Sisters and Friends
Chapter 16
Christmas Day
"You know it's going to be a lot of work to get in, Red."
Quinn pushed the course catalog and program packet away and sat back in her seat. "You don't think I can do it?"
"Didn't say that. Mi Amiga thinks you can, so that's settled. For what it's worth, I think you can too." Jane picked up the Raft University Industrial Design Program folder and began leafing through it. "They want to know that you have what it takes inside you, so they can bring it out and develop it. We just have to communicate that to the admissions committee."
The artist reached into her backpack and pulled out a pencil case and a sketchpad. "Can you draw like Daria? She seems to have a certain aptitude for it, if not really the interest."
"That's not it," came a voice from under the table. "It's just that it's not likely you'd whip out your dimestore kazoo if Yo-Yo Ma showed up with his Montagnana cello. Drawing next to you is just plain embarrassing." An arm appeared, gently but firmly holding on to a squirming black and white cat. "Dammit, Weev, you're supposed to like this hairball medicine. Look here," the exasperated young woman huffed, waving the tube of malted petroleum jelly in front of Weevil's face. "Cats, that means you, love it."
Jane snickered as she took the tube. She squeezed an inch of the goo onto her finger, and quickly touched a dab of it to the cat's nose, who responded by licking it off. After a moment, she began to lick the rest of it off Jane's extended finger. "I think it tastes better than it smells."
"Thanks," Daria sighed, settling into a chair. "I thought about smearing it on her face but then I was afraid she would wipe it off with a paw and get it all over mom's carpet."
"Dinner's gonna be ready in twenty minutes, girls," announced Jake, appearing in the kitchen doorway. A gray and white cat appeared at his feet as well, poking her head around the doorframe. She retreated as soon as Jake did. Weevil hopped off Jane's lap and trotted into the kitchen, looking for Fiona.
The women shared a smile. "Your dad's cooking, huh?" Jane murmured.
"Don't worry," Quinn grinned. "He's cut back on the spices ever since Fiona puked on his shoes under the dinner table. Besides, I think Trent's in there keeping an eye on things."
"That's our cue to set table," Daria said as Jane pulled her to her feet. "Quinn, we need to move this stuff."
"I'll put it on the coffee table," Jane said, pulling the papers into a stack. "We can work on it after dinner."
"You know, it's kinda funny how Trent and your dad are kind of hanging out," smiled Jane, watching the two men across the living room."
"Probably comparing notes about me," muttered Daria.
"Oh look, isn't that the photo album with the nekkid pictures of you in the bathtub?"
Daria frowned. "Hey, I was three- waaaiit a minute, how did you know-"
"He showed them to me earlier," laughed Jane. "You had the cutest little butt back then. Still do."
Daria facepalmed, noticing the big grin on her boyfriend's face.
"Oh, come on, sis," giggled Quinn. "They are pretty cute photos."
"I guess. You know, your naked ass is also on that album page," Daria deadpanned, looking over the Lawndale State course catalog.
Quinn flushed red, and Jane laughed louder, prompting a swat on the head with a rolled up catalog.
"Okay, look. Quinn, I've marked off the courses you should try for this spring." Daria got everyone back on track. "It's kind of late but if you talk to the instructors you may be able to get in. Intro to 3D Design, Color Theory, Intro to Computer/Human Interaction. Finish up whatever basic core stuff you can, since it's a hell of a lot cheaper here than Raft. They may make you repeat some of the foundation Design courses, but it's a good base to build on even if you have to do that."
"You should sign up for an Illustrator, Photoshop and a CAD class at the Community College this summer," Jane added. "You'll have to try to pull a portfolio together over the summer and schedule an interview at Raft. I'm thinking you should do your design exploration and renderings on a 3D program like Rhino 5, which isn't that hard. They probably have student versions at the school bookstore. While you're at it get the Adobe Creative Suite.
"The portfolio is probably not that critical entering the program, since you usually have to take the ID intro series and get past the critique at the end of the semester to actually get in," Jane frowned, carefully reading the program overview again.
"But having a credible portfolio is a definite plus, and it'll get you taken more seriously," mused Daria. "You realize that this program is going to take you at least three and a half years to get through, right?"
"I know," sighed Quinn. "It's a lot of money. Maybe I should talk to the program advisors at Raft and see if I can do another semester at least at Lawndale State." She sat back into the sofa and crossed her arms. "This is too much to ask of Mom and Dad. At least you worked hard enough to get scholarships and grants to help keep the cost down for them."
"It's not too late to apply," said Daria encouragingly. "Your GPA so far at State is excellent. I'll start looking to see what might be available."
"I'll help you with your portfolio, Red," smiled Jane. "You'll need some practice getting through critiques. I'm betting you haven't experienced much negative interaction. I've been through the worst of the worst at BFAC."
"Thank you, Jane," smiled Quinn gamely.
"De nada. Besides, I get to yell and scream and beat you up. No problem."
"This is kinda weird," Trent said, looking around Daria's old bedroom, now the new guest room. The padding had been removed, and the walls were spotless under a new coat of paint. A small bathroom had been added, with a shower stall rather than a bathtub, and there was a new carpet and furniture. And a new queen size bed.
"Tell me about it," Daria agreed. "It's actually a little creepy. I guess my parents really do like you." She finished folding his clothes, and put them in his half of the dresser. "I feel so domesticated."
"You are gonna marry me, right?"
"Not now, Trent. After I get my degree. We agreed."
"Just asking. That was a yes, right?"
"Maybe," Daria teased. "Do I get a ring?"
"Thought you didn't care about that stuff."
"I don't."
"You lie," Trent smiled. "Under that hard, cynical exterior, you're a romantic."
"Now I have to kill you," Daria smiled.
"You'll get a ring, and you'll say yes."
"Maybe."
God, you two are disgusting, smiled Quinn, pausing outside of her sister's partly opened door.
"Daria, do you want this door closed? You're allowed, you know. Mom's not gonna bust you."
"You can come in, Quinn,"
How is it that I never saw how beautiful you are, Daria?
"I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your support," Quinn said quietly, pulling Daria into a hug.
"You're welcome, sis," came the simple and honest reply. "Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas, you two." And it is. This Christmas is about family and friends, not the presents. Those are the little things; the real gifts are the important relationships. It's about supporting each other, about reaffirming the bonds that make us a family. Jane and Trent are family, and so are Annie and Sara.