Chapter 6

Joyce stepped onto the elliptical machine at the Millbrook Athletic Club and punched the button for an interval workout. Next to her Buffy selected her own workout, the machine beeping to life as she picked up speed.

"How's your face?" Buffy asked.

"It's a little sore. But my Slayer healing is taking care of it."

"Good," Buffy said.

The machine's intensity kicked in and Joyce grabbed the handrails as she pumped her legs. Images of the volleyball coming straight at her, coupled with Sydney's satisfied expression, brought a fresh wave of anger. "I can't believe Sydney did that. After we welcomed them to the neighborhood, invited them to the pool—"

"I doubt she did it on purpose, honey. It's just a game."

"That's the thing," Joyce huffed. "It isn't just a game with her. She has to be the best. Every time."

"You just met her? How do you know?"

"Aunt Buffy, you can ask anybody that was there. She asked us to play, she picked the teams and then intentionally spiked the ball at my face."

"Joyce, calm down. Maybe she thought playing volleyball would be a good way to get to know you and your friends."

"I cannot believe you are defending her." Joyce said angrily.

"I think you did the right thing inviting them to the pool and being kind, even when she's not being especially friendly," Buffy said.

Joyce's machine eased up, shifting to an easier interval. Joyce took a sip of water from her bottle in the cup holder, hoping that would help her feel better.

"I'm sure it's hard for Sydney, and for Dylan, too. Maybe you and the other girls could invite Sydney to do something fun that doesn't involve sports. Like the mall or—"

"Sydney probably doesn't go to the mall. She's too busy running," Joyce growled.

"What?" Buffy said as she looked at her niece.

"She was on a two-hour run the last time me and Danni visited," Joyce answered as Buffy sighed. "I know how much you want us to have a life outside of skating, Aunt Buffy. That's why I didn't mention it."

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"Ladies, gather around and listen to a few announcements, then we'll get started." Buffy motioned for the skaters to circle up at center ice. Joyce glided to a stop next to her mother, avoiding eye contact with Sydney. They hadn't said a word to each other since they both stepped on the ice to warm up.

"I know you're focused on school starting soon, but it's competition time and we need to start thinking about hosting regionals in October, right here on our home ice." Buffy said as the girls clapped and cheered.

Buffy and Dawn had done a lot to get the regionals committee to agree to host regionals at their rink this year.

"First, we need to get ready for the Lilac Skate club as they always produce talented skaters," Dawn added.

"We'll spend the next few weeks polishing your programs and talking about what we'd like to see you accomplish, keeping in mind the bigger competition scene of regionals and for some of you, sectionals after that," Buffy said.

Butterflies took flight in Joyce's stomach. How she wanted that statement to apply to her. She'd do whatever it took to skate her best at regionals and advance to sectionals. Maybe if she worked hard enough, she could even make it to Nationals in January.

"We'd like to officially welcome Sydney Gray to Summers and Summers Skating Rink," Buffy said, smiling and swooping her arm in Sydney's direction.

The other skaters offered polite applause but Joyce couldn't ignore the subtle glances in her direction. Between Vine, Facebook, and Instagram, probably all of Millbrook had seen a picture and/or a video of Sydney's spike and Joyce's fall.

Joyce tipped her chin and forced a polite smile, even managed to clap along with the other girls. This club was big enough for two elite skaters, right?

"Joyce, let's work on that triple-triple today, okay?" Buffy skated alongside Joyce.

Joyce nodded. "Sounds good, Aunt Buffy."

"Between you and me," Buffy whispered, "I see you going all the way to Nationals, after all your mom did."

"Thanks, Aunt Buffy," Joyce whispered back.

"Why don't you skate a lap and then give it a go?" Buffy peeled off and turned in a slow circle, waiting for Joyce to make her first attempt.

Joyce skated around the rink. The rink was smooth as glass today, freshly glazed by the Zamboni. Her blades glided across the ice and she gained momentum, rounding the curve to skate back toward her aunt. Turning around, she skated backward on her left leg, leaning on her back outside edge while lifting her right skate to plant her toe pick into the ice. Spreading her arms wide, she used all her momentum to jump straight up, remembering to rotate in the opposite direction. Hips. Shoulders. She tucked her arms across her chest as she spun three times in the air, touching down on the edge of her right skate. Swinging her left leg around, she went right into the triple toe by digging her toe pick in again and rotating the other way. She completed three rotations thanks to the energy the Slayer gave her. She landed with only a slight wobble. She puffed her lips and blew out a breath, skating in a wide arc around Elise.

"Very nice entry into that triple Lutz, Joyce." Buffy clapped her hands. "Great arms, nice and tight rotation in the air."

"My landing though could use a little work though," Joyce admitted.

"True," Buffy agreed. "Go ahead and practice it some more while I make the rounds with the others."

Joyce nodded as she watched her aunt skate off. She saw her mother skating toward her. She always wondered how her mother knew where she was when out on the ice. "Mom," she said when Dawn came to a stop.

"I heard what you said, even if I couldn't see it very well," Dawn said as she looked at the only thing she ever saw of her daughter, the outline of Joyce's body.

"I don't know why my landings always suck," Joyce said. "I have the energy to complete the jumps thanks to the Slayer but when I land."

"You may be using too much of that energy," Dawn suggested. "The more difficult it can be to control. After all your body was not actually built for this, it was built for slaying vampires and demons."

Joyce looped back around the rink, crossing one skate behind the other. She was going to see if she could do what her mother suggested, not use as much energy as the Slayer gave her. Flipping around, she skated backward, leaning forward and planted her toe pick. Vaulting upward with a grunt, she knew she was in trouble before she even finished her second revolution. Something didn't feel right. Her blades tangled up like they were magnetically attracted to one another and she fell to the ice, landing so hard on her bottom that her face throbbed.

She sat there for a minute, elbows on her knees, head in her hands.

"Joyce," Dawn said. Her hollowed out vision had showed her what little it had. Joyce had tried to cut back on the energy the Slayer gave her and had cut back too much. "Now you know what the lack of energy and what too much energy from the Slayer does. Now you just have to find the balance."

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Teddy sat at the curb, engine purring. Danielle jogged ahead, Joyce wasn't far behind her. They climbed in the back seat and buckled up. Teddy turned around and handed Joyce an iced coffee from Starbucks. "A little post practice pick me up," he said, though he knew that Joyce didn't need any pick me up due to the Slayer.

"Thanks, dad," Joyce pressed the straw to her lips and sucked in a mouthful of cold, sugary sweet vanilla latte.

"Hey, what about me?" Danielle asked.

"I've got a strawberry frap for you." Teddy passed the pink and white drink to Danielle.

"Awesome. Thanks, dad." Danielle's eyes lit up as she cupped her hands around the plastic cup.

"You're welcome. Good practice?" Teddy asked before shifting the car into gear.

"Yep," Danielle said.

"No," Joyce said.

"Don't worry," Teddy said as he glanced at Joyce through the rearview mirror. "Or need I remind you that skating is in your blood. Whatever jump you are having trouble with you will get."

"I know," Joyce said as she looked at her father.

"Your mom needed me to go to Target to pick up school supplies," Teddy said. "Do you want me to drop you off at home or come with?"

"I'll stop by and check on Lila Jane," Joyce said.

"No fair," Danielle protested.

"You need school supplies, girlfriend," Joyce said. "I got my stuff before I went to camp."

"Boo." Danielle sipped on her Frappuccino and stared out the window.

As they drove into their neighborhood, Joyce could see Dylan outside on his lawn, playing with Lila Jane. Teddy must have noticed, too, because he slowed the car to a stop at the end of the Gray's driveway.

"Oh, Lila Jane," Danielle crooned.

"School supplies, remember?" Teddy said. "Want to get out here, Joyce?"

Joyce felt Dylan's eyes on her through the window. "Dad, what are you doing?" she hissed.

"You said you wanted to check on the puppy. So here you go. Check." He glanced over his shoulder and waggled his eyebrows.

Joyce rolled her eyes. Her father had to have it in for her, he obviously knew that she thought Dylan was hot. "I guess I'll walk home then." She climbed out of the car and slammed the door, but not before she heard Danielle making kissing noises. Her sister was so immature sometimes.

Dylan waved as she shouldered her duffle bag and walked up his driveway. She racked her brain for something cute to say, but nothing came to mind. She cleared her throat. "Hey. How's Lila Jane?"

"Good. How's your eye?"

"No bruising, thank goodness," she lied. She couldn't tell him the truth that that the Slayer tended to heal her fast enough not to leave a bruise.

"I'm sorry it happened. I don't know what Syd was thinking."

Lila Jane scampered over, her tail wagging happily as she sniffed at Joyce's tennis shoes.

"She likes you," Dylan said.

Joyce leaned over to pet the puppy's head, receiving several sweet kisses in return. "That's good. I like her, too. Danielle's so bummed she can't stop by and play. Dad's taking her to get the rest of her school supplies."

"I did that today, too." Dylan tossed the ball in the grass and Lila Jane went after it.

"Did you meet the soccer coach?"

"Yep. I worked out with them this morning. You're looking at the newest member of the Millbrook Viking soccer team." Dylan thumped his chest proudly.

"Congratulations." Joyce smiled. "I bet you'll have a great season."

"Will you come watch me play?" he asked.

Joyce's skin warmed under his direct stare and even more direct question. She swallowed hard and nodded. "Of course. I mean, when I can. With skating and all—yes. I'll be there."

A wide grin stretched across his face. "Sweet. Thanks."

Now that she'd promised something, she'd have a hard time achieving, she hurried to change the subject. "Are you ready for tomorrow?"

He shrugged. "I guess. Not crazy about starting at a new school, but I hope soccer will make it worth it."

"There's some good guys in your class."

Dylan glanced back at the house and then at her. "Thanks for stopping by, Joyce."

"You're welcome." She closed her eyes and cringed. Dork. She opened her eyes and walked backward down the driveway. "Good luck tomorrow."

"Yeah, you too."

Joyce hurried home, thinking about those blue eyes and that dark hair. Not to mention he'd invited her to watch his soccer games. She didn't know how she'd pull that off, with skating and chores and probably homework, too. She was jogging up the steps when she realized she hadn't seen Sydney anywhere. Was she still at the rink?

Joyce pushed open the front door and heard her phone chiming with a text. Dropping her bag on the floor, she pawed through it until she found her phone. It was a text from Hannah.

Dad bought our plane tickets. We're leaving Wednesday. Can you come over?

Joyce slumped against the door, her heart in her throat. She thought about Buffy before finally texting her aunt and asking her to come pick her up.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Buffy and Joyce sat in the car in front of Hannah's house. Neither of them had known that Thomas was going to book an early flight.

"C'mon, Joyce." Buffy said reluctantly. "Waiting isn't going to make this any easier."

Joyce looked over at her aunt and could see like her that Buffy didn't really want to go in.

"I can't do this," Joyce whispered.

"I know," Buffy said. "Neither can I. I think we should make this quick. Maybe a couple of pictures, some hugs and then we go. The longer either of us hang around, the harder it will be."

"A few minutes? That's all?" Joyce asked.

"I don't know about Hannah for sure," Buffy said. "For you and me it will be easier." She unbuckled her seatbelt and climbed out of the car. Joyce swallowed hard and slid out from the passenger side.

Hannah opened the front door before they could ring the doorbell. She was wearing jeans and a purple Washington Huskies t-shirt.

"Hey, Joy," Hannah whispered, her cheeks damp with tears. "Hey, mom."

"Hey." Joyce tried to smile but failed miserably. She felt her lower lip tremble.

Thomas came out of the kitchen with a camera and his phone, smiling brightly. "Hi, Joyce, Buffy. How about some pictures?"

Buffy, Joyce and Hannah made their way into the family room. Joyce and Hannah were the first up to get their pictures taken and automatically posed in front of the fireplace. They were then followed by Hannah and Buffy.

Thomas could see that neither Buffy nor Joyce had a smile on their face. He could understand why. He was sure that what he was doing was good for Hannah. But leaving Buffy, Dawn and Joyce was hard for him as well.

"Thanks for coming over," Hannah said when Buffy and Joyce were getting ready to leave.

"You're welcome." Joyce stared at the floor, unable to meet Hannah's gaze.

"Give me hugs." Hannah flung her arms first around Joyce's neck. Joyce patted her back, the tears flowing freely now.

Hannah pulled away and then flung her arms round Buffy. When she pulled back from Buffy she was swiping at her face with the back of her hand. "I'll miss you both."

Joyce could only nod, dragging her fingers under her eyes.

"And we'll miss you, my little pum'kin belly," Buffy said.

Joyce opened the front door and jogged to the car, climbing inside and tugging her knees up under her chin. Buffy climbed in and started the engine.

"Buckle up," Buffy said.

Joyce dropped her feet to the floor and yanked the seat belt across her body. Hannah and Thomas stood on the porch, waving. Buffy and Joyce each managed a small wave in return before they drove away.