In the Mail

[tequila_n_tonic]

I was glad to be home. The days at the gallery were tending to spread right into the night and just leaving there a few hours early was like a nice break. Of course the mail was left in the mailbox, so I grabbed that before heading into the house. Tossing my keys on the side table, and hanging my coat up I called up the stairs to see if Dawn was

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[anewdawn]

"No really, it is fine. I don't mind as long as the neighbors don't complain. Trust me there are far worse things you two could be up to."

I gave my mom a look, the 'god mom i'm not buffy' look that i've perfected over the past couple of years. Plus, explain that little comment to Taylor. I'm sure she'd like to know about my sister's high school career, killing vampires, sleeping with them, you know the usual.

"This came in the mail today. It's about Taylor. It seems Taylor did exceptionally well on some placement tests? They are offering her some college level prep courses..."

Taylor's eye got wide and excited and I couldn't help but smile, but my mom's eyes kept me from sharing too much excitement.

"... the college that is looking at your scores though? Is in Arizona Taylor. I think you should think it over and perhaps call your parents about this. This is a very big choice and it involves your future."

I looked up at my mom and then to Taylor with confusion written on my face, probably a little fear too. Arizona?

"Hey Dawn? I'm gonna go cal them. From my room. We'll talk in a bit. I just need to think about this."

I could already tell she was leaving just by the tone of her voice. I nodded and sat back dejectedly. How could she just leave me? It wasn't fair.

"You okay? Want to talk about it?"

I shrugged and glared at the floor, knowing I was acting like a huge brat but I didn't care.

"It doesn't matter. I'm used to it by now."

[tequila_n_tonic]

I frowned at Dawn, she had been having such a rough time and this was just adding to the pile of stress for the youngest of the Summers women. It upset me more than a little to see her this way. After everything that this family had gone through I wanted at least to have some semblence of a normal life, even if it was far from the truth.

"You might be used to it, but that doesn't mean you can't talk to me about how much it sucks."

She wasn't going to be any closer to opening up, I am Mom afterall, but adding insult to injury Taylor came into the room all smiles and a bit too eager for a girl who was sticking around in Sunnydale.

Although being a parent who knows just what is out there at night in a town like this sometimes I wish I could pack us up and leave as well.

"Hey Mrs. Summers? Can I talk to Dawn alone for a sec?"

I nodded and gave Dawn a reassuring smile. Everything was going to work out for us. This rough spot was nothing we couldn't handle. Summers' women are a strong lot. Stepping out into the hall I closed the door beside me and leaned against the door frame of the bathroom. I wasn't eavesdropping, but I also couldn't just head back downstairs as if nothing was going on.

It was a pretty silent fifteen minutes. No raised voices that I could discern, but again I wasn't really eavesdropping. Then I heard someone getting up and heading toward the door. It opened and Taylor was there in a bit of shock. Either Dawn handled it really well, or not at all well. Either way I knew Taylor was moving again.

"Hey Mrs. Summers. Iknow it seems like I just got here and all, but this is pretty huge, and my parents agree that it would put me a bit closer to home, and I shouldn't waste a chance like this, or something all parental. You know something about living up to my potential? So Dad is driving down this weekend and picking up my stuff and me, and we are heading up to the school. I'm supposed to thank you for letting me stay, but even if they hadn't asked me to I would have said thanks anyway. So thanks, you know for letting me stay and giving me a chance to stick around in Sunnydale a bit longer. I'm gonna go pack."

I nodded and watched Taylor head down the hall to Buffy's room. It was odd. The girls had just finished bringing all her boxes upstairs, and now they were going to have to fill up my living room again. I stepped into Dawn's room and took up my spot on the bed again.

"You sure you don't want to talk about it?"