{"id":2144,"date":"2020-12-12T20:14:21","date_gmt":"2020-12-13T03:14:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/?p=2144"},"modified":"2020-12-12T20:14:21","modified_gmt":"2020-12-13T03:14:21","slug":"katherine-quartz-msw","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/2020\/12\/12\/katherine-quartz-msw\/","title":{"rendered":"Katherine Quartz, MSW"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

prompt: Write about someone telling their family they won\u2019t be continuing the long-standing family business….<\/em><\/em>
available at Reedsy<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the third time in as many minutes, Kat checked her polished tusks for stray lipstick. Her waist-length onyx hair was piled into an elaborate up-do, held by two plain silver hairpins that had been her grandmother\u2019s. The lipstick she kept re-checking was the same deep chocolate brown as her evening gown, setting off her ochre-yellow skin and deep green eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cKat, you look beautiful, quit stressing it.\u201d At just a shade over five feet tall, Gwen stood as high as Kat\u2019s armpits. Where Kat was a mountain of muscle in warm, earthy tones, Gwen was a wisp of pale pink with light violet eyes and white hair. Her dress was deep blue silk, showing off her odd coloration without clashing with Kat\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know if I\u2019m ready for this,\u201d Kat said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll see, everything will work out.\u201d Gwen held a diamond necklace. \u201cSit, I\u2019ll put this on you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kat let Gwen put the necklace on, acutely aware that she was about to step out of the house wearing eighty-thousand dollars in diamonds around her neck. If they had been in Kat\u2019s neighborhood, she would never even consider it. She looked at the sparkle of the necklace in the mirror, feeling like a queen. \u201cYou sure it\u2019s okay?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes. They\u2019re mine and I said so. Tonight\u2019s going to be awesome!\u201d Gwen tugged inefficiently at Kat\u2019s hand trying to get her to stand up. \u201cLet\u2019s go, the limo\u2019s waiting,\u201d she said with a mock pout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though she was only fifty-four, Kat often felt like the \u201cadult\u201d in the relationship compared to the nearly two-hundred-year-old Gwen. \u201cLife isn\u2019t a series of happy endings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSure it is, you just have to find them, like we just did\u2026 in the shower.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not what, I meant and you know it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019ll be fine,\u201d said Gwen. \u201cCome on, Grumpy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kat growled a low rumble, making Gwen giggle. \u201cFine, Squeaky.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They arrived at the wrap party for the eighth and final season of Quartz Security<\/em>, a reality TV show that centered around Kat\u2019s parents and their private security business. Kat had been able to avoid the cameras by virtue of refusing to sign a release form, despite being hounded about it every year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She didn\u2019t want to be in the limelight, and yet here she was, stepping on to the red carpet to be with her girlfriend. The TV cameras and reporters hounded the couple as they walked hand-in-hand into the venue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once inside they were accosted by Gwen\u2019s parents. Her mother was a few inches taller than Gwen, with the same pale skin but with ice-blue eyes, and dark brown hair. Her father was shorter than both of them, with dark, ash-grey skin, violet eyes, and pure white hair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kat offered her hand. \u201cGood evening, Mister and Missus Blackrock.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, please,\u201d she said, \u201cjust Isobel and Thomas.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thomas looked around for a second with a puzzled expression. \u201cGuinevere, where is this special\u2014,\u201c he stopped when Isobel nudged him with her elbow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She looked at their locked hands and said, \u201cWell, dear, you said we\u2019d be surprised. It seems your father is, for certain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re dating\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, Dad, I\u2019m dating an orc. You\u2019re a dark elf, mom\u2019s a light elf, I\u2019m a mixed-up elf and I\u2019m dating an orc.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, I mean\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, Dad, she\u2019s a girl, I\u2019m a girl, we\u2019re both girls.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isobel gave Kat a warm hug. \u201cNever mind him. Welcome to the family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thomas shook his head. \u201cNo! That\u2019s not it. Orc, fine, girl, fine. You\u2019re Katherine Quartz, right? George Quartz\u2019s daughter?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am,\u201d Kat replied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou, uh\u2026,\u201d he paused, seeming to change gears, \u201cyou\u2019ve worked so hard to keep away from the camera, but you\u2019re here\u2026 and you\u2019re dating the most well-known face in Hollywood.\u201d His expression wasn\u2019t a full-on flinch, but it was close. \u201cI thought you wanted privacy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFirst, I\u2019m dating all<\/em> of her, not just her face,\u201d Kat said, eliciting a giggle from both Gwen and Isobel. \u201cSecond, Gwen is more important to me than my privacy. And third, I\u2019m here because Gwen insisted.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI hope,\u201d Isobel said, \u201cthat you don\u2019t do everything<\/em> Guinevere insists on.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGod no. That would be tiring, and quite possibly dangerous!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gwen pouted. \u201cQuit teasing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kat pulled her in close and gave her a squeeze. \u201cOkay, no more teasing\u2026 tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you see should see your mother, give her my regards,\u201d Isobel said. \u201cShe\u2019s a delightful woman.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kat noticed that Isobel said nothing about her father. She wondered what that was about but decided to let it rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She should have guessed the Blackrocks would be at the party. Their fading film careers were re-ignited following season four, when the Quartz Security team protected them from a stalker. After more than two centuries in show business, half of it in movies, they both had starring roles in current films. Gwen had already had some minor roles, one supporting actress role, and was in talks to play the lead in a science-fiction series.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, Dad, Mother,\u201d Gwen said, \u201cwe have someone else we need to talk to before Grumpy chickens out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They walked through the crowd, Gwen getting the attention of everyone they passed. Kat took her time, telling herself it was so Gwen could socialize. The real reason for the slow pace was the coming showdown. She feared it, but her best bet would be to do it now, in a very<\/em> public setting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the other end of the room, they found George and Sarah Quartz, sitting on a sofa in front of cameras and engaged in an interview with an entertainment reporter. Kat stopped and looked around for a waiter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou need a drink, Grumpy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kat nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be right back.\u201d Gwen sailed through the crowd with the practiced grace that came from forty years of dance and etiquette training, and even more of attending fancy parties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Within minutes, Kat wanted to leave; find Gwen and get out. She was planning her escape route when she was interrupted by a familiar voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m surprised you came.\u201d George Quartz stood seven feet and two inches; half a head taller than Kat. His brown eyes sat in a lined face, sun-darkened to a rich leather color, grey touching the edges of his signature buzz-cut he hadn\u2019t changed since he fought in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. His right tusk was broken off an inch above his lip, while the left was a full, sharp three inches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sarah looked like an older version of Kat, her black hair worn in a traditional style: twin braids that went behind the shoulders then were looped back to the front and in loops outside the shoulder like aiguillettes. \u201cWas that Guinevere Blackrock I saw you talking to?\u201d Sarah asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYeah, her mother says hi. Gwen\u2019s\u2026 uh\u2026,\u201d Kat faltered, looking around for Gwen. What a horrible time for her to leave her stranded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHer mother\u2019s nice, makes a mean apple tart. But Guinevere\u2026 she\u2019s what, dear?\u201d Sarah asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kat screwed up her courage and spoke. \u201cLook, I know this isn\u2019t the best time or place, but I\u2019m quitting the security company. This is my two-week notice, along with the email I sent earlier today. I finished my MSW last year and I\u2019m ready to find work as a social worker.\u201d She added, in a near whisper, \u201cand I\u2019m dating Gwen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re leaving?!\u201d George bellowed, followed by a deep, rolling growl. \u201cThis business has been in our family since we guarded the Pony Express in 1860. And you quit<\/em>?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPlease, George, she still has plenty of time to change her mind.” Sarah looked at Kat. \u201cIsn\u2019t that right, dear?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, Mom, you don\u2019t get it. I can\u2019t do this<\/em>. No more. I\u2019ve worked for the family business all my life, and I\u2019ve always<\/em> said I wanted to do something different, something that helps those that need it the most.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur clients need help,\u201d George said, \u201cyour mother and I need help. I want to retire in a few years. If you leave, how am I supposed to do that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou just retire. Maybe it\u2019s time to let go. Keep ownership but turn over operations to someone else. Janice could run things, same as she does when you\u2019re on vacation, or busy doing your TV stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI thought I specifically left you<\/em> in charge when we\u2019re gone. What\u2019s this about Janice?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou left me in charge, so I left Janice in charge. She\u2019s better at it than I am.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou left Janice<\/em> in charge of the security business? But she\u2019s an elf!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd? Why does that matter?\u201d Pink began to creep up Kat\u2019s cheeks and the pointed tips of her ears. \u201cWhy does that matter!? She\u2019s worked there longer than you\u2019ve been alive! I should\u2019ve known my father was a racist.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m not a racist,\u201d he said, \u201cI just\u2026 the job is dangerous and physically demanding, not something her kind is suited to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sarah sucked on her tusks. \u201cUm, dear, I think maybe you should reconsider what you just said.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gwen chose that moment to approach and squeeze next to Kat. She grabbed her hand and gave it a kiss. \u201cCan we go, sweetheart? I\u2019m getting tired.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat the\u2026?\u201d George took a breath and stopped himself before he said anything else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sarah asked, \u201cIs that what you were whispering, dear? You two are dating?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kat nodded and George fumed silently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou look cute together.\u201d Sarah began pushing George to the back-of-house area. \u201cI think George needs a rest after all the interviews.\u201d She looked at Gwen as she said, \u201cI\u2019m so sorry, dear.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNow I know why your mother didn\u2019t send her regards to my father<\/em>.\u201d Kat tried to hold her tears but failed. Tears of anger at her father\u2019s blatant racism, anger at her mother for putting up with it and shielding him, shame for being related to him, embarrassment from his outburst; most of all, though, anger at herself for not seeing it sooner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kat had stopped walking so Gwen held on to her. She couldn\u2019t see through the tears, but she felt more arms wrap around her, guiding her. She let them lead her into a powder room where she dropped to her knees and wept.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Squeaky. My dad\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShh, Grumpy, you\u2019re not your dad.\u201d Gwen\u2019s kisses on her forehead were light, soothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m, uh, sorry for my earlier reaction,\u201d Thomas said. \u201cI fear I let my interactions with your father color my perceptions, and for that I apologize. It was wrong of me to assume the worst of you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isobel\u2019s voice was soft. \u201cKatherine\u2026 Kat, we can get you out to our limo the back way, away from the cameras. Would you like that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kat nodded and sniffled. Gwen handed her a tissue and said, \u201cThat\u2019s good, \u2018cause your makeup is a mess.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe can drop you at your place, or would you rather go to Gwen\u2019s?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think your limo would be safe in Westgate,\u201d Kat said, \u201cand I don\u2019t want to be alone right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGwen\u2019s place it is,\u201d Thomas said. \u201cYou should join us for dinner tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cReally, Dad?\u201d Gwen asked. \u201cDoes now seem like the time to bring that up?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDo you love her, Guinevere?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat kind of question is that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe simple kind,\u201d he said. \u201cDo you love Katherine?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDuh! Of course, I do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFrom what she said earlier I\u2019m guessing it\u2019s mutual,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kat nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that got to do with dinner?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou need<\/em> to bring your girlfriend over for dinner so your parents can embarrass you properly,\u201d he said, \u201cit\u2019s in the parent contract. Tomorrow just happens to work with our schedule.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not going to embarrass her, Thomas,\u201d Isobel said, \u201cbut we would like to have you both over.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a softer tone he added, \u201cIt also seems like she could use some family about now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCan I decide in the morning?\u201d Kat asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course, you can. Thomas, help the young lady up so we can get out of here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The limo ride was silent until Isobel spoke up. \u201cSo, you\u2019re going to be a social worker?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kat nodded. \u201cDid Gwen tell you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isobel turned away. \u201cNo, we\u2014 heard the whole thing\u2026 along with every camera in the place.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tears started up again. \u201cI\u2019m so sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo. You have nothing to apologize for.\u201d Thomas patted Kat\u2019s knee. \u201cYou stood up to your father and let him know his views aren\u2019t okay.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isobel said, \u201cWhat I wanted to say is, I think you\u2019ll do great. You obviously care about others. That\u2019s important for that kind of work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kat sniffled. \u201cIt pays for shit, though, and I think I just screwed myself out of an inheritance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gwen snuggled closer. \u201cThat\u2019s okay, I\u2019ll be your sugar mama.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kat tickled her rib making her squeal. \u201cThanks, Squeaky.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thomas smirked and said, \u201cThat\u2019s where that nickname comes from.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isobel laughed a genuine, open laugh and said, \u201cI meant what I said earlier. Welcome to the family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gwen wiped away Kat\u2019s tears. \u201cSee, I told you it would work out.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

prompt: Write about someone telling their family they won\u2019t be continuing the long-standing family business….available at Reedsy For the third time in as many minutes, Kat checked her polished tusks for stray lipstick. Her waist-length …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[208],"tags":[214,210,209,220],"class_list":["post-2144","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-trunk-stories","tag-drama","tag-fiction","tag-short-story","tag-urban-fantasy"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pxT7i-yA","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2144","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2144"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2144\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2145,"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2144\/revisions\/2145"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2144"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2144"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2144"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}