Categories > Cartoons > Daria > Daria's Party Addition
Daria’s Party Addition – 06 –New Year, and Planning
By Dr T
New Years
Jane and Fred were going to be celebrating New Year’s Eve at the Zon. Jack and Daria had discussed several options, but in the end accepted Jack’s parents’ invitation to Winged Tree’s celebration. Helen reluctantly agreed to the plan.
The partners at the law firm all belonged to a different country club, in its own way as snooty (and expensive) but nowhere as socially exclusive as Winged Tree. Helen and her family were invited to that New Year’s Eve celebration; Helen knew that this was a social test from the partners – it went hand-in-hand with an upcoming weekend at a clinic where the family would be evaluated as well. In the end, Daria was allowed to attend Winged Tree with Jack and his parents, while Quinn and Jeffy would go with Helen and Jake.
Daria had of course met Jack’s parents several times since that first time after Brittany’s party, but they had not interacted very much, especially with Jack’s father. They were about the same age as Helen and Jake. Jay Frasier in reality was actually every bit the self-contained, responsible, fiscally-conservative/socially slightly liberal businessman/banker that he portrayed himself to be. He didn’t care much for anything other than the bank and his family, but unlike many who were similar, he acknowledged that others could legitimately feel very different. He therefore did not begrudge his older son’s fascination with the sciences – it wasn’t an interest of his, but it was at least a serious subject. He was a bit more worried about his younger son’s inability to have a similar focus.
Mr. Frasier did not think too much about his older son’s friends one way or another – they seemed to be a reasonable range of teens, with none at least being bad influences. While he did not think Jeff’s two friends were bad in any way themselves, he did worry about the odd competitive dynamic the trio had. Mr. Frasier was already slightly impressed by Daria – unlike most teens, she seemed to have a focus and a genuineness that he appreciated. He also had found he liked her as a person and also thought she was attractive. He understood their mutual attraction. He also remembered how he had felt when he was his son’s age – and felt that Jack was as responsible has he had been, and Daria even more self-reliant than he or his wife had been at that age. He trusted them to know what they were doing.
Mrs. Frasier was much more indulgent towards her younger son than her husband was, although she also worried about him and his two friends. She didn’t understand her older son’s passion for rocks, or think much of it. However, she did think Daria was a much better match for Jack than his previous girlfriend had been. Rather than Jeffy’s competitive streak, Jack had a passionate one (even if his intellectual passion was rocks – as far as she was concerned fossils were just rocks), and that went along with a romantic streak she shared with him but not with her other two children. Like hers, this streak centered on one love at a time. His previous girlfriend had been a somewhat superficial, flighty, teen – in other words, rather typical of many pretty, spoiled teen girls of average intelligence, other than having a love of music. Daria, she thought, had real potential, as a person, and as a partner for her middle child.
Daria respected the pair even more than she actually liked them (and on the whole, she did like them both), and she did appreciate that they seemed to accept her. Therefore, she always managed to (mostly) tone down her sarcasm when she was around them.
It was a little after 10:20 New Year’s Eve when the two couples sat down after a fox trot. Mrs. Frasier gave her husband a dirty look and excused herself. Mr. Frasier looked at the teens and said, “We won’t be going home until well after One. Why don’t the two of you leave now – I’m sure you can find something to do back at the house until Twelve-thirty or so.”
Jack’s eyebrows went up, and Daria flushed.
“Stay out of the alcohol, and have a safe time.” Mr. Frasier got up and went to get drinks for himself and his wife.
Jack turned to Daria. “That was…unexpected to say the least. It’s up to you.”
Daria chewed on her lip a moment, and then asked, “Do you think it’s a test?”
“I…I didn’t think of that,” Jack admitted.
Daria glanced around and saw Mrs. Frasier over by the exit that led to the restrooms. “Excuse me,” she said, and got up and walked over.
Mrs. Frasier looked surprised at Daria’s approach. When Daria simply came up to her and looked at her, Mrs. Frasier smiled a little. “Did you know, I met my husband when I was a Sophomore and he was a Senior? Well, the summer before that, actually, so we were a bit younger than you and Jack were when you met.”
“No, I didn’t,” Daria acknowledged.
“I thought I loved him at first sight, and it turned out I was right. Do you think you love Jack, and that he loves you?”
“Yes,” Daria stated simply.
“And you know the odds might still be against the pair of you for the long term?”
“I do,” Daria admitted, a bit sadly.
Those hard yet heartfelt admissions touched the older woman’s heartstrings. “Then go with him – Jack’s responsible, and so are you, unlike your siblings. We don’t know what you’ll do; if it’s more than necking, be safe.” Neither Frasier would have said such a thing to their oldest child, their only daughter. However, in Jack and Daria they saw a couple like themselves; plus of course as much as they liked Daria, she was not their responsibility.
“Where my sister and I came from, a large minority of the girls, even unattractive middle school girls, were coerced or lured into sex, despite all the warnings. We weren’t but there were so many unplanned pregnancies, we were both put on the Pill, just to make sure. So, no matter how…impulsive Quinn or I might be in the future, at least there’s that.”
Mrs. Frasier smiled. “I hope the two of you make it; you’re a lovely couple.”
“Thank you.”
Daria walked over to Jack and took his arm. She pulled on his jacket so that he leaned close. Daria whispered, “Take me home and make love with me. I love you.” She gently kissed his ear. They linked arms and left.
The Frasiers came together and watched the younger couple leave. “You actually gave her permission?” he teased as he gave his wife her drink.
“Yes; I remembered how much I loved you when I was her age, and I think they’re similar. I hope they make it – and if they don’t I hope they can at least enjoy being together as much as we did.” She smiled and sat her untouched drink down on a nearby table. “Too bad we sent them home – let’s go out to the car. It’s been too long since I unzipped you in the back seat.”
With a very silly grin on his face, Mr. Frasier led his wife out of the building. When they returned forty-five minutes later, they both came back smiling.
When Jack dropped Daria off at home at 12:48 am, they both had smiles similar to his parents’.
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“A spa?” Quinn asked excitedly.
Daria looked up from the pamphlet her mother had brought home with her. “It’s not the kind of spa you’re thinking of,” she stated. She glanced at her mother, wrinkling her nose. “While I can see why some might think we all need group therapy, I don’t see what business it is of the law firm.”
“Those aren’t the evaluations or services we’ll be using, Sweetie,” Helen informed her elder daughter, while Quinn, having made the connections from the trail Daria had provided, wrinkled her nose in an identically cute way. ‘At least I hope they don’t see us that way,’ Helen and Daria both mentally added. “It’s the last step the firm has associates take before deciding on offering a senior associateship, and possible partnership later on.” That made both sisters nod, in part because they knew that step was important to their mother, but also because they knew that would entail about a 10% salary increase if named a senior associate; much more if she was made a partner.
“So, please fill out these questionnaires,” Helen told them as she handed each one of the forms. A stray thought occurred to her. “Please, take them seriously.” Seeing the looks that crossed both daughters’ faces, especially (if incredibly briefly) Daria’s, she was glad she had told them that. She could imagine the superficial answers Quinn might have given – she preferred not to contemplate what Daria could have answered, especially if she had been in a bored or bad mood when she was filling it out.
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In the end, although none of the family would know it, it was Daria who pushed Quiet Ivy’s evaluation firmly into the type of evaluation the more serious members of the law firm favored. Jake and Quinn had not been reviewed favorably at all – Jake was seen functional despite a long list of problems; Quinn incredibly shallow even for a not-unintelligent but self-adsorbed, insecure, self-indulgent, and spoiled teen. Helen’s drive and intelligence were recognized, as was her near-genius intelligence focused on work. In addition, she had just the sort of ruthless determination the law partners valued.
Daria’s interview had put the family dynamics into clear focus, and she managed to put all four of them into the best probable light without sugar-coating or hiding much. While lacking in details due to a degree of confidentiality, Helen was pleased when she saw how Daria was evaluated. (She was less pleased with Quinn, but had to acknowledge that it was likely accurate, as were her and Jake’s.) She did wonder if Daria had managed to put something over on the psychiatric experts or if she was still failing to see her daughter in an accurate light. (The truth probably being around 20/80 – Daria had been careful and cunning, but the Quiet Ivy people were very good.) The evaluations did make Helen worry a bit more about Quinn, even as they lessened her worries about Daria just a bit.
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Daria and Jack were leaving the movie theater on the last Saturday afternoon of January, having watched a rather disappointing thriller called ‘Deep Rising’. As usual, Daria was not holding Jack’s hand once they had left their seats. However, her right arm was wrapped around his left, and these days she often was nearly snuggling into his side when not around many people.
“You seemed happy before we went into the theater,” Daria mentioned as they headed towards his car.
“Well, it’s because I got some good news in the mail before I came to pick you up,” Jack answered. “First of all, I got an early acceptance to MIT.”
“While I wish you weren’t going so far away, I’m glad you got into the college you wanted most.”
“I know,” Jack acknowledged. That bothered him more than he would have expected until recently. “But none of the really good choices were really any closer, and most a lot further away.” He sighed. “Between four hundred eight and four hundred fourteen miles.”
“Then I know what we need to do.”
“Right, time for another driving lesson.”
“Do you think we can find a lonely stretch of road?” Daria was serious – she was still worried about her driving, but both knew there was another reason why she wanted a lonely stretch of road.
“Probably, but I know a nice casual restaurant we can go to after the lesson – it has a big parking lot nearby without much lighting.”
Daria smirked. “So, I can have a savory appetizer before we go into dinner?”
“If you wish,” Jack answered, pleased she liked the idea.
“Well, would you like that?” Daria teased.
Jack held up a finger as they were approaching his car. He handed Daria the keys, and when she unlocked the door he slid into the passenger seat. He then leaned over, turned her head, and kissed her deeply. As the pair were somewhat hidden in the shadows of a tree and there didn’t seem to be anyone watching, she was more than willing to return the kiss.
When they broke apart, Jack answered her earlier question. “Yes, I love any affection or love-making we share, just like I love you.”
Daria gave him her small smile. “You are my favorite appetizer,” she admitted shyly.
As she turned to start the car, Jack said, “There was something else.”
Daria looked over. “Yes?”
“I had an idea about this summer….”
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Helen ‘s eyes narrowed. “You want to spend the summer on a university-sponsored dig in Utah? Would Jack happen to be on this dig?”
“No; he does paleontology, this is anthropology – a previously unknown Clovis hunting site – that’s about thirteen thousand years ago. Yes, Jack will be digging on a site over sixty miles away, a Cretaceous site that about ninety million years ago, I think.” Helen and Jake looked at each other. “I am seriously considering physical anthropology as a major,” Daria reminded them. “If I get a good recommendation from this, it would count more towards admissions than any high school activity, or even activities, ever could.”
Helen sighed, knowing if they turned Daria down, it would give her an excuse to avoid every activity for the next two years. “You may apply,” Helen said, despite knowing her daughter and Jack would likely be together on weekends.
Daria thanked her parents. She did not tell them that although the two digs were indeed just over sixty miles apart, they would be staying at the same campground – and that Jack would be arranging for them to share either a motorhome or, even better, a cabin or possibly a trailer. She had made it very clear that she would not be spending eight to ten weeks in a tent, not even with him.
She admitted she was in love with him (hopefully not just infatuated with him), but being in a tent for several weeks? No.
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“You’re almost late,” Helen told Daria the following Wednesday evening, looking up from the legal statements she was going over.
Daria frowned slightly as she looked at her watch. “One the one hand, I’m six minutes early, had I been on a date. On the other hand, I was at Jane’s, tutoring her for her math test and working together on that econ report.”
“It’s not that I doubt you on that last point,” Helen had to admit. “However, well….”
“Quinn’s study sessions often seem to be how to study menus at expensive bistros,” Daria stated drily.
Helen grimaced, and certainly did not disagree with the assessment even if she didn’t want to admit that aloud. She knew Daria felt like there was a double standard; just as Helen tried to treat two very different teens as equivalently as possible, as it was impossible to treat them equally. “If you could, would you offer to look over Quinn’s Geometry homework? It seems to be the only class she has the slightest chance of earning even an A minus in, and she’s been working on her studies since dinner.”
Daria’s nose involuntarily wrinkled, but she agreed to as she headed to the stairs.
Ten minutes later, Daria came down the stairs and hesitantly stood in front of her mother.
After nearly two minutes, Helen looked up. “Yes?”
Daria sighed sadly. “Good news and bad news. Good news: all of Quinn’s homework seems to be finished, and the Geometry was done very well.” She paused for a moment, and then turned to leave.
“Alright, I understand; you would prefer not to give me the bad news. What is it?”
Daria sighed again. “Quinn isn’t upstairs; her window is cracked open. Could she be down here or in the basement?”
The odds of Quinn having passed by Helen without having been noticed were small, but it was still possible. “Check the basement.”
Quinn wasn’t in the house.
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Just before 10:00, the time Quinn was supposed to open her door so that her parents could do a bed check, Quinn made her way up a ladder held by her date of the night – selected boys knew where Quinn had a hidden light ladder and thought it exciting to help her sneak in and out. It almost made up for the fact that those dates were expensive and she rarely gave up so much as a kiss on the cheek.
Quinn opened up the window, and called down softly, “Thanks, Timmy! Be quiet with the ladder!” She swung into her bedroom, but then froze when she heard her mother say, “I hope you had a good time. It’ll be your last for quite a while.”
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“So, what’s the princess’ penalty?” Jane asked the next day as the pair walked to school.
“Technically, unknown at this time,” Daria answered. “Mother has some bright idea that she’s calling ‘family court’—which I suspect will have the fairness of a stereotypical witch hunt.”
“H’mm…what will you recommend to test her? Fire? Immersion? Seeing if she weighs the same as a duck?”
“I was thinking more along the lines of sticking pins into any freckles or such to see if that causes pain, but she does insist she doesn’t have any freckles or blemishes.”
“None?” Jane smirked, adding, “If true, that would prove she’s a witch.”
In the event, ‘family court’ more closely resembled a Soviet-style show trial than any American courtroom. Quinn would have stood little chance even if she had been guiltless. As it was, as an habitual offender caught in the act, it was an open and shut case.
As usual, once found guilty of an offense, Quinn tried to rope Daria into sharing the blame, or at least the penalty. Quinn rarely had to fulfill the full extent of any punishment doled out to her (while she had been penalized much more often since the family moved to Lawndale, she still managed to escape much of any penalty imposed on her), but she had long seen if both she and Daria were being punished, the penalties ended even sooner.
When Helen therefore tried to impose stricter behavior onto Daria (who had also long noted not only the above, but that any penalty only imposed on her usually had to be fulfilled at a minimum), the two refought the argument of a few months before.
“I don’t see why she should be treated different from me!” Quinn shouted during the middle of the argument. That statement often brought Helen over to Quinn’s point of view – she disliked treating the girls differently – she had vowed not to play favorites like her own mother had. In the end, by trying to be ‘equal,’ she ended up mishandling Daria.
“Because we are two very different people!” Daria shouted back. “I’m sixteen and you won’t even be fifteen for nearly another three months. Except for Gym, I’m a straight-A student; except for Algebra and Gym, you’re earning right around a C-plus/B-minus grade. I stick to the rules; you continuously break them. Why should I be continuously punished just because YOU consistently misbehave!”
“Now girls!” Helen stated in her most commanding voice. Helen then nearly reprimanded Daria before realizing that she was nearly redoing exactly what Daria had been accusing her of just a few moments before. She therefore turned towards Quinn. “Daria is correct, Quinn. When you start acting as responsibly as she does, you’ll have more opportunities.”
With a great effort, Daria managed not to change her expression. Meanwhile, Quinn had looked towards her father for aid. Jake, however, since he had been ‘appointed’ the judge, had for once been following the arguments with his full attention. As Daria had noted, but as neither Helen nor Quinn had, when Jake’s attention was fully engaged, he most often backed Daria’s point of view. He looked at Helen. “So, punishment…no dates through the end of school, or none until the Prom?”
That got a response of “Eek!” from Quinn and a thoughtful look from Helen. Daria, reluctantly, decided to intervene. “May I suggest a modified penalty to the court?”
Jake and Helen looked surprised, while Quinn looked frightened – Daria could be wicked when she wanted to be. “Go ahead,” Jake told his eldest before Helen or Quinn could interject.
“Quinn is a Freshman; Lawndale has two late spring dances – the formal Prom where at least one of the couple has to be a junior or a senior, and the semi-formal Hop, where at least one has to be a Freshman or Sophomore. I really think she should be allowed to both, if invited.”
Jake and Helen looked at each other. Daria went on, “Also, a week from this Saturday is Valentine’s Day. There’s just a regular school dance that night. Even if I dislike the popularity games so many go in for here at Lawndale High, they are important to Quinn. Missing out on regular dates through the end of the school year would be more than enough penalty if she were to be allowed to attend those three events.”
Jake and Helen retired to the kitchen to confer on the idea. Quinn turned to Daria. “Despite Dad’s meaner idea, yours is still pretty tough. Still, why sort of help me?”
“True,” Daria told her, “in spite of the fact that you tried very hard to get me punished just to make yourself feel better.”
Quinn looked a bit guilty at that, and could hardly deny it. Then, Quinn surprised her sister by saying, “I’m sorry; just a bad habit I guess.” She at least sounded sincere (and actually was – for her and for the moment).
“Again, I dislike, even disapprove of this serial dating for status. Still, I acknowledge that it is the system that partially determines one’s status here. Your social status means too much to you, but believe it or not, I do understand your position, I just don’t share it. So, if you’re going to have very limited dating for the next four months or so, they should at least be the most important.”
“Thank you,” Quinn said softly.
Helen and Jake had been listening in. Before they could confer more, Helen strode back into the room. “Here’s the deal. Quinn, as your father suggested, you may attend the Prom. You will be home, and will STAY home, by Eleven-thirty that night.” She turned to Daria. “There may be after-Prom parties; we’ll discuss your curfew when things are settled.”
She turned back to Quinn. “You may attend the Valentine’s dance and the Hop under one condition.” She glanced at Daria. “You must be attending, and Quinn and her date are with you and Jack. Curfew for Valentine’s is Ten-thirty; for the Hop, Eleven.”
“We already discussed the Prom, but we were planning on going to the country club for real dancing on Valentine’s Day,” Daria complained. “We haven’t talked about the Hop.”
Helen shrugged, (mostly) refusing to acknowledge that these conditions were partially to punish Daria for standing up to her yet again (and being in the right). “Those are totally up to you and Jack; you two decide what you want to do. If you don’t want to go to one or either, that’s fine. If you want to go to both and don’t want Quinn tagging along, well, Quinn will just have to deal with the results.”
Daria frowned, knowing she was being guilted into accepting the terms.
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For the most part, Jane was amused by the results of the ‘Family Court.’ She and Fred still weren’t terribly serious, but no one was lining up to date either of them. They got along and found the other attractive (especially Fred towards Jane). Both were enjoying discovering the joys of teen hormonal sex—neither had any real experience before this. That they might either have to go to these dances alone or triple date didn’t really bother either of them.
Jack was not happy, as he knew having Quinn along would prevent Daria from being very affectionate. She would not go so far as to be intimate when Jane and Fred were with them, but she was willing to drop her stoic mask and be openly affectionate – he would at most get glimpses of that side of Daria with Quinn there. He and Daria talked it over, and she went to talk to Quinn later that evening.
It was before supper, and Quinn was pouting in her room. Quinn glanced up, and just managed to hold back an insult – if Daria was there to gloat, there was little she could do about it except, perhaps, make things worthwhile with some payback. Therefore, all she said was, “Yes?”
“I came to tell you the deal. First, do you have a date already for Valentine’s Day?”
“No,” Quinn almost snapped. “I have seven invitations; I need to decide by Monday if not tomorrow.”
“If Jeff, I mean Jeffy, is one of them, and if you accept it then you and he can join us for dinner at the country club. Anyone else, and we dine out and then pick you and him up just before the dance. Your choice. If you don’t go with Jeffy to the Hop, and you decide who you’re going with at least two weeks before hand, we can see if we can find a place we’re all willing to go to other than the country club. If it is Jeffy, you can add the country club back in.”
Quinn sighed. All-in-all, it wasn’t a terrible deal on offer. As Daria had guessed, three of the seven invitations had been from Jeffy and his two competitors, and really the other four were not really much better, just old enough to drive. Since she would have to ride with Daria and Jack in any event, Jeffy wasn’t a bad choice. “Fine, I’ll tell Jeffy.”
“A suggestion, since all three J’s will likely be together – tell them that until they get their licenses, you won’t be dating them, with the exception that you might go with Jeff if you’re with Jack and myself. That way, Jeff won’t get beaten up before the dance.”
“They might just do that,” Quinn admitted. She adored their admiration and competition for her, but the trio often went too far even for her.
“I asked Jodie, and she said most people treat the Valentine’s Dance like a semi-semi-formal – suits and ties for guys, nice outfits but no gowns for us.”
“I know,” Quinn stated, surprised that Daria had bothered. “We’ll look good.”
By Dr T
New Years
Jane and Fred were going to be celebrating New Year’s Eve at the Zon. Jack and Daria had discussed several options, but in the end accepted Jack’s parents’ invitation to Winged Tree’s celebration. Helen reluctantly agreed to the plan.
The partners at the law firm all belonged to a different country club, in its own way as snooty (and expensive) but nowhere as socially exclusive as Winged Tree. Helen and her family were invited to that New Year’s Eve celebration; Helen knew that this was a social test from the partners – it went hand-in-hand with an upcoming weekend at a clinic where the family would be evaluated as well. In the end, Daria was allowed to attend Winged Tree with Jack and his parents, while Quinn and Jeffy would go with Helen and Jake.
Daria had of course met Jack’s parents several times since that first time after Brittany’s party, but they had not interacted very much, especially with Jack’s father. They were about the same age as Helen and Jake. Jay Frasier in reality was actually every bit the self-contained, responsible, fiscally-conservative/socially slightly liberal businessman/banker that he portrayed himself to be. He didn’t care much for anything other than the bank and his family, but unlike many who were similar, he acknowledged that others could legitimately feel very different. He therefore did not begrudge his older son’s fascination with the sciences – it wasn’t an interest of his, but it was at least a serious subject. He was a bit more worried about his younger son’s inability to have a similar focus.
Mr. Frasier did not think too much about his older son’s friends one way or another – they seemed to be a reasonable range of teens, with none at least being bad influences. While he did not think Jeff’s two friends were bad in any way themselves, he did worry about the odd competitive dynamic the trio had. Mr. Frasier was already slightly impressed by Daria – unlike most teens, she seemed to have a focus and a genuineness that he appreciated. He also had found he liked her as a person and also thought she was attractive. He understood their mutual attraction. He also remembered how he had felt when he was his son’s age – and felt that Jack was as responsible has he had been, and Daria even more self-reliant than he or his wife had been at that age. He trusted them to know what they were doing.
Mrs. Frasier was much more indulgent towards her younger son than her husband was, although she also worried about him and his two friends. She didn’t understand her older son’s passion for rocks, or think much of it. However, she did think Daria was a much better match for Jack than his previous girlfriend had been. Rather than Jeffy’s competitive streak, Jack had a passionate one (even if his intellectual passion was rocks – as far as she was concerned fossils were just rocks), and that went along with a romantic streak she shared with him but not with her other two children. Like hers, this streak centered on one love at a time. His previous girlfriend had been a somewhat superficial, flighty, teen – in other words, rather typical of many pretty, spoiled teen girls of average intelligence, other than having a love of music. Daria, she thought, had real potential, as a person, and as a partner for her middle child.
Daria respected the pair even more than she actually liked them (and on the whole, she did like them both), and she did appreciate that they seemed to accept her. Therefore, she always managed to (mostly) tone down her sarcasm when she was around them.
It was a little after 10:20 New Year’s Eve when the two couples sat down after a fox trot. Mrs. Frasier gave her husband a dirty look and excused herself. Mr. Frasier looked at the teens and said, “We won’t be going home until well after One. Why don’t the two of you leave now – I’m sure you can find something to do back at the house until Twelve-thirty or so.”
Jack’s eyebrows went up, and Daria flushed.
“Stay out of the alcohol, and have a safe time.” Mr. Frasier got up and went to get drinks for himself and his wife.
Jack turned to Daria. “That was…unexpected to say the least. It’s up to you.”
Daria chewed on her lip a moment, and then asked, “Do you think it’s a test?”
“I…I didn’t think of that,” Jack admitted.
Daria glanced around and saw Mrs. Frasier over by the exit that led to the restrooms. “Excuse me,” she said, and got up and walked over.
Mrs. Frasier looked surprised at Daria’s approach. When Daria simply came up to her and looked at her, Mrs. Frasier smiled a little. “Did you know, I met my husband when I was a Sophomore and he was a Senior? Well, the summer before that, actually, so we were a bit younger than you and Jack were when you met.”
“No, I didn’t,” Daria acknowledged.
“I thought I loved him at first sight, and it turned out I was right. Do you think you love Jack, and that he loves you?”
“Yes,” Daria stated simply.
“And you know the odds might still be against the pair of you for the long term?”
“I do,” Daria admitted, a bit sadly.
Those hard yet heartfelt admissions touched the older woman’s heartstrings. “Then go with him – Jack’s responsible, and so are you, unlike your siblings. We don’t know what you’ll do; if it’s more than necking, be safe.” Neither Frasier would have said such a thing to their oldest child, their only daughter. However, in Jack and Daria they saw a couple like themselves; plus of course as much as they liked Daria, she was not their responsibility.
“Where my sister and I came from, a large minority of the girls, even unattractive middle school girls, were coerced or lured into sex, despite all the warnings. We weren’t but there were so many unplanned pregnancies, we were both put on the Pill, just to make sure. So, no matter how…impulsive Quinn or I might be in the future, at least there’s that.”
Mrs. Frasier smiled. “I hope the two of you make it; you’re a lovely couple.”
“Thank you.”
Daria walked over to Jack and took his arm. She pulled on his jacket so that he leaned close. Daria whispered, “Take me home and make love with me. I love you.” She gently kissed his ear. They linked arms and left.
The Frasiers came together and watched the younger couple leave. “You actually gave her permission?” he teased as he gave his wife her drink.
“Yes; I remembered how much I loved you when I was her age, and I think they’re similar. I hope they make it – and if they don’t I hope they can at least enjoy being together as much as we did.” She smiled and sat her untouched drink down on a nearby table. “Too bad we sent them home – let’s go out to the car. It’s been too long since I unzipped you in the back seat.”
With a very silly grin on his face, Mr. Frasier led his wife out of the building. When they returned forty-five minutes later, they both came back smiling.
When Jack dropped Daria off at home at 12:48 am, they both had smiles similar to his parents’.
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“A spa?” Quinn asked excitedly.
Daria looked up from the pamphlet her mother had brought home with her. “It’s not the kind of spa you’re thinking of,” she stated. She glanced at her mother, wrinkling her nose. “While I can see why some might think we all need group therapy, I don’t see what business it is of the law firm.”
“Those aren’t the evaluations or services we’ll be using, Sweetie,” Helen informed her elder daughter, while Quinn, having made the connections from the trail Daria had provided, wrinkled her nose in an identically cute way. ‘At least I hope they don’t see us that way,’ Helen and Daria both mentally added. “It’s the last step the firm has associates take before deciding on offering a senior associateship, and possible partnership later on.” That made both sisters nod, in part because they knew that step was important to their mother, but also because they knew that would entail about a 10% salary increase if named a senior associate; much more if she was made a partner.
“So, please fill out these questionnaires,” Helen told them as she handed each one of the forms. A stray thought occurred to her. “Please, take them seriously.” Seeing the looks that crossed both daughters’ faces, especially (if incredibly briefly) Daria’s, she was glad she had told them that. She could imagine the superficial answers Quinn might have given – she preferred not to contemplate what Daria could have answered, especially if she had been in a bored or bad mood when she was filling it out.
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In the end, although none of the family would know it, it was Daria who pushed Quiet Ivy’s evaluation firmly into the type of evaluation the more serious members of the law firm favored. Jake and Quinn had not been reviewed favorably at all – Jake was seen functional despite a long list of problems; Quinn incredibly shallow even for a not-unintelligent but self-adsorbed, insecure, self-indulgent, and spoiled teen. Helen’s drive and intelligence were recognized, as was her near-genius intelligence focused on work. In addition, she had just the sort of ruthless determination the law partners valued.
Daria’s interview had put the family dynamics into clear focus, and she managed to put all four of them into the best probable light without sugar-coating or hiding much. While lacking in details due to a degree of confidentiality, Helen was pleased when she saw how Daria was evaluated. (She was less pleased with Quinn, but had to acknowledge that it was likely accurate, as were her and Jake’s.) She did wonder if Daria had managed to put something over on the psychiatric experts or if she was still failing to see her daughter in an accurate light. (The truth probably being around 20/80 – Daria had been careful and cunning, but the Quiet Ivy people were very good.) The evaluations did make Helen worry a bit more about Quinn, even as they lessened her worries about Daria just a bit.
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Daria and Jack were leaving the movie theater on the last Saturday afternoon of January, having watched a rather disappointing thriller called ‘Deep Rising’. As usual, Daria was not holding Jack’s hand once they had left their seats. However, her right arm was wrapped around his left, and these days she often was nearly snuggling into his side when not around many people.
“You seemed happy before we went into the theater,” Daria mentioned as they headed towards his car.
“Well, it’s because I got some good news in the mail before I came to pick you up,” Jack answered. “First of all, I got an early acceptance to MIT.”
“While I wish you weren’t going so far away, I’m glad you got into the college you wanted most.”
“I know,” Jack acknowledged. That bothered him more than he would have expected until recently. “But none of the really good choices were really any closer, and most a lot further away.” He sighed. “Between four hundred eight and four hundred fourteen miles.”
“Then I know what we need to do.”
“Right, time for another driving lesson.”
“Do you think we can find a lonely stretch of road?” Daria was serious – she was still worried about her driving, but both knew there was another reason why she wanted a lonely stretch of road.
“Probably, but I know a nice casual restaurant we can go to after the lesson – it has a big parking lot nearby without much lighting.”
Daria smirked. “So, I can have a savory appetizer before we go into dinner?”
“If you wish,” Jack answered, pleased she liked the idea.
“Well, would you like that?” Daria teased.
Jack held up a finger as they were approaching his car. He handed Daria the keys, and when she unlocked the door he slid into the passenger seat. He then leaned over, turned her head, and kissed her deeply. As the pair were somewhat hidden in the shadows of a tree and there didn’t seem to be anyone watching, she was more than willing to return the kiss.
When they broke apart, Jack answered her earlier question. “Yes, I love any affection or love-making we share, just like I love you.”
Daria gave him her small smile. “You are my favorite appetizer,” she admitted shyly.
As she turned to start the car, Jack said, “There was something else.”
Daria looked over. “Yes?”
“I had an idea about this summer….”
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Helen ‘s eyes narrowed. “You want to spend the summer on a university-sponsored dig in Utah? Would Jack happen to be on this dig?”
“No; he does paleontology, this is anthropology – a previously unknown Clovis hunting site – that’s about thirteen thousand years ago. Yes, Jack will be digging on a site over sixty miles away, a Cretaceous site that about ninety million years ago, I think.” Helen and Jake looked at each other. “I am seriously considering physical anthropology as a major,” Daria reminded them. “If I get a good recommendation from this, it would count more towards admissions than any high school activity, or even activities, ever could.”
Helen sighed, knowing if they turned Daria down, it would give her an excuse to avoid every activity for the next two years. “You may apply,” Helen said, despite knowing her daughter and Jack would likely be together on weekends.
Daria thanked her parents. She did not tell them that although the two digs were indeed just over sixty miles apart, they would be staying at the same campground – and that Jack would be arranging for them to share either a motorhome or, even better, a cabin or possibly a trailer. She had made it very clear that she would not be spending eight to ten weeks in a tent, not even with him.
She admitted she was in love with him (hopefully not just infatuated with him), but being in a tent for several weeks? No.
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“You’re almost late,” Helen told Daria the following Wednesday evening, looking up from the legal statements she was going over.
Daria frowned slightly as she looked at her watch. “One the one hand, I’m six minutes early, had I been on a date. On the other hand, I was at Jane’s, tutoring her for her math test and working together on that econ report.”
“It’s not that I doubt you on that last point,” Helen had to admit. “However, well….”
“Quinn’s study sessions often seem to be how to study menus at expensive bistros,” Daria stated drily.
Helen grimaced, and certainly did not disagree with the assessment even if she didn’t want to admit that aloud. She knew Daria felt like there was a double standard; just as Helen tried to treat two very different teens as equivalently as possible, as it was impossible to treat them equally. “If you could, would you offer to look over Quinn’s Geometry homework? It seems to be the only class she has the slightest chance of earning even an A minus in, and she’s been working on her studies since dinner.”
Daria’s nose involuntarily wrinkled, but she agreed to as she headed to the stairs.
Ten minutes later, Daria came down the stairs and hesitantly stood in front of her mother.
After nearly two minutes, Helen looked up. “Yes?”
Daria sighed sadly. “Good news and bad news. Good news: all of Quinn’s homework seems to be finished, and the Geometry was done very well.” She paused for a moment, and then turned to leave.
“Alright, I understand; you would prefer not to give me the bad news. What is it?”
Daria sighed again. “Quinn isn’t upstairs; her window is cracked open. Could she be down here or in the basement?”
The odds of Quinn having passed by Helen without having been noticed were small, but it was still possible. “Check the basement.”
Quinn wasn’t in the house.
dp
Just before 10:00, the time Quinn was supposed to open her door so that her parents could do a bed check, Quinn made her way up a ladder held by her date of the night – selected boys knew where Quinn had a hidden light ladder and thought it exciting to help her sneak in and out. It almost made up for the fact that those dates were expensive and she rarely gave up so much as a kiss on the cheek.
Quinn opened up the window, and called down softly, “Thanks, Timmy! Be quiet with the ladder!” She swung into her bedroom, but then froze when she heard her mother say, “I hope you had a good time. It’ll be your last for quite a while.”
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“So, what’s the princess’ penalty?” Jane asked the next day as the pair walked to school.
“Technically, unknown at this time,” Daria answered. “Mother has some bright idea that she’s calling ‘family court’—which I suspect will have the fairness of a stereotypical witch hunt.”
“H’mm…what will you recommend to test her? Fire? Immersion? Seeing if she weighs the same as a duck?”
“I was thinking more along the lines of sticking pins into any freckles or such to see if that causes pain, but she does insist she doesn’t have any freckles or blemishes.”
“None?” Jane smirked, adding, “If true, that would prove she’s a witch.”
In the event, ‘family court’ more closely resembled a Soviet-style show trial than any American courtroom. Quinn would have stood little chance even if she had been guiltless. As it was, as an habitual offender caught in the act, it was an open and shut case.
As usual, once found guilty of an offense, Quinn tried to rope Daria into sharing the blame, or at least the penalty. Quinn rarely had to fulfill the full extent of any punishment doled out to her (while she had been penalized much more often since the family moved to Lawndale, she still managed to escape much of any penalty imposed on her), but she had long seen if both she and Daria were being punished, the penalties ended even sooner.
When Helen therefore tried to impose stricter behavior onto Daria (who had also long noted not only the above, but that any penalty only imposed on her usually had to be fulfilled at a minimum), the two refought the argument of a few months before.
“I don’t see why she should be treated different from me!” Quinn shouted during the middle of the argument. That statement often brought Helen over to Quinn’s point of view – she disliked treating the girls differently – she had vowed not to play favorites like her own mother had. In the end, by trying to be ‘equal,’ she ended up mishandling Daria.
“Because we are two very different people!” Daria shouted back. “I’m sixteen and you won’t even be fifteen for nearly another three months. Except for Gym, I’m a straight-A student; except for Algebra and Gym, you’re earning right around a C-plus/B-minus grade. I stick to the rules; you continuously break them. Why should I be continuously punished just because YOU consistently misbehave!”
“Now girls!” Helen stated in her most commanding voice. Helen then nearly reprimanded Daria before realizing that she was nearly redoing exactly what Daria had been accusing her of just a few moments before. She therefore turned towards Quinn. “Daria is correct, Quinn. When you start acting as responsibly as she does, you’ll have more opportunities.”
With a great effort, Daria managed not to change her expression. Meanwhile, Quinn had looked towards her father for aid. Jake, however, since he had been ‘appointed’ the judge, had for once been following the arguments with his full attention. As Daria had noted, but as neither Helen nor Quinn had, when Jake’s attention was fully engaged, he most often backed Daria’s point of view. He looked at Helen. “So, punishment…no dates through the end of school, or none until the Prom?”
That got a response of “Eek!” from Quinn and a thoughtful look from Helen. Daria, reluctantly, decided to intervene. “May I suggest a modified penalty to the court?”
Jake and Helen looked surprised, while Quinn looked frightened – Daria could be wicked when she wanted to be. “Go ahead,” Jake told his eldest before Helen or Quinn could interject.
“Quinn is a Freshman; Lawndale has two late spring dances – the formal Prom where at least one of the couple has to be a junior or a senior, and the semi-formal Hop, where at least one has to be a Freshman or Sophomore. I really think she should be allowed to both, if invited.”
Jake and Helen looked at each other. Daria went on, “Also, a week from this Saturday is Valentine’s Day. There’s just a regular school dance that night. Even if I dislike the popularity games so many go in for here at Lawndale High, they are important to Quinn. Missing out on regular dates through the end of the school year would be more than enough penalty if she were to be allowed to attend those three events.”
Jake and Helen retired to the kitchen to confer on the idea. Quinn turned to Daria. “Despite Dad’s meaner idea, yours is still pretty tough. Still, why sort of help me?”
“True,” Daria told her, “in spite of the fact that you tried very hard to get me punished just to make yourself feel better.”
Quinn looked a bit guilty at that, and could hardly deny it. Then, Quinn surprised her sister by saying, “I’m sorry; just a bad habit I guess.” She at least sounded sincere (and actually was – for her and for the moment).
“Again, I dislike, even disapprove of this serial dating for status. Still, I acknowledge that it is the system that partially determines one’s status here. Your social status means too much to you, but believe it or not, I do understand your position, I just don’t share it. So, if you’re going to have very limited dating for the next four months or so, they should at least be the most important.”
“Thank you,” Quinn said softly.
Helen and Jake had been listening in. Before they could confer more, Helen strode back into the room. “Here’s the deal. Quinn, as your father suggested, you may attend the Prom. You will be home, and will STAY home, by Eleven-thirty that night.” She turned to Daria. “There may be after-Prom parties; we’ll discuss your curfew when things are settled.”
She turned back to Quinn. “You may attend the Valentine’s dance and the Hop under one condition.” She glanced at Daria. “You must be attending, and Quinn and her date are with you and Jack. Curfew for Valentine’s is Ten-thirty; for the Hop, Eleven.”
“We already discussed the Prom, but we were planning on going to the country club for real dancing on Valentine’s Day,” Daria complained. “We haven’t talked about the Hop.”
Helen shrugged, (mostly) refusing to acknowledge that these conditions were partially to punish Daria for standing up to her yet again (and being in the right). “Those are totally up to you and Jack; you two decide what you want to do. If you don’t want to go to one or either, that’s fine. If you want to go to both and don’t want Quinn tagging along, well, Quinn will just have to deal with the results.”
Daria frowned, knowing she was being guilted into accepting the terms.
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For the most part, Jane was amused by the results of the ‘Family Court.’ She and Fred still weren’t terribly serious, but no one was lining up to date either of them. They got along and found the other attractive (especially Fred towards Jane). Both were enjoying discovering the joys of teen hormonal sex—neither had any real experience before this. That they might either have to go to these dances alone or triple date didn’t really bother either of them.
Jack was not happy, as he knew having Quinn along would prevent Daria from being very affectionate. She would not go so far as to be intimate when Jane and Fred were with them, but she was willing to drop her stoic mask and be openly affectionate – he would at most get glimpses of that side of Daria with Quinn there. He and Daria talked it over, and she went to talk to Quinn later that evening.
It was before supper, and Quinn was pouting in her room. Quinn glanced up, and just managed to hold back an insult – if Daria was there to gloat, there was little she could do about it except, perhaps, make things worthwhile with some payback. Therefore, all she said was, “Yes?”
“I came to tell you the deal. First, do you have a date already for Valentine’s Day?”
“No,” Quinn almost snapped. “I have seven invitations; I need to decide by Monday if not tomorrow.”
“If Jeff, I mean Jeffy, is one of them, and if you accept it then you and he can join us for dinner at the country club. Anyone else, and we dine out and then pick you and him up just before the dance. Your choice. If you don’t go with Jeffy to the Hop, and you decide who you’re going with at least two weeks before hand, we can see if we can find a place we’re all willing to go to other than the country club. If it is Jeffy, you can add the country club back in.”
Quinn sighed. All-in-all, it wasn’t a terrible deal on offer. As Daria had guessed, three of the seven invitations had been from Jeffy and his two competitors, and really the other four were not really much better, just old enough to drive. Since she would have to ride with Daria and Jack in any event, Jeffy wasn’t a bad choice. “Fine, I’ll tell Jeffy.”
“A suggestion, since all three J’s will likely be together – tell them that until they get their licenses, you won’t be dating them, with the exception that you might go with Jeff if you’re with Jack and myself. That way, Jeff won’t get beaten up before the dance.”
“They might just do that,” Quinn admitted. She adored their admiration and competition for her, but the trio often went too far even for her.
“I asked Jodie, and she said most people treat the Valentine’s Dance like a semi-semi-formal – suits and ties for guys, nice outfits but no gowns for us.”
“I know,” Quinn stated, surprised that Daria had bothered. “We’ll look good.”
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