Reece's Faith (98 page)

They watched as Quinn and Reece clomped their way across the hallway. Reece opened the closet and tossed the older man a helmet, which he put on backwards.

"Reece..."

"I know, Faith. I'll fix it."

The two disappeared out the door to the astonishment of the women.

"I can't believe she's taking Dad on the bike."

"I can't believe they're suddenly best friends," Marsha shook her head in wonder.

"I can't believe they have the same size foot," Cori patted Faith on the shoulder.

They heard the rumble of Reece's Harley and all three women ran to the window to witness this event. Faith snickered first, Marsha snorted next and Cori all out laughed as they pulled away.

"That certainly was a sight," Marsha giggled.

"Dad's fat ass hanging off the sides of Reece's bike or his knees squeezing the shit out of her?"

"It was his Fruit of the Looms that did it for me," Cori chuckled.

"Well, I don't know what happened, but I sure am delighted that they get along now, Faith."

"I know what you mean, Mom, but I really don't know if I want the two of them hanging around together.

"I feel for you, hon," Cori shook her head.

The group made their way into the kitchen and sat around the table. Faith fiddled with her coffee cup and Cori picked up the puppy.

"So what brings you here, Mrs. A?

"OH, I forgot! We saw the accountant this morning and since we were in the neighborhood..."

"You decided to drop in and mortify me."

"Now, dear, if you and your woman could be more discreet with your sexual escapades and not walk around half naked..."

"Mother! You dropped in on us. I can walk around any way I choose in my house."

"I didn't mind," Cori shrugged.

"Of course not; I hear you like to watch," Marsha teased.

"God!" Cori blushed and Faith laughed. "That's so not true. I'm gonna kill Reece"

"Before you kill anyone, do you want to go shopping?" Mrs. Ashford asked.

"Oh yeah," Faith nodded.

 
*  *  *

Idling at a red light, Mr. Ashford loosened his death grip on Reece. "You want to tell me again why I'm doing this?"

"Because I threatened you," Reece called back behind her.

"Oh yeah." He shook out his numb fingers.

"I told you, we have to get along or at least make it look like it." Reece revved up the motor to end the conversation.

Quinn took hold of Reece's body again as the light changed and said a few Hail Mary's for good measure. Finally opening his eyes, he noticed they were not in the neighborhood any more. Keeping his eyes open, he found that he rather liked being on the back of the machine and relaxed some.

Reece felt the man ease up on the squeezing and smiled to herself.
No one can resist a ride. For you, Faith, I'll do anything.

Quinn whooped at the next light. "This is great!" he shouted enthusiastically. "Hey, where are we going?"

"To my favorite florist; Faith doesn't feel well."

"You surprise me, Reece... in a good way."

"Yeah, I surprise myself," she chuckled as she started away from the green light.

Quinn felt exhilarated, the sound of the bike and the feel of the wind made him giddy. He also bought flowers for his wife. When the florist asked Reece who her friend was and she replied, 'The old man,' Quinn felt himself puff up a bit. "Hey, thanks, you didn't have to say anything, you know."

"No, I didn't," Reece stated.

"Then why?" Mr. A stopped her from getting on the bike.

"Because Faith and me are forever. You come with."

Quinn smiled, "You're not half bad Corbett."

"Gimme a chance, I'll show you bad," Reece growled playfully.

"Faith loves you unconditionally. That's all I need to know."

"And that's all I need to survive. Let's get going. They're probably worried about us."

 
*  *  *

 
*  *  *

It was a good thing that Reece called home to see if the girls wanted anything before she and Quinn headed back. Learning of the shopping trip, she had to go back into the florist and reschedule delivery for the evening.
Guess that ibuprofen finally kicked in
, she thought with a smile.
Too bad I gave Barry the day off, they have to cab it now,
she thought with a small scowl. Looking over to her girlfriend's father sitting patiently on the motorcycle, she closed her eyes and sighed.
What am I going to do with him all day? I suppose I could take him instead of Faith...
She appeared deep in thought for a short while.
Nah, I don't think I can handle that. It's too 'Father-In-Law' for me.
"So, where to, Pops?" she slapped Quinn on the back and he fell forward on the bike seat.

"Pops? No, I don't like it. Think of something else," he shook his helmeted head back and forth.

Reece climbed on the bike. "Suit yourself, you're with me today."

"What did you have planned for today before we showed up? Sorry about that, anyway -- it wasn't my idea."

"No worries and you don't want to know what I had planned for today. Trust me," she threw a shit-eating grin over her shoulder causing Quinn to clear his throat.

"Marsha was thrilled that Faith had the day off," he shrugged. "I told her she didn't want to come barging in on Faith's first day off, I figured you'd have... plans," he blushed a little as he said it.

"Yeah, well..." Reece nodded and turned on the bike. "Any place special, Pops?" she shouted over the engine.

"Lead the way, Theresa," he snickered.

Reece bowed her head slightly and chuckled.
I deserved that.
"Okay, hang on, old man, we're going for a ride," she yelled and peeled away from the curb.

Quinn grabbed fistfuls of leather jacket and held on tightly.
Old man...I think I prefer 'Pops'...

 
*  *  *

It wasn't even noon before Marsha, Cori and Faith arrived at the shopping Mecca of New York City. They left the cab in a flurry of excitement and started to scatter in three directions.

"Hey! Wait a sec. Let's go together so we don't get lost," Cori suggested.

"I'm a big girl, Cor, I can shop all by myself."

"Humor me, Faith. You don't realize how high profile you became with that little stunt at the studio. Reece would absolutely slaughter me if anything happened to you."

"You know, she's right, dear. All the queer people know your face."

"And, that's a bad thing because..."

"Faith, the gay chicks want you and the homophobes despise you. Either way, that spells trouble. Please?" she pouted.

Faith turned to her mother for support, but Marsha was pouting just the same. "Oh, all right!" she threw up her hand. "Fine, we'll go together."

"Goodie!" Marsha clapped her hands like an excited child. "Can we go to Niketown?"

Faith stopped walking and eyed her mom. "I was expecting Bergdorf's, but, sure, I can do Niketown."

"Fine, your father needs new sneakers and I really want to try one of those sports bras..." she thought for a moment, "oh, and those shorts that Theresa wears; they look so slimming."

"Lycra, Mrs. A? I don't know about that," Cori said skeptically. "It'll look like you have a watermelon in the back of your drawers." Cori raised an eyebrow at Faith, who looked ill, apparently picturing her mother in said garment.

"Mom, do we have to be there when you try it on?"

"Of course! How else will I know how it looks?"

A sports bra mom? I don't know about this..."

"You're pretty
ample
there, Mrs. A. I'm thinking it will look like you have one giant boob in the middle of your chest."

"Thank you, Cori -- Queen of Vivid Imagery," Faith grimaced.

 
*  *  *

Faith's face was severely pinched as they left Niketown and headed to the 'safety zone'.
You can't go wrong at The Gap.
She practically flew passed Victoria's Secret, much to the dismay of her friend.

"Hey, Faith, wait up, they're having a thong sale!"

"Are you willing to take Mother in there?" she pointed at the large lingerie store.

"On second thought, I have the catalogue."

"I thought not. Let's go, we're pretty safe with chinos."

 
*  *  *

Quinn was content to sit on the back of the bike and let Reece lead them. He had no idea where they were going, only that they headed out of the city and into Brooklyn. After the harrowing experience of being on a motorcycle crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, the man was finally at ease and enjoying the ride.

Reece picked her brain at what to do with Quinn. At first, she thought about taking him to the pool hall, but then decided against it. It was too risky. Someone was bound to make some comment about her that would raise Quinn's eyebrows. Then she thought of just riding out to nowhere and that was nixed. Quinn was sure to be sore and need to use a bathroom soon.
Fine. We'll go. I can do it.
"You alright back there?" Reece asked at the first light since leaving the highway.

"Yeah, where are we going?" he adjusted his grip, yet still his fingers hurt.

"Since we're both not thrilled with the idea of you hugging me, put your hands in my jacket pockets; it'll take the load off your fingers."

"Thanks," he slipped his hands into the pockets and found them very warm and comfortable.
Ahhh, that's much better.
"You haven't answered my question."

"You'll see when we get there."

Quinn sighed. He hated not knowing where they we're going, but was excited at the same time. He had never done anything like this before and he was wondering what had taken him so long.
Perhaps this is a mid-life crisis?
he wondered. He sighed again.

Reece misread the sighs. "Okay, we're going to a baseball game."

"Baseball?" He cocked his head. There wasn't any baseball in Brooklyn.

"I was going to surprise Faith with it today, but since I wound up with you, you'll be my date," she joked.

Suddenly Quinn remembered. "The new stadium in Coney Island? Isn't that a minor league team?"

"You don't want to go?" she asked in alarm. She had no other ideas.

"Yes! I want to go! This is fantastic!! Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"I had no idea if I really wanted to do such a thing. I don't know that I like you that much yet," she said honestly.

"Well... okay... I can see your point."