Chapter 5: It's a man, man man's world

This is a man's world, this is a man's world
But it wouldn't be nothing, nothing without a woman or a girl

Man thinks about a little baby girls and a baby boys
Man makes then happy 'cause man makes them toys
And after man has made everything, everything he can
You know that man makes money to buy from other man

There was a sound of applause as Beth Corcoran finished singing at the choir room that day.

"That was good!" Will Schuester, now with graying hair said. He clapped his hands, "Beth, you really are good. If only you'd go to more rehearsals—" He then noticed that Noah Puckerman was standing outside the door, "Excuse me for a sec," He said and went to open the door.

"Puck," He said, and they half-hugged.

"She's good," Puck said, putting his hands in the pockets of his basketball shorts. He was teaching PE at McKinley.

"Yeah, she is," Will said, smiling and looking at the students through the glass door. Beth was sitting down next to Arnold Abrams, Artie's brother.

"Remember when Quinn did that song?" Puck said.

"Yeah," Will said, "She was so emotional,"

"Angry's the word," Puck grinned.

Will laughed, "Funky, my man,"

Puck laughed, relieving the memories, "Yeah, funk. And Jesse egged Rachel's head! How's that guy these days?"

Will shrugged, "Heard he's still coaching Vocal Adrenaline, can't let his star go down."

"Yeah, well, they love him there," Puck said.

"So…how's Beth holding up? I mean, with Shelby being gone…"

"Not good," Puck answered, "She's not so keen on being at home with me and Quinn…And now we had to ground her because she slept over at Kurt and Blaine's…with…Zach…"

"Oh," Will said.

"Know what the funny thing is?" Puck said, "Now that we have a kid like her, I mean, that she's a teen…we now understand how our parents must've felt back then. And it's hard,"

"You'll be fine," Will said, "I trust you, Puck. And Quinn. With everything you've been through, you'll get through this."

"Thanks,"

"So, gonna bring Beth home?"

"Yeah," He said, "And I bet she won't like it."

Will laughed, "She's a tough girl," He said, "But you'll manage."

Puck and Beth were at Breadsticks. Beth was twirling her Spaghetti, without eating it, while Puck drank some juice.

"You were good, you know?" He told her, "Singing that song…"

Beth took a deep breath, "Thanks," She muttered.

"Quinn sang that song, too, do you know that?"

"She did?"

"Yeah," Puck smiled, "She was almost ready to pop then," He said, "With you, of course. And we had this "Funk" assignment, and she chose that song. If you saw her, man, she was beyond angry." He laughed, "I remember her wearing that Violet and White number, with a headband on her hair, and she just sang it…flawlessly. She wanted me, I think, or…well…everyone, to realize that this world may be a man's world, but it's nothing without a woman. And I guess that's true,"

Beth smiled a bit, "I didn't really know she sang that song…"

Puck smiled back, "Why'd you choose it?"

Beth shrugged. "I don't know," She said, "I just felt like…releasing some…pain."

"Well," Puck said, "Must be an instinct."

Beth laughed, "Sorry if I'm…I dunno…I just…This is all so hard for me," She said.

"I know," Puck said, "It's hard for me and Quinn, too. And also for Rachel. And Finn. But we know it's the hardest on you." He looked at her, "Beth, we're here for you. I know it's not so easy to warm up to me and Quinn, but we're here for you. All we're asking is for you to give us a chance," He said, "Give your mom a chance."

"I don't think she likes me as much as you think she does…"

"Beth she loves you," Puck said, "She's your mom. All she wants is what's best for you. And all she wants is…is you to accept her, as your mom. Not to replace Shelby, but for you to recognize her."

"Yeah, well…" Beth muttered.

"Beth," He said, "You're too young to be closing your heart. See how it goes. Okay?"

"We'll see…" She said silently.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Quinn opened the door as Puck and Beth went home later that day. She gave Puck a kiss on the cheek. "How's Breadsticks?" She asked.

"Great," Puck said, "We wish you were there. Oh, Beth sang It'saman,manman'sworld at school, she was so good."

"Really?" Quinn looked at Beth, smiling, "Wow…I mean, I sang that song…Must've brought back memories to Mr. Schue."

"I guess I really am your daughter," Beth muttered silently.

Quinn looked at her, then at Puck, "Oh well," She said, "Anyway, I was at Rachel's, and she and Finn are inviting us over for Christmas dinner. What do you guys say?"

"Yeah, that's good," Puck said, "Beth?"

"Sure," She muttered. "I'll just be in my room." She then went up the stairs.

Quinn looked at Puck, "What happened?" She asked.

"Well," Puck said, "I think Beth's finally seeing some light. But we have to be patient,"

"Thanks, Puck," She said.

"I love you."

"I love you, too."