Randon Acts of Romance

Chapter Five

 

Summer’s House.

Joyce enters the front door.

Buffy: Hi mom.

Joyce looks into the dining room where Buffy sits working on her homework.

Joyce: Hi sweety.

Joyce sets her purse down and removes her coat. She hangs it over the handrail before walking into the dining room.

Joyce: Mr. Chase came by the gallery today.

Buffy: He did? What he buy this time?

Joyce: Nothing actually. He came to invite us to their house for Thanksgiving.

Buffy: Really? What you say?

Joyce: I accepted. I hope that is okay.

She walks off to the kitchen. Buffy jumps up and follows.

Buffy: You said yes? Really?

Joyce: Really. It was just going to be the two of us here and well I knew you would want to go.

Buffy hugs her mom.

Buffy: Well you know Angel and his dad. And you have met Cordy and his mom.

Joyce: Yes I do. I think it will be a nice. Besides, I don’t have to cook.

Buffy: Big plus there.

Joyce: Especially since you are no help.

Buffy: Hey, I can open cans and set the table.

Joyce: Yes you are such the culinary master.

Buffy: Aren’t I just?

 

Thanksgiving

Chase House

Angel moves to answer the door. As he pulls it open, he smiles broadly.

Angel: Welcome lovely ladies.

Buffy walks in followed by Joyce. Angel leans over and gently brushes Buffy’s lips with his.

Joyce: It was nice of your father to include us.

Angel: We are glad you accepted. Everyone is in the living room. Consuelo says it will be another twenty minutes.

Buffy hands him the pumpkin bread.

Buffy: Here you go.

Angel: You make this?

Buffy: No. If I made it, we could use it to prop the door open. No mom had to bake something so she made a half a dozen loaves.

Angel: Oh, well let me take it to the kitchen. And you can show your mom to the living room.

Buffy: Mom?

Buffy and her mom enter the living room.

Mr. Chase: Ah there they are. Welcome, Ms. Summers, Buffy.

Mrs. Chase: Yes, yes come in. I am so happy you both came.

Joyce: Thank you for inviting us.

Mr. Chase: Can I get you both some egg nog?

Joyce: Thank you.

Mr. Chase: Sorry but it is alcohol free. With the youngsters here I figured it was best.

Joyce: That is fine.

Angel walks in and wraps his arm around Buffy’s waist.

Angel: Have you met my cousin yet?

Buffy: No.

He guides her over to the sofa.

Angel: Buffy, let me introduce my cousin, Faith. Her parents are traveling in Europe. Faith, this is Buffy.

Buffy: Nice to meet you.

Faith: Sure thing.

Mr. Chase walks up and hands Buffy and Angel each a cup of egg nog.

Buffy: Thanks.

Faith: You drink that junk. Taste like spoiled milk. And I can’t even stand fresh milk.

Buffy: I like it.

Angel sits down on the love seat and Buffy sits beside him. Cordy turns from staring out the window.

Buffy: You looking for someone?

Cordy: No.

She flops back in her seat.

Angel: You can see Mitch tomorrow.

Cordy: Mitch? We broke up. I’m seeing Kevin now?

Buffy: Isn’t he with Michelle?

Cordy: No. That is so over.

Angel: So what is so interesting out there?

Cordy: Nothing.

Faith: She is just watching the guy Aunt Clarissa has putting up the Christmas lights.

Cordy: I am not.

Buffy: What’s he look like?

Faith: What you call him Cor? Tall dark and Cromag?

Buffy: I have to see this.

She gets up and goes to the window. She takes a few moments to examine him.

Buffy: Not bad but he has a way to go before he can beat Angel in both body and looks.

Cordy: Please. Groo is far better looking than Angel.

Buffy: You know it would be kinda sick if you agreed with me.

Cordy laughs.

Cordy: Guess it would.

Buffy sits back beside Angel.

Angel: You finished ogling the guy.

Buffy: You’re not jealous are you.

Angel: No, I don’t get jealous.

Buffy: What college guys don’t get jealous?

Angel: I am not jealous.

Buffy: Fine..

Consuelo enters the room.

Mr. Chase: Are we ready?

Consuelo: Yes, sir. Everything is on the table. If you need anything we will be in the kitchen.

Mr. Chase: Thank you.

Everyone stands up and moves toward the door. Buffy and Angel hang back letting the others proceed them.

Buffy: She has to work the holidays too?

Angel: Actually her sister comes over and helps. Then their husbands come over and they have their own meal in the kitchen.

Buffy: But wouldn’t they prefer being at home?

Angel: No, Consuelo says she prefers our kitchen to her own. And here she does not have to clean up afterwards.

Buffy: She doesn’t?

Angel: No on holidays, Cordy and I get the pleasure.

Buffy: That must be a sight. Cordelia Chase cleaning.

Angel: Oh but this year we have your help.

Buffy: What?

Angel: You don’t think we invited you solely for the company?

Buffy: So I have to work off my meal.

Angel leans in and whispers in her ear.

Angel: No, work off your debt. We will discuss working off the meal later.

She stops and stares at him as he moves into the dining room. Angel looks back at her.

Angel: You coming?

Buffy: I uh I…yes.

She saunters forward and he helps her into her chair. He sits beside her and takes her hand, gently squeezing it.

 

Later

Buffy watches as Angel places the last pot into the cabinet.

Angel: Well with Buffy’s help we got it done in record time.

Cordy: I still don’t understand why Faith got out of helping.

Angel: Cor, do you really think she would be much help?

Cordy: Guess not.

Angel: You girls want to go down to the game room?

Cordy: Pool?

Angel: You think you are ready?

Cordy: Hey, I have been practicing. How about you?

Angel: You will have to see?

Buffy follows them down the back stairs to the basement.

Angel: Buffy, sorry but my sister needs to be reminded who is the better pool player.

Buffy: Go ahead. I’m good.

Angel racks the balls and nods to Cordy to break. Buffy sits back worrying her lip as they play. The battle is heated but in the end Angel emerges victorious.

Angel: Cor, your game is better but you still can’t beat me.

He turns to Buffy.

Angel: You want to learn?

Buffy: Learn? Pool?

Angel: Sure.

Buffy: I’m game I guess.

Angel patiently explains the rules.

Buffy: Got it. So who will hit first?

Angel: Do you want to try?

Buffy: Sure.

She picks up a cue stick and adds a bit of chalk to the tip.

Angel: Let me show you how to hold it.

Buffy: I think I can do it.

She curves her fingers around the shaft and leans forward. She aligns up to the cue ball.

Angel: Buffy, honey. Your finger are all wrong. Let me show you.

Buffy: I’m fine.

She rocks the cue stick back and makes firm contact with the white ball sending it careening into the others. The balls skitter across the table. They watch as the three ball falls into a corner pocket. The table stops and Buffy looks up at Angel.

Buffy: That means I have solid balls, right?

Angel: Yes. You need to hit in all the solids except the black one.

Buffy: Okay.

She stares at the table intently.

Angel: Buffy, honey I think if you try you might be able to hit the six ball in the side. Let me show you.

Buffy: No thanks.

She moves to the other side of the table and squats down.

Angel: There is no shot over there. The six ball is your only chance.

Buffy leans over and place her finger tips on the table and places the pool cue on the back of her hand between her knuckles.

Angel: Buffy.

Buffy: Angel, please. Let me do it my way.

Angel closes his mouth and shakes his head. He watches as she lines up her shot. She hit’s the cue ball and it hit’s the side rail and then bounce off the end rail before tapping the four ball and then knocking the two ball into the side pocket. Buffy watches intently as the white ball comes to rest. She smiles.

Cordy: Hey look the four ball is right by the pocket now. All you have to do is tap it in.

Buffy: Yeah, I guess.

She moves to the other side and stares at the table. She looks over and smiles at Angel. He remains silent. Buffy chalks and lines up the cue and hit’s the white ball. It rebounds off the railing and hit’s the seven sending it into a corner pocket before moving on and brushing against four and knocking it in too.

Angel: So how long you been playing?

Buffy: My dad start teaching me when I was about five. I was able to beat him by the time I was twelve and most his friends by fourteen.

Angel: Why didn’t you ever say anything?

Buffy: Never came up.

She looks back at the table. She contemplates and frowns. She walks around it a couple of times before sighing. She finally leans over and hit’s the ball against rail. It ricochets off and hit’s the one ball. The one skitters across the table and lands hugging the wall beside the pocket.

Cordy: Dang it.

Buffy and Angel both look at her.

Cordy: What? If I can’t beat him, I want someone to.

Buffy: I haven’t lost yet.

Angel: We’ll see.

Angels is able to sink three balls before scratching and turning the table over to Buffy. Buffy knocks in the one and six before turning the table back to Angel. He drops three more balls before play passes to Buffy. Buffy smiles before looking over the table. She stares at the five ball.

Cordy: You can do it. Just get the five in and then the eight and you win.

Angel: I think she knows that. But there is no way she can get that five.

Buffy: Oh I will get it.

She stands against the side and attempts to get the pool cue at the correct angle. She presses her body tight against the table.

Angel: You are skinny but you will never get the angel you need.

Buffy: I will.

Angel: Not unless you shoot it left handed.

Buffy: Nope.

She steps away from the table and picks up the chalk. She slowly rubs it against the tip.

Angel: Stop stalling.

Buffy: I’m not. Just wondering if you wanted to make it more interesting.

Angel: Like what?

Buffy: If I win, I get to pick the movie next week.

Angel: And if I win, we rent U571.

Buffy: Yes.

Angel: You’re on.

Angel watches as Buffy stares at the table again before moving back to where she was before. She squats and looks at the angle of the cue ball and the five. When she stands up he smiles confidently. She smiles as she flips the stick behind her back. She rest her hand on the table and easily angles the cue as needed. Angel stares as she cocks her hip and rocks her arm. The tip slams against the white ball and bounces off the rail and plows into the five ball sinking it into the side pocket. His mouth hangs open as she intensely watches the white ball move slowly across the green surface. She holds her breath until it stops. Angel groans as he sees the near perfect shot. She points her stick at a hole

Buffy: Side pocket.

She easily sinks the shot.

Cordy: Yes! Yes! Yes!

Angel walks up and takes her cue. He smiles down at her.

Buffy: “What Women Want”

Angel: To beat men?

Buffy: No the movie I want to see. You know, with Mel Gibson.

Angel: Oh, okay.

Faith comes in.

Faith: What is all the yelling about?

Cordy: Buffy just beat Angel.

Faith: Whoa, way to go B.

Buffy: Thanks.

Faith: So Angelkins, you got beat by a little girl. Must be awful.

Angel: Not at all. I like playing with someone who is a real challenge.

Cordy: Well I am going upstairs and call everyone. They won’t believe it.

Buffy: Cordy, don’t.

Angel: Oh I don’t care.

Cordy takes off followed by Faith.

Buffy: We better go up and see if mom is ready to go.

He nods and puts away the sticks before taking her hand and heading up the stairs. They move toward the front of the house. As they near the den, he tugs her inside. The room is illuminated by a single lamp. He pulls her into his arms and lowers his mouth to hers. Her hand entangles in his hair as his arms hold her loosely in his embrace. Their lips work in a wonderful dance of pleasure for a number of minutes.

Joyce: Excuse me.

Buffy pulls back and stares with wide eyed fear.

Buffy: Mom, we were uh we were……

Joyce: Kissing? I am familiar with the act.

Buffy: I…..we…..well

Joyce: Relax, I’m not mad. You are standing in a lit room with the door open in a house full of people. Besides I never expected you not to kiss.

Buffy: Oh.

Joyce: So I hear from Cordy, you’ve been playing pool.

Buffy: Uh huh.

Joyce: And winning?

Buffy: Yes.

Angel: This time.

Buffy: Want a rematch? Name the time and place.

Angel: I will.

Joyce: Well not now. I think we need to head home.

Buffy: So early?

Joyce: Yes. Did you forget we are opening the gallery at seven tomorrow?

Buffy: Oh yeah. I still don’t know what kind of help I will be.

Joyce: Hopefully Tina and I can handle the customers if you can attend to the register, phone, and gift wrapping.

Buffy: All that?

Joyce: You can do it. I have faith.

Buffy: Glad someone does.

Angel: You expect to be really busy?

Joyce: I sure hope so.

Buffy: That was a pretty big ad in the paper.

Joyce: I hope it pays off.

Angel: It should.

Joyce: You ready?

Buffy: It is only eight.

Joyce: I’m sorry. I need to get back to the house and get a few more things ready for the morning.

Buffy: And I guess you need my help.

Joyce: Not really. Were you two wanting to do something?

Buffy: No but I was hoping with the holiday we could convince you to bend the rules a bit.

 

Next Morning

Gallery

Buffy watches as her Mom and Tina scurry around the gallery assisting the various customers. She actually wished she knew more and could help them. The phone has been quiet and although the sales have been steady, she has not been overwhelmed running the register and occasional gift wrapping.

She sits down and smiles as she remembers her latest deal with her mom. She just hopes she can complete her part. Her thoughts are interrupted by the phone. She leans over and smiles as she hears the voice on the other end. She sometimes wonders how she got so lucky and found such a caring man. Even her mom admitted on the way in that she thinks a lot of him. She hangs up the phone smiling.

She looks over at her mom trying to help a very indecisive woman. She has been here an hour and still has not chosen anything. She does not envy her mom. She knows what ever career she chooses will not be in retail. She wants something where she can work alone and not have to be depended on the whims of others.

Her reverie is halted by Tina guiding an elderly gentleman up to the counter.

Tina: This is Buffy. She will take care of you. Buffy, he wants this gift wrapped for his wife. They are celebrating their fiftieth anniversary on Christmas Eve.

Buffy: Oh that is wonderful.

She takes the framed print from Tina and places it beside the counter.

Buffy: What is your wife’s favorite color?

Gentleman: Purple. She always has loved purple.

Buffy: Very nice.

She picks up a roll of floral wrap in various shades of lavendar.

Buffy: You like this?

Gentleman: It is perfect.

She rolls it out over the counter and quickly wraps the gift. As she finishes and completes the transaction, the front bell rings. She looks up and smiles as Angel strolls in. His hands are full of paper and foil containers.

Buffy: That was fast.

Angel: I was already at Maxwell’s when I called.

Buffy: You can take it into Mom’s office, I guess.

Angel moves past her and she returns her attention to her customer.

Buffy: Sorry about that.

Gentleman: He is your beau?

Buffy: How did you guess?

Gentleman: Oh just you and he have the same look in your eyes my Estelle and I have had since we first began dating. That look of total love and trust. You two have a long future ahead.

Buffy: I hope you are right.

Gentleman: I am rarely wrong. Now I better go so you can see what wonderful things to eat he brought.

Buffy: Do you need help carrying that to your car?

Gentleman: I got it. Now you go see to your beau.

Buffy smiles and walks over and holds the door open for the man. She walks by Tina.

Buffy: Excuse me. Tina, lunch is here if you find the time.

Tina: Sounds wonderful.

Buffy: Tell mom if she ever gets free. I will be in her office if I am needed.

Tina: You go. I ‘ll tell her.

Tina circulates amongst the various visitors.

 

Buffy walks into the office.

Buffy: I love you.

Angel: You are just saying that cause I have food.

Buffy: No. But that is a plus.

Angel hands her a plate and points at the various covered containers.

Angel: There is Fettuccini Alfredo, Grilled Chicken Breast and Caesar Salad.

Buffy: Yum.

She starts to fix her plate.

Joyce: I heard there was food in here.

Buffy: Do you need me to check someone out?

Joyce: No. That lady left without buying a thing.

Buffy: What? She was here over an hour.

Joyce: I know.

Buffy hands her the plate she was making.

Buffy: You eat. I will stay with Tina.

Joyce: No, I think she can handle it for a few minutes. The crowd has lessened now that it is lunch time. I guess the shoppers are taking a well needed break too.

Angel: You’ve been busy?

Joyce: Yes. It has been a pretty successful day so far I think.

Angel glances out the door and down the hall toward the sales floor. He watches as Buffy and her mom fix their plates and sit down to eat.

Joyce: Angel, thank you. This was very sweet.

Angel: Oh, you are welcome. But one meal does not begin to pay back all the home cook meals I’ve had at your house. Uh excuse me.

He steps out of the office. Buffy gets up and looks out.

Joyce: Is there a problem?

Buffy: I don’t think so. Tina is helping a lady looking at the African junk and Angel is talking to a man over by the sculptures. Oh, please don’t forget, do not mention the Griffin to Angel.

Joyce: I won’t. You sure it is what he wants?

Buffy: Oh yeah. He told me about it the first time we met.

Joyce: Well even at cost, it will be a very expensive present.

Buffy: I know.

Joyce stands up.

Joyce: Well I am done. I will tell Tina to come eat.

Buffy: Oh heck I should hurry up too.

She sits down and begins eating quickly.

Joyce: Don’t choke. Just come out when you are done.

Joyce walks out into the gallery and watches as Angel discusses the various statues. She nods to Tina to go eat and walks around making sure no one needs her assistance. She answers a young man’s question and turns to see Angel leading the man he was with to the counter where Buffy is again standing. She smiles.

As Angel moves away, Joyce walks up.

Joyce: Thank you for your help.

Angel: I hope you don’t mind. He seemed a bit confused.

Joyce: Were you able to answer his questions?

Angel: Yes. It was nothing too complicated. His girlfriend is into Neoclassical and he had no idea that from Realism or Baroque.

Joyce: Oh. So you were able to guide him.

Angel: Yes. You had a wonderful example I think she will like.

Joyce: So this knowledge of art comes from your dad?

Angel: That and the two Art Appreciation classes I took for my humanities requirement.

Joyce: Well I appreciate the help.

Angel: I can stick around a little longer if you think I can be useful.

Joyce: What is it going to cost me?

Angel: I don’t know. Maybe an extra hour on the curfew tomorrow night.

Joyce: You have plans?

Angel: I was thinking of taking a drive up the coast to that neighborhood that does the Christmas lights.

Joyce: I have heard about that. It is a pretty long drive.

Angel: That is why we may need the extra time.

Joyce: I see. Will an hour be enough time to get there, see the lights and get back?

Angel: I think so.

Joyce: How about I give you an extra two and you put away the leftovers.

Angel smiles.

Angel: Deal. But please don’t tell her.

Joyce: I won’t. Oh. Looks like I am needed.

She moves off to help another. Buffy watches curiously as Angel moves to the office with a silly grin on his face.

 

Chapters:
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]
[9]
[10]