenagers, I hope to be able to say 'That's Jane Morgendorffer, the smartest person to ever come from Highland. She's my best friend and the greatest sister anyone could ask for.'"
Jane thought for a moment before a genuine smile came over her face. Sitting up straighter, Jane returned the hug. Daria headed back to her side of the room. Turning back to her desk, Jane returned to her writing. This time, a slight grin was on her face. Daria pulled out one of her sketchpads and began to draw Jane at her desk. After about an hour, there was a knock on their bedroom door. Quinn had just came from home from playing and wanted to spend time with them. The three girls started playing Sorry and soon lost track of time.
Helen and Jake entered Daria and Jane's room to give them a lights out warning. Daria muted the television and raised her finger to her face. Jane and Quinn were leaning against each other, sound asleep. Covering the two girls up, Helen looked down to see Daria staring at her intently. Helen and Daria's eyes met for several moments. Daria wrapped Helen in a warm hug before walking over to her bed and laying down. Helen knelt down and brushed a strand of hair out of Daria's face.
"Don't let your mom upset you. You're a better mom than her and my real mom combined any day," Daria said right before she closed her eyes and fell asleep.
