“Forget your worries at the door; welcome to all that life has in store. Let loose the troubles that weigh you down,
just remember you are no longer bound.” A
great shot of her and Maddy at the mic, sharing the last of the song, in
harmony and Quin added that, as well as another clip of Clapp bumping up the
bass for the finale.

“Forget the past, it only drags you down. Into the crushing sea of utter despair.” She faded the footage and saved it, rubbing
her lips as she heard the front door opening.
The clacking of high heel shoes and Quin attempted to not smile.

“Do you ever pick up this
place? Oh my goodness, are there rats
here?” Her mother asked and Quin chewed
on the straw she was using for her soda, and she gave her mother an endearing
look.

“Yes mother, I do clean up and
that was the hamster mother, he is in cage….
I did clean, about a month ago, but then I never could find my
underwear.” Quin chipped in and her
mother stood her hands on her hips and rolling her eyes. Her mother found the only spot on the couch
not covered with clothes or CD’s. She
sat down delicately, and licked her lips, her eyes meeting Quin’s.

“I brought you something to
wear for Friday. It’s very elegant, but
also very simple. Pants, no dress as you
always insist on.” Her mother put her
hands up in surrender and Quin had forgotten about her promise to her mother to
be at the party. Quin took a steeling
sip of her soda, she said in a careful tone.

“If I don’t make it?” Quin asked in a soft voice, and her mothers’
cold gaze told her everything she needed to know. She was going to have to relent she knew
it. That was it, she was going to be
ousted and that was all there was to it.