They all sat around looking from each other to Quinn as she turned off the television and stood in the middle of the room. She looked like he felt, numb from what he had just heard. This lady was sitting next to her own child and could not only question why he left the tour but was going to sue him for it. If she were in the same situation was anyone to believe she would dance and joke around on a stage instead of run to be with her sick child? He remembered, it wouldn�t happen to her daughter because her daughter was pure white.
The same couldn�t be said for his daughter but he was proud of her. He was happy she was mixed. He felt like it said something about him. How accepting he was towards everyone. His daughter was black, no one could say he had a problem with people who were different than him. To be very honest being around the dancers, producers and vocal coaches who were Black made him wish, sometimes, deep down inside that he was Black too. He couldn�t wait to walk hand in hand with his daughter and for everyone to know she was his. She was beautiful and she was special.
Quinn turned slowly and looked almost possessed as she faced in their direction. He cringed at the thought of being blamed for this, and in front of everyone.
�Is that the truth?� He didn�t know how to answer that. He didn�t even know what the question was about.
�Is that how it goes Brian? Is that true? God is punishing my daughter because she�s biracial?� He looked over at Brian who seemed to be in shock.
�That�s your God huh?� The tears were pouring down her face,
�My daughter doesn�t deserve to live because of her parents� sins?� He couldn�t believe that she would actually try to blame Brian for some crazy lady�s words. Brian didn�t say anything. He just sat there and watched Quinn begin to pace the room and cry.
�Religion? You�re one of those holy rollers. A fucking bible thumper. Is that why you and Leighanne don�t like me. Why you didn�t approve of me and Nick together?� He was more confused now than ever. What was she talking about? Brian didn�t like her? Since when? He didn�t know there were any problems between Brian and Quinn?
�Is that it Brian? Aren�t you going to say anything? Does my baby deserve to die? Is that punishment?� He looked back and forth between a frantic Quinn and a strangely calm Brian. As he looked at Brian�s face more and more he almost looked as if he felt sorry for Quinn.
She didn�t wait any longer for Brian to answer. It looked as if he didn�t plan on saying anything to her anyway. In the end, he had to agree with that decision. There was nothing he could say that would make her feel better. And everything he said was bound to piss her off more and more.
She stormed out of the waiting room ranting that everyone needed to leave the hospital and that she was going to have all of them removed as her family followed behind her.
He turned and stared at all of them. Larry looked torn. He could tell Larry wanted to check on Quinn more than he wanted to sit there and watch after him.
�We�re going to get sued? We�re going to get sued over this?� AJ shook his head repeatedly.
�I�m sorry guys.� He whispered as he held his head down. Not only had he dragged Quinn and Mac into the spotlight but he got his band mates involved in a stupid lawsuit. Kevin shook his head and walked over to him. He placed his arm around him,
�That�s not what he meant. He, all of us, can�t believe that anyone would sue over something so stupid as a concert when there is something so much more important hanging in the balance.� AJ walked over to him nodding,
�Yeah man, that�s exactly what I meant. There is nothing for you to be sorry about. You were where you were supposed to be and if that lady can�t see that then she�s an idiot.�
�So none of you knew anything about this lawsuit I take it?� He had forgotten that his mother was in the room and it made him slightly nervous that she was there.
�Well, I think its obvious that we need to show that she�s just out for a big quick paycheck and she�s taking advantage of your celebrity and wealth. I�ll get a couple of lawyers on it.� It made his stomach do somersaults when he saw the look on Kevin�s face.
�Thank you Jane. We have our own lawyers that get paid a lot of money. We�ll just let them take care of this. I�m sure they are already on it.� AJ nodded,
�Yeah, they already know.� How could they know. They said the woman was thinking about filing a lawsuit.
�They haven�t even filed the suit yet. How would our lawyers know?� Brain sighed,
�MTV wouldn�t have filed this report without trying to get a response from our side.� That was something he didn�t even think about. His brain wasn�t working. It was on shutdown and he shook his head as he began to cry.
�Can everyone please give the four of us some privacy. We have some things we need to discuss.� Brian nodded at Leighanne and only then did she begin to follow Josh. Kristin and Larry�s lead and head for the door. His mother, on the other hand, seemed to only get more comfortable in her chair.
�Jane, please. This is something we should discuss as a group; the four of us. I know Nick is your son and you only want to protect him but this is about business.� She reluctantly left the room but not before hugging her son and letting him know she would be just outside when he needed her.
Once they were alone he sank in a chair and played with his hands as he waited to be yelled at by all of them. Kevin was the first to speak,
�Nick., we have watched you basically walk around here on autopilot. Its not fair that you�ve left it all for Quinn.� He looked up at then with total confusion,
�What? What are you talking about?� AJ sighed,
�He�s saying you need to step up and be the strong one. Be the man. She�s tried to be strong but its obvious that she�s losing it now; snapping at Brian that way. She can�t do it anymore. She can�t be strong enough for the both of you when it comes to your daughter.�
�You�ve been walking around here with your head down, your eyes full of tears and your tail in between your legs. You need to get with the program.�
�They�re right.� He looked at Brian,
�You can�t talk about not knowing you were a father and needing time to get adjusted. The time is now. Only God knows how much longer you might be able to be a father.� He was right. They were all right. He couldn�t keep running around feeling sorry for himself and expecting others to feel bad too. He sighed,
�You guys are right.� He nodded his head as if the more and more he did it the more and more it all made sense. �You�re right. And Brian I�m sorry for what she said to you.� He shook his head,
�No need to apologize. I know she�s hurting. Besides, that lunatic didn�t make religion look good.� He smiled lightly,
�For the record I don�t have a problem with you and Quinn. And I don�t have a problem with your daughter either.� He was glad that was clear. For a moment he had his doubts. She made him wonder.
�As far as this lawsuit it concerned,� It was just like Kevin to keep business in the forefront, �Its ridiculous. Everyone will see how stupid it is. Suing a singer because he couldn�t be at a show because his daughter was sick. A judge would throw it out. The show wasn�t even cancelled.� That was true but it never ceased to amaze Nick the things people were allowed to get away with when they went up against celebrities. Sometimes being famous hurt your case.
Chapter 75a