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The Quintessential Q
Chapter Eighty Two
Looking Out for the Little Ones
Cookie strides into JD office at the courthouse not even slowing down for his clerk and not caring if JD is in the middle of something. Court is not in session everything else could wait. She slams the door behind her. JD looks up at his wife and can tell she is furious. "Cookie."
"I'm gonna kill that over inflated little bitch. Delusions of godhood." Cookie paces from one end of the room to the other.
JD grabs a coffee mug and goes out to his clerk. "Go down to Judge Matthews office and get a double shot of whatever he has in his bottom drawer." He hands her the mug. The clerk races from the room. JD goes back in and closes the door behind him. "Okay honey, give me the particulars. But tell me first you haven't actually killed anyone."
"Oh no. I didn't touch a hair on her perfectly coiffed head. But she didn't know how close she came." Cookie is sputtering she is so furious. With a quick knock on the door, the clerk races back in and hands JD the mug and then races back out really not wanting to witness any of this.
"Sit down." JD suggests. Cookie resists until he sits down on the couch and pulls her down next to him. He hands her the mug with the double shot of 80 proof. Cookie takes a sip and then blows out as the fire hits the back of her throat. "Now what happened?"
"I'm there at the last bell. Tell Rita to go over to the restaurant to help Johnny with the dinner prep. It's just me and the little bitch. She starts in on how Rita is disruptive, out of control. She sneaks around it but she's bringing stuff up like needing counseling and maybe some medication you know just til she gets over her ordeal. That's how she referred to the kidnapping-- as The Ordeal.
And I'm biting my tongue 'cause this woman is suppose to be a pro, right? She ain't gonna tell me how to cook and I'm not gonna tell her how to teach. Least this is what I'm thinking going in. But you've seen Rita's homework-- the girl brings home nothing but A's. She hasn't ditched since that time when she found out about Johnny. I tell the teacher-- but she's getting the work done. That you always check her homework. Oh no, this is about Rita's attitude. Rita is always challenging her. So I'm like whoa isn't it suppose to be vice versa you challenging her?"
JD winces. "Okay and then what happened."
"Well she got kind of snotty then babbling on about how many kids in the class and how many classes she has. That Rita is taking away from the attention the other kids deserve."
"And."
"So I tell her-- and your answer is to drug them all up like a bunch of zombies so you can get through your day with no back talk? Things kind of went down hill from there. I got so steamed, I had to get out of there. So I went up to the office. I want Rita out of that woman's class. She's an idiot. And the principal she's sounding all sympathetic and all, but I'm not getting crap out of her. She won't move Rita. There are no TAG programs anymore they were cut in the last budget round. Basically lump it." Cookie downs the last of the liquor in the mug.
"Rita is acting out, isn't she?" JD asks his wife but he already knows the answer.
"Yeah. Wouldn't you?! They're trying to make her into a little drone. It ain't happening. Rita might be a little smartass but the emphasis is on smart. I'm not gonna have her start playing dumb for anyone. The girl has got a brain. When she is around pros she doesn't give them any lip. Does she mess with Carly about riding? No. Does she mess with you bout anything? No. Does she mess with me or Johnny about cookin' or runnin' the restaurant? No. Cause she knows we know what we're talking about."
"Cookie, I know you fight this one everyday, I run into it all the time too. There are lots of idiots in the world. You have to learn how to get along with them. Isn't it better she learn now?" JD plays devils advocate all the while hoping that his wife isn't going to bite his head off.
Cookie's eyes narrow. She knows the game JD is playing. Rita is the apple of his eye. "Baby, don't play that card. I'm coming late to the game but I see this coming down one of two ways. The first is this gets a hell of a lot worse. Rita keeps fighting, keeps challenging and we keep getting calls to the school. The second is that she gives up, goes along and finds something to occupy her time."
"So what do you suggest?"
"Hell I don't know! She's your daughter." Cookie throws up her hands.
"Don't give me that crap, Margarita. What are you thinking?"
"It was a long shot before the meeting but Johnny said somethin this morning. Private school. He mentioned Queen of Angels but I don't know about that."
"Catholic school?" JD raises a brow. "And you think Rita is acting out now?!"
"Yeah, that's what I figure too. But whatcha think about the private school idea?"
"Look into it." JD nods. "But who knows how long it will take? There could be waiting lists and such. So lets not mention this to Rita until we've got a couple of options to give her."
"Deal. But you deal with the school from here on out. 'Cause if I go down there again I'm gonna get real blunt."
Rita leans up against the counter back in the kitchen area. She dumped her bookbag on the little two top table next to the phone. "...And I had no clue what was going to happen."
"What did you do?" Johnny doesn't look up from his slicing and dicing.
"I kinda hung outside the door for a minute. Just to hear-- you know?"
"Yeah, I know." Johnny shakes his head. Rita is so predictable. She always has to know exactly what's going on.
"Ms. Rogers starts telling how I'm disruptive and out of control...." Rita rolls her eyes. "And then she tells Cookie I need to be on medication."
"Excuse me?!" Johnny sets the knife down and turns to look at his little sister. "She said what?!"
"Oh that's not the best part. There was a long pause and then when Cookie answered her, her voice had the tone. You know, like when she found out I had ditched to meet you and got in my face?"
"The tone." Johnny starts to get a really bad feeling.
"Oh yeah. As soon as I heard that I booked outta there. No way was I going to be the first thing Cookie saw when she gets done with Miss Rogers. Especially since she told me to come over to help you with dinner prep."
"Lot of help you've been so far." Johnny teases. "Why don't you go up and get changed into your work outfit. You can get the tables ready for the dinner hour."
"Kay." Rita grabs her bookbag and is about to go when she pauses at the door between the kitchen and the dining area. "Johnny, you aren't gonna call your Ma, are you? If you do then she'll know I was eavesdropping."
"Consequences, sweetie." When it looks like Rita is going to protest. "Go. I've got your back. Ma and I talked about her going to the school today. She wont be surprised if I call. She'd be surprised if I didn't."
Carly comes out of the elevator of the ELQ- PC building. She takes a deep breath and then exhales. Michael is down visiting with his friends in the daycare center. AJ would have been home soon anyway but this was the time, the soonest time, to get a moment with her husband. Lucas is at his riding lesson down at the academy. The bus dropped him off there and she'd have to go pick him up in a bit. There is just a little window of opportunity and then the next time would be tonight after the kids are in bed. "Is he in?"
"Yes, Mrs. Quartermaine." The secretary glances down at the phone. "He just got off of a conference call."
"Can you make sure he isn't bugged for a bit? You might even consider lightening up the rest of his afternoon. I don't think AJ is going to feel like working after I give him the news."
"The news?"
"I'll let him tell you." Carly goes over to the door and opens it shutting it behind her and leaning up against it. AJ looks up at the sound of the door.
"Carly?"
"Well we seem to have a little time now to talk about your habit of snitching me off to your father."
"Now Carly..."
Carly makes a face wrinkling up her nose. "Don't even try to duck this one, sweetcakes. You were the one that came to me. You told me; Carly, when we work as a team we can do anything. Carly, you need to talk to me about what you're planning. Carly, things only go awry when we don't communicate."
"But Carly..." AJ stops when Carly holds up her hand she crosses over to the chair opposite his desk and plops down dropping her purse and a bag on the floor. AJ comes around the desk and sits on it facing Carly.
"It's a two way street, babe. If I have to communicate with you then you better be communicating with me. You have a problem with me, you take it up with me first. That way you'll be the first one to figure things out rather then the third or fourth or fifth.
AJ leans in and cups Carly's face. "What is it, honey. What ever it is we'll deal with it together."
"Damn straight we will." Carly nods. She reaches over and pulls a box out of the bag on the floor. "And the first thing you are going to have to do is learn how to make these. I think you're going to get lots of opportunities."
AJ takes the box and flips it over to see the front. "Grits? You're giving me a box of grits?" AJ looks at Carly again and there is an awareness but he holds back from asking another question.
Carly hugs one arm around the front of her and reaching out grabs AJ by the tie and pulls him down to her so they are a breath apart. "I'm pregnant, and it's all your fault." Carly kisses him hard on the mouth.
AJ pulls back from Carly dropping the box to the floor. His legs have gone to noodles and he collapses to his knees. His voice is a combination of a whisper and stutter. "Did you say..."
"Pregnant, papa. Confirmed by kit and Dr. Newman."
"Ohmygod, Ohmygod." AJ starts muttering and hugs Carly close.
"You're not going to start singing some sappy Neil Sedaka song are ya? Because I haven't really had a weak stomach and I don't want to start."
"Nope. We'll leave the leather britches to Ned. But how about I take my beautiful bride dancing-- Luke's, anywhere you want to go? Call Em to babysit the kids and we'll tear up the town." AJ gets serious. "Are you okay? You talked to Dr. Newman right? How far along are you?"
"I'm fine. I talked to Dr. Newman who says I can even keep riding but no jumps or anything wild. Nothing where I might come off the horse hard. And how far? A couple of months. I'm going to do it right this time, AJ." Carly says slowly, hesitantly. "It won't be like with Michael."
"Me too, Carly." AJ promises. "I put a lot of pressure on you when you were pregnant with Michael and after too. We're in this one together."
Maddy drops her stuff on the kitchen table. Rubbing the back of her neck she tilts her head from one side to the other to stretch it out. It's been a long day. Up early making deliveries, then four hours of testing, late lunch with Mr. Q and Ms. Lila, checked in with Aunt Dara down at the courthouse to get Taggart off her ass. Another round of the kiosks to do the afternoon pickups, bank deposit, and now paperwork. Her voice mail had been packed since the cell was off for the morning and she'd been returning calls afternoon from clients. Her highschool regulars were frantic wondering if they are still going to get their concert tickets, ski lift tickets whatever the hell they are into. "I'm done stick a fork in me." Maddy mutters closing her eyes. A day off would be so sweet. Maybe finally check out the spa that Em raves on about.
"Isn't that the first sign of insanity?" Nikolas comes in the kitchen after checking the progress upstairs. Many of the projects are in the finishing stages working toward the cleaning stage. Then his next major endeavor furnishing the place before the housewarming. "Talking to yourself?"
"Nope, answering." Maddy opens her eyes again. "What did you want, Niknik?"
"I'm hurt." Nik says holding a hand to his chest. "Can't I just want to talk?"
"You never have before. Okay what do you want to talk about?" Maddy plays along. "Emily?"
"No, but thanks for offering." Nik goes over to the fridge and pulls out a bottled water he offers one to Maddy who accepts. "I've already verified the stuff you told me before. No, I think it's time we got to know each other better."
Maddy looks at Nikolas hard. The laugh starts low in her throat and then tumbles out. Leaning forward in her chair she rests her weight on her elbows. "Someone has been talking to his uncle. Did Stefan ever decide if I was working for Helena or Luke Spencer?"
"It better not be Helena, Maddy. Sorry to say but she is seriously psycho and people who work for her take the brunt of that." Nikolas warns.
"Have you ever wondered why?" Maddy muses. "I do believe that pure evil does exist but most is made. It's like the influences thing we were talking about before. I wonder who her influences were?"
Nik shakes his head. "I don't want to find out. I don't want to understand my grandmother. She just is as she is and I'm staying the hell away from her. I can see where your analysis of people has helped you in your business but there are certain people that when you see them coming you just move over to the other side of the street. Helena is one of those. So are you? Working for my grandmother?"
"Nope. And you know I'm not. I'm self employed. Have been for years."
"Maddy, you are 17, define for years please."
Maddy thinks about it for a minute taking a sip of the water. "Ten?" Then nods. "Yeah, about that."
"No way. That's impossible." Nik shakes his head.
"And you're sheltered. 'Candy, I have done it all: errands, newspaper route, yardwork, posted flyers, lookout for the cops, anything that needed to be done. I started working for candy and after my first cavity converted to cold hard cash. By the time I was old enough to work legally flipping burgers or something I'd already built a clientele down in my neighborhood. Before I could drive, I was on my bike. Before I had a bike I was on foot."
"Why?"
"Because it needed to be done." Maddy shrugs.
"So if you were building up such a great clientele down in New Orleans why move to New York?"
"Things were getting a little hot down south. My mom called Aunt Dara and suggested I come up here to finish up school and I was ready for a change of scenery. So I cashed in and went for the change of scenery."
"A little hot?"
"There was a cop down there." Maddy shakes her head. "He started noticing that everything that went down in the neighborhood I was always near by. He didn't think I was messed up in it just that he figured I knew where the bodies were buried figuratively..." and literally "...so he started putting the pressure on to get me to snitch for him. He came at me, at my mother. He was cutting into my business but I could deal. Mom couldn't."
"It must have been rough to start over."
"I had some investments to tide me over. And I wasn't starting from scratch. I had everything that I learned." Maddy taps the side of her head.
"And nobody bothered you before this cop started hassling you?"
"That one was pure luck. I lived in a mixed neighborhood back in New Orleans. I don't mean just color although that too. It was like this neighborhood. A few rich yuppies with more money than sense trying to fix up their little piece of urban renewal. People hard on their luck who could get nothing better than living in abandoned hulks and some grannies who had been there since the place was a decent place to live.
My first cash job was running errands for the grannies. They knew it wasn't safe to be on the street-- if you're weak you're a target for some crackhead after your social security money. So I'd do their shopping, go to the drug store for them after awhile the liquor store for them. Whatever they needed done call Maddy. She'd take care of it or know somebody who could, right?" Maddy grins at the memory. "They'd pay me but they'd also keep me in lemon drops and home cooked meals. But you know what? Everyone has a granny. Granny Rosa used to go on and on about her grandson the big businessman who was always after her to move to Florida, move somewhere safe. But this was her home and no little street punks were going to chase her out." Maddy uses a different voice when talking about Granny Rosa.
Nikolas can picture a little old lady, a tough bird sort of a Ms. Lila with a touch of Grandma Lesley's bluntness thrown in. "So Granny Rosa-- who was her grandson?"
"So connected." Maddy laughs. "You know what I mean by connected right? He was the biggest boss in all of Louisiana, still is. He is what Sonny Corinthos wants to be when he grows up. I'm a little girl; I have no idea what that means. All I know is that Granny Rosa is a great tipper and makes the best cannoli that I have ever tasted then or since. I'd check on her everyday. Make sure everything was okay before checking on the other grannies see if they needed anything.
One day I come in the kitchen like I have been every day. Dropping my books on the table and hollering out that I'm there and she needs her garden weeded did she want me to start on that and three huge guys with guns burst into the room from the front." Maddy points to the door as if to show between the dining room and the kitchen. "I start screaming my head off. How they better leave Granny Rosa alone because I know people bigger than they are that will kick their asses. You know, basic BS. I am so scared this close to crying and angry because I hate being scared and that close to crying.
Granny Rosa comes in from the front room and slaps these guys on the back of the heads like they are no older than I. Calls them big bullies picking on a little girl. And they started sucking up and apologizing so fast. Granny comes over to me and tells me to go weed the garden and she'll have a list for me when I get done. I didn't want to leave her but she shoo'd me out. A little bit later the grandson comes out to the garden and he says to me how sorry he is his guys scared me but he's glad someone is keeping an eye on Granny Rosa and he gives me his card. Tells me to call him if Granny ever needs anything or if anyone hassles her or me."
"Jesus, Maddy!"
"Like I said--Pure, stupid luck. He bought me my first pager and then my cell phone. 'Cause he knew I'd tell him how his grandmother was doing and if she ever needed anything. He kept an eye on the neighborhood. When he figured that things weren't that great for me at home he put me on salary; actually considering the amount of money more of an allowance really. Granny Rosa told him I was hauling groceries to her house in my wagon. So he bought me a bike with baskets on it. When the bike got stolen one of his guys found it for me and my bike was never stolen again. He always called me. I never called him 'cause he's this big businessman and I didn't want to bother him. Except once." Maddy frowns. "I'm tired; I'm going to bed."
"Maddy, it's only..." Nik glances down at his watch. "...seven."
"So I'll watch a little TV first." Maddy retorts. Talk time is over. Gathering her things from the table she goes down to the basement. Nik can't actually hear it-- but in his mind he can hear the lock click on the closed door.
Nikolas pulls out his cell phone and speeddials the number to his uncle's study at Wyndemere. "Uncle? When that dossier comes in on Maddy I want to read it." They exchange further pleasantries but the conversation is soon over and Nik calls Emily on her cell.
"hello?"
"Em? What is all that noise?" Nikolas raises his voice to be heard.
"I'm babysitting tonight over at Carly's. Lucas and Michael are here."
"Want some company?"
"Sure. It can be like old times. Lucky and Elizabeth are already on their way over."
"Right. I'm on my way." Nik disconnects the call. Damn