Boston

Daria Morgendorffer listened to the knocking at her apartment door for almost two minutes before she sat up in bed. 4 am was too early to be getting up when she didn’t have any classes the next day.
“If this is another of Jane’s late night middle of the week party invites I will kill her.” Daria grumbled as she slid on her glasses and got out of her bed. She paused at the door to her bedroom and looked at her sleep clothes and confirmed she was wearing enough that she wouldn’t die of embarrassment if Jane had someone with her.
“You know if you just moved in, you wouldn’t have to wake me up at all hours.” Daria said as she opened the door only to find the last person she expected to see.
Standing under the narrow covering that roofed the walkway, shivering with cold was her sister and what appeared to be one of her friends but as both looked like drowned rats having just braved the day long downpour to get to her door she couldn’t be sure.
“Hey Daria, can we come in, please it’s cold and we’re soaked.” Quinn said looking like Daria had never seen her. No makeup, dirty, tired and her eyes were puffy and bloodshot.
Daria stepped out of the way and waved them in trying to find something to say. It had been almost six months since she had seen her sister after moving up to Boston for school. She saw that indeed the second girl was Tiffany Blum-Decker another of Lawndale High’s fashion elite now looking as ragged as Quinn and the sight terrified Daria more than she could understand.
“We won’t make any trouble, I just didn’t know where else to go or what to do.” Quinn said.
Daria sighed and grabbed a handful of towels from her bathroom and handed two to each girl.
“First dry off and then hit the showers, it’s small but the hot water lasts forever. I don’t have much but I can get you some dry clothes. Are you hungry?” She asked.
Tiffany nodded her head before starting to cry quietly and Quinn hugged the small Asian girl and rubbed her head with a towel and answered.
“Starving, we haven’t had anything to eat since two days ago I think.” Quinn said sadly.
“What happened Quinn, all Mom would tell me is that you ran away and that was four days ago.” Daria pressed.
“Is it ok if we wait till after the showers and food to talk?” Quinn said nervously.
“OK but you know that no matter what you tell me I’m not going to throw you out or call the cops or anything OK.” Daria agreed.
Daria showed them where her bathroom was and the spare that was in the second bedroom that stood empty since she rented the apartment and left the girls to it while she grabbed some shorts and t-shirts and left them inside the bathrooms as the girl’s showered. She went to the small kitchen and started heating up several cans of soup while making them a pile of sandwiches and caught herself cutting them in the way she remembered Quinn liking, an act that made her smile despite the concern that was growing not shrinking now that she knew Quinn was alright.
Tiffany came out first wearing Daria’s clothes and keeping a towel wrapped around her head and while she still looked tired and stressed Daria figured that her parents might at least recognize her now. Quinn came out moments later and Daria pointed Quinn to her dining table and the steaming bowl waiting for her and Quinn quickly joined Tiffany in eating and the sight almost ripped out Daria’s heart. The two girls were sitting next to each other and as they ate at break neck speeds it was clear that it was beyond simple hunger that they were feeling.
The mound of sandwiches was gone in minutes and the soup didn’t go much beyond that and even with Daria making a few more until her bread was gone the two kept eating until there was nothing left.
“Sorry that’s the only fast food I have to make but if you’re still hungry I can order a pizza or some Chinese or even sushi. It won’t be a problem but it will take them about 30 minutes to get here.” Daria offered.
“No thank you.” Tiffany said looking at the table.
“I think we are good for now, I guess we really were hungry. It’s my fault I thought the money would last longer but then it was gone after two days and we didn’t have any food or transportation so we just walked the rest of the way.” Quinn sighed looking sad.
“Why didn’t you call me? I could have wired you money or bought you tickets for a bus up here or anything.” Daria said.
“I was scared. OK.” Quinn said and tears came out of her eyes.
“Well I don’t care what you did or if you got kicked out of school or got knocked up or whatever, you are my sister and I want to help any way I can.” Daria said grabbing Quinn’s hand and squeezing gently.
“So Mom didn’t tell you what happened.” Quinn sighed and Tiffany leaned against Quinn’s shoulder.
“Just that you took off and they hadn’t had word one and were getting worried.” Daria said.
“Took off, try kicked out and disowned same with Tiffany after Mom and Dad got done with her folks.” Quinn snarled.
“Back up and calm down, tell me what happened.” Daria said hoping this might be one big misunderstanding.
“After you left and school started, things were getting back to normal at least normal for Lawndale. Me and Tiffany have been hanging out since Stacy moved and Sandi got knocked up and married. Well after a while we started noticing things.” Quinn said and hesitated.
“Go on.’’ Daria pressed.
“We noticed that we were turning down a lot of date offers from some really good looking boys because we would rather spend time with each other.” Quinn said and saw her sister get it.
“So we decided to give it a try and we’ve been together ever since. I think it’s why I always dated around and never clicked with any guys. Mom walked in and caught me and Tiff having sex 5 days ago. You can guess the reaction. The next day our parents and Tiffany’s parents sat her and I down and told us how it was going to be. They were going to send us to some kind of camp to learn how not to be gay and we were never to talk to each other again when we got back. Needless to say that didn’t sound like fun so we walked out and Mom said that if I did leave, to never come back and don’t expect another dime and Dad added that I could forget about taking anything with me so we bailed, with the money in my pocket and what Tiffany had. Both our bank accounts had already been closed already, they knew we might leave. I love her Daria and I really believe she loves me and we just want to be together.” Quinn ended in a sob and Tiffany wrapped her arms around Quinn and kissed her neck so sweetly.
“So let me get this straight Jake and Helen disowned you because you’re gay.” Daria said sounding outraged.
“They called her names and said she wasn’t their daughter anymore.” Tiffany said sadly.
“And your parents?” Daria asked her.
“Said that they wished they could take me back to the place where they got me.” Tiffany said looking destroyed.
“One moment please.” Daria said and walked to her phone and returned to her seat with the handset.
She dialed her home number the same one she had dialed four times a day since Quinn had gone missing and let it ring. When the answering machine picked up she hung up and dialed again. Helen picked up on the 5th time through the pattern and barked into the phone.
“Who is this?”
“Your daughter, Daria.” Daria answered.
“Daria do you know what time it is?” Helen said sounding upset.
“Yes I do, I just had a call from Quinn, Helen and since it woke me up I thought I would return the favor.” Daria said trying to keep her voice calm.
“What did she want, don’t you send her any money. Daria I’m warning you.” Helen started.
“You didn’t even ask me if she was ok, what’s wrong with you? You tossed your daughter out into the street and just stop caring about her.” Daria said close to tears herself.
“Daria I am doing what I feel is best and maybe if she gets a harsh lesson then she will come home with the right attitude.” Helen said loudly.
“You mean let you brainwash her straight because god knows a gay daughter would be such a hamper to your career.” Daria said.
“If you help her in any way I’ll ..” Helen started.
“You’ll what. Quinn is 18 now and free to do what she pleases and my scholarship takes care of school and room and board, it’s not like you can cut me off seeing as you’re not paying for anything. My writing and tutoring takes care of any extra money I need so you can’t touch me. I’m not ready to abandon my sister because she’s gay and if you have a problem with that, GO TO HELL Helen.” Daria said and slammed down the phone before remembering it was a cordless and turned it over to press the disconnect button.
Quinn and Tiffany were staring at her almost in shock and she wanted to laugh.
“Ok you two there are sheets for the other bed in the closet in my spare bedroom, no wild parties or boys over past midnight and we will figure out what to do tomorrow but let’s get some sleep and don’t answer the phone or door tonight or tomorrow OK.” Daria laughed weakly.
“So your letting us stay here tonight.” Tiffany said and Daria was rewarded with a smile when she nodded.
“Well I was thinking more along the lines of, you just moved in.” Daria said.
“Really.” Quinn said looking surprised.
“No offensive but clearly you two aren’t ready to be on your own and since your parents aren’t willing to act like parents it falls to me as Quinn’s sister. I’m not going to tell you how to live your lives but I think I can help get you two moving in the right direction. One of which is get you two into the local high school to finish out your senior year.” Daria said smiling.
“Thanks Daria.” Tiffany said and Daria saw a least a touch of the doom fall away from the girl’s eyes.
“Go to bed, both of you.” Daria said pointing at the spare room but she couldn’t help smiling as she said it.
Quinn hugged her sister and didn’t seemed surprised when Tiffany did the same and the two quickly went into the room and Daria could hear them making the bed. She couldn’t believe what was happening but she knew that she could never let her sister have to live like she had clearly been doing for the last week.

It was 9 am when another bout of pounding started on her apartment door and Daria was up in a flash this time knowing what this visit was about. She rushed to the door and saw Quinn and Tiffany standing at the doorway of the other bedroom. “Where are your ids.” Daria asked whispering.
Quinn ran over and pulled out a small billfold from the pile of rags they had been wearing the night before and handed both their id cards to Daria who sighed as she confirmed that Tiffany was 18 as well.
“Who is it?” She asked the door.
“Boston PD, can we speak with Daria Morgendorffer.” A voice asked.
“Speaking, what can I do for you?” Daria asked enjoying it as she waved the girls back into the bedroom.
“We are here about some reported underage runaways and we have reports that they are inside your apartment so we have a warrant to search the apartment.” The voice said.
“Ok I’m going to open the door with the chain still on please have your id and warrant where I can see it.” Daria said calmly.
She cracked open the door as far as the chain would let it and saw the two uniformed men and the warrant one was holding up.
“OK come in, sorry to make you go through that.” Daria said and opened the door waving the officers inside.
“It’s ok, nothing wrong with making sure and staying safe.” One dismissed her comment.
“We have a report that you have two underage runaways here and we are going to have to search the premises to determine if they are here or not.” The same officer who spoke through the door answered.
“You don’t need to search, Quinn Morgendorffer and Tiffany Blum-Decker are both here and in the other room.” Daria said with a touch of a smile.
“We will have to take them with us.” The first officer responded.
“No, that’s where you’re wrong.” Daria said.
“I have to advise you to not interfere with a police matter ma’am.” The second officer said calmly.
“Well please tell me how two 18 year olds are a police matter and how can they be considered runaway’s, isn’t that the age where you leave home and are considered a legal adult.” Daria said holding out the ids and waited for the officer to take them and look them over.
“This doesn’t make sense, the report states their minors.” The first officer said and started speaking into his radio requesting confirmation of the Driver’s license information.
“If they are adults then we will be leaving soon.” The second officer said looking somewhat confused.
Daria heard the dispatch return confirmation that the ids were legit and both of the girls were 18.
“I don’t understand this report that was filed this morning clearly shows their ages as minors.” The first officer said handing back the ids.
“My mother is a lawyer and she’s most likely the one that filed. She didn’t like the fact I wasn’t willing to let my sister and her friend starve out on the streets to teach them a lesson.” Daria said and waited for both officer’s attention which she had undivided quickly.
“What do you mean, are you saying you think she filed a false police report on purpose?” The second asked.
“She knew my sister was a legal adult last night when she and I spoke but since I didn’t think being gay is some kind of disgrace to the family and still want to take care of my sister, we had to end the call on bad terms.” Daria said her anger show.
“So your saying that your parents threw your sister out for being gay and when you took her in they filed a false runaway report.” The first officer said looking rather disgusted.
“Pretty much.” Daria smirked.
“Well we don’t much appreciate someone trying to take advantage of the system like that and we might be back to take a statement from you if we decide to pursue charges against who ever filed the report.” The first officer said.
“But mostly likely they will just kill it and flag both their names for anything else coming up like sudden theft or other minor charges.” The second officer said.
“And what happens if they decide to say they stole something?” Daria asked as she hadn’t considered this angle.
“Well if it happens in the next six months or so, it will get some blowback and we will pretty much ignore it.” The second officer answered.
“Well thank you for your cooperation throughout this matter and we will let you get back to bed since I can see the two girls are OK.” The first officer said pointing behind Daria where she saw that Quinn and Tiffany had come out of the room looking frightened.
“You ladies have a nice day and again, sorry to disturb you.” The second officer said as both left the apartment and Daria closed the door.
“Wow that was so cool, you just smacked them down with the truth.” Quinn said smiling as she held up a box of cereal and jiggled it.
“Go ahead but the prize is mine.” Daria said smiling.
Tiffany got out two bowls and the girls made themselves some breakfast and started eating.
“A few ground rules, first you are not guests, you live here, so that means if there’s food, it’s for you to eat so don’t feel you need to ask every time you get hungry. Second I hate dishes so if you use a dish then wash it. Third, well I’m sure I’ll come up with a third rule by the end of the day. Now since the clothes you wore here are ruined and I doubt you two want to live in my clothes, we’ll go out and get you some new ones but I have to warn you that I can only spend a few hundred dollars until my paycheck gets in on Friday.” Daria said.
“Where do you work?” Tiffany asked.
“I do on demand tutoring for the school mostly during the day on Tuesdays and it pays well and the weekly column for the local paper pays pretty well to.” Daria said.
“That’s so cool.” Tiffany said.
“Yes it is and I live pretty basic and since I don’t spend a lot it keeps me going pretty easy, if I knew you were coming I could have had a bit more but I just bought a new laptop yesterday and it knocked down the bank account a lot.” Daria said looking slightly guilty.
“Does Mom know about your bank account?” Quinn asked nervously.
“Yes and No, she knows I have one but I never got around to giving her the account number or putting her name on it.” Daria said with a smile.
“Good because she might try to shut it down like she did mine. And well I have a bit of a different outlook on clothes at the moment. Last night I would have killed for your old jacket.” Quinn said with a half smile.
“Or that one that Jane used to wear.” Tiffany said with a smile.
“And the boots would have been great.” Quinn laughed.
“Well that I can do, I have several spare pairs of boot if you really want them.” Daria joked.
“Really cause these shoes are killing my feet.” Tiffany said hold up her foot and Daria felt her stomach knot at the raw marks around the hard shell edges of the shoe.
“Take those off right now.” Daria said and went into her room and returned with two pairs of boots and socks and a first aid kit.
She knelt down and removed both of Tiffany’s shoes and started cleaning the blisters and raw parts of skin fighting to keep from crying until she was done and gently covered the areas with an antibacterial cream and slid on one of her pairs of socks and pushed the boots over next to her feet.
“If you feel them rubbing stop and let me know, tighten the foot part even if you don’t want to tighten the top half.” Daria instructed before turning to Quinn who only pushed her foot forward after Daria gave her a smile and wave.
Quinn’s left foot was fine except for some ruptured blisters that were quickly dealt with but the right was one large bruise that caused Daria to gasp and looked up. “What happened?”
“Some guy offered to give us a ride but only if we both gave him a blowjob and when we said no, he ran over my foot.” Quinn said trying not to cry looking ashamed.
“Wait here OK.” Daria said and dashed to the door and ran outside locking the door behind her and it was almost two minutes before she returned with a man with her.
“There’s my sister.” Daria said pointing to Quinn and the man who was carrying a black bag knelt down and started to examine the foot.
“This is Todd, he’s in med school.” Daria offered to explain.
“Well nothings broken but I bet it hurts like hell, Here rub this on it twice a day and take it easy for a few days, no marathons or anything OK.” He said to Quinn nicely, handing her a tube of some kind of cream.
Daria had him check out Tiffany’s feet and he confirmed she had done a good job on them and stood up stretching his back when Daria spoke.
“OK Todd being available for a house call is rare, so if there is anything else that might maybe in anyway need to be looked at, tell us now.” Daria said and watched as both raised their hands.
“Stop that, what.” Daria said trying not to laugh.
Tiffany raised her shirt and turned showing off a large scratch on her back that looked infected.
Quinn pulled down her shirt just enough to show a large bruise on her chest right above her breast.
“What happened?” Daria asked as Todd started cleaning Tiffany’s back.
“Well when Mom caught us together she didn’t stop at yelling at us.” Quinn whispered and Daria felt her throat tighten and saw Todd’s shoulder jerk.
“She hit you.” Daria whispered.
“Ya but Tiffany pulled her off and we ran downstairs and then Dad calmed her down so she wasn’t doing that anymore just trying to de-gay us after that.” Quinn said looking depressed.
“Well since I’m not a doctor yet I don’t have to report this but to be honest this is pretty bad and I think you should file assault charges against the nutcase.” Todd said and then realized it was their mother and added. “Sorry I just don’t do well with gay bashers.”
“Todd’s gay if you didn’t pick up on it.” Daria said with a smile.
“Well the, I love Mike necklace was the first hint.” Tiffany said smiling.
“OK ladies it looks like nothing is broken and while the chest bruise looks bad it’s all surface and no real damage but unless you can get anti-biotics through your source she needs to go to a doctor to get some for her back.” Todd said looking at Daria quizzingly.
“I think I can get some but if I can’t then I’ll take her to the school clinic today.” Daria said firmly.
“Good.” Todd said and with a few quick goodbyes Daria saw him out.
Daria picked up the phone and made a quick call and as they were getting ready to go out to get some clothes a quick patterned knock appeared on the door and Daria answered it.
“Good Morning my Amiga, I bring gifts from Trent and the band.” Jane Lane said as she entered the apartment. She stopped when she saw Quinn and Tiffany sitting on the beaten up couch.
“Why didn’t you tell me Quinn was OK, I’ve been worried too you know.” Jane said and punched Daria forcefully on the arm.
“She just got here last night or this morning, 4 am, They been roughed up a bit so I had Todd check them out and he says we need anti-biotics so I called Trent and had him send you and them over.” Daria answered.
“So what happened to them?” Jane said handing over a small bag to Daria who started inspecting it.
“They had some troubles with the parents so they are moving in.” Daria said.
“Got to be some story there.” Jane said clearly pushing for gossip.
“Not my story to tell.” Daria said and Jane backed off and Quinn spoke up.
“You want the fast or long and slow version.” She asked.
“Let’s start with fast.” Jane said with a smile.
“I’m gay, Tiffany’s gay and we’re in love, My mom caught us and beat us up and then decided to de-gay us, so we left and ran out of money and ended up walking the last two days to get here.” Quinn answered.
“Pretty much sums it up.” Tiffany smiled.
“I’m not trying to be funny but is this a joke.” Jane said.
“No.” Daria warned gently but Jane got the hint.
“Sorry had to check, I never figured you for gay, Quinn. But hey welcome to the club and you two make a cute couple.” Jane laughed.
“Jane.” Daria said grimly.
“Your gay too, I didn’t know that.” Tiffany said.
“Yes I’m gay.” Jane acknowledged.
“Really.” Quinn said and looked at Daria who had walked over and was handing Tiffany a small pill bottle and telling her the instructions. “Every four hours starting with breakfast for a week, if we need more I got extra so don’t worry.”
“Ok but how did you get medicine without going to a doctor?” Tiffany asked.
“Trent’s day time job involves him having access to a large number of non inventoried drugs and in a fit of dishonesty he swiped several boxes of what amount to worthless street drugs but come in handy at times like this.” Daria answered trying not to meet Quinn’s probing eye.
Daria sat down and Quinn’s gaze followed her causing her to give in and groan. “Fine damit, I’m gay or bisexual or whatever, I’m dating Jane, we’ve been together for the last 5 months.”
“Is it that bad?” Jane said looking hurt.
“No of course not but I didn’t want to make this about us, Quinn needed some time to get adjusted to being here then I was going to tell her, I WAS.” Daria said looking guilty.
“So if your together then why doesn’t Jane live here?” Tiffany asked.
“Good question.” Daria said and stared at Jane.
“Ouch so I guess we’re even, I’m worried about Trent being on his own and I don’t know if I am ready to leave him and I asked you to move in but you said no.” Jane said.
“I want to live with you and honestly Trent wouldn’t be too bad but I can’t handle dealing with the band every night.” Daria admitted.
“Amen to that, I had to throw Max out the back door last night cause he wouldn’t stop whining about how bad he needs to get laid and kept smacking my ass. Trent hit him with a chair in the parking lot when Jessie told him about what happened.” Jane laughed.
“I told him what I was going to do if I caught his so called criminal ass touching you or me again so let him know that the next time I see him I’m cutting something off.” Daria growled.
“Well I don’t think you will get the chance since Fred looks like he has gotten down the material and once he’s ready for a live performance, Max is getting shipped back to Lawndale.” Jane said with a smile.
“Thank god.” Daria said smiling.
“I did want to talk about moving in again since the band might be traveling soon and Trent has Jade to keep him company so maybe when they let the lease expire on the loft maybe we could give it a try besides you have cable internet.” Jane said with a smile.
“I would have no problem with that and honestly it would save me some money.” Daria said with a grin.
“No, he didn’t.” Jane looked pissed.
“Just the last two months and one time before and I told him to come to me before being late and he did, that way it doesn’t hurt my credit.” Daria said.
“I’m sorry Daria you got us the place and all they had to do was make rent, what do they do with the money I give them, never mind I don’t want to know.” Jane said with a sour smile.
“It’s fine and he always pays me back whatever he borrows, just takes a while sometimes.” Daria said with a smile.
“So what’s the plan for today?” Quinn said lounging on the couch playing with Tiffany’s hair.
“First some shopping to get you two some clothes then check into what we have to do to get you into school then I have the entire day off so we can spend some time giving you the tour of the city.” Daria shrugged.
“And since you might want to see more than the library and museums in town I guess I’ll take time away from my busy schedule and hang with you guys.” Jane smirked.
“That’s very generous of you, I take it that they still won’t let you back in to the art supplies till the end of the month.” Daria laughed.
Tiffany and Quinn both looked confused.
“My favorite artist has developed a habit of using more of the school’s supplies than the rest of her entire class in the first two weeks of every month a feat which gets her banned for the rest of the month.” Daria informed them.
“Hey they don’t complain when my stuff sells more than anyone else’s and they pocket their cut of the cash.” Jane shrugged.
“So you both are doing really well up here, do people know that you are …?” Tiffany asked.
“Well I don’t if the whole city knows but a lot of people do and well honestly don’t care.” Daria said honestly.
“So are there a lot of gay couples up here?” Quinn asked.
“Well if we can get through today without you seeing a dozen, I’ll buy the dinner of your choice otherwise it’s pizza WITH cheese.” Daria said smiling.
“Can we get a Pizza King large with everything that will kill you or make you fat special.” Tiffany asked.
“Well they do have a Pizza King and they carry that very item but since when do you eat something like that.” Jane asked.
“We had to eat after the folks tossed us and it was cheap and we ate it for dinner and breakfast the next day and that’s what kept us going.” Quinn shrugged.
“Well Pizza King saves another Morgendorffer girl from starvation.” Jane said smiling.
“Sounds like it.” Daria said.
“So are you gonna take us shopping or what?” Quinn asked smiling.
“Let’s get out of here.” Daria said getting up.
They quickly made their way to a warehouse store and Daria led them inside and was surprised that they didn’t complain and she showed them to the clothing section and they started picking out clothing and while the two former fashion queens did seem to focus on looks Daria noticed several outfits abandoned because of price or lack of sturdiness and she came to the realization that both her sister and Tiffany hadn’t expected shelter beyond one night and still were preparing to have to be on their own again.
Daria even found herself pointing out some senseless outfits trying to get them interested but neither wanted anything they couldn’t travel on foot in.
“Both of you come here.” Daria said after the girls got quite a few attractive but functional outfits and still way under the budget Daria had mentioned to them.
“Is it too much?” Quinn asked.
“No far from it but please I don’t intend on you going anywhere so please get a least one of your normal style outfits please.” Daria almost begged.
“Sorry Daria but after spending 4 days in one of those silly outfits I can’t bring myself to wear much past blue jeans and a nice top.” Quinn shrugged.
“I never want to wear silk again.” Tiffany shuddered.
“And are you saying we won’t be hot enough in these outfits.” Quinn said with a devilish smile.
“Well I can’t wait to see Tiffany in that skirt.” Daria said with her own devilish smirk.
“Hands off my woman or I’m gonna make a play for Jane.” Quinn threatened.
“This is getting interesting.” Jane smiled.
“Don’t even think about it.” Daria said pulling Jane to her and kissed her deeply.
“Can I stay over tonight.” Jane asked.
“You know I want you to.” Daria smiled gently stroking Jane’s check.
“So there isn’t going to be a problem with me and Tiffany being active if you know what I mean.” Quinn asked.
“Sex you mean.” Daria smiled.
“Yes.” Tiffany responded.
“Seeing as your both eighteen I don’t think anyone is going to have a problem with it.” Daria shrugged.
“Just turn the radio up if you tend to make a lot of noise.” Jane laughed.
“Ok finish up your shopping and let’s hit the road.” Daria said to her sister and Tiffany.
“Hey this would look great on me.” Jane said with a smile holding up a t-shirt.
“I’m know it would Jane and it matches the one your wearing.” Daria tried not to laugh.
Jane looked down and saw she was wearing the same shirt that she was holding and blushed.
“I guess I really don’t pay attention to what I wearing.” She shrugged.
Daria shook her head as she paid for what amounted to completely new wardrobes for the two girls and spent less than a third of what she planned to spend. They headed out to Jane’s car which was really Trent’s car and made their way to the local High School while Daria was on the phone to Lawndale High.
“Hi Mrs. Li, this is Daria Morgendorffer; I’m calling concerning my sister’s transcripts. I’ll need them forwarded to her new school as well as Tiffany Blum-Decker’s.” Daria was saying.
“Well I don’t really care what my mother said or told you, Quinn and Tiffany are 18 so they can pretty much live where they want and seeing as they still want to graduate high school, we want to get them enrolled as soon as possible.” Daria said and the tension was moving into her voice.
“What kind of legal hold?” Daria sighed.
“Are you really going to let my mother push you around like this forever?” Daria pressed.
“What do you mean, they have enough credits? How?” Daria said with surprise.
“Ok thank you can you fax me confirmation of that.” Daria asked with a smile.
“Ok the number is.” Daria said and read off a number and thanked the principal before hanging up.
“What’s happening?” Quinn asked.
“Well Helen has filed an injunction against the school releasing Quinn and Tiffany’s school records even to another school but it doesn’t matter since both of them have enough credits for a diploma.” Daria sighed sounding upset.
“How is that possible?” Jane said in disbelief.
“Apparently Lawndale switched to a semester based credit assignment, lets you earn more credits during the year and my two house mates must of busted ass the first semester and got enough credits to graduate so I guess we won’t be signing them up for school, Li’s going to send their diplomas and they can still attend the ceremony at the end of the year if they want but it’s not mandatory .” Daria said looking at the two girls smiling.
“So what do we do now?” Tiffany asked.
“Well I think you two need to be lazy and relax for a few days then maybe start thinking about college.” Daria said.
“What, Daria Morgendorffer promoting sloth.” Jane said in mock shock.
“We could get jobs.” Tiffany said.
“Ya half this town seems to be covered in help wanted signs.” Quinn mused looking around.
“After you take it easy for a few days.” Daria said forcefully.
“After we take it easy, maybe we can look into getting some school flyers and pamphlets to look into sighing up part time and having some kind of jobs for cash flow.” Quinn said calmly.
“Well, money isn’t that much of an issue except when you start school and we can come up with something so don’t feel pressured.” Daria said calmly.
They toured the city with a mixture of Daria’s favorite haunts which seemed to include historical sites and museums true to Jane’s prediction and several of Jane’s hang outs that seemed to be mostly coffee houses and art shops.
“You know if they catch you selling anything made from school supplies anywhere besides the school’s shop, they will boot you.” Daria said looking concerned.
“I make sure that anything that gets sold elsewhere, I can establish I bought the paint and supplies and seeing as I’m short this month that means I’m going to have to sell my soul again but I think I might be able to rope in two new assistants.” Jane said nodding her head at Quinn and Tiffany who were digging into cheese burgers and fries like a pack of starved chipmunks.
“Whaut?” Tiffany tried with a mouthful of fries.
“Just posing for me to paint your portrait for a few hours why I drum up some paying clients.” Jane shrugged.
“Can you do us together?” Quinn asked wiping ketchup off her lips.
“Sure, not a problem; might get a bit more interest as I paint.” Jane shrugged.
“Jane goes out to an art fair and paints while I sit and make appointments for her to paint family portraits and the like.” Daria explained.
“Wow so you two are like living your dream.” Tiffany said looking impressed on the drive back to the apartment.
“Well no reason you two can’t do the same.” Jane said in what she hope would be an encouraging tone.
“All I dream about now is having a warm dry bed and full stomach and Quinn.” Tiffany said softly.
“Ya, I don’t get it, it was only 4 days and it smashed my whole world.” Quinn said and laid down across the back seat with her head on Tiffany’s lap.
“What do you mean?” Daria asked gently.
“Well I always thought of Mom and Dad as these open minded ex-hippies who would accept and love us no matter what and that got chucked in the trash and I wanted to be a model and live the rich life of parties and fancy clothes now I just hope we can eat tomorrow and we won’t ever have to sleep outside in the dirt again. I can’t seem to make myself care if people think I’m pretty right now because I’m clean and warm and full and with my girl and my sister and her girl and I feel safe and it’s been to long since I felt that.” Quinn said as she reached up and played with Tiffany’s hair.
“Well there will be no going hungry around me and while I doubt Helen and Jake are done yet I think we can run circles around them.” Daria assured her sister.
They returned to the apartment and carried in the bags of clothes and groceries that Daria had stopped and bought claiming that she no longer felt the need to live on takeout now that she wasn’t being served lasagna 5 nights a week. Once they were inside and everything was put away Daria dragged out a small box with several laptops in it and placed it in front of the couch where all three of the other girls were sitting.
“Here you guys go, I figure since I don’t use them now that I got my new one so you all can have them.” Daria said and waited for Jane to speak.
“You bought a new laptop didn’t you, Daria we’ve only been up here 6 months and you are on your 4th new laptop. How much did you spend?” Jane said shaking her head.
“A lot, but it can do anything a desktop can and has a bunch of RAM and well … OK fine 3 thousand dollars.” Daria said letting her shoulders drop.
Tiffany and Quinn were trying not to giggle as Jane tapped her foot looking at Daria and sighing.
“No more computers for the rest of the year.” Jane said firmly.
“Fine.” Daria said looking guilty.
“Go get them.” Jane said knowingly pointing at Daria’s room.
Daria walked back to her room and returned carrying a brand new desktop PC still in the box unopened and then a second and finally a third.
“Wow Daria has a lot of computers.” Tiffany said looking somewhat confused.
“I can’t help it they were so cheap and the mouse looked cool and then I got home and it was the same mouse I already have and my PC is so much better.” Daria sighed slipping onto the couch next to Jane.
“Daria has a computer buying addiction.” Quinn couldn’t hold the giggles in any longer.
“Be nice Quinn.” Jane said but couldn’t stop smiling.
“Every time I see a sale I go down to see if there’s anything I need and then it’s like I forget I have a decent computer. I just kind of flash back to high school and Helen telling me I didn’t need a better computer just because mine couldn’t do something but now I have the money to buy and I do.” Daria groaned.
“So your parents messed up both of you but in the exact opposite way.” Tiffany said and everyone looked at her.
“What she means is that they gave me too much including the new computer they wouldn’t give you, which I used maybe four times and didn’t give you hardly anything. They spoiled me and denied you. They really aren’t very good parents are they.” Quinn sighed.
“At least they were there sometimes. Not that I would trade mind you with this extra information concerning anti-gay feelings but it would have been nice to have someone pretending to care and act like a mom.” Jane said.
“So you two want desktops to go with those laptops?” Daria asked smiling.
“Hell yes.” Quinn said pulling one of the desktops to her. “Unless you want to take them back since their not even open yet.” She added.
“It was a sale so I can’t take them back.” Daria smiled.
The phone started to ring and Daria moved to answer it as Jane and her sister started pulling one of the desktops out of the box as Tiffany played with a laptop looking rather skilled with it’s use.
“Hello.” Daria answered with a smile.
“Well Hello to you Daria. Your certainly sounding chipper since you decided to steal my daughter and let her destroy her life up there with you.” Helen said.
“What do you want Helen?” Daria asked.
“Since when don’t you call me Mom?” Helen demanded.
“Since you beat up two teenagers for having sex and then tried to sign them up for brainwashing and toss them out into the street with no money. My mother would never do that sort of thing.” Daria said calmly.
“I admit some mistakes were made but be reasonable Daria, you have to admit that someone living that lifestyle isn’t in their right mind and I won’t have a homosexual daughter.” Helen said in her best debating voice.
“How about two because guess what, I am, so I guess I’m not you daughter anymore either.” Daria said and hung up.
Daria had her sister and Tiffany setup online with the two desktops and both laptops before the phone rang again and Daria answer it.
“Hello.” Daria said hoping beyond hope it wouldn’t be Helen.
“Hey kiddo.” Jake Morgendorffer said sounding sad.
“Hey Jake what can I do you for?” Daria said trying to control some of her anger.
“Look kiddo I just talked to your mother and she’s rather upset. I guess I missed something, hell I thought you came out years ago.” Jake said almost gently.
“So if you were ok with me being gay then why not Quinn?” Daria asked ducking into her room.
“Well you didn’t try to pretend you were going out dating boys and we never walked in on you and what was her name Jane right.” Jake said.
Daria didn’t want to fill her father in on the fact that she and Jane had never done anything until they were up in Boston and she was as shocked as anyone when she realized what she really wanted.
“Look your mom just had me empty out your’s and Quinn’s college accounts plus Quinn’s bank account and move all the money into another account and well I might be mad I don’t want to lose both my daughters forever or ruin any chance they have at a better life so I put the money into your old account that I started for you back in middle school. So if you still have the information you could pull it out and use it to take care of Quinn and Tiffany. I know you said you didn’t want the money since everything was taken care of up there for you but it’s still yours and Quinn’s and I know how much it cost to have two teenagers living with you. Daria is she OK?” Jake ended.
“She’s upset and scared since you two well the only way to put it is how it is, tossed her away and disowned her.” Daria said feeling some pity for the man.
“Tell her I’m sorry and I do love her, I’m just mad. Please take care of her and I love you too.” Jake said ending the call.
“I love you too Dad.” Daria said into the dead air.
She sat down at her computer and accessed the online website for her old bank account and sure enough there was over 30 thousand in it, which she quickly transferred to her current account and smiled.
She also saw her father had sent her an email granting her permission to take the money and she realized it could be used to defend her if her mother made the claim she stole the money and her father surely knew that as well, she knew that was why he had done it.
She replaced the phone and returned to the others and smiled as Jane tried to introduce them to the wonder of online gaming.
“See this is my dwarf and watch me kill that bunny.” Jane was saying.
“Not the bunny, kill the wolf.” Quinn said looking horrified.
“That girl has really big boobs.” Tiffany said pointing to something on the screen.
“That’s a female night elf wait till you see one dance.” Jane smirked.
“It’s supposed to be online gaming not online animated porn.” Daria said from the doorway trying not to laugh.
“Who called?” Jane asked as she signed off.
“Jake, he wanted to see if Quinn and Tiffany were ok and wanted to help out with some money so he told me he accidently put all the money in the college funds and Quinn’s bank account into my old mountain cabin account so I transferred it all to my current account and he sent an email saying that would be fine with him so Helen can’t send me to jail or anything. And he says he’s sorry and loves you but he is mad at you at the moment.” Daria said carefully.
“It’s not much but it is something.” Quinn said disappointed.
“Give him time, I think he’s trying to get her calmed down and then maybe we can talk to them. I told mom I was gay too.” Daria said.
“So she is on her way up here to kill us all right about now.” Quinn joked and suddenly got nervous looking.
“The door has three locks and a chain so I don’t think she can get through it but if she shows up we call the cops right away.” Daria said feeling some of the same concern that crossed Quinn’s face.
“Easy you two, Helen may be a little off the edge at the moment but would she drive all the way up here to kill off you three just because you’re gay.” Jane said and saw the look on both girls faces and Tiffany summed it up well.
“After what she did to my back I can’t rule it out.” Tiffany said and lifted her shirt showing Jane the 9 inch cut.
“What the hell is that?” Jane said breathlessly.
“She hit me with a lamp in Quinn’s room.” Tiffany said.
“Ok so Helen is way off the deep end but do we think she is on her way up here or what.” Jane said suddenly feeling nervous.
“I don’t know and that’s a problem and part of the reason I want the girls to take it easy for a few days before we get them into some classes or whatever they want to do.” Daria sighed.
“Well seeing as I am persona non gratia at the moment in art class I can hang with them tomorrow when you go to class and then we can do the art fair over the weekend and figure out what’s going on.” Jane said making Daria smile.
“So you still want to sign on for the long haul even though I am now a single parent.” Daria joked.
“Well I heard this rumor that single moms are really wild in the sack.” Jane laughed.
“You two are still really weird but in a good way.” Quinn laughed.
The next day went quickly and Daria found herself humming as she prepared dinner for her family and she couldn’t help from smiling.
“So Daria when did you go through this new clothing makeover?” Quinn asked sitting on the counter trying to snatch various items as Daria threw them into the salad they were going to have with meatloaf.
“Not sure what you mean.” Daria teased.
“Well I see your still into those skirts but you seem to be branching out from plain black, this one’s grey and yesterday it was dark red and I don’t think that exposed belly button ring is functional. And you’re wearing your hair different and I think it looks good up.” Quinn laughed said pointing to the hair tie that was holding back Daria’s hair.
“Well dating Jane has kinda of made me want to look better for her and well it’s kind of nice to catch people checking me out.” Daria admitted.
“Ah so it’s true love.” Quinn teased poking Daria with a spoon.
“I don’t know but it’s real and it’s strong and I honestly hope it last forever.” Daria mused.
“You two have been friends for so long I’m sure it will last forever.” Quinn smiled.
“You and Tiffany have been hanging out just as long are you two hoping to make it forever too.” Daria returned smiling.
“That would be so great.” Quinn let her eyes glaze for a moment.
Tiffany and Jane walked into the living and dining area and were discussing something intensely.
“What are you two talking about?” Quinn asked.
“Jane was just showing me her web site.” Tiffany laughed gently.
“JANE, you promised you would take that down, we got drunk on my birthday when Jane decided to introduce me to scotch and we ended up playing with a web cam and my digital camera.” Daria said looking scandalized trying to explain.
“I did, I was showing her my art web page, the one with all the pictures I painted back in high school.” Jane laughed.
Daria blushed bright red and returned to looking at the salad intensely while everyone laughed.
“I want to see THOSE pictures.” Tiffany said smiling.
“Tiffany!” Quinn said loudly and broke out laughing.
A sudden knocking on the door silenced them all and cut through the cheerful atmosphere in the room.
Daria looked at the door and sighed.
“Jane if you could take out the meat loaf and Quinn get the salad and Tiffany can set the plates while I chase off you ever this is.” Daria said calmly as she walked to the door.
“Who is it?” Daria asked.
“Your worst nightmare.” Came the female voice from the outside of the door.
Daria smiled and unlocked the door to let Brittney Taylor in.
“My worst nightmare.” Daria offered her with a raised eyebrow.
“Dramatic entrance or introduction or something like that.” Brittney said as she came inside and Daria closed the door.
“Haven’t seen you in these parts for a few months.” Daria said with a grin.
“Been working on several projects for school, I see you are still cheating on me with Jane.” Brittney said clearly in jest.
“Just waiting for you to want to settle down and join me in the slow lane.” Daria smiled.
“Brittney’s gay too.” Tiffany said as she almost dropped the plates she was carrying.
“No, she just plans on keeping it as a backup if she can’t find the right guy but at least there are plenty of Mr. right nows that keep her busy.” Jane grumbled.
“Jane when are you going to forgive me for what I did, it was one kiss.” Brittney pouted.
“In the shower without any clothes on.” Jane returned.
“Well I was just wanting to be held and it’s not like I ever got anything kind of support from boys with my clothes on so I just figured it would be the same with gay girls and I know better now and I swear I won’t strip down and hop into a shower with Daria trying to seduce her again. Well unless she asked me to but she won’t, cause she loves you.” Brittney said smiling.
“Wow you all have been living the wild life up here.” Tiffany said smiling and Daria saw her set out an extra plate without being asked.
“Oh you haven’t heard the half of it yet.” Jane smirked.
“Sounds like we have dinner conversion.” Brittney said.
“You do seem to always come to visit at dinner time.” Daria said suspiciously.
“Well you actually cook and I developed a liking for things that don’t come out of boxes or bags.” Brittney admitted.
They all sat down and started eating and talking about various people from Lawndale.
“So how’s Kevin these days since they got him work credits to graduate.” Quinn asked.
“Still the school hero, over in Florida. He’s dating a brain at the moment and might pass a few classes.” Brittney giggled.
The conversion continued catching up on various former classmates.
“Jodie’s parents are still looking for her but I think she just needed the time away and a year in Africa with the peace core could be just the thing for her.” Brittney said at one point.
“So what are you up to this month?” Jane asked nicely.
“Well we have been studying plays and part of our assignment was to try out for several in New York and I got a back up part as Mimi in Rent for two weeks and even got to go on one night but it was just until the lead came back from rehab.” Brittney sighed.
“A blonde hair ,big chested Mimi, that had to be a sight.” Daria laughed.
“It was a stretch but I think the casting director thought it might give him a chance to get into my pants but the critics were kind. One even said they could see me having a future in acting.” Brittney shrugged with a grin.
“So I take it getting a part is going to look good for the project.” Jane mused.
“I might finish the year with an A for the class.” Brittney laughed.
“Did you hear about Charles?” Daria asked.
“Upchuck, what has he done now?” Brittney frowned.
“Just sold his first picture set to Newsweek, he’s in the Iraq shooting freelance.” Daria said.
“Wow.” Came from the entire gathered group.
They spent the night talking and enjoying spending time catching up and everyone looked disappointed when Brittney went to leave and as she was leaving it was with an evil smirk that she kissed Daria passionately before ducking out the door before Jane could catch her.
“You need to have her stop doing that every time she leaves.” Jane complained.
“I just can’t bring myself to do it, she can kiss really well.” Daria said teasing Jane.
“Uncool.” Jane said mimicking Kevin’s voice.

Everyone fell out laughing all the way to bed where Daria made sure Jane knew who was her one and only.
The weekend fair went well and Jane made a near perfect portrait of the two girls which had people lining up to watch and Jane was smiling as Daria read off the 8 portrait orders that were now going to keep her in money for the rest of the month.
Daria hung the finished painting up in the living room and stood back to admire the work and smiled as she realized she felt like a mother.
“Well at least I didn’t have to give birth to a pair of 18 year olds.” Daria smirked to herself.
She looked around and checked on her sleeping sister and Tiffany and reminded herself to see if they could try sleeping in something but their bare skin. Her last check of the night was on Jane who was fast asleep on her bed, looking like an angel and Daria moved to get back into bed with her, wandering how things going so wrong could feel so right.