Reconciliations

(Quinn)

If I've ever thought sabotage Rachel's career? No. But I confess that gave me a hell of a desire to not help her when I read that gossip. As my mother says, "desire is something that come and go", and I swore to myself I wouldn't give any feedback on Rachel's career choices without being asked first, unless it's something bad, like a disguised porn.

That's why I didn't admit the charge that I hindered somehow Rachel to be in "The Saint Woman". What happened is that director Aaron Smith had talked to another actress and her agent, even if Roger asked me to tell Rachel about the audition for the part. I didn't know of such an agreement, nor Roger, who wasn't directly involved with the movie. When I got up in the morning, I didn't imagine the confusion that would follow the day. My girlfriend accompanied me to the office, where she rarely go, because Aaron was there hitting the last details of the shooting schedule. All the main actors were hired, but it was lacking a few actors for small characters. Leslie was the best role among these parts.

Rachel entered the room with Aaron, but I couldn't watch the interview. I was anxious outside unable to focus on the details of the short film under Roger's direction. Even with the honor of being a camera assistant, the production details still wasn't so clear. O looked at all times toward the James room. Then I saw her stomped out. I tried to run after that hurricane but Rachel keeps her fast pace. I picked her up already out of the office and my heart broken when I saw her face already wet in tears.

"Leave me alone, Quinn Fabray!" She screamed and I stepped back almost instinctively.

"What happened in there?"

"I don't know... maybe it was just one more humiliation in my life promoted by you!" And she tried to run, but I stopped her and even exaggerate the strength when I caught her arm.

"Please, calm down and explain to me what happened?" Rachel tried to break free, but it only made me squeeze her stronger.

"You are hurting me!" I wasn't processing the information. I just wanted her to explain to me what had happened in the James room with Aaron. "Let me go!" Only when she uttered the cry is that I freed her.

Rachel came downstairs, nearly tripping and I followed her to ensure that she wouldn't commit any folly. Who knows what could happen. Rachel ran to a taxi that was parked a few meters from the building. I still reached out and knocked on the window, but the vehicle run away. I tried the phone and she didn't answer me. Without know what else to do, I called Santana.

"I hope this is important, Fabray. I'm in the middle of a lecture in Columbia!" She said on her complaining whisper.

"Something went wrong in the audition and your sister ran away. She won't answer me."

"I'll do my best and callback you later."

"Thank you, S."

I came back to the office. Rachel's dramatic departure, of course, was the main subject discussed. With all eyes in my direction, I took a deep breath and walked into the room to faced Aaron.

"Fabray, isn't it? What do you want?" Aaron talked a little bored while taking a drink. That fucked bitch was tipsy at best.

"I wanted to know what happened to Rachel Berry?"

"Why does it matter?" Aaron muttered.

"Sorry sir, but Rachel Berry is part of the cast of the most lucrative production of the history of this office. If she is so upset, maybe it can be a problem for this company. Rachel Berry along the others has a contract until next January and it would be bad if something wrong happen with the golden cast. So, she is not some ordinary actress here."

"Oh!" Aaron took a sip of his drink. "Maybe I was a bit naughty."

"What?" My blood started to boil in anger.

"She was good and I would definitely call her back if I hadn't other plans. I've already talked to Kate Bergan, do you know? That girl from that AMC TV series. She will sign the contract tomorrow. Anyway…"

"Still did you molest her?"

"I didn't touched her, ok. Now, get out before I ask James to fire you."

"Right..." I left the office a bit angry, but the way Aaron was slightly intoxicated, it's not worth discussing.

I know I made an insurgency confronting Aaron in James' office, but Rachel was my girl and I needed to know. Also, yes, that misunderstanding could pose a problem in the future. In the case of "The Saint Woman," Aaron Smith was executive producer. He was the responsible for the budget of 20 million dollars for the film and now he is using our office to articulate the pre-production. Of course his word would have more weight in any decision. As much as Rachel was good, Aaron didn't want her. Unfortunately he didn't tell Roger that, or James apparently, in turn, they would have avoid constraints. Rachel was an actress discovered by R&J on "Songbook" and she worked under contract until January. It could be longer if she renew her contract for more three months, since Steve Zappa and Heather are leaving the show on January, and I know Rachel kind of dislike them. Of course the producers would have this in consideration.

My phone received a text message.

"Rachel is going home" - Satan

The message in part relieved me. Santana and Rachel had this bizarre intuition of a get to know where the other was in the most absurd moments. But I wasn't calm yet. Not while I could heard everything from Rachel and understand her side: discounting all the dramatic exaggeration, yes, she had reason to be hurt.

When I came home from work and found my room locked with some of my stuff on the floor (Pajamas, underwear, toothbrush), I almost lost it. I started beating that damn door. That was an insult and I wasn't accepting that. Not when I hadn't the slightest fault.

"Rachel, please open the door and talk to me!"

"No. You are a career saboteur." I heard her throw the door.

"What? Are you crazy?"

"You've always got uncomfortable with my career!"

It wasn't true. I was happy and proud to see her well successful. What I didn't like was some of the consequences it brought: gossips, the way she had to hide and deny our relationship, those promotional parties she had to attend, or the way she had to be intimate with others actors on stage: nowadays, I simply hated seeing her with Lucas and the way he touches her boobs twice a day on the stage. But I was there supporting her.

"Rachel, open the door and talk like an adult."

"No!"

I felt like kicking the door, but all I did was lean against it in frustration.

Santana arrived in the meantime. Even she didn't seem happy with the situation. She pulled me by my clothes and then pushed me away from the door. I thought she would punch me or something, but all she did was sigh.

"Thanks to you, I got worried and lost the second part of the lecture. It was a nice one with Jeffrey Greene, one of the best market consultant in the world!"

"I'm sorry, but you shouldn't have left your lecture. Your sister and I are fine."

"Yeah, I'm seeing it."

"Your sister locked herself inside! I didn't have the slightest guilt of what happened." I tried to defend myself.

"I always gave a discount when Rachel makes drama... I know you aren't the one to blame" She said on a strangely rational and calm tone. "Now, get out or I won't be able to unlock the door with you messing up my way."

"You got the key?"

"No, but I have a knife and a clip. Why don't you wash your damn red face while I fix things here?"

I obeyed and it was good to refresh a little, then I breathed deeply while looking my tired face in the Santana's bathroom mirror. When I returned to the living room, Santana was working on the lock.

"What happened?" She pulled the subject while working.

"There was a misunderstanding caused by a communication failure. The director of the film had already hired an actress for the role Rachel was supposed to audition."

"I see... These things happen sometimes, right?"

"Everything can happen on a movie. But I think the mistake was our first when we let her agent out. If Josh had been called to negotiate, I'm sure he would have avoided this embarrassment."

"Lesson learned then..." I heard a click in the door and Santana smiled. "Tadah!"

I tried to open the door, but Santana was still in front of me. She held my arm.

"Try not fight, ok."

"Right."

"Ok." Santana got off my way.

I found Rachel leaning against the headboard of the bed hugging her own legs. Her face was swollen. Still, my first impulse was to go up and spanking her for run away like that. At the door, I counted to 10 and breathed, and then I closed it and sat on my side of the bed. With the calm that I could sustain, I did my monologue, explaining what happened and that neither Roger nor I were guilty.

"He was stupid and gross!" Rachel said weakly. "The way he proposed a minor role was demeaning. He said that if I wanted something better, I would have to demonstrate how much." My blood rose again. This time I wanted punch Aaron's face so bad. "If I had stayed for one more minute, I think he would zip down his pants."

"That bastard!" And I touched her beautiful sad face with all tenderness I had. "I'm so sorry, Rach. I heard that Aaron had this reputation, but I've never imagined he would insinuate to you."

"Thank god you're not in his project anymore. It would be worse."

"Rachel, I am an employee of the R&J, not of this damn movie, but I can guarantee that if I have to, I will leave my job."

"No! I know how much you need this job and it would be unfair."

"But I would resign in a heartbeat. For you, I would."

I saw the red mark from my grip on her arm. Another one of the things that made me want to hit myself. I held her arm gently began to massage it as an apology for that atrocity. I felt her body relaxing as she gradually leaning against mine.

"Sorry for the excessive force."

"You didn't intend to."

"Still, I shouldn't."

"That's ok."

I lay down and closed my eyes, wanting to extract some of the horrific scenes of the day. I only opened them when I felt the bed move with Rachel's small weight. She was facing me.

"Next time we discuss for any reason..." I said softly "... please don't run from me. You scared me today!" Rachel just nodded positive and put her head against my chest.

Soon, she was dozing. I neither bothered to collect my stuff still on the hallway floor. I closed my eyes once more and hugged Rachel so that I could feel the light and fragrance of her hair. It was just a bad day.

…

(Rachel)

I hate Judy Fabray. Three attempts at a civilized meeting were the ground and I wasn't about to go into this experience again with Judy Fabray… or Judy Penn since she stated using her maiden name again. Unfortunately my lasting relationship with Quinn made that impossible. My girlfriend finished filming the short film and decided to use the extra money she earned to pay New York City trip to her mother. This was simply hopeless for me. Quinn was going to take a vacation from work in October, so I didn't understand why she didn't just wait 'til this date to spend a week in Lima with her mother or something. But no! Quinn Fabray had to have the wonderful idea of bringing that shrew into our house.

"My parents pay a hotel every time they spend some days in New York! So why mama Fabray can't do the same?" Santana snapped. She was nervous about the Quinn's suggestion that should give her room to Judy. For me, her mother would sleep in sleeping bag in the living room, not in my sister's room.

"Why should I let my mother stay in a hotel if I have my place?" Quinn yelled back.

"Then why don't you hand over your bed and your room for her?"

"Santy..." I was tired of their eternal discussion for everything. I knew my sister had a valuable point: it wasn't fair to move her out of her comfort to whoever. On the other hand, I was too lazy to discuss this with Quinn. It was bad enough to prepare myself for Judy Fabray.

"No Rachel! There isn't any justification. I pay my part of the rent as much as you. I'm not here to please and I won't give up my room for three days to her mother that treated you very bad." Said Santana and Quinn looked at me with a surprised face. Yeah, honey, I told my sister about the meals in your house. Now, shoot me.

"But it will be only three nights. Why don't you stay with the boys, or that new boyfriend of yours… Andrew, isn't?" She suggested to the softer tone she could do.

"Johnny's apartment smells stinky feet, Mike's is populated by girls full of venereal diseases and Andrew is living in the dorms now. It's pretty uncomfortable to be with him with his roommate in the same place even with their tract."

"You can sleep with your mother in our room and I can be with Santy... if you let me, of course." I said resentfully and looked at my sister hoping she would agree.

"Sleeping with my mother in the same bed that we do... things?" Quinn looked at me horrified. "No way!"

"Just change the sheet, idiot." Santana teased.

"It's not the sheet, is the energy."

"So sleep with jeans and try not to sexually assault our own mother, since you confess now you're a freak." And she looked at me. "Seriously Ray. You should send your girlfriend to rehab for sexual addicts."

"Enough!" I yelled before the two began to fight seriously. "Quinn, be reasonable. There's nothing wrong to share the room with your mother for three days."

"Just as there is nothing wrong to Santana sleep on the couch for three days." Quinn snapped.

"You're supposed to sleep on the couch for three days." Santana snapped. "Incidentally, this would be perfect: you give your room for your mother, I can fully share my room with my sister because, guess what, I'm not a freak wanting to commit incest, and you sleep on the couch."

"You don't give the final word here, Santana. You can use the money of your inheritance in the rent, but the one who pays your part of the bills and food is your sister... and me. We are the ones who truly sustain you, so you should give me some respect."

I closed my eyes. I knew that Quinn wouldn't be able to handle long to play this delicate point in my sister's face. Yes, it was true that I had paid two-thirds of all: my part and Santana's. Yes, it was true that from Santana's pocket ran only the amount of rent. But this was the deal I made with her so that she only cared to study without asking anything more to papi or Zaide. Quinn hadn't the right to use that against her. It was humiliating. Santana left the living room, slammed her door in the process. Then I stared at my girlfriend.

"Well, Quinn. If the amount of money defines who is the boss here, so I guess I have the final word since I pay mine and hers part of our household expenses. In this case, I've decided that I will sleep in my sister room when your mother would be around, and you can take de couch. Moreover, you will sleep there today."

…

(Quinn)

I was anxious. It was the first time I could provide some pleasure to my mother and I wanted things to go well. Rachel was still firmly in the play despite her bad experience, I had my first professional experience on filming and even Santana seems to have been quieter with Andrew. Instead of parting and doing drugs, I noticed that she began to prefer lighter programs with her new boyfriend. Things like going to watch movies, attend events in Central Park, walking, or visiting nice places. So, life was good.

My mother came in the lobby at about the expected time and I not swiped myself to crack a smile. I ran towards that small town elegant woman. She wore plain skirt at the knees, printed blouse in a jacket in the same color of the skirt. She was fashionable to Ohio, but a little out of New York. It was something I'd fix soon.

"Quinnie, my dear!" She gave me a kiss on my cheek before hugging me "I was missing you so much!"

"I was too, Mom!" I opened a wide smile. "I assume you had a good trip."

"It was wonderful. I haven't been in a plane for a while. Oh, Quinnie, I'm so excited to get to know this city at your side." She hugged me again. Only then looked to the side and Rachel gave her a much more discreet smile. I didn't expect her to party with my mother, so I approved her effort to be friendly. "Hello Rachel. I see you are well."

"I'm fine, thanks. And you aren't too bad yourself."

"Quinnie." She grabbed my arm and we went walking through the lobby. "I have so many good things to tell you..."

…

(Rachel)

I hate Judy Fabray. Oh, I keep forgetting: Judy Penn. I was only accepting this situation because I loved Quinn too much, but my true will was stay as far as possible of the Fabrays, but my girlfriend. Still, I needed to be a nice host for Judy for Quinn's sake: it's her first time in New York and all I wanted was a peaceful weekend. So, let's treat the snake as a queen. When I saw her coming throw the lobby, Quinn opened a huge smile. Mother and daughter hugged and Judy was polite with me. But judging from the suitcase she left behind to charge while went out arm in arm with her daughter, it just made me confirm that Judy Penn wouldn't give me an easy time even in my territory. I took the suitcase that Judy left behind and followed both by the airport to go home.

"Quinn." Judy squealed when we arrived. "Your apartment is wonderful. What a beautiful bookcase you bought... and the room's decor is divine" I muttered. As Quinn was the only responsible.

"I was thinking of buying a table for four to make the dining room, because it's not always cool to do all meals on the kitchen counter. The high chairs are beautiful, but not very comfortable. Rachel doesn't agree, she thinks we will end up cluttering the space." I hated when Quinn talked to somebody about my opinions as I wasn't in the same place.

"Well, it's a great space you have here." Judy touched her own chin like an authority on Decoration. "With the right mobile, it wouldn't be overcrowded."

Of course Quinn loved her mother support. They made a tour while I was just sitting in my couch observing the scene with the TV turned on just to disguise.

"As you see, the rooms are pretty nice. This one is Santana's and that bathroom is kind of hers too, since she is the only one who uses it most of time."

"It's a very nice room for an apartment. I'm impressed."

"It's because you haven't seen mine where you will stay." Quinn was beaming. They went up to our room and I kept listening.

"Oh, Quinnie, your room is wonderful, but I don't think I should dislodge you and Rachel."

It was the moment that I held myself to not send her to sleep on the couch, so.

"You won't displace anyone, Mom. Rachel has her sister's room and I'm on the couch. The bed is all yours."

"But Quinnie..."

"Don't argue, Mom."

I rolled my eyes. Judy was a dazzled woman and this irritated me deeply. Quinn went to the kitchen to fix some snack and Judy joined her in a joyful reunion of mother and daughter. I started to play with my cell, wishing the ATU's publicist call me to do something that requires go to the theater earlier. And then the door opened. Santana made a surprise appearance sooner than usual.

"What a crazy day!" She hung out her coat without pay attention to our visitor. "My heart is still jumping."

"What happened?" I asked before Quinn had a chance to draw her attention to her mother.

"You won't believe it, but my professor became ill and fainted during the class. I run into him to figure if I could do any first aid procedure while the guys called 911."

"Oh my god, he died?" It was a shocking news but I wasn't surprised that Santana run to help the professor. We both might hate hospitals, but papi taught us since we were small kids what to do in this situations.

"No. Apparently the professor is diabetic and his problem was with his glucose rate. Anyway, the class was dismissed and here I am." Finally she looked at Judy. "Oh, hi Mrs. Fabray."

"Hello Santana." Judy approached to shake her hand. "Please, is Miss Penn now. And seems you had a busy day!"

"Not at all."

"But you are a hero. You saved somebody today."

"I didn't save anybody Mrs. Fabray…" She frozen a little. "Sorry. Miss Penn. Old habits die hard."

"That's ok, my dear. Oh, you looked more beautiful that I remember."

"Thank you." Santana forced a smile. She entered the room and I followed. "Ray." She whispered. "If you wanna some help, just give the bat signal we put this snake lady to run."

"I know. But it's just for three days and I'm going to work every single day, so I will remain optimist."

"Rach!" Quinn called me from the kitchen. "Can you make the juice?"

"Of course!" Quinn could do this since she was in the kitchen. I understood that she wanted me to participate in the meeting, so I did what she asked. In less than ten minutes everything was ready for our snack time, or whatever.

"Tests and work in sight?" Quinn asked Santana.

"The semester just started and I am full of heavy things to do forward."

"No glee club this weekend then?" Quinn raised an eyebrow. It sounded like she was the family head directing the conversation on the table and it made me mad.

"I do have glee club, thankfully. You know I hate to lose it."

"Gene Corcoran" I smiled.

"Gene Corcoran!" Santana emphasized.

"Gene Corcoran? What is that?" Judy seemed confused.

"My mother, the one who adopt Beth," Santana cynically add, "is a great singer and we inherited this specific gene. Corcoran is her last name."

"Oh, I knew what her last name is. How she was doing?" Judy forced a smile.

"Mom and Beth moved in with my father and my mom was teaching at Carmel High again." I informed. "They are trying, you know, experimenting to live together for a while. And I think they will finally get marry."

"Shelby doesn't like to feel tied, Rachel. I do think she and papi will have a long relationship, but without marry."

"But papi has such a strong family drive. He was the one who straight up daddy and they did marry, even if it was symbolic. The same will happen with him and mom."

"I don't think so."

"Wanna bet?"

"Ten bucks."

"Deal."

Then I saw Judy and Quinn looking at us as they shouldn't have listened the conversation about our family. But I didn't care, nor Santana. It's not that we were talking about some secret. At least the time was passing fast and soon I would excuse myself to work.

"Quinnie said you study at Columbia." Judy tried to get in the conversation. "It's a great university."

"I started in the Business school, but I got accepted to Barnard to major in Economics and Mathematics. It's where I feel more comfortable."

"So did you leave Columbia?"

"No. Barnard is just one of the Columbia's schools. That's it. The university is the same." My sister just ear the snack.

"And you dropped college, right Rachel?" She not even looked at me.

"So I could continue studying..." Santana got quick in the game that Judy was playing to compare me with my sister to show that I wasn't good enough. What a snake! But my sister got my back. "My college is paid by my grandfather, but Rachel is the one who keeps me in town." She smiled and winked at me.

"Actually..." I sipped my juice. "I can work and study. But Across The Universe is so popular that I have to do interviews, feed materials with different themes for press, sometimes I have to attend long sessions of photographs, and sometimes I need to attend to events to interact with other social actors, directors and producers. So, I don't have much time to dedicate to a college. Yet, I can go back if I want. I was a very good student." It was an excellent response.

"I think it's time for dessert." Quinn stood up and began to collect the empty plates. "Rach, do you help me?"

"I would, but I need to work, honey."

I kissed Quinn on her lips in front of her mother. Then, I saw Santana with her thumbs up smiling to me. Yeah, Judy Fabray… ops, Penn, I'm going to win this game.

…

(Quinn)

The day in New York was cloudy and threatening rain, still mom and I went out for the 5th Avenue to see storefronts and the Empire State. I was very happy to have provided such a good time doing it. I remember when I was little and listened to her dreams. She wanted to travel to Paris (me too), see London (me too) and come to New York. My father promised some holidays for us, but we always went to some places on the south of the country in the summers. The time he took us to California was a surprise.

I'll never forget my mother's look of amazement in front of Tiffany. I also didn't deny at least a cafe there. We spent some time in a furniture store where we saw a table that would be perfect to my home. Mom insisted that I should buy it, but I was dowdy to say that the price was out of my budget. I explained that I would have to discuss first with Rachel just to not tell her that I didn't make money as much as she thinks, despite I send her $200 every month just to help a little bit. I walked a lot until we got too tired to do other types of programs, including the theater. Rachel booked tickets, but I thought it best to leave them for the weekend. I thought correctly.

When we got home, Rachel was absent working, and Santana was lying on the couch watching some TV series. I think it was Breaking Bad. She had her legs covered with a blanket, her shoes and socks were thrown under the coffee table, there were cookies on her abs and its sharps were all around, and a can of cola-cola besides the couch.

"Oh god! I'm sorry for the mess." She wasn't apologizing to me, of course. When she sit down, the cookies fell on the floor and the mess got bigger. Just in the place I would sleep for the night. "I would clean it later, but you arrived sooner than I thought."

"It's passed 5 P.M, Santana." I replied annoyed.

"Indeed. Who would come to New York and not know its night life?"

"Excuse me?" Did Santana know I was with my mother? She was unbelievable sometimes.

"At least did you guys have a great time?"

"It was wonderful, thank you." My mom answered her.

"Nice… well, I think I should take a shower…" Santana collected her stuffs. "Sorry for the mess."

Then, I saw my mom paying attention to TV while Jesse Pinkman and Jane Margolis were taking some drugs.

"So… Does Santana like to see this kind of thing?" My mom was disgusted. I took that she never had seen Breaking Bad. I didn't blame her. She loved soap operas and reality shows like American Idol and Dancing With The Stars.

"Sometimes…" Oh, the scene was a bit strong. "It is a good TV show in her defense." I turn off the TV and started cleaning Santana's mess.

"And do you see this kind of things?"

"It's not the scene, it's the concept of the show that matters. Anyway it's not like I will use drugs because I watch this."

"I'm not thinking any bad of you or even Santana. I am just surprised. I've never seen you and your sister watching this kind of TV show at home."

My father controlled the TV at home and didn't allow me and my sister to see certain shows. But it didn't matter because we had the internet anyway. I watched a lot of lesbian porn videos when I was 15 and also some of the shows my father and the church forbidden. That was my rebel side.

"It's just TV, mom."

"I know. What I don't understand is why you got so stressed. I didn't want to say it, Quinn, but you do look tired."

"It's just all the hard work and study. I can't lower my average to not lose my scholarship and my grades are always on the edge. But, that's ok because I'm taking my vacation in October and I will able to devote myself to college for the midterms."

"That's not healthy."

"I know mom. But I can deal with it. One more year and half and I will get the minimum credits to graduate." My mother stared earnestly. "I'm ok. Don't need to worry."

"I know you can deal with all those stress. I just think you are so thin..."

"Mothers will always find that their children are thin!" I smiled.

"Do you think so?"

"That's what I think every time I see Beth. And she eats like a young lion. Had I this appetite as a child?" Mom silenced. We never talked specifically about Beth. "Mommy?"

"Frannie was gluttonous but she was luck to inherit your father's metabolism. You always been a little difficult to eat, always quiet, lost in your own world. You improved only after a certain age, it was when you put on some weight and got chubby."

"So, Beth must have inherited Puck's appetite and metabolism..."

"How is your contact with Beth?" Mom asked, which was good because I was beginning to think she was afraid to talk about it for fear of hurting me.

"I don't have chance to spend a good quality time alone with her. Shelby is not comfortable when Beth is in my presence. I think she was afraid that I could tell Beth who I really am. So, my contact with my daughter isn't that great."

"That stingy of her" Her face contorted.

"I have no legal claim on Beth. It was officially a closed adoption and you do know that."

"Yes, I do. I was there, Quinn. I supported your decision."

"I know, mom. It's not that easy. Sometimes I wish that Beth was adopted by a family that lives miles away from Ohio."

"That's ok, Quinnie. One day Beth will know who you really are."

"When she is 18, for sure."

"And her father… Puck, isn't? Have you talking to him?"

"No, I haven't. It's been more than a year since the last time I saw him."

"Oh, and you don't have any boyfriends, like… friends?"

"Yes, I do. Johnny, Mike, Santiago from NYU. Why are you asking… oh, I got it. Come on mom, I'm not interested in any boy that way. I'm dating and living with Rachel!"

"But you don't look like a… lesbian, or act like one. Maybe you are just like that for Rachel."

"I'm lesbian, but it doesn't mean I have to be a butch. Even if Rachel and I break up one day, I still will be into girls: femme girls, with very femme lady parts."

"I don't need to hear it."

Santana came out of the bathroom already in her pajamas. It was six P.M and looks like she had any plans to go out with her boyfriend. That's odd. I thought she would run away from my mother. But all she did was took an apple, wished her good night and went to her bedroom.

Mom and I fixed dinner for we three. I wished Rachel was here, with us, but she was avoiding my mother. I can't blame her either since my mom wasn't that nice with her. Rachel arrived late when I was in the couch reading Jennifer Egan's last book.

"Hi stranger." I teased.

"Hey." She came to me and we kissed. "How was your day?"

"Nice. And yours?"

"Nice. Mike passed by and we had dinner together after the sessions."

"Good. Any good news?"

"He is negotiating a part on Rock of Ages."

"Really? Rock of Ages?"

"I know you hate the movie, but you should see the play."

"Maybe."

"Ok, I'm tired. I think I will sleep now."

"Already?" Rachel stood up from the couch and nodded.

Without any else to do, I laid down alone in the couch without a good night kiss. It was kind of depressing.

…

(Rachel)

I would have slept until late. Then I would take yogurt on my porch while reading the newspaper on my tablet and then go down to the gym before facing a domestic tediously laundry day. I would be happier for it. But no. I needed to wake up early because Judy Penn was home and Quinn didn't dismiss me to accompany them to Central Park. I got up and found my sister in the kitchen in her Lion clothes, gulping coffee and toast while there was no sign of Judy in the house.

"Those two left to buy stuffs in the bakery for the breakfast." My sister put a whole piece of cake in her mouth.

"What's the hurry?" I asked.

"Glee club, remember? Some of us will sing the national anthem before the rowing race."

"Oh, nice. So… Will the Lions have a chance to win this time?"

"Of course! It's rowing. The Lions are good in this kind of sport. Anyway, I'll spend the afternoon with Andrew, ok? Don't expect me to dinner, but I will sleep at home." She finished her coffee and then took her things before rushing out the door.

Meanwhile, Judy and Quinn arrived. She was wearing skirt just above the knees, the clean-cut blouse, her blonde hair tied in a bun with no hair out of place.

"Good morning, Rachel!" She opened a fake smile.

"Good morning, Miss Penn. Did you sleep well?"

"Wonderfully well, thank you."

I looked at Quinn, who was already fixing the breakfast. And then, her cell rang.

"I didn't see you come home from work yesterday." Judy commented pretending to be casual, but I understand the implication behind.

"I had dinner with a friend."

"Do you always do this? Dinner with friends?" I hate her.

"Sometimes."

Quinn finished the phone call and looked at us.

"Did something happen?" Quinn's frown didn't fool me.

"It was Santiago. We need to solve a college work and I forget it."

"Oh, so you're not going to go out with your mother today."

"Yes, I will, but later. Hey, why don't you two go out? I can meet you at the theater. The session today is the 3 P.M. right?"

"Oh, kid!" Judy spoke as if she was suffering. "What a shame! I was so anxious for our time today."

"Rachel will be your hostess today." She stared at me so that I could only agree.

I found myself alone with the bitch witch. I didn't have any subject to talk with her and it went against my strategy to avoid her as much as possible. Judy also seemed uncomfortable. So I decided to break the ice before the environment became toxic.

"Would you like to visit a jazz club which has near here? It's closed right now, but it open for lunch and I know the owner. He allowed me, Mike and my sister to sing there sometimes. It's a nice place full of stories." She looked at me horrified as if I had asked to go to a stripe club. "The music only works at night, of course."

"No need, darling. I'm not hungry." She said with some asperity.

"We can go to the Museum of The Moving Image, which is here in Astoria and is also very interesting. We can go by bike. Quinn loves this place."

"Quinn made me walk for a life yesterday and my legs are no longer so young."

"We can go to Roosevelt Island: it's also nice. Quinn said you would visit Central Park, right? We can go there too. Or go to Chelsea, which has an excellent fashion polo."

"I don't think the weather is firm enough to go to the park or walk on the streets."

"Well, there's an entire city to be seized and I'm here at your disposal. I can't be a good hostess as good as your daughter, but I promise I will do my best so that you can enjoy the city. Staying at home is certainly a waste in such a vast and interesting place as New York. I've been living here for two years and I still find myself amazed at the amount of things and places that I have yet to discover. There are beautiful areas in Brooklyn and Queens, Manhattan is magical. Therefore is a waste stand here with so much to do. And don't you think would be worse to be with me here, without nothing to do but watch TV?"

I was being practical. Not that I wanted to spend time with Judy. Judy seemed to think a little bit. Maybe it was right on time to be alone and talk with her without Quinn to hit things.

"Did you say Chelsea?"

Not long after, we were walking side by side toward Madison Square, which was a good place to sightseeing with someone like Judy Fabray, ops, Penn. But she didn't seem focused or interested in the windows or in my explanations. Still, I tried to be as friendly as possible.

"Quinn and I got to see an apartment on this street." I said with good humor when we passed the W 25th. "The rental price was steep, but we wanted to get into an expensive apartment just to see it. Quinn said she was a lawyer in Ohio that it would transfer the firm to New York. Of course that the realtor didn't buy it, yet he did a tour and even took coffee with us while he tried to flirt with Quinn."

"Interesting." Judy smiled politely. "Quinn is very beautiful."

"Yes, she is."

"I bet a lot of men would die to be with her."

"Indeed. Too bad she's gay, isn't it?"

Judy turned her face from me and muttered.

"Technically, Quinn was the first of us to get a job in the city. When she received the first paycheck, we went to the market and Johnny bought us a can of beer with her money to celebrate. Each one had a sipped. Quinn protested because we had just spent on something that she didn't like. When I received my first paycheck, she said I should pay something for her. So, she took my money and bought a hot dog. But I'm a vegetarian, so she ate everything and then made an infamous little dance of revenge in the Brooklyn streets."

"Did you spend my daughter's money in a beer when you all aren't 21 years old?" She said angrily, and I immediately regretted having telling the history. On the other side, what a hypocrite: she was virtually an alcoholic. What right she had to censor my weekly can of beer or glass of wine?

"It's not a rule, Miss Penn. I don't get drunk in the corners, or my sister, or my friends."

She was silent and kept walking. But I was getting irritated with everything: with her disinterest and occasional censorship. What's the point trying to do the best if the other wasn't interesting? So I decided to radicalize.

"Of all the stories here in this city, the one I like most is that time when Quinn borrow a luxury flat of my grandfather's friend just to fuck me as a birthday gift."

"How dare you?" Judy finally had a significant angry reaction. "How can you open your filthy mouth to say things about my daughter, as my Quinn was capable of such an act?"

"That's how I gave my virginity to her" I said cynically.

"A person like you couldn't be pure when..."

"When she slept with me for the first time? Sorry to inform, but that's the truth. I'm not saying this makes her better or worse, but I wanted you to understand for once I'm just an ordinary girl who loves your daughter, not a sucker soul that turned her gay. I gave my virginity to Quinn because I fell in love with her, and I'm sure she loves me back as much."

"And that how you want my acceptance? Saying that my Quinnie is a seductive?" My god, was she listening?

"Who said I want your acceptance or approval? I don't need it. I already have my parents, my family and friends. Sorry to keep it real, but your opinion doesn't matter to me, but it does to Quinn. She is what she is, so let her be without judgments."

"I accept her!" Judy shouted. "I don't accept you!" That surprised me.

"And what I did wrong, despite dating your daughter? Am I a bad influence? Is it because I'm an actress? What is it?"

The answer didn't come. Judy sat on the bench and began to cry. I began to feel sorry for that lady. I sat beside her and hesitated to put my hands on her shoulders in a gesture of comfort. I wasn't sure if she would accept, but she did. I stood there looking at the floor without knowing if I felt sorry or was touched when reality finally reached her eyes and ears.

"It's not easy to admit that, even so, one of my daughters is..." She hesitated and almost choked, "...lesbian. This is a defeat for me. I was raised to feel disgusted about gays, that this kind of people spread sins. Then, I see her kissing you, living with you, loving you…. I think it's easier to blame you."

"I understand, Miss Penn. And I'm sorry that you can't free yourself from this prejudice. Having a same sex relationship doesn't make someone an abnormal or promiscuous. Quinn and I study, work, live in a very nice apartment, she goes to church and I go to my synagogue, we don't have excesses, we are responsible and we love each other. What's the crime? If you can't see love beyond an irrational prejudice, then I only have to regret for you."

"She is happy by your side..." She said hesitantly and looked inside her purse for napkin to wipe her tears.

"And I'm by hers." I said softly. "I love Quinn so much that I could sacrifice important things to me for her."

"I'm glad, Rachel. It's not easy, but I will try harder. I understand that my Quinnie likes girls. Maybe I should have seen it coming to prepare myself better."

"How so?"

"She was obsessed with her Barbies' boobs, like she was always touching it with her thumb."

"Really?" I laughed for the first time in that weekend. Quinn really loves boobs and she treats mines very well. Of course that Judy didn't need to know this detail.

"I think I overlook lots sighs about Quinn."

"Nobody really knows, Miss Penn. I was raised by two dads and my sister is bisexual. Sexuality was never an issue at home, still, I considered myself heterosexual even though I've always thought that Quinn is the most beautiful girl I know and maybe in the world. We became close friends at school after my daddy passed out. That's when I felt for her and I broke up with Finn Hudson. But it wasn't so easy. I was very confused at that time."

"What do you consider yourself now? Gay?"

"I don't know. Maybe bisexual. Maybe gay. I've never thought further about my sexuality. All I know is that I love Quinn immensely and I want a future with her."

"I wish I could have your open mind."

"It's not that hard, Miss Penn. All you have to do is accept love. Think about it: if God is a perfect being of pure love and our father, so how could He possibly hate some of His children, especially because He knows we are all morally imperfects? If God hates gays, than He can't be a perfect being if He had such a bad feeling in His heart. And if He is the supreme intelligence, why He would created somebody that He truly hates? This is not smart, don't you think? But we know God is perfect of pure love and supreme intelligence, therefore He loves everybody, no matter what. It's logic."

"You have a point." Judy sighed deeply. She was much calmer and stopped crying. "I can't guarantee you anything, Rachel, but you have my word that I will try harder."

"That's all I ask, Miss Penn."

"Call me Judy, please."