Hollow

Ch.6 When It Rains,

*****TW: This chapter contains topics such as family issues/violence, racism, racial profiling, verbal aggression, homophobia*****

Sat. 7/15

"Looks like it might rain." -Quinn

"A little water never hurts anyone." -Rubi

Today, Quinn was going to take Rubi on a drive through the countryside, where she lives. She promised Rubi she would take her up there before summer ends.

Their farm is on the outskirts of town, so Rubi has never visited Quinn before. Rubi doesn't have her own car yet, and she doesn't want to bother Quinn unless Quinn specifically asks her to come over.

Quinn doesn't mind this because the truth is, she doesn't really want Rubi around her family anyway. She doesn't even want to be around them.

"Now, I know you know about my parents. We really can just go to the river today." -Quinn

"It's okay. I wanna get out of town. It'll be fine." -Rubi

They put on their helmets and drive off on Quinn's scooter. It's about a 15-minute drive. They get off the highway and onto a tiny backroad. It's only big enough for one vehicle to pass through. Rubi now understands why Quinn drives a scooter instead of a car.

"Oh my god! Are those baby cows?! They're so cute!" -Rubi

"Yup. It's the cow pasture. Our neighbors own it." -Quinn

They drive past a big fenced-in field. It holds a bunch of black-angus cows. They watch a baby gallop around their mom. The countryside reminds Rubi of her Lolo's house in the Philippines. It's very nostalgic for her.

Quinn decides not to burst Rubi's bubble and tell her that they are not milk cows. Rubi seems too happy for that right now.

"This is us." -Quinn

They pull up onto a little gravel path that leads to a little brown farmhouse. It's old but cozy. There's a wooden sign that reads "McCoy Farms" out front.

Quinn's dad is out on the tractor. Her mom is hanging clothes out on the porch. It's Saturday, so the other workers don't have to be there today.

"You can just follow me, okay? We can even just take a walk through the apple trees. We don't have to go inside." -Quinn

"Why, look at this! Quinn tells us all about you. Come in, come in. I made some lemonade." -Mrs. McCoy

Quinn's mom puts a hand behind Rubi's back, guiding her through the screen door. She has silky, ginger hair and kind brown eyes just like Quinn.

Rubi takes off her shoes. It is very much a farmhouse. It smells of pastries and bonfires. There's niche "home sweet home" decor up on the walls. There's an American flag framed atop the TV and a rooster statue sitting by the fireplace. They make their way to the leather couch.

"So, you tell your family all about me?" -Rubi

Rubi thinks that it is quite endearing of Quinn, but it makes Quinn go bright red.

"I literally just mention you when we go to the river. It's really not that big of a deal." -Quinn

Quinn's mom brings out a tray with a glass pitcher of lemon slices and a plate of butter cookies. She sets it onto the oak coffee table.

"Please, help yourself. I'll be outside if you girls need anything. Anything at all." -Mrs. McCoy

"Thank you, Mrs. McCoy." -Rubi