Road Trip
When Stan opened the front door, he saw Jane dressed in her trademark red jacket. 揌ey Jane.?he said. 揅ome on in. Daria will be ready in a second.?/p>
揟hanks.?Jane said and went into the living room and sat down on the sofa. Stan shut the door and looked at her.
揙ne sec. I抣l see what抯 holding her up.?/p>
Jane nodded and picked up a magazine to wait. She figured this would be the case. When they were younger she was the one who made Daria wait. Now as they got older it seemed that they were trading places. Almost every time they went somewhere together now Jane was on time and Daria was a little behind schedule. A minute later Stan came in from the hallway.
揝he抯 almost ready. She抣l be out in a minute or two.?
Jane smiled. 揘o problem.?she said. 揑 padded the schedule a little just in case this happened. I抳e known her long enough to expect this.?/p>
Stan chuckled.
揑 guess so.?/p>
When Daria came into the living room she saw the pair sitting and chatting away. Each was so involved in the conversation neither noticed her entrance and she was ready to go. Clearing her throat, she said, 揂re you ready to go Jane??/p>
Jane turned to see Daria standing with her arms crossed.
揧ea. Let抯 get moving. I want to get there early enough to find a decent parking space.?/p>
Jane and Stan got up and all three went to the front door. Jane opened the door and proceeded to go out. Before Daria left the house she turned to her husband and gave him a quick kiss. 揑抣l call you when we get there.?she said.
Stan nodded.
揙kay. Have a good time and hug Quinn for me.?/p>
揑 will.?
Jane stopped halfway down the walk and waited for Daria to catch up. She really wanted to see Daria抯 reaction when she saw the new car. Daria finally showed up. 揙kay. Let抯 go.?Daria said. 揝o where抯 this surprise you wanted to show me??/p>
Jane gave Daria a grin and pointed to the driveway. 揜ight there.?she said.
When Daria saw the car parked on the pad she couldn抰 believe it. This was not Jane, or at least not the Jane she knew.
揥ow.?she said. 揑 can抰 believe it. What made you, the queen of the minivan, buy a convertible? A red one at that.?/p>
Jane smiled.
揥ho said men are the only ones allowed to have a mid-life crisis? Plus the girls can get themselves where they need to go now. The taxi service is shut down.?/p>
As they walked to the car Daria shrugged. 揑f you say so. Let抯 get going.?/p>
揙kay. But I抦 driving.?Jane said.
揊ine with me. It抯 your car.?/p>
Daria hoped that sounded sincere. While Jane had a relatively clean driving record it was mainly because she didn抰 get caught very often. When Daria rode with Jane behind the wheel it was almost always a white-knuckle experience. Today she would be spending over five hours in the car with her. She hoped Jane would be a little more careful since she was in a new vehicle.
Daria抯 hopes were quickly dashed when Jane put on her sunglasses, looked at Daria, grinned and said, 揅heck this out.?/p>
Before Daria could think, Jane put the car into reverse, slammed on the gas and shot out into the street. Putting the car into gear, she shouted, 揋et a load of the acceleration in this baby.?/p>
As the car quickly became a red streak, Daria frantically grabbed the safety belt and buckled it in. Luckily they hadn抰 gone too far when Jane encountered a red light and had to stop. As the car stopped moving Jane once more turned to look at Daria, and asked, 揑t this something or what??/p>
After she finally caught her breath, Daria looked at Jane and said. 揑t抯 something alright. Are you going to do this at every intersection? If so we need to go back to the house so I can get Quinn抯 old bicycle helmet.?/p>
Jane laughed.
揇on抰 worry Daria. I抦 done showing off. I抣l behave now.?/p>
Daria slumped down in the seat.
揟hanks. I抎 appreciate that.?/p>
After a few more close calls when Daria questioned whether Jane was lying to her about behaving, the duo finally made it to the highway where Jane could really let the car fly without being a complete risk to other drivers safety. Once Jane made cruising speed Daria finally relaxed and looked at the interior.
揟his is really nice.?she said, 揵ut I still can抰 believe you got it. I figured you for another family wagon.?/p>
揥ell things change.?Jane said. 揕ike I said, the kids are growing up. If they need a ride we can use Roy抯 truck. I wanted something fun this time.?/p>
揑t抯 definitely a change. I hope you enjoy it for a long time, or at least drive slow enough to live and enjoy it for a long time.?/p>
Jane grinned and said, 揙h come on Daria. I don抰 drive that bad. I just don抰 drive like an old woman.?Under her breath she mumbled, 揕ike some people I know.?/p>
Daria gave Jane a mean look.
揂nd what抯 that supposed to mean??/p>
Jane抯 eyes never left the road. She knew that would really push Daria抯 buttons but felt she should play it cool right then.. 揥hat do you mean??she asked.
揧ou know what I mean. Are you saying that just because I don抰 drive like I抦 qualifying at Indianapolis I drive like a scared little old lady??/p>
揝orry Daria. I was just having some fun. You drive just fine. I didn抰 mean to get you upset.?/p>
揥ell okay. I guess I overreacted. Mind if I turn on the radio??/p>
揋o ahead.?Jane said. 揓ust do me a favor and no news please.?/p>
揤ery well.?Daria said and leaned over to start pressing buttons. After a few seconds she finally found a station that both of them liked and left it alone. For the next hour or so the pair rode in silence listening to the music.
As they started losing the station, Daria lowered the volume. 揑 still can抰 believe Lane is a college cheerleader. How did that happen??/p>
揌e was trying to impress a girl.?Jane said. 揝he was trying out for cheerleader so to get close to her he tried out as well.?/p>
揂nd he got selected to be a part of the squad. Did he impress the girl??/p>
Jane smiled.
揘ot really. After he got picked and she was passed over she didn抰 want anything to do with him.?/p>
All Daria said was, 揌mm.?/p>
Jane glanced over at Daria. 揑s that it? I figured the queen of comebacks would have more to say than just 慔mm??/p>
揝orry. I was just wondering how the guys in his old band would react if they saw him jumping around the sidelines in a school sweater and making pyramids.?/p>
Jane couldn抰 help laughing at the mental image.
揧ea I guess you抮e right. At least he had enough sense not to get a tattoo.?/p>
揟hat was his choice??Daria asked. 揑 always figured Roy threatened to kill him if he ever did that.?/p>
Jane shook her head.
揘ope. I think it had more to do with Trent and the suffering he went through when he got that big tattoo removed.?/p>
揧ea. He was in a lot of pain for a while. Wasn抰 he??/p>
揧ea.?Pausing for a second to check the traffic behind her, Jane continued, 揥ell Trent抯 always been an influence on Lane. I mean it was because of him that Lane started a band in the first place. It was because of Trent that he finally decided to quit then band and go to school.?/p>
Daria raised an eyebrow. 揜eally? How??she asked.
揂fter Lane graduated, Trent let him work in the guitar shop to support himself while he gave the band a serious try. After a year he sat Lane down and told him the facts about life as a struggling musician.?/p>
Daria nodded.
揧ea. I remember. Trent took a long time to quit touring.?/p>
揈xactly.?Jane said. 揌e laid out the whole story to Lane and said he should go to school. If he still wanted to be in a band after he graduated he could do so, but he needed his education first.?/p>
揂nd that抯 all it took??Daria asked.
Jane shook her head.
揘ot exactly. He still was out playing but it opened his eyes some. He started looking at the other bands in town and how they were all doing. By spring he figured school might not be a bad idea after all.?/p>
揥ell it seems he took to it pretty fast.?Daria said. 揌e抯 only been there a little while and has already joined the cheerleading squad. I just hope his grades are as important to him as having a good time.?/p>
Jane smiled and said, 揑 don抰 think that will be a big problem. That抯 why he抯 going to the same school as Quinn. We want her around to keep an eye on him.?/p>
揥as that your idea or Roy抯??/p>
揘either.?Jane said. 揂ctually it was Quinn抯?/p>
Daria was genuinely surprised.
揜eally??/p>
揧ep.?/p>
揑 didn抰 know that.?/p>
揑t抯 true. I guess she knows him well enough to know he needs someone around that he trusts who can also light a fire under him to get the job done.?/p>
Daria smiled and nodded.
揥ell they have always been pretty close. I just can抰 believe she never told me about that.?/p>
In a low voice, Jane said, 揟here抯 lots of things she抯 never told you.?/p>
揥hat do you mean by that??/p>
Jane quickly realized that was the wrong thing to say.
揘othing. Forget about it.?/p>
揘o way.?Daria said. 揧ou started this. Now tell me. What did you mean??/p>
Jane shook her head.
揑t抯 nothing. Sometimes you need to tell people things and that person doesn抰 need to be a parent.?/p>
揕ike what??/p>
Jane was getting uneasy. She wondered how she would get out of this. Finally she knew the right thing to say.
揑 can抰 tell you. Remember when we were in high school??/p>
揧es??/p>
揥ell how many times did you have something you wanted to share but didn抰 want to let Jake or Helen know? When that happened where did you go??/p>
Daria understood now. It wasn抰 anything serious. If it were Jane would have guided Quinn to talk to her. In spite of this, Daria couldn抰 let Jane off so easy.
揑 talked to you.?In a low voice, she added, 揗ost of the time.?/p>
Jane抯 eyes suddenly got very large.
揗ost of the time? Who did you talk to other than me??/p>
Daria was satisfied she had succeeded.
揘ever mind. Let抯 just drop it. Okay??/p>
揤ery well.?Getting tired of the conversation, Jane said, 揝ee if you can find another station.?/p>
揋otcha.?
Daria leaned forward and resumed her search for a strong signal.
The next two hours were pretty much quiet. The pair occasionally exchanged small talk about various things in their lives but mostly enjoyed the scenery as they cruised with the top down. Eventually Jane brought up a subject that had started bothering her.
揇aria??/p>
Daria turned her attention from the roadside to her friend and chauffer.
揧es??/p>
揂re you getting hungry??/p>
揑 guess a little.?Daria said. 揑 didn抰 have much breakfast and it抯 past noon.?/p>
揝o do you want to stop somewhere??/p>
揌ow are we doing on time??/p>
Jane glanced at the clock on the dashboard. It showed they were well ahead of schedule. It would be no problem to stop for a meal. 揥e抮e fine.?she said. 揥anna stop at a real restaurant or look for a fast food place??/p>
揕et抯 see if we can find a sit down place.?Daria said. 揑抦 not much in the mood for your standard hamburger and fries.?/p>
Jane nodded in agreement.
揋otcha. We抣l pull over at the next one we see.?/p>
It took several exits to find one that had an eating establishment that wasn抰 part of some national chain. Leaving the interstate Jane pulled into the parking lot. Finding a space was difficult. The lot was filled. Jane figured it was people like her and Daria heading to the game. After finding a space, the pair went inside. The hostess approached them and took their information. After informing them it would be a few minutes before a table would be ready she encouraged them to have a seat.
About ten minutes later the hostess returned and escorted the two to a small booth in the corner. The waitress came over and handed them their menus. The fare was simple so they placed their orders while she was there. After the waitress left, Daria looked around.
揟hey certainly seem popular. The food here must be very good.?/p>
Jane nodded.
揧ea. I抳e driven past this place before but never paid much attention. If the food is good I抣l have to remember to stop here again.?/p>
The two engaged in a little conversation while they waited for the food to arrive. As they sat there a woman came up to the table. Both Daria and Jane turned to look up at her. When she had their attention she spoke.
揢m excuse me.?/p>
揟hat voice sounds familiar.?Daria thought.
揧es??Jane asked.
揇id you two go to Lawndale High??the woman asked.
Both Daria and Jane nodded.
揧es.?Daria said.
The lady smiled. 揑 thought so.?Looking at Daria, she asked, 揧ou抮e Quinn抯 sister aren抰 you??
It was then Daria realized who the woman was. 揧es. Are you Sandi Griffin??/p>
The lady smiled.
揝andi Stone now but yes. I抦 amazed you remembered.?/p>
Both Daria and Jane were in shock. This was definitely something they didn抰 expect. Finally, Daria managed to get a few words out.
揥ell you definitely made an impression on me and my family back then.?/p>
Sandi shut her eyes and shook her head. 揑抦 sorry about that.?she said. 揑 was just a kid. My priorities weren抰 right. I抳e grown a good bit since then.?/p>
Jane smiled and said, 揑t抯 okay. We were all different back then.?Scooting over, Jane patted the bench. 揥ant to sit down??/p>
Sandi smiled back. 揥ell I guess I could take a break.?she said and slid into the booth next to Jane.
Daria was again shocked. 揧ou mean you work here??she asked.
Sandi looked at Daria.
揑n a sense. My husband and I own it.?she said.
Jane turned to look at Sandi.
揧ou mean this is your restaurant? That抯 great.?/p>
Daria interrupted, 揝o how long have you been here??/p>
Sandi turned her attention from Jane back to Daria. 揧ou mean how long have I been in the restaurant business? Almost twenty years, shortly after I got married again.?/p>
The surprises just kept building. Daria looked at her.
揥e wondered what happened to you over the years. After you graduated you seemed to vanish off the face of the earth.?/p>
Sandi got a serious look. 揧ea. When I left Lawndale I put my old life behind me.?she said. 揑 was having a rough time and staying connected to all that wasn抰 doing me any good. Sadly, after leaving I never was able to find my way back.?/p>
揑t抯 okay. That happens to many people. You seem to be doing okay now.?Jane said.
Sandi smiled at Jane.
揟hanks. Breaking with my past was the first step in getting content with my life.?Turning her attention to the two of then she asked, 揝o are you two still in Lawndale.?/p>
揥e are now.?Jane said. 揥e both left but life eventually brought us back there.?/p>
揟hat抯 nice.?Sandi said. Turning her attention to Daria, she asked, 揝o how is Quinn doing??/p>
From the moment Daria knew it was Sandi she feared this question would come up. She had grown to accept the truth but even after all these years she still hated having to recount the information.
揢m Sandi.?/p>
揧es??/p>
揑 hate telling you this but Quinn and her husband were killed almost fifteen years ago.?/p>
A look of genuine sadness suddenly swept across Sandi抯 face. 揙h I抦 so sorry. I had no idea.?/p>
揑t抯 okay.?Daria said. 揑t was an accident that happened a long time ago. I抦 sorry you never found out.?/p>
Sandi was expressionless. Looking at Daria, she asked. 揑f you don抰 mind could you tell me what happened??/p>
Daria really didn抰 want to talk about Quinn抯 death but felt Sandi deserved to know what happened that terrible night. Taking a deep breath she spent the next few minutes recounting what happened. When she finished Sandi smiled and said. 揟hank you. I know it must be difficult to tell the story. I appreciate you telling me.?/p>
Daria nodded.
揟hat抯 fine. We抳e all grown to accept it.?/p>
Sandi then turned to look at Jane.
揝o how are you two doing now??/p>
揥e抮e fine. I抦 married with three children.?Jane then reached into her bag and pulled out her wallet. Opening it, she handed Sandi a photograph. After Sandi took it Jane started pointing. 揟hat抯 my oldest, Lane, The two next to him are Grace and Miranda. The bald one on the end is Roy, my husband.?/p>
揧ou have a nice looking family.?Sandi said, then pointed to a young lady bussing tables. 揟hat抯 Samantha. She抯 my oldest. Edgar, my other one, is in the back with my husband working the grill. If I get a chance I抣l drag them out for a second to say hello.?/p>
Jane smiled. 揟hat would be great.?she said.
Sandi Looked at Daria again and asked, 揝o do you have a family??/p>
揧es.?Daria said. 揑抳e been married for a few years now.?/p>
揟hat抯 nice. Do you have any children??/p>
揓ust one.?Daria said. 換uinn.?/p>
Sandi smiled at that. 揧ou named her after Quinn? That抯 so nice.?she said.
Daria shook her head.
揂ctually no. She抯 Quinn抯 child. After they died I took her in. A few years later I adopted her.?/p>
揟hat抯 wonderful. Do you have a picture??
Daria reached into her pack and removed a small organizer. Opening it, she pulled out a photograph and handed it to Sandi.
揟his is her from last summer. The man next to her is my husband.?/p>
Sandi gasped with astonishment and said, 揝he looks just like her.?/p>
Daria let a bigger than normal smile come through.
揧ea. she抯 a fitting tribute. But she also took after her father in many ways.?/p>
Sandi handed the picture back to Daria.
揥ell it抯 nice to know she turned out so well. It抯 a credit to you for taking the responsibility. I know that can be difficult.?/p>
Daria put the picture back in the folder and stuck it in her pack.
揟hanks.?/p>
Looking back at Jane, Sandi asked, 揝o are you two heading to the game??/p>
揑n a sense?Jane said. 揥e抮e going to the game but the main reason is to see our kids. They hardly ever come home. If we want to see them it抯 up to us to make the effort.?/p>
Sandi laughed. 揑 know what you mean. Samantha is almost nineteen and is getting more independent by the day.?Suddenly she got more serious. 揑抦 just hoping that I can keep her on the right track so the mistakes she makes won抰 be as bad as the ones I made at her age.?/p>
Jane put a reassuring hand on Sandi抯 shoulder.
揑抦 sure you抮e doing a fine job.?Jane said. 揘othing抯 a better teacher than experience. You probably have nothing to worry about.?/p>
Just then, the waitress brought the food to the table. Sandi quickly realized she should get back to work. Getting up she looked at the waitress.
揕eigh. Don抰 bring these two a check. Lunch is on the house. Okay??/p>
Leigh nodded. As Sandi looked at the two, she smiled. 揑t was nice seeing you again.?she said. 揟hank you for letting me know what happened to Quinn. If you抮e ever passing through again please stop by. I would like to talk some more.?/p>
揥e will.?Daria said. 揂nd thank you for lunch.?/p>
揧ea. Thanks.?Jane added.
Sandi reached over and offered her hand to each of them. 揗y pleasure. Bye.?/p>
After Sandi left the two looked at each other in disbelief. They could not believe that was the same person who acted like such a little monster all those years ago. This person was kind and generous. The polar opposite of what the fashion club stood for. Neither said anything. They just stared at each other until the smell off the food redirected their focus.
The food turned out to be excellent. Jane made a mental note to definitely stop there again if they ever came back. Although the meal was no charge, Jane and Daria left Leigh a generous tip. After Sandi instructed her to not bring a check the service had been first class. They felt that she deserved to be rewarded for her efforts.
Leaving, they passed the counter where Sandi was standing. As they opened the door to leave she looked up from the register. 揋oodbye.?she said. 揑t was nice seeing you again.?/p>
Jane nodded in appreciation. Daria turned to look at Sandi.
揝ame here. Thanks for everything.?/p>
When they got back on the highway Jane glanced over at Daria. 揥ell that was interesting.?she said.
揂nd that抯 putting it mildly.?Daria agreed.
The remainder of the trip occurred without incident. When they got to the campus, Daria pulled out the instructions and started giving Jane directions. Because of the crowd there to see the game there were a few times when they were forced to make turns they didn抰 want to but after a few adjustments they finally managed to get to the parking area Quinn suggested.
After putting up the top, Jane pressed the button to activate the security system. After hearing the chirp she went to where Daria was waiting. 揝o you think we can find the dorm okay??she asked.
Daria nodded.
揑t shouldn抰 be a problem. You know as well as I do most campuses are easier to navigate on foot than in a car. Plus Quinn gave me directions how to get there from here.?/p>
Jane gave Daria a big smile and said, 揟hen lead on McDuff.?/p>
Quinn抯 directions were once again dead on and in about ten minutes the pair were in the lobby of the dorm. As the two looked around the crowd both wondered how they would find Quinn. Their worries were soon over when they heard a familiar voice over the noise.
揗om! You made it!?/p>
Looking toward the sound of the voice, Daria saw a familiar pile of red hair negotiating its way their direction. A few seconds later, she was greeted by a pair of arms emerging from the crowd and wrapping themselves tightly around her.
揌i Mom. It抯 good to see you. I抳e missed you.?/p>
Daria returned the hug with equal enthusiasm. 揑t抯 good to see you Quinn. I抳e missed you too.
When they separated Quinn looked over at Jane and said, 揌ey Jane. Nice to see you too.?/p>
Jane chuckled. She knew Quinn was happy to see her but she was definitely second place right now. 揟hanks. Now where抯 my son??she asked.
揚robably rehearsing. He said he would meet you after the game. They don抰 let anyone in while doing a pregame rehearsal.?/p>
Nodding, Jane said, 揙kay.?/p>
Quinn looked back at Daria.
揗om it抯 really crowded here. Why don抰 you and Jane come up to my room? It抯 too early to go to the stadium. We can wait there.?/p>
Both Daria and Jane nodded in agreement. Quinn gestured for them to follow her. She led them through the lobby to a bank of elevators. Once they got to her floor they went down the hall to her room. Entering, they were amazed at what they saw.
揥ow! This is clean.?Jane said.
Daria scanned the room. There was nothing out of place. Even the bed was made. This wasn抰 the same messy girl who shared the house with her. At home it was a constant fight to get her just to pick her clothes up off the floor. This room was spotless. She slowly turned her attention to Quinn.
揑s this normal or did you clean up for us??/p>
Quinn chuckled.
揂 little of both. Nan hates a messy room so it抯 usually pretty clean and I figured I抎 tidy the place up a little more before you got here.?/p>
揥ell if you can clean up here I hope you can remember to do it when you come home this summer.?Daria said.
Quinn rolled her eyes.
揧es Maam.?/p>
Daria suddenly realized she hadn抰 called Stan yet. Reaching into her pack to get the phone, she asked, 揑s there a place where I can use the phone? I promised Stan I抎 call when we got here.?/p>
Quinn shook her head.
揝orry Mom. There抯 no real good place to use your phone here. Just use the phone on the desk. It goes off campus.?/p>
揂re you sure It抯 okay??/p>
Quinn gave her mom one of those 揑t抯 obvious?looks. 揙f course. she said. 揧ou抮e paying the bill anyway.?she said.
Jane bit her lip to keep from laughing.
Daria gave Quinn a nasty look and said, 揂nother comment like that and it抯 coming out of your trust fund.?then picked up the receiver and dialed. A few rings later the machine answered. Daria figured Stan was either outside or had left to take care of something. She left a message saying she was fine and would call him from the hotel that evening. Hanging up, she looked at Quinn. And asked, 揟hat抯 out of the way. So what do you want to do??/p>
Quinn looked at Daria. 揥ell the campus is pretty crowded and the game is in two hours.?she said. 揥hy don抰 we just wait here and visit for a while??/p>
All three looked at each other and nodded in agreement. Quinn gestured for Daria and Jane to take the chairs and she sat on her bed. She soon regretted suggesting they talk. They spent the next hour discussing everything from how Quinn was doing in classes to whether she would ever find a boyfriend. Eventually Quinn had enough grilling and decided it was time to go to the stadium.
Quinn had done a good job and found them tickets near the thirty-yard line. This was the ideal location for Jane to see her oldest son perform. Shortly before the game started Lane appeared with his fellow cheerleaders and started getting the crowd worked up. As they watched him all three were amazed at how good he actually was.
揥ow.?Daria said. 揑 had no idea Lane was that talented.?/p>
揧ea.?Jane agreed. 揑 raised him and I had no idea he could do that. I guess kids will always surprise you.?/p>
Daria continued watching him. 揧ea and he cleans up so well.?she said. 揌e hasn抰 had hair that short since he was ten.?/p>
This comment caught Jane by surprise and she broke down laughing.
They stayed at the stadium through the third quarter but decided to leave early. Their side was losing by enough points that it seemed very unlikely they would catch up. Plus they wanted to get to the rehearsal hall before the crowds started filing out and slowed their progress.
It turned out to be a wasted effort. The door to the hall was locked and the regular security guard, the one who knew Quinn, was not on duty. In spite of their best efforts to enter, they were forced to wait outside until after the game and Lane returned.
About a half hour later the game was over and a few minutes after that Lane appeared with his fellow squad members. Upon seeing Jane he shouted, 揗OM!?and ran over to hug her. As he embraced her, he lifted her in the air and spun her around. This took Jane by so much surprise it took her a second to put her hands on his shoulders and push away.
揑 missed you too Lane but would you please put me down. I抦 getting dizzy.?/p>
Gently, Lane returned his mom抯 feet to the ground. 揝orry. I was just so happy to see you.?he said. Looking up, he saw Daria. 揌ey Mrs. Morgendorffer.?/p>
Daria gave him a small wave.
揌i Lane. You looked good out there.?/p>
Lane smiled.
揟hanks. Look, I need to change. Why don抰 you come in and wait for me. I won抰 be too long.?/p>
揟hat抯 what we tried to do earlier but security wouldn抰 let us in.?Quinn said.
Lane looked at the guard.
揧ea. The regular guy was in the stadium today. Sorry about that. Well come on in. They won抰 block you now.?/p>
As they went into the building, Jane turned to look at her son. 揝o where did you learn to do all those acrobatics??she asked.
The three women sat in the waiting area. About fifteen minutes later a showered and changed Lane emerged. Looking at the trio, he said. 揥ell I抦 ready to go.?/p>
As they left the building, Lane put his arm around Jane and asked. 揝o Mom. You hungry? I know I am.?/p>
Jane laughed and shook her head, this was her son alright. He may have cut his hair and cleaned up his act but he was still the bottomless pit she raised and loved. 揧ea. I could do with a meal.?she said. 揧ou know a good restaurant??
Lane smiled and nodded.
揑 know the perfect place. So where are you parked??/p>
揥e抣l take my car.?Quinn said. 揑 need to drive it every now and then.?/p>
Daria looked at her daughter. 揌ow often do you drive around here??she asked.
Quinn shrugged.
揘ot very. Most everything is in walking distance. It抯 only when I need to leave campus that I drive.?/p>
揂nd how often is that??/p>
揘ot as much as I抎 like. Between classes and my job at the infirmary I barely have any time left to do anything else.?/p>
揂h.?Daria said. As they proceeded she thought to herself, 揝he抯 a bookworm. Just like me at her age.?nbsp;
A short walk later they were all in the parking lot behind Quinn抯 dorm. As they piled in the car, Jane looked at her watch. 揙h wow. It抯 going to be late when we get done with dinner.?she said, 換uinn, why don抰 you drive me to my car? We can take both vehicles to the restaurant, then you two can ride back here and we can go to the hotel.?
Daria抯 eyes suddenly got huge.
揙h! The hotel. Look we need to go by there and check in before they give our room away. Then we can go eat.?/p>
揑 have an idea.?Lane said. 揙ne of you can go to the hotel and the other one will ride with me to the restaurant. After a game the place is really crowded. This will give us a chance to get seated earlier.?/p>
Daria turned around to look at Lane. 揋ood idea.?Turning her attention back to Quinn, she said, 揥e parked in the lot you suggested. Can you get there??/p>
Once more Quinn rolled her eyes.
揗om, I gave you the directions to get there. I know the way.?/p>
揙h. Right. Sorry.?Daria said.
Getting to the lot turned out to be more difficult than Quinn anticipated. Because of the post-game traffic it took some time to reach the parking area. After several extra turns and stops they finally made it to Jane抯 car. As Quinn saw the shiny red convertible sitting there she was amazed.
揥ow. Is that really your car??/p>
Jane grinned.
揝ure is. Just drove it off the lot yesterday. Nice huh??/p>
揑t sure is.?Quinn said. 揑 can抰 believe you got it.?/p>
揧ou aren抰 the only one to say that.?/p>
Jane and her offspring got out of the back seat. As they went to get in her car Lane stopped and went over to Quinn抯 side of the car. 揧ou know which place we抮e going to right? he asked.
Quinn gave him a cross look. 揙f course I do.?she said. 揑t抯 the only place you ever want to go to.?/p>
Lane smiled. 揋reat. We抣l see you there in a little while.?he said and went to get in his mom抯 car.
When she got to the hotel, Daria抯 fears were confirmed. There was a crowd of people who hadn抰 made reservations waiting for people to lose theirs. Luckily Daria made it there with enough time they that still had her room. Getting the key card she thanked the clerk and went back to the car. Soon after, Quinn pulled into the restaurant parking lot. They quickly found Jane抯 car but sadly didn抰 find a parking space for themselves. After two trips through the lot they settled on parking in the church lot next door.
When they went inside they looked around but didn抰 see the other two. A few seconds later, Lane came over and led them to the table. As they sat down a waitress came by and asked them what they wanted to drink. After placing their order she directed them to the buffet tables.
Everyone got up and served themselves. By the time they returned to the table their drinks were there. When Lane saw this he was a little disappointed. Lane soon finished his first plate and got up to get another serving. After he left, Daria spoke up.
揟he food is okay but why does he like this place so much Quinn??
Before Quinn could reply, Jane interrupted. 揑 can answer that one Daria. This is an all you can eat place. As much as he can put away it抯 probably the only way he can afford to stay fed.?/p>
Quinn looked at Jane and smiled. 揧ou抮e only half right.?Pointing to the waitress she said. 揟hat抯 the main reason he comes here so often. He抯 had the hots for her ever since the first time we came here.?/p>
Jane leaned her head back and nodded slightly.
揙oh. That answers a lot. So has he asked her out??/p>
Quinn shook her head. 揘ope. He抯 too afraid.?/p>
Jane was amazed. 揑t must be love if he抯 afraid to ask her out.?she said. 揤ery few girls have ever made him that tongue tied.?/p>
Suddenly Quinn cleared her throat to signal that Lane was returning. Quickly, all three changed the subject. As Lane sat down he noticed his mom had a strange look on her face. Looking at her, he asked, 揝o what were you three talking about??/p>
Flashing him a quick smile, Jane said, 揘othing important.?/p>
The remainder of the meal was pleasant. Lane filled his plate three more times and had the waitress refill his drink twice. Each time she did the three women just smiled at each other. Finally, everybody was full. As they went out to the lot they all stopped at Jane抯 car. All four just looked at each other. Eventually the silence got the better of Daria and she spoke.
揥ell we need to get to the hotel. We抮e going to leave pretty early tomorrow.?nbsp;
Quinn looked at her mom and asked. 揥ill you stop by before you go??/p>
揥e抣l try to.?Daria said.
揑 tell you what.?Jane interrupted. 揥e抣l delay leaving if you two will meet us for breakfast.?/p>
揥hat time??Lane asked.
Jane shrugged. 揑 don抰 know. How about seven??/p>
Quinn and Lane looked at each other. Both planned on going to a few campus parties that night. They wondered if they would get in early enough to get some rest before meeting their moms. Both turned to look at Daria and Jane. Quinn said, 揝even is fine. Where do you want to eat??/p>
揌ow about the hotel restaurant??Daria suggested.
揟hat抯 fine.?Quinn said. We抣l meet you in the lobby.
揤ery well. See you then.?Daria said.
Each child gave their respective parent a hug and everybody separated. When Daria and Jane got to the hotel they found their room and settled in. Daria sat on the bed while Jane took first turn in the shower. While Jane was occupied, Daria tried calling home again. Once more she got the machine. After leaving another message she hung up, turned on the television and waited for her turn to bathe.
The next morning Daria and Jane entered the lobby to see two very tired looking young people. They were on time but they definitely had stayed up late. Seeing how tired they were, Daria was actually relieved to know that Quinn didn抰 exist in a complete vacuum while on campus.
Breakfast was nice. After they were done everybody enjoyed one more round of hugs and went their separate ways. Unlike the day before, the ride back was uneventful and by early afternoon Jane pulled up in Daria抯 driveway. Daria got out of the car and reached behind the seat to get her pack. As she turned to leave she looked at Jane and said, 揥ell thanks for driving. I抣l see you in a couple of days.?/p>
Jane looked up from behind the wheel and smiled.
揝ure. No problem. Later.?/p>
Daria stood there and watched Jane speed off. When the car was out of sight, she went inside the house. When Stan heard the door he came in to greet her. Giving her a quick kiss, he said, 揥elcome home. Sorry I wasn抰 here when you called. I had to help Jake fix the porch swing. Then they had me stay for dinner.?/p>
Daria looked at him.
揂h. I figured it was something like that.?/p>
As Stan took her pack, he asked, 揝o how was the trip??/p>
揑t was interesting.?/p>
The End
As usual Daria belongs to MTV. This was written for my own amusement.