Chapter 10: The Chance
After school, Joyce and Faith came home. Hank also came home from work. Buffy stayed in her room. She wasn't used to her parents being together. She wasn't used to Faith being her sister. She wasn't ready for this. At least not yet. Buffy was on her bed and stared at her bedroom door. She hoped no one would knock. She needed to be alone to process everything.
The phone call with Cordelia went great, but it was another step. Buffy needed time to take in her real life. Her eyes went from the door to her bedspread. She stared at the colors and covered her ears. Her family downstairs chatted about their days. This was all so strange. There was a knock at the door. Buffy jumped and stared at her door again. She uncovered her ears. Her mother opened the door.
"Buffy?" Joyce asked and looked at her daughter.
Buffy looked at her. "Hi Mom."
She felt sort of comfortable around her mom, but it was still so strange. In her dreams, Buffy grieved her mother. She was used to life without her parents. Hank was somewhere in Spain with his secretary and her mother was…In the ground. The only family she had left was Dawn. She cringed at that thought. Dawn was not her family. She needed to get used to that. Joyce walked towards Buffy and asked,
"Are you okay?"
Buffy shook her head. "No." She answered honestly.
Her eyes began to water, but she swallowed. She missed Dawn so much.
Joyce sat on her bed and joined her. "Honey, what's wrong?"
"Everything is different." Buffy explained. "I'm not used to this."
Hank stood in the doorway. Joyce looked at him with concern. He knocked on the door and asked, "Do you mind if I step in?"
"Dad, please don't." Buffy said and put her face in her hands.
Hank sighed, a little hurt. He stepped away and walked downstairs. Joyce got up off the bed and closed the door. She sat down next to Buffy. Buffy looked at her mother. Joyce opened her arms and invited her for a hug. Buffy took a deep breath and hugged her mother. Joyce wrapped her arms around her daughter and held her. Buffy remained calm. She didn't want to cry. This was all too hard to explain. The hug was enough to comfort her. Buffy let go and looked at her mom. Joyce smiled and asked,
"Better?"
Buffy nodded. Joyce smiled and asked, "Why don't you come down for dinner?"
"Dinner?" Buffy repeated.
Joyce nodded in response. "Come sit with us. Please?"
Buffy sighed. "Mom, I don't know if-"
"Come on, try." Joyce encouraged. "I've made chicken."
Buffy tried to smile and nodded. "Okay, I'll try."
They both got up from the bed and walked out of Buffy's room. Buffy followed her mother down the hall and to the top of the stairs. Joyce walked downstairs and stopped. Her daughter was still at the top of the stairs. Buffy stared at the stairs. She heard her father and Faith in the kitchen. Buffy rolled her eyes. Joyce looked at her daughter and sighed. She gestured for her to come downstairs. Buffy inhaled deeply and blew it out. She placed her hand on the railing and walked downstairs. Joyce smiled when she reached the end of the stairs and onto the first floor. She held her daughter once more and said,
"Step by step."
Joyce and Buffy went into the dining room. Hank and Faith were at the table. Faith looked at Buffy and smiled. Buffy awkwardly smiled back and sat down across from her. Joyce sat at the other end of the table across from her husband. The table was set and there were helpings of chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans. Hank smiled and said,
"Dig in everyone."
"Thank you." Joyce said and grabbed some green beans. She looked at Buffy. "Have some."
Buffy held up her plate. Her mother put some green beans on it. Her mother was right, baby steps had to be done. Hank smiled and took some chicken. Faith held up her plate and Hank put some chicken on it as well. Buffy took some mashed potatoes and passed it to her mother. Hank gave Buffy some chicken, slowly. Buffy nodded at him, which was meant to be a thank you. The rest of dinner was eaten in silence. Buffy took a baby step. She took a chance.