Daria looked at the clock on the microwave. It was getting later in the morning. They really needed to get moving.
Daria shouted down the hall.
換uinn, would you please hurry up. We have reservations for lunch and the Grands are expecting us to be there on time.?/p>
Quinn came out of her room wearing a pink dress.
揝orry, I couldn抰 decide what to wear. I have to look special today you know.?/p>
揓ust like her mother.?Daria thought.
As they got into the car, Daria carefully put the flowers in the back seat so they would not be damaged. Looking up for a second, she saw Quinn buckling herself into the front seat.
換uinn. Did you get the cards you made??Daria asked.
She reached into her purse, pulled out two small pieces of folded paper and showed them to Daria.
揧es. They抮e right here.?/p>
The drive was normal. They didn抰 speak very much but that was nothing odd. Daria had never been a chatterbox and while her sister had always had something to say her daughter had obviously inherited a few traits from her Dad. Finally Quinn spoke.
揝o where are we going to eat??/p>
揂 place called the Carlton. It's Grandma抯 favorite restaurant. She used to eat there a good bit when we first moved to Lawndale. I believe she called it 態(tài)riefs and Bagels??/p>
Quinn turned to look at her aunt. 揥hat do they serve there??she asked.
揕ots of stuff.?Daria said.
揇o you think they have grilled cheese sandwiches??/p>
Daria shook her head and thought. 揥e抮e eating at a five-star restaurant and she wants something even I can make.?Out loud, she said, 揑抦 sure they do but they抣l probably have other things you might want to try. Just wait until we get there and you can look at the menu. Okay??/p>
揙kay.?/p>
Quinn turned around and looked in the back seat.
揇o you think Grandma will like the flowers??/p>
揑抦 sure she will.?/p>
When they got to their first destination, Quinn was the first one out of the car. She raced ahead of Daria. As she got about halfway down the path, she turned around to see her aunt just getting out.
揂.D.? Aren't you coming??/p>
Daria looked at her.
揧es. I抣l be there in a second. I just need to get something. You go on ahead.?/p>
揙kay.?/p>
With that, Quinn continued on her way.
When Daria got what she was looking for she turned to see Quinn sitting there telling all about what had happened in her life since the last visit. What she had done with A.D., how school was going, and all the adventures she had shared with her friends. Daria watched this with amusement. It was nice when she could share her life with her family.
As Daria approached the scene, Quinn stood up and ran toward her. When Quinn was next to her, Daria looked down at her niece. 揝o did you do everything you wanted??she asked.
Quinn looked back at her with a smile.
揝ure did. Are you ready to go??/p>
揘ot just yet. Why don抰 you go ahead and get buckled in? I抣l be there in a minute.?/p>
As Quinn ran toward the car Daria walked to the grave. When she reached the headstone she turned to look at her niece getting in the car and smiled. Turning to face the marker, she leaned over and put a single pink rose on top of the card Quinn had left.
As she turned to leave, she stopped for a moment to look at the grave one more time.
揟hanks sis. Happy Mother抯 Day.?/p>
When she got back into the car, Quinn was all buckled in. After she started the car Daria heard a noise that made her cringe. She turned to look at Quinn.
揧ou didn抰.?/p>
Quinn looked up at her aunt with a smirk that completely betrayed any attempt to feign innocence. This was a game they had played many times so she didn抰 even try to hide what she had done.
As Daria pressed the stop button she looked at Quinn with great irritation.
揑抳e told you more times than I care to think about. If you want to listen to this stuff bring your player and headphones. Otherwise leave it in your room.?/p>
Quinn rolled her eyes, sighed and said, 揙kay.?/p>
As a rule, the pair traveled pretty well together but there was always one point where the journey was prone to break down, the choice of traveling music. Quinn liked stuff geared to her own age while Daria naturally was nauseated by the crap the music companies tried to force on girls her age. Quinn of course couldn抰 stand the stuff her aunt preferred to listen to. The usual solution was either Quinn brought her player along or they just listened to news. Today they went with option three, no radio at all.
The remainder of the drive into Lawndale was pretty quiet with just the occasional recognition of something unusual on the side of the road. Just outside the city limits, the drive became anything other than routine when a truck suddenly entered the highway from a side road and cut in front of the car. Daria slammed on the brakes and swerved.
As the car screeched to a halt in the center median of the highway Daria felt something wet strike her in the back of her head. It didn抰 hurt but it didn抰 feel good either. Immediately she turned to look at Quinn.
揂re you okay??/p>
Quinn was shaken but otherwise seemed fine. To her it seemed A.D. was more upset than she was. Quinn nodded to let A.D. know she was fine.
揧es.?/p>
After putting the car into park, Daria stopped to collect her thoughts. The close call left her pretty shaken up. It was a situation very much like this that brought Quinn into her life. While she had been home with a sitter the night she lost her parents, it bothered to think Daria that this might bring back bad memories for her. She turned to look at Quinn again to see how she was doing. When she looked, she was surprised to see her niece turned around staring at the back seat.
換uinn? What are you doing??Daria asked.
揓ust looking at the flowers.?/p>
揥hat do you mean??/p>
揟hey抮e all over the back of the car.?/p>
Daria turned around. Sure enough the force of stopping the car so suddenly had knocked the vase off the back seat and scattered the arrangement all over the rear of the car. Daria figured that was what she felt on the back of her head. Reaching up, she felt her hair. There was something there. Grabbing it, she pulled it out of her hair and looked at it. Sure enough it was a leaf from one of the stems.
揇ammit.?she thought as she reached down to straighten the vase. 揑 had to custom order this one too.?/p>
Quinn looked at her aunt. She could see A.D. was upset but she wasn抰 sure if it was about the truck or the flowers.
揂.D.??/p>
揧es Quinn??/p>
揂re you mad??/p>
Daria stopped for a second. The distraction of the flowers had made her forget about Quinn. She turned back around in her seat and leaned her head back.
Sighing, Daria said, 揘o. I抦 not mad. I抦 just upset. That jerk almost made us crash and the flowers we got for Grandma are ruined. It just seems no Mother抯 Day goes right.?/p>
She straightened her head and turned to look at Quinn.
揂re you really okay??/p>
Quinn looked back at her aunt. She didn抰 know why she asked that again. She had already said so but to reassure her she抎 let her know again.
揧es I'm fine but don抰 you think we should be getting to the Grands??
It was then Daria realized they were parked on the left side of the highway. That was just as dangerous as what the idiot who helped them get there had done. She fastened her seat belt, started the car and pulled back on the road. As she got back to speed she spoke up.
換uinn. Do me a favor and don抰 mention this to the Grands okay??/p>
Quinn looked out the window for a second then back at her aunt.
揧ou want me to lie??/p>
揘o. We抣l tell them, just not today. It抯 Grandma抯 special day. We don抰 want to ruin it with bad stories. Do you understand??/p>
Nodding, Quinn said. 揧es.?/p>
The remainder of the trip was uneventful and in short order they were in front of the Grand抯 house. Once more Quinn was the first out of the car. Almost as if on cue, the front door opened the moment she stepped onto the porch. In an instant she was hugging her grandmother.
揌i Grandma. Happy Mother抯 Day.?/p>
Helen released her granddaughter and looked at her.
揟hanks Sweetheart. Each time I see you you get prettier.?
As she looked at Quinn, Helen became distracted by Daria who was still at her car. She had opened the back door and was doing something but she couldn抰 make out what.
Turning her attention for her granddaughter to her daughter, Helen asked, 揇aria? Is everything alright??/p>
Daria stood up and turned around.
揧es Mom. I just have to clean up a little mess. I抣l be there in a minute. You two go on in.?/p>
As the pair went inside, Daria returned to trying to at least get the biggest part of the mess cleaned up. Grabbing the ruined stems and cramming them into the vase she was getting more and more upset. Without knowing it she suddenly started uttering 揇ammit, Dammit, Dammit...?/p>
A few minutes later, a more composed Daria entered the house with a very sad looking arrangement of flowers. Helen saw her face with that defeated look she knew so well. She knew something had happened, but what?
揇aria? Is everything okay??Helen asked.
揘ot really.?Daria said. 揥e got these for you but as you can see they didn抰 quite survive the journey. Sorry.?/p>
Helen knew this had to be a bad story so she decided she should just avoid it until Daria was ready to share.
揟hat抯 okay honey. These things happen.?/p>
Daria just stood there for a second looking at her mother. Finally, she said, 揢h. I抦 just going to throw this away. I抣l be right back.?/p>
Helen gave her daughter a smile to try to reassure her things were okay. 揥ell save the vase. I can use it. It抯 very pretty.?She said.
揑 guess it wasn抰 a total loss then.?Daria thought.
As she entered the kitchen, Daria saw Jake sitting at the table. As usual, he was working on the Sunday edition of the paper. He never even noticed her as she walked past him and out the back door. A minute later she came back in, placed the vase on the table, and sat down.
揌i Dad.?/p>
Jake put the paper down and looked at her daughter.
揙h Hi Daria. Nice vase. You get that for Helen??/p>
Daria gave a brief smile and thought, 揝till playing the clueless game. That抯 Dad.?
She turned to look at him. 揧ou might say that.?she said.
揟hat抯 great.?Jake said. 揧ou want part of the paper??he asked.
Figuring it might help her forget the events from earlier, she sat down and started reading the arts section. Eventually Helen and Quinn entered the kitchen. Upon seeing pair sitting at the table Helen smiled.
揥ell it抯 nice to see some things never change.?/p>
Daria put down the paper.
揙h sorry. We got occupied.?/p>
揙f course.?Helen said. She had to deal with this for so long she knew there was no reason to get upset. In fact she would have been more shocked if they hadn抰 been sitting at the table reading.
揑 hate to interrupt but it抯 getting pretty close to the reservation time. Don抰 you think we should get going??/p>
Daria looked at the clock. Only then did she realize they had been there for almost an hour.
揧es. I hope you don抰 mind, but my car is still a little messed up.?Daria said. 揅an we go in yours??/p>
揙f course.?Helen said.
Daria stood up and put her hand on Jake抯 shoulder.
揇ad.?/p>
Jake out the paper down and looked up at his daughter, 揧es.?he said.
揥e抮e ready to go.?/p>
揋reat.?/p>
Jake stood up and started heading toward the door. Helen stopped him before he could get outside.
揓ake. Leave the paper here.?/p>
Tossing the folded newspaper on the table, Jake bent his head. 揂ww.?/p>
Daria whispered in his ear. 揇on抰 worry. It抣l be here when we get back.?/p>
As the four went out to get in the car Helen gave Daria the keys. 揝weetie, Do you mind driving??/p>
Daria got in the car. Quinn and Helen took the back seat and Jake sat next to her. Once everyone had buckled in, Daria started the car and backed into the street. When she started down the road Jake spoke up.
揢h Kiddo. Why aren抰 we in your car??/p>
The drive to the Carlton was pretty short. When they got there, Daria parked and they went into the restaurant. Their timing was pretty good and they were seated quickly.
The Carlton prided itself on its service as much as the quality of its food. As soon as they were seated, a waiter came over and offered them a menu. Everyone looked at the menu but it was pretty useless. They had all made up their mind. Every time they came here they ordered the same thing and Quinn saw what she wanted on the menu right away. All that was left was for the waiter to return and take their order. When the waiter left with their requests Quinn reached into her purse and pulled out a piece of paper.
揋randma.?/p>
Helen turned her attention to her granddaughter 揧es Quinn??/p>
揑 made this for you.?/p>
Helen took the card and read what Quinn had written.
揙h Sweetheart, this is wonderful. Thank you so much. I love you too.?/p>
Jake took that as his cue. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a tiny wrapped package.
揌elen. I was going to wait until we got home but this looks like the best time.?/p>
Taking it, Helen carefully opened the box. When she saw what it was, he could barely speak from emotion. Finally she managed to say,?揓ake this is wonderful.?/p>
Quinn looked at her.
揥hat is it Grandma??/p>
Helen pulled out the chain and showed it to Quinn. On the end was a small cameo with a silhouette.
Quinn moved in close for a good look. 揟hat抯 pretty.?she said.
Helen showed it to Daria.
揑t抯 beautiful.?Daria said.
Helen looked at Jake. As clueless as he appeared it was these moments that reminded her why she married him.
揟hank you so much. How did you manage it??she asked.
揑 just took that silhouette of you from when you were about Quinn抯 age to the jeweler. He said it would be no problem. The hard part was not telling you for the last three months.?/p>
As Helen put the necklace on, she looked at him and smiled. 揥ell it抯 beautiful. I抣l never take it off.?/p>
This was almost more than Daria could handle. Everyone had the perfect thing and her perfect gift was currently housed in three different locations, the kitchen table, a garbage can and the floorboard of the back seat of her car.
Daria finally spoke.
揢h Mom. I抦 sorry the flowers I got for you were ruined. I抣l make it up to you. I promise.?/p>
Helen looked at her daughter. Even after all these years she was still so insecure at times.
揇on't worry dear.?She said. 揑抦 sure it was an accident. I love the vase but the best gift is seeing you and Quinn. It抯 a treat each time you come home.?/p>
This made Daria feel a little better. Not much better, but her mind was put a little more at ease.
Just then the waiter returned with their orders, three chef抯 salads and one grilled cheese sandwich. Daria looked at Quinn and shook her head. She hoped she would try something different but every time they ate out it was the same thing. As they were preparing to start their meal Jake picked up the small cup with the dressing. Helen grabbed his wrist and looked at him.
揓ake you抳e had your share of that for this week. Put it down.?/p>
Jake put the cup down. 揂ww.?/p>
Daria spoke up. 揌ere try my vinaigrette. It抯 pretty good and isn抰 as bad for you.?/p>
Jake picked up the cup and poured a little on his salad. He saw Helen was occupied with her salad and under his breath uttered, 揑 can抰 wait until Father抯 Day. I'm gonna eat a steak and watch her stop me.?/p>
Daria smiled to herself. Even with the heart attack and the bypass surgery it was tough for her dad to stop wanting those foods that would do him the least good.
As they ate the conversation moved between all the things that had been happening in their lives. Daria hoped the subject of how the flowers got ruined wouldn't come up. As they finished the meal she was relieved that it didn't.
When they left the restaurant, Daria once again drove. As she pulled out of the parking lot Quinn suddenly spoke up.
揟hat抯 the truck! A.D.. That抯 the truck that drove us off the road!?/p>
Helen looked at her daughter and asked, 揇aria. What is Quinn talking about??/p>
She hated to tell but she had no option. She proceeded to relay the information about what had happened. Helen and Jake were shocked but both remained calm. After Daria had finished Helen spoke.
揙h I抦 so sorry. So that抯 how the flowers were ruined. Don抰 worry about that. I抦 just happy that you two are fine.?/p>
Daria looked in the mirror and saw Helen抯 reflection. In spite of her words, she saw the concern in her mom抯 eyes. She knew if Mom heard what had happened she would be upset. After she had already lost one child this way it would be too much to know it had almost happened again. She looked over at Jake. Dad had that look on his face. The therapy had helped a great deal but this looked like it would be one of those times when it was going to fail. She knew he was trying to figure out what he could do. Somehow she needed to calm him down.
揇ad. That wasn抰 the truck.?she said. 揑t just looked like it.?
Looking over at him, she hoped this would work.
He looked back at her. 揂re you sure??he asked.
揧es.?Daria said. She really wasn抰 sure of that but this would hopefully be enough to soothe him.
It seemed to work. A few moments later she heard a calm voice say. 揙kay.?/p>
The rest of the drive home was very quiet. Quinn抯 outburst had made everyone think. The three adults thought about the fact that Quinn was now without her parents and how if anything had been even a little different they might have lost someone else. Quinn on the other hand was thinking about getting back to the Grand抯 house so she could play a little more. She didn抰 understand why everyone was so upset. They were fine and that was that mattered.
When they got to the house, Daria pulled into the garage. As soon as the engine was off, Quinn was out of the car and heading upstairs to her mother's old room. Jake and Helen had turned it into a playroom several years ago when they learned about their daughter being pregnant. For them the room held memories, a few bad but more good. For Quinn it was a fun place with plenty to do.
As the rest entered the house, Helen said she wanted to go upstairs and change. Jake sat back at the table, retrieved his paper and started reading. He looked up at Daria and asked, 揥ant part of the paper??/p>
揘o. I really need to go out and finish cleaning the car before it gets too bad.?/p>
Turning his attention to the paper, Jake said, 揙kay. I抣l be here if you need me.?/p>
With that, Jake went back to reading and Daria went outside.
Upstairs, Quinn was occupied with a puzzle when she heard something strange. Getting up, she went toward the noise. Looking into the Grand抯 bedroom she saw her Grandma sitting on the edge of the bed crying.
揋randma??/p>
Helen looked up. Seeing Quinn, she tried to regain her composure.
揧es Sweetheart??/p>
揂re you okay??Quinn asked.
揑'm fine dear.?/p>
揟hen why are you crying??/p>
Helen looked at Quinn. She had grown so much. Every time she saw her, she looked more like her mother. Helen decided she should begin treating her older.
揑 miss your mother.?she said.
Quinn walked over to Helen sat next to her.
Looking up at her grandma, Quinn said, 揑 miss her too. But why are you crying??/p>
Helen put her arm around Quinn.
揑t抯 just you remind me of her so much. I love you and never want to see anything happen to you.?/p>
Quinn wasn抰 sure what Grandma was talking about. She sat there for a second. After a little time had passed she thought she might know what Grandma had meant.
揑s this because of the truck??she asked.
Helen was shocked. How could an eleven year old figure that out so fast?
揧es.?/p>
Quinn smiled. 揇on't be sad.?she said. 揥e抮e fine.?/p>
揃ut it could have been so different. I mean it抯 how...?/p>
She suddenly stopped talking. Helen realized she was about to say the wrong thing. She didn抰 want to bring up the past. Before she could change the subject Quinn said, 揗om and Dad died??/p>
Helen bowed her head.
揧es.?/p>
Quinn moved closer to her grandma. Helen wrapped her arm around her even tighter.
揑 know they died in a car wreck but I was with A.D.?Quinn said. 揝he won抰 let anything happen to me.?/p>
Helen smiled at hearing that.
揝he takes good care of you doesn抰 she??/p>
Quinn smiled. 揝he抯 great.?/p>
揝o have you done anything for her today??Helen asked.
揌uh??/p>
Helen repeated the question. 揇id you do anything for her today??/p>
揑 don抰 understand.?/p>
Helen looked at Quinn and smiled.
揥ell it抯 a special day. Did you do anything to let her know how you feel??/p>
Quinn shook her head. 揘o.?/p>
揥hy not??/p>
Quinn thought for a second.
揑 guess I never thought about it that way.?she said. 揑 mean it抯 called Mother抯 Day, not Aunt抯 Day."
揂 child抯 logic.?Helen thought.?Looking at Quinn, she asked, 揥ell doesn抰 she take care of you??/p>
揧es.?/p>
揇oes she do a good job??Helen asked.
揧es.?/p>
揟hen don抰 you think you should do something to let her know how you feel??/p>
Quinn had never considered that. She had been living with A.D for a few years and things were nice there. She did take good care of her and made sure she was always around when she needed her.
Looking at her grandma, Quinn asked, 揃ut what can I do now. It抯 late.?/p>
Helen smiled.
揟he day isn抰 over yet. Come with me.?/p>
Getting up, Helen took Quinn抯 hand and the two went down the hallway to the playroom.
Downstairs, Daria had finished cleaning the car and was once again sitting with Jake and reading the paper. When she got started doing this she always lost track of time. Eventually she looked up and saw the clock. It was getting late, She and Quinn needed to get going. The drive back would take three hours and tomorrow was a school day. Daria got up and went into the living room. When she got there she saw Helen and Quinn sitting on the couch watching television.
Daria spoke up.
揌ey?/p>
Helen turned to look at her.
揧es??/p>
揑 hate to interrupt but it抯 getting pretty late and we need to start back.?/p>
揙kay.?/p>
Daria looked at Quinn.
換uinn get your things. We need to get going.?/p>
Quinn got up and went upstairs.
Daria watched her.
揥here are you going??she asked.
Quinn yelled down the stairs. 揑 left something up here.?/p>
揙kay. Just don抰 take too long.?/p>
Helen got up and the pair went into the kitchen. Jake was sitting in the chair sound asleep. Daria put her hand on his shoulder.
揇ad??/p>
Jake woke up. Yawning, he looked at Daria.
揧es.?/p>
揥e have to leave.?/p>
Stretching, Jake said, 揙kay.?and started to get up.
All three walked to the door. When they got there, Quinn was waiting for them. Daria looked at her.
揇id you get everything??/p>
Quinn nodded.
揧es.?/p>
揙kay. Well we better get going then.?/p>
Helen leaned over to hug Quinn. 揑t was great you could come today. Thank you.?quot;
While Quinn was hugging Jake goodbye Helen and Daria walked out to the car. When they got to the vehicle, Daria reached out and hugged Helen. As they were in the embrace Daria whispered in her ear. 揑 love you.?Helen didn抰 react. After all these years she knew her daughter very well and realized this was as far as it should go. Soon Quinn was next to them.
揥ell are we going to go??/p>
Daria looked at her.
揧es. Get in and buckle up.?She looked at Helen, and said, 揥hen we get back I抣l call to let you know we made it okay.?/p>
After the events of earlier today, Helen would be happy to hear that call. 揟hanks dear.?she said. 揑抎 appreciate that. It抯 getting dark so please drive carefully.?/p>
揑 will. Bye.?/p>
Daria got in the car and fastened her belt. As she drove off she and Quinn waved goodbye.
After they got out of Lawndale and were on the highway Daria asked Quinn. 揝o did you and Grandma have a good visit??/p>
There was no reply.
換uinn??/p>
After a second she turned to get a quick look at Quinn. She was sound asleep. Apparently it had been a busier day for her niece than she had thought.
揗ay as well make the most of this.?Daria thought.
Pressing a few keys, she brought her favorite selections up on the radio. Carefully she adjusted the volume so it wouldn抰 be too loud and not wake Quinn. For the rest of the trip home she listened to the radio.
When they got back to the house, Daria woke Quinn and they went inside. As they got ready for bed Daria heard Quinn making a lot of noise. Getting up, she went to Quinn抯 room. When she got to the door she saw Quinn digging through all the things she had brought in.
換uinn? Is everything okay??/p>
揑 can抰 find something.?Quinn said.
揥hat??Daria asked.
揝omething special.?/p>
揥hat is it??/p>
揂n envelope.?/p>
Trying to be helpful, Daria asked, 揇o you think you left it at the Grand抯??/p>
Quinn shook her head.
揘o. That抯 why I went upstairs. I wanted to get it.?/p>
Daria made another suggestion. 揥ell perhaps it抯 in the car.?/p>
揟hat抯 it. I remember putting it in the map pocket of the door. I抣l be right back.?/p>
Daria stopped her. She didn抰 want her going outside in her bedclothes. 揑抣l go get it. You get to bed.?she said.
揙kay. When you get it you can open it.?Quinn said. 揑t抯 for you.?/p>
揙h??/p>
Quinn smiled and nodded. 揧es.?
Daria went out to the car and looked in the door. Sure enough, there was a small envelope. Getting it, she went back inside. After closing the door, she turned on a lamp and opened the envelope. She removed a folded piece of paper. On the outside was a drawing of a woman wearing glasses standing next to a little girl. Opening the card, she read what Quinn had written.
Happy Mother抯
燗ND
燗unt's Day
I Love you A.D.
Quinn
Carefully, Daria put the card back in the envelope and turned off the lamp. Walking to Quinn抯 room she opened the door and looked inside. Quinn had turned off the light and was sleeping. Daria walked over to the bed, leaned over and kissed her niece on the forehead.
As A.D. closed the door, Quinn smiled.
The End
As always, Daria belongs to MTV. This was written for my amusement only.