Chapter 2

It was Monday and on the door to the Sunnydale Art Gallery the sign said closed as it usually does on Mondays. A new Art show had been planned called "The Art of Sunnydale". It was going to feature local artists of Sunnydale some new and some old. Joyce was not new to the Art Gallery. She was in charge of bringing the art in, setting it up and sometimes getting people to buy pieces. As long she didn't get any possessed masks or other things of the supernatural happen she did a pretty good job. This show was different. This show worried her.

Joyce sighed and leaned on her hand staring at the piece of blank canvas in front of her. Think Joyce, you know art you can do this. Joyce thought to herself. She closed her eyes and could see the image in her mind that she wanted to place it on the canvas. Okay I can see it but how do I get it on this. She huffed frustrated and threw her arms down. Joyce picked up the gray cloth from the floor and covered the canvas again. "Maybe I just need a good cup of coffee." Joyce said out loud to no one and glanced at her watch. Good I still have time. John Kelly won't be here with his work for another hour.

Joyce picked up her jacket and walked out the Gallery locking the door behind her. She smiled to herself and walked toward the coffee shop down the street. She was already to far away to hear the Art Gallery phone ringing inside.

Buffy was getting frustrated so she hung up the phone. "No answer." Buffy said with pout on her face full of worry.

Giles smiled thoughtfully, "Well there is no reason to worry. I am sure you mother is fine. I will just try again in a few minutes. You and Xander on the other hand should get to class."

Buffy stood ready to rebel to worried about her family, " But … Giles she could be in trouble. I mean my spidery senses are going into over load here so don't tell me I am over reacting… because I am not."

"Buffy. I know you are worried and you have every right to be…" Giles started calmly and then quickly changed his tone to submissive anger, "…but you just returned to school. Principle Snyder is looking for anything… and I mean anything he can use against you … against us. You and Xander need to go to class. Are you willing to sacrifice all your mother did to get you back here?"

"Apparently, the answer to that question is...Yes." Said Principle Snyder walking in.

Xander stood up shocked, " Principle Snyder we were just talking about you. As in talking we meant nice things…."

"Can it Harris. Ms. Summers, and Mr. Harris … I like to see the both of you in my office… now." The troll-doll like principle said with a manipulative smile. He waved his hand for them to follow and turned around to the library door. There he waited for the two holding one door open.

Buffy and Xander looked at each other knowing they were in trouble, " Oh Crap.", Buffy said not knowing Synder was still there.

"I heard that.", Synder shouted, "Let's go."

Buffy and Xander walked out of the library with there head down guilty.

Giles looks angrily around the room and kicks the trashcan across the floor. "Damnit!" He quickly grabs the phone and began to dial Buffy's mother again.

Joyce stood at the window to the coffee shop and paid for her coffee. "Have a nice day." The girl at the counter said to Joyce. "Thanks, you to" Joyce replied.

Joyce sat at the table set up out side the coffee shop and smiled as she took a deep breath. What a beautiful day. She thought to herself. She took a sip of her coffee and looked up at the sunny blue sky with a few clouds and just relaxed for a while. It reminded her of day she once spent with Buffy and Dawn's father, Hank, before they divorced. She relaxed more not thinking of the blank canvas in her gallery, not thinking of the show, or of her daughters' fight earlier that morning. She just sat back and let her head clear.

Giles still in the library kept trying the phone at the Art Gallery not able to get an answer. "Oh bloody hell." He said as he slammed the phone down and picked up his car keys. He looked around the library and then rushed out to his car.

Joyce still sat at the table out side the coffee shop and was jolted from her mediation. An elderly old lady who was walking behind Joyce bumped into her chair. "Oh I am so sorry, honey." The woman said. "Oh, that's okay." Joyce said as she looked at her watch and realized it was getting closer to her meeting. Joyce smiled kindly at the old woman. Joyce then got up from the chair and began to walk back to the Art Gallery. Knowing that she still had a little time Joyce stopped at the magazine stand on the way glanced at the magazines. She noticed someone from the corner of her eye standing next to her. She glanced up at the stranger smiling mostly because of the good mood she was now in. As she looked back down at the magazine in her hand and her smile faltered. She realized that is was not a stranger next to her it was her ex–husband. She quickly glanced up again he was gone now but walking down the street quickly. It can't be, she thought, but it was Hank. It wasn't the Hank she knew now. It was a younger Hank. It was the young man she had just thought of when she was sitting down. She had thought of the day when they had lunch at a park and he had asked her to marry him. That stunning day that seemed so long ago but yet there he was so young. He was still wearing the same blue shirt and dark pants he wore that day. Joyce dropped the magazine and coffee from her shaky hands and watched her ex-husband get into a cab but not before he glanced at Joyce with a nod and a smile. Then he was gone. There was a deep emptiness in her chest and tears begin to form in Joyce's eyes as she covered her mouth in shock.

TO BE CONTINUED>>>