Chapter 2: The Trouble Continues

The teenager didn't say a word as Zayde steered her in front of him. She had no idea where they were going, but she imagined wherever it was, it would end with her draped across his knee. She remembered the last time, nearly three months ago now. It had been the day she and Rachel were sent home for fighting, and Quinn was left with Zayde while Shelby went to speak with Rachel and her dads. Quinn had been angry and worried and she'd snapped at the man. The words were barely out of her mouth before Zayde had snatched her, bending her under his arm while his hard hand crashed down on her bottom. Quinn had burst into tears, more from the shock and jumbled ball of confused feelings than anything else, but it had hurt, too. She remembered his words after the last swat had fallen, asking if she needed him to continue the conversation with her over his lap. She'd cried out no, and that had been the end of it. She was sure that wouldn't be the case now.

Jacob was quiet as he marched Quinn out of Shelby's room and towards the hall bathroom. Quinn was rigid beneath his hand on her shoulder, and Jacob knew the girl was scared. He didn't want to scare her. He took a steadying breath as they reached their destination.

Quinn's eyes went wide and she threw an alarmed look over her shoulder at Zayde. Why was he taking her into the bathroom of all places? She didn't understand, and that made her nervous.

Jacob guided the teen into the space and then followed behind. Quinn flinched under his hand as the door shut. He gave her shoulder a brief squeeze as he moved past her. Hiking his pants up, he sat on the closed toilet seat lid, then grabbed Quinn's wrist and pulled her to stand between his knees.

Quinn's heart hammered as she was pulled towards her grandfather, her eyes scanning back and forth. What was going on? Surely, he wasn't going to spank her in here…was he? There was no room! The bathroom wasn't small by any means, but there was also only so much space. Her upper body would have to hang over and into the tub—And where would her legs go? They'd hit the sink cabinet for sure!

Jacob looked up at Quinn. The girl was taller than him now, though just barely. He'd done that on purpose, so they'd be more at eye-level and the girl wouldn't feel so on edge. He wasn't sure it worked, but it was the best he could do. They needed to get on with it before Shelby arrived.

"You and I need to have a talk, young lady," he said, and Quinn whimpered.

Quinn shifted in front of her grandfather, her cheeks coloring as both hands moved to protect her bottom. It sure sounded like he was going to spank her here and now. "I'm sorry!" she offered, hoping for leniency (and not-at-all expecting it).

Jacob didn't miss the way Quinn's hands flew backwards. He didn't remark on it, deciding a bit of apprehension wouldn't harm her. "I don't appreciate what you called Shelby just now. That is your mother, Quinn. And my daughter. I won't have anyone speak so callously to my family—" Jacob watched as Quinn winced, causing a single tear to fall and trickle down her cheek. He could practically hear her worries screaming back at him, that she wasn't part of his family—or wouldn't be, after this mistake. He reached a hand out to cup her chin. It offered needed closeness (while also ensuring the girl couldn't look away). Jacob then stared deep into misty hazel eyes as he made one thing clear. "—including my granddaughter."

Quinn could have sobbed. Her stomach lurched as her grandfather scolded her, telling her he wouldn't allow anyone to hurt his family—with added emphasis! She worried he wouldn't see her as part of that anymore. Not after what she'd done. Then he forced her to look at him while he made clear that she was his granddaughter. That made her stomach hurt in an entirely different way.

"I–I didn't mean it," the girl said, her voice quivering.

"I believe you," Jacob reassured her, not missing the relief that flashed across her features. "That doesn't make it any better, I'm afraid. That's an awful thing to say to someone when you do mean it, Quinn. To say it anyway…I'd say that's worse—wouldn't you?"

More tears spilled from long lashes and splashed down flushed cheeks. "Yes, sir," Quinn sniffled. "I d–don't know why I said it!"

Jacob's hand moved to the teenager's cheek now, cupping it as the pad of his thumb brushed away her tears. "Because you're angry and have a million other emotions coursing through that body of yours. It's hard being a teenager, honey, I know. I don't have an issue with letting you be gruff and angry. My problem comes when you direct that anger at and to someone, like you did Mama."

"I'm sorry!" Quinn cried.

"I know," Jacob said with a sigh. "But this isn't something I'm going to let go with a simple talking-to."

Quinn's face paled. This was it. "Y–Yes, sir," she answered—she knew she deserved it. She couldn't help the pleading eyes that met Zayde's, though, as she beseeched him. "Please don't spank me in here. There's not enough room."

Jacob chuckled then, and shook his head fondly. "I'm not gonna spank you, Quinnie," he told the girl. Her eyes, if possible, grew even wider. "I'll let your mama take care of that," he added, and Quinn's face turned scarlet. He eased the child back several steps and then stood himself. "I am going to wash your mouth out—thoroughly—however."

Quinn gasped, her stomach dropping the same way it did on a roller coaster. She was left breathless as Zayde took a gentle hold of her elbow and drew her to the sink.

While it had been some time since Jacob Corcoran had administered a mouth soaping, he remembered all of the steps. With the miscreant left standing at the sink, Jacob turned to the linen closet behind them and retrieved a washcloth, as well as a fresh bar of Irish Spring. Returning to Quinn's side, he turned the tap on, making sure the water was cool. He ignored the girl's pleading face as he lathered the soap and then the rag.

Quinn whimpered as Zayde turned the water off and then reached for her. She'd never had her mouth washed out before, and while the smell of the soap was pleasant to her nose, she knew it would be hell on her tongue. She couldn't help but shake as Zayde took hold of her chin, tilting her face up in order for him to see clearly.

"Open up, Quinn," the man ordered. Quinn was too upset to disobey. Jacob schooled his features into a stern mask—he'd forgotten how hard it was to go through with this with big, tearful eyes pleading with him—and brought the washcloth to Quinn's lips. "Breathe through your mouth, honey. It'll make it a little easier," was all he said before he began his task.

Quinn sputtered and tried to step away as the acrid taste assaulted her senses. Zayde's left hand moved to the back of her neck, drawing her closer, while his right continued to scrub at her tongue and teeth. She gagged as the washcloth pushed further into her mouth to get at her molars.

"This is the second time you've called someone a bitch today in my presence." Jacob sudsed up the roof of Quinn's mouth for her and watched as her eyes widened at his news. "Now, I was willing to ignore it when you'd muttered it after your coach walked away because, well…I tend to agree with you there. And it certainly helped that you hadn't said it directly to her—" His washcloth scrubbed at the insides of her cheeks now.

"The rules are different when it comes to your mother. You don't get to disrespect her that way, not ever, but especially not in front of me. And let's be clear, young lady—I'd be having this conversation with you even if your mama hadn't heard what you'd said. Because she doesn't deserve that treatment from her child."

"Aaaay–deeee!" Quinn cried. This ordeal was awful, and felt like it was going on forever. Quinn's sinuses burned and she was sure she'd never get the taste of that horrid soap out of her mouth! But it was her grandfather's lecture, given in his usual, warm baritone, that was the hardest to take. "Eease! I'm aw–wrry! Aww–wrrryyy!" Her words were garbled. She wasn't sure the man could even understand her, but she had to try.

This was worse than Jacob remembered. Quinn's tears and pitiful wails stabbed the grandfather's heart. He had intended to scrub the girl's mouth for a solid minute, knowing that would feel an eternity to the child. He'd made it to 47 seconds and removed the cloth—she still had to answer to Shelby, after all.

Quinn was a mess, her face covered in a combination of suds, spit, and tears. She coughed and cried, her hands coming to claw at her tongue. Jacob took pity and opened the medicine cabinet to grab a disposable cup.

"Here. Rinse your mouth," he said in gentle tones, his hand going to rub a shuddering back as Quinn hung her head over the sink.

"I'm sorrrryyy!" Quinn sputtered and spit. She'd long since abandoned the little Dixie cup, opting to put her mouth directly under the faucet and the steady stream of cool water. Nothing was working to minimize the taste of the soap. If anything, the water made it worse.

"I know. I know, child. Easy now, Quinnie. That's it, deep breaths now." Jacob coaxed her through her tears, and when the girl had calmed enough, he helped her to stand. Taking his handkerchief from his breast pocket, Jacob cleaned and dried Quinn's face. He then folded the fabric and returned it to his pocket before pulling Quinn into a tight embrace.

Quinn buried her face into the man's flannel shirt, breathing in the smell of his cologne. She clung to him like her life depended on it. "I'm so sorry, Zayde," she said, her words muffled against his shirt.

"I know you are, sweetheart. It's alright now. It's all done," Jacob soothed, running his hand up and down the girl's back.

Quinn shook her head as more tears welled in her eyes. "What if Mama doesn't for–forgive me?" she wailed. "I didn't mean it, I swear! But what if she d–doesn't believe me?"

Jacob leant down and kissed a blonde crown. "Oh honey," he sighed. "Mama will forgive you. She already has, if I know my Shelby." Quinn's head lifted and she searched his face with tentative eyes. Jacob offered her a kind smile as he let his hands go to her face, cradling her head between them.

"Will she still be upset and disappointed at what you said to her? Probably. Will she take you home and tan your backside good and hard for you? I can almost guarantee it—" At this, Quinn blushed and tried to wriggle free from his grasp. He shook his head and ducked down closer to her level. "But I promise you, Lucy Quinn, your mama has already forgiven you."

It was 6:15 when Shelby pulled into her father's driveway and parked behind his Ford Ranger. She cut the engine and then grabbed the big paper bag filled with Chinese food. Her stomach rumbled as the delicious smells wafted from her arms as she hurried up the walkway to the front door. Her father opened the door before she could knock, and he and Beth greeted her with big smiles.

"Hi, Dad. I brought dinner for all of us," Shelby said as she stepped past the man and into the warmth of the house.

"Here, I'll trade you," Jacob said, holding his free hand out for the take-away. He then passed Beth over to her mother.

Beth cooed and squealed, happy to see her mama, and Shelby pulled the baby in close and kissed her cheek. "Hi, sweetheart. Have you been good for Zayde?"

"She got a bit of a late nap in," Jacob answered. "But she's been good as gold."

Shelby's eyes scanned the living room for her oldest daughter as she moved further inside. "And Quinn?" She was almost afraid to ask.

The last thing she'd heard from her blonde teenager had been spiteful words said in anger. Shelby had been shocked, hurt…even livid. She'd had time to process her emotions and had calmed down since then. Now she was just tired.

"Quinn is also having a late nap. She's been asleep in your room for about twenty minutes or so," Jacob answered. Then his face fell and he rolled his lips inward as he looked down. He let out a puff of air and met his daughter's eyes once more. "I washed her mouth out for what she said to you. There were lots of tears and apologies. And she's worried about what you will say—the usual worries, you know. She asked to lay down and was out by the time I checked on her a few minutes later," he explained.

Shelby winced, flashbacks of her own mouth washings coming back to her. They had never been pleasant. Her dad looked just as torn up over it as Shelby felt—it wasn't easy having to dish out discipline. "I'm sorry, Dad," she said.

Jacob chuckled and stepped forward to place a kiss on Shelby's head. "I dunno what you're sorry for," he teased with twinkling eyes as he motioned for Shelby to follow him into the kitchen, "You didn't act up."

Shelby laughed too and rolled her eyes, trailing after her father. "No, but you didn't sign up for a moody teenager when you agreed to pick Quinn up from school today. That girl has really had A Day…I'm sorry you had to punish her."

"That she has," Jacob agreed, setting the take-away bag on the counter. He then turned and leaned against the edge of it as he met Shelby's eyes. "I may not have been expecting the attitude today, but I did sign up for any and all versions of Quinn. She's just as much my grandchild as Beth or Rachel, and I'm here for all of it…Even when I have to step in and correct her."

The suddenness of Shelby's tears took the woman by surprise and she sniffled and wiped at her face with the hand not holding Beth. "Thank you, Daddy. I–I don't know what I'd do without you," Shelby cried.

Jacob scooped Beth out of Shelby's arms and placed the baby into her high chair at the kitchen table. He grabbed the box of Cheerios he'd set on the table earlier and plucked out a small handful, sprinkling the cereal on Beth's tray for her. He then brought Shelby into a hug, rubbing her back the same way he had Quinn's forty minutes ago.

When she'd calmed, Jacob pulled back and wiped her tears out of habit. Shelby gave a watery laugh and stepped away, finishing the job herself.

"Thanks, Dad. I…I guess I should go wake her up, now." Shelby turned to leave, but Jacob stopped her.

"A few more minutes won't hurt her," he said. "Quinn's afraid that you're not going to forgive her. I told her you already had, but she's scared. I just…I wanted you to know that so you can address it with her."

Shelby sighed, her heart aching at the pain Quinn carried around with her all the time. She wished it was easier to get the girl to believe that she was loved unconditionally. That was a work in progress, however, and would take more than the handful of months she'd been with Shelby to really seep in. "Thanks for telling me. I will."

"Oh, and Shel? She was jealous about you picking up Rachel today. Maybe I can keep Beth tonight…give you and her some time together? I think she needs to have you to herself for a bit—especially after the talk you plan to have with her."

Shelby nodded. "You really are the best, Dad."

"Quinnie. Quinn. Wake up, honey," a familiar voice called from…somewhere. Quinn felt like she was floating. A comforting weight settled on her back, grounding her, before it began to rub in soothing circles. "Dinner's ready, baby. C'mon. Get up." The weight traveled down to her bottom and patted.

Shelby smiled at the adorable sight of Quinn yawning and rubbing her eyes as she came up from dreamland. The messy blonde head shifted against the pillow and then a sleepy gaze fell on Shelby's face. Those eyes grew alert immediately, and then began to water.

"Mama," Quinn rasped, jolting up. She shifted with nervous energy as she bit at her bottom lip. Her eyes fell to her lap and she waited with baited breath for blistering words to lap at her ears with their fiery, forked tongues. They didn't come, and hazel eyes traveled up her mother's frame with caution until they landed on her face. The anger she expected wasn't there. No, Shelby looked at her just as she always did—with an overwhelming amount of love. Quinn's guilt hit her like a freight train and she burst into tears.

Blinking away her own tears, Shelby moved quickly, scooping Quinn up and onto her lap. Holding the girl close, she began to rock the pair of them in a gentle sway. "Shh, shh, shh," she soothed, her left hand lowering to pat a steady rhythm on Quinn's bottom, the same way she'd do for Beth. "Everything's okay, Quinnie. Shh. Mama's right here now. I'm not going anywhere."

"It's not though!" Quinn cried. "I was awful to you and called you a…a bitch—" The girl whispered the word, shuddering as her mind replayed the resulting punishment she'd suffered not long enough ago. The bitter aftertaste of the soap she'd all-but forgotten in her sleep returned full-force now, and Quinn took in a sharp breath, fighting down the urge to gag. "I didn't even mean it and that m–makes it worse! I'm sorry, Mama! 'M so sorry for what I said and how I—I treated you. You didn't deserve that!"

Shelby rolled her lips up and in as she brushed hair back from Quinn's face. She needed that moment to consider her words. "You're right. I didn't," she said, her tone gentle. It still made Quinn wince.

"I'm sorry!" Quinn whimpered, hanging her head.

Shelby sighed and reached out to tilt Quinn's chin up. Big, fat tears slipped past long lashes in swift currents, cascading down sleep-lined cheeks. Shelby held the girl's gaze. "I know, sweetheart—I can see how sorry you are. And I know you didn't mean it. I'm not angry, honey."

Quinn's face contorted in a mixture of disbelief and frustration. "You should be! You should be furious with me and yell and—"

Shelby shook her head and regarded her child with calm eyes. "When have I ever been furious with you? Hmm? Or yelled at you?" The teenager's face flushed and she looked appropriately abashed. Shelby smiled and leaned in to place a kiss to Quinn's forehead. "I was angry at first, sure. I had time to calm down on my drive over—and it helps that you recognize how hurtful your words were and aren't still giving me the attitude from before. We will talk about all of this when we get home tonight. For now, just know that I forgive you and love you and we will get through this."

Quinn's chin quivered and her tears turned to full-blown sobs. She buried her face in the crook of her mother's neck, soaking up all of the love and security the woman was willing to give. The crushing, vice-like grip around her heart lessened, and she could breathe easier, knowing she was forgiven. There were plenty more worries vying for top-spot now that the worst one was settled, but for now, she focused on the positive.

Dinner had been a solemn affair. Quinn picked at her food, too worried about what was in store for her when Shelby got her home to have any sort of appetite. Neither adult said anything; Zayde simply packed it away in its own separate Tupperware container and set it in the bag with the rest of the leftovers leaving with them. Afterwards, Quinn had cleaned the dinner dishes without prompting while Shelby took some time with Beth.

"And you're sure you're okay keeping her tonight, Dad?" Shelby asked for the third time. "She's wide awake. She's not going to be as easy to get to sleep," she cautioned.

"Don't you worry, Shelly. Me and Beth will be just fine—won't we, Bethie?" Jacob kissed his daughter's head, then his granddaughter's.

"Wait…Beth is staying here tonight?" Quinn asked as she walked into the living room to join them.

The adults turned to face the teen and Beth reached grabby little hands out towards Quinn, babbling all-the-while. Shelby offered the baby to her teenager. "Zayde offered to have Beth stay so you and I can have some time alone together," she explained.

Quinn flushed crimson and focused on Beth's bright eyes instead of the ones belonging to the grown-ups. Zayde was keeping Beth so Shelby wouldn't have to worry about juggling the baby and reddening Quinn's backside.

Shelby ran a hand down Quinn's arm, giving the girl a sympathetic look she did not see. "Hey honey? Do you mind changing Beth for me real quick? And then we'll get out of here, yeah?" Quinn nodded and hurried off, glad for the escape. Shelby watched her go and then turned back to her dad.

"Hey Dad…you wouldn't still happen to have, uh…Mom's old spoon, would you?" The woman's stomach lurched as her mind scrounged up the handful of memories she had of that particular item. She felt her face heat as she flicked her eyes up to meet her father's.

"It's still in the same place it always was," Jacob answered. "You can go grab it."

Shelby's mouth went dry and she nodded. She suddenly felt Quinn's age again as she headed off to her dad's bedroom. The room hadn't changed much in all these years, and her mother's presence could still be felt even seventeen years on from her passing. The everyday things—Sally's hairbrush and favorite perfume, her jewelry box still open with a necklace half-hanging out of it—were all as her mother had left them. And sure enough, when Shelby opened the leftmost drawer of her mother's dresser, there was the big, sturdy spoon Sally had kept for one purpose only.

Shelby hesitated when reaching for it, a dozen different worries assaulting her. She could just shut the drawer and turn and leave. Nothing was stopping her…except for that persistent little prodding at the back of her mind. Her own words drifted up from the sea of second guessings, a promise she had made not long ago.

'I hope this is enough of a reminder to you to choose your words more carefully and be respectful when speaking to others. Because if it isn't, the next time I hear of you cursing at someone or speaking the way you did to Zayde, I promise you, Lucy, I will paddle your bare bottom with a wooden spoon. Is that clear?'

Shelby hadn't broken a promise to Quinn yet. Was she really about to start now?

"Oh, Mama…I wish you were here," Shelby whispered, then reached into the drawer.