THE CUCKOO'S EGG
by Galen Hardesty
Chapter Three
AS SOON AS THEY TURN OFF THE CURRENT
~*~
Quinn dragged her big suitcase over to the door beside her small suitcase, and began packing her makeup kit. "Come on, Daria! We'll be leaving in a few minutes! I know you only brought a change of socks and underwear and a bunch of books, but it's going to take you at least ten seconds to pack."
Daria was lying on her bed reading one of Jean-Michel's papers she'd found in Quiet Ivy's surprisingly large library. "You go ahead, Quinn. I'm staying."
Quinn straightened in surprise. Her head jerked around to stare at her sister. "Omigod, they're keeping you? Oh, Daria, I'm sorry. I didn't think this was that kind of place. But I'm sure it's for the best. When you come back home, you'll be much happier. Um, they are going to send you home eventually, aren't they?"
Daria favored her sister with a sardonic look. "Oh, yes, the shock treatments are very fast-acting. They say I'll be much happier as soon as they turn off the current."
Quinn gasped. "Shock treatments! Oh, n... oh, ha, ha, Daria. Good one."
Daria continued reading. "Thank you for your concern, Quinn, but I'm just going to be helping Jean-Michel with a paper he's writing."
Quinn arched a perfectly plucked eyebrow at her sister. "Sure, Daria, if you say so. I know you wrote some papers for Middleton students, but I think this would be a little over your head."
Daria let a small smile escape. "I'm not ghosting it for him, Quinn. The paper is about... let me translate for you... the problems brains and superbrains have fitting in with normal people. He needs more superbrains for a decent-sized sample."
"Are you ready, Quinn?" Helen was standing at the door to the girls' room.
"Almost. Mom, Daria says she's staying here to help Jean-Michel. Is that true?"
"Yes, Quinn. He'll be giving her more tests and talking with her, and she'll be one of the subjects of a study he's working on. Your father will pick her up Sunday evening."
Daria gave Quinn her Mona Lisa smile. "We'll be working very closely together. We'll have the place practically to ourselves over the weekend."
Quinn's eyes widened in alarm. Helen concealed her amusement.
"Muh-Ooomm! You can't let her stay! If my friends find out my cous- sister is in a place like this, my reputation will be ruined! And, uh, she'll be all scared and lonesome and stuff all by herself!"
Jean-Michel had just arrived at the door. He and Daria exchanged a look, then Jean-Michel looked over at Helen, who looked away, embarrassed. "Quinn, wait for us in the car."
"But Muh-om! Ohhh! Quinn headed for the doorway, managing to suggest staggering and flouncing in a single gait.
"And take your suitcases with you. I'm not letting your father throw out his back like he almost did when he carried your luggage in here. Use the wheels. I'll get your makeup kit."
Quinn looked as if Helen had just announced she'd been sold to an Arab oil sheik. Helen said "Don't give me that look, Quinn. You packed it. You tote it."
Daria smiled at the memory and returned to her story.