If you have a strange feeling that you've seen the first part of this before, you're right. I moved it from chapter three for reasons of continuity.

FOGGY LAWYER BREAKDOWN
Chapter Four
by Lawndale Stalker
…

Daria trudged into the kitchen, scowling at the cheery morning sunlight streaming through the windows. Dad had left for work, and Mom and Quinn were still sleeping. This would be a good time to get some writing done, once she got her brain started. She could see that there was half a pot of brain starter fluid left in the coffeepot.

As Daria rounded the range island, the phone rang. She made sufficient haste to pick it up before it rang again. "Hello?

"Helen?" It was Eric.

"No."

"May I speak to Helen, please?"

"No."

"May I ask why not?"

"Yes."

There was a silence of several seconds, during which Daria mentally counted down her estimate of Eric's IQ. Finally, at about eighty, he got it.

"Well, why not?"

"Doctor's orders."

"What doctor's orders?"

"That's confidential. I can't release that information."

"This is Eric Schrecter, Helen's boss at work."

"Not any more."

"Look, just tell her that Eric called, and that I need her to call me back. Can you do that?"

"No."

"Why the hell not?"

Daria hung up.

Three seconds later the phone rang again. Daria, expecting this, snatched it up less than a quarter second into the first ring. "Hello?"

"Look, uh, I'm sorry I lost my temper and, uh, used an impolite word there, uh… who am I speaking with, anyway?"

"Daria."

"Oh. Well, um, why won't you give her a message from me?"

"Doctor's orders."

"What orders?"

"I believe we've covered that. If there's nothing else…"

"I need to speak with Helen!"

"Helen needs not to speak with you, or anyone else work-related, for a month at the absolute minimum. After that time, I'll tell her you called. Please don't call back before then. Good morning." Daria hung up, turned the ringer volume down low, and proceeded to pour herself a cup of coffee. "Good thing I was already in a bad mood," she muttered. "I don't mind having it spoiled so much."

...

Quinn came into the kitchen, looking like a Cashman's catalog model, as Daria was biting into a sugar tart. Turning up her upturned nose at Daria's choice of breakfast fare, she proceeded to mix up a pitcher of orange-guava-kiwi-passionfruit juice.

"Quinn."

"What?"

"What do you think about setting up an office for Dad in the front part of the family room. It would get him out of that run-down converted strip mall he's in, and whatever money he's paying to rent the place could go back into the household budget."

"Hmm, I don't know, Daria. I, I mean we, wouldn't be able to bring our friends over during his business hours, and we'd always have to be fully dressed before we came downstairs."

"It's just an idea. Give it some thought, and compare it with the situation he's in now. We can talk about it this evening and decide whether to suggest it to Dad and Mom."

Surprised and a little flattered that Daria would ask her opinion about anything, Quinn said, "Okay. Um, can you watch Mom this morning? The Fashion Club's going to the mall."

"I had morning shift yesterday. I was going to go over to Jane's."

"Oh, come on. You know Jane isn't even awake yet. Please?"

"I guess it can wait till later. What are you going to fix Dad for lunch?"

Quinn looked surprised. "Oh, poo. Is it my turn? Listen, Daria, could you do that today? I'll owe you one."

Daria gave her sister a look from beneath a lowered eyebrow and said nothing.

"Oh, all right! I'll owe you two."

"I'll do it, but I'll need you to go right now and get me a head of lettuce and some salad tomatoes. And you have to be back here by noon so I can take Dad his lunch. If you'll do that, you just owe me one."

"Okay. I'll be right back. Thanks, Daria!" said Quinn as she went out the door.

…

Daria was just settling down with a notepad, a pencil, and a glass of juice when the patio door opened again. Quinn hurried in and began putting the lettuce and tomatoes in the refrigerator. "I thought of something on the way," she said. "If Dad worked from home, one of us wouldn't necessarily have to stay here all the time."

"Good point," Daria replied. "Also, he wouldn't have the second phone line and the broadband internet connection taken out, because he'll need them for work."

"Hey, yeah! I'm starting to like this idea! See you later."

"At noon."

"At noon," Quinn said, and was gone again.

Daria had just started to write when Helen entered the kitchen. She was wearing one of her red power suits, but no shoes, and she hadn't fixed her hair. "Was that the phone?" she asked.

Carefully keeping her expression neutral, Daria replied, "No, that was Quinn. She just left. Did you sleep well?"

Helen rubbed her face sleepily. "I need some coffee," she muttered.

"Here, have some juice first," Daria said, handing her a glassful. "How do you want your eggs?"

…