Chapter 17: Missed Messages
Spike parked the car beside the stairs to his apartment and looked over at the obviously tired Buffy. Whether she wanted to admit it or not, the confrontation with Angel really seemed to have upset her and he wished he knew of some way to make this all go away for her. She’d been quiet on the drive over, her momentary euphoria as they’d left the KET house evaporating as she seemed lost in thought.
Buffy started as she realized they’d arrived. She opened the car door and followed Spike up the stairs. She wasn’t sure why she’d suddenly felt so down. Maybe the adrenaline had started to wane from screaming at Angel or something. She watched Spike’s back as he unlocked the door. She remembered their earlier teasing and the lingerie she’d packed that Willow had transported, along with the rest of her belongings, over to Spike’s earlier. Somehow, all she wanted to do was curl up in one of Spike’s worn t-shirts, the cotton smooth against her skin, the faintest essence of his scent she loved so much clinging to it, and just have him hold her for awhile.
Spike ushered her in and watched as she drifted across the room to drop the bag she carried next to the bed. “Buffy?”
She turned as he put his keys in the usual place on the counter and watched as he held his hand out to her. “C’me here sweetheart.”
He gently tugged her down beside him on the couch and she rested her head on his shoulder as he wrapped strong arms around her. She sighed contentedly, feeling some of the tension from earlier begin to ebb away.
“Do you want to talk about it, or would you rather not?” he asked softly.
Buffy was quiet for a long moment before replying, “A little bit, I guess. You probably need to know what he said, I’m sure he’s going to say stuff to you at some point.”
She felt him nod, then kiss her forehead. “I haven’t said it yet, and I know there were probably many reasons why you didn’t go through with it luv, but thank you. I’m so glad you just called it off.”
She smiled as he pulled her a little tighter. “You were a pretty major factor. I kind of like you being a little jealous, you’re cute when you’re possessive.” She raised her head and smiled at him.
“You got one of these streaks too, missy. All claws out over a little comment about Faith,” Spike smirked back.
She pecked him lightly on the lips, then dropped back to lay against his chest. “Just making sure you know you’re my guy.”
He chuckled. “No doubt of that Goldilocks. So what happened tonight? Last thing I was heard was Angel using some pretty lame come-on lines.”
She snorted softly. “Yeah. I’m guessing some girls must fall for that, or maybe it was just cause I knew what was coming, but by the time he got to the, ‘I think I’m falling in love with you,’ I knew I couldn’t stand it. Anyway, I tried to just be straight-forward with him, explain to him I wasn’t in love with him, I was in love with someone else, and we’d never really had that much between us. He apparently doesn’t handle rejection well, cause he just lost it. He figured out it was you right away, accused us of carrying on back in high school, maybe some comments on us being incestuous.”
She sat up and stared him straight in the eye. “And them I told him you were a better man than he would ever be.”
Their gazes locked as they drew together for a soft kiss that soothed Buffy’s jangled nerves. As they slowly pulled apart, he traced one finger down her face, outlining her jaw as he watched her changeable eyes.
“Spike?”
“Yes, luv?”
“Would you mind much if we don’t.we just.”
“We’re good just like this.”
“You sure?”
“Uh-huh. Now, how ’bout we get comfortable and catch up on our Passions?”
Buffy agreed and jumped up in search of the shirt she’d been fantasizing about earlier. She wasn’t sure why, ’cause she was well aware he’d seen it all last night and earlier today, but she still felt a little shy about just stripping off her clothes in front of him, so she exited into the bathroom to change.
When she reemerged shortly thereafter, she found Spike lounging on the couch in a pair of loose-fitting track pants that rode low on his hips and reminded her again that he seemed to have a preference for going commando. She swallowed as her eyes traveled up his tight abs to his chest until she realized he’d been watching her ogling the whole time.
“See anything you like pet?” He smirked as she blushed slightly.
“Oh yeah.”
“Well, come and get it, luv.”
Buffy laughed as he held his arms open wide and she tumbled over the couch to snuggle up on top of him. After she had arranged herself comfortably, he clicked the remote and the two settled in to watch the fictitious lives that at time seemed less dramatic than their own.
As the final show on the tape ended, Spike nudged the drowsy Buffy as he hoisted her up.
“Alright Goldilocks, time for bed.”
“Yes, Papa Bear.”
He smiled to himself as he laid her down, and then snuggled in next to her, after double-checking the alarm. He sighed. Rising early for practice had never really bothered him before, but it was bloody hard to roll out of bed when he had a warm, soft, adorable Buffy curled next to him.
“Spike?”
“Yes?”
“You got everything worked out with Faith, right?”
“Mmhmmm. She said she was happy for us. Turns out she and Jonathan were lab partners in Intro Chemistry and she’s thinks he’s, to quote her, ‘a hoot and a half’. I think they’ll have fun.”
“You don’t think she’ll be mean to him do you?”
“No. But Faith is by far the hottest woman who’s ever gone out with Short Stuff, so I’m thinking he’ll be falling all over himself to keep her happy. She’s gonna love that.”
Buffy giggled. It should be an amusing evening, as long as Angel was cool. She wasn’t sure he would be. Still, she was going with Spike and her closest friends, she had an awesome dress, and they’d even get their first coupley picture made. Suddenly Buffy gasped. Pictures!
“Spike?”
“Yes, Gum Drop?”
“Gum Drop?”
“I get silly late at night, Sugar Plum, and you’re very sweet.”
Buffy shook her head and snapped back to her previous thought. “We’re going to get pictures done, right?”
Spike stared at the back of her head as she lay spooned against him. “Well, yeah, had planned to. Be kinda nice, having some shots of us.”
“But don’t you remember? You promised Jenny some pictures? Of you and your date?”
“Yeah? She’ll like some shots of us.”
“But.then they’ll know we’re a couple!”
“Oh.hadn’t thought about that. You think they’ll mind?”
“I don’t know. I mean they know I’ve been dating Angel and you were going with Faith, so there’s that whole mess to explain. Then there’s the sex.”
Spike rolled Buffy over.
“The ‘sex’? Wasn’t planning to share that with old Rupes, luv. I think , ‘Hi there, I’m shagging you daughter’ won’t go over very well with him.”
Buffy rolled her eyes. “Well obviously. But, Spike they’ll know. What if they ask if I spend the night here? Or you stay with me?” She covered her face with her hands. “Giles will know I’m not a virgin anymore!”
“Honey Pot, you’re 20 years old. And I don’t think that’s one of those things you announce to the pater anyway. Besides, pot, kettle. Giles is sleeping with my aunt at this very moment. You know they’ve practically moved in together. So how’s he gonna say anything about you staying with me?”
“I don’t know Spike. Maybe we should just wait a few weeks to tell them. You know, get past the break-up stuff. I don’t really want to give them all the sordid details.”
“Whatever you want, Lollipop.” Spike was quiet for a moment. “You really think Giles will be weird?” He suddenly felt nervous. He pulled Buffy close and blocked out images of Giles chasing him with an axe for violating her.
<><><><><>
Across town, another couple lay intertwined.
“Giles, I’m worried about Buffy and William. Something’s not right between them.”
Giles ran his fingers through her silky dark hair. “You mean how huffy they were at dinner last week? Maybe Buffy doesn’t like that new girl William’s seeing. What was her name, Faith?”
Jenny shook her head slowly. For such a bright man, he could be very dim sometimes.
“No, I think there’s more than that. I think they may be dating, or at least dancing around the idea. But I think their road to romance may be proving as rocky as ours.”
Giles contemplated that for a moment. “Well, William’s a fine young man. I’d rather see Buffy with him than that Angel fellow.”
Jenny smiled, “I’ll be happy to see them get together finally. I hated seeing him so mopey after she first left. I suppose he looked a lot like I did when you left the next year.” She snuggled closer. “Guess this means we’ll have to learn to live with them being all grown up.”
“I suppose so,” Giles replied absentmindedly as he trailed his fingers down her spine. Suddenly he paused, his brow creasing. “What exactly does that mean?”
“Well, Rupert, it had to happen sometime, you know. I’m surprised it hasn’t before now, but I suppose between you and William, she’s barely had a chance to be alone with boys, let alone have a serious relationship.”
“Jenny, what are you talking about exactly?”
“Why Buffy sleeping with William, of course.”
Giles suddenly sat up, dislodging Jenny onto the pillow beside him. “She’s just a child. William would never take advantage..I’ll have a talk with him.” He trailed off as Jenny started to shake with silent laughter at the incongruity of his naked pacing around the room.
“Rupert, come back to bed. You know you aren’t going to talk William out of anything. He’s not taking advantage of Buffy, she’s twenty years old. Besides, you don’t have much room to talk.” She arched an eyebrow at him as he slid back beside her under the warm covers.
Giles sighed. “I suppose not. It’s just, sometimes I still see that scared little girl, all bug eyes and pigtails who gave me the chance to be a dad. I suppose no father likes to think about some man being with his little girl.”
Jenny snuggled against him. “I know sweetie. Part of me feels the same way. I see William now, and he’s so mature. He doesn’t really need me anymore, hasn’t really for several years, but then I blink and he’s that little guy in those big glasses who wouldn’t back down no matter what. We can’t stop them from growing up, but we can be proud of the children we raised. And after all, how often do you get the chance to help shape you child’s significant other? I think we’re pretty lucky.”
“You’re right. You seem awfully sure something is going on with them though. Has one of them said something to you?”
Jenny contemplated the question. “Neither has actually said anything. But when I’ve talked to Buffy at the gallery about Angel, she’s always very unenthusiastic. But, ask her about Spike and her face just lights up. Same thing with him, well up until about two weeks ago. I’d mention Buffy and he’d get this look on his face. I don’t think he has any idea how revealing his eyes can be. And with their recent spats, I’d say they’re having a lover’s quarrel. I give it two weeks, tops, before they tell us they’re dating.”
Giles reflected back on when he’d seen them together. He hadn’t actually noticed anything, but then he’d never been quite as perceptive on that front as Jenny. She’s even had to tell him that Willow was seeing women, though she now appeared to be seeing men again, if the glimpse of her making out with Xander in the driveway of his parents’ house last weekend had been any indication. He rubbed his head. Bloody hell, he just couldn’t keep up with the children these days.
“So should we act surprised?”
Jenny smirked. “Nope. They weren’t surprised when they walked in on us. But we’ll let them do it in their own sweet time. You won’t be strange now will you?”
Giles, shook his head. “No, I’ll try not to be too nosy about their,” he sighed heavily, “private lives.”
<><><><><>
Buffy woke to the sound of the alarm clock. As she stretched and rolled over, she found a note propped on Spike’s pillow. Smiling, she opened it and read his early morning missive.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Good morning Goldilocks,
Have I ever mentioned how sexy you make my T-shirts look? You make leaving this bed so hard to do, luv. I’ve got to go the lab after practice this morning, so I won’t see you again until Xan and I come to pick you ladies up for dinner tonight. I’ll get ready over at his place so you and Willow (and Faith, if you want to invite her) can get ready in my big bathroom, as you requested. See you tonight at 7.
Love,
Spike
PS – I peeked in your bag this morning. If you’ll wear that little black lacey thing I found in there with those heels, I’ll be your slave for eternity.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Buffy giggled. Bad Spike for going through her things. She’d just have to punish him later. She rolled out of bed and headed for the shower, ready to get her classes out of the way, and excited about the formal for the first time.
<><><><><>
Cordelia sat nervously at the quiet table near the rear of the small restaurant she’d asked Wesley to meet her at. She bit her lip to keep from crying. She’d already redone her mascara twice this morning and she didn’t wanted to be all raccoony when he finally showed up. She stared at the table. Angel was going to figure out who’d given him away, she knew he was, and there was no way he wouldn’t tell Wes. So she needed to explain things first.
Things had been going so well. Wes was different from a lot of the guys she dated, quieter, more academically inclined. But he’d seemed to like her, the real her, not the cheerleader, not the prom queen, not the sorority girl, just Cordelia. She’d given up playing hard to get with him a long time ago and had just let things progress naturally. They still hadn’t slept together, and she hated herself for giving in to Angel a few weeks ago, that just gave him more ammunition. She had been so wrong and now it was time to pay up. But losing Wes was going to be one of the hardest things she’d ever had to do.
Wesley entered and saw her, waving as he headed for the table.
“Good morning, Cordelia.” He smiled at her, then paused, “Cordy, what’s wrong?”
Cordelia drew a ragged breath as she fought to keep her voice steady. “Wes, I have some things I need to tell you.”
She poured out the story, trying to be completely honest with him, while still communicating how much she cared for him now, and how much she regretted her actions. When she was finally done, she paused, searching his face. His expression had barely changed since she’d begun to talk.
“Wesley, I really, really care for you. I, I think I’m in love with you. I messed up so badly, but I can make it right if you’ll just give me a chance.”
As he continued to stare at her silently, she finally dropped her gaze. “Or I’ll understand if you walk out of here and never want to talk with me again.
Slowly, Wesley rose from his chair, turned and walked from the restaurant without another word.
And Cordelia let the tears begin to flow.
<><><><><>
Spike stood in the department store aisle, staring at the cosmetics counter nervously. Somehow, just being surrounded by all of these polishes, lipsticks and perfumes made him feel decidedly unmanly. He glanced over at Xander, who was firmly planted in men’s shoes, having refused to join Spike in his cosmetics quest.
“Can I help you sir?” The perfectly coifed sales woman raised her carefully waxed eyebrow at the bleached blond man in front of her. “Do you need directions?”
“Oh no. I need make-up,” Spike blurted nervously.
The eyebrow arched higher.
“Yeah, your kind, er brand, I think. I have a list of the colors and stuff. So,” he recovered his equilibrium slightly as he peered at her name tag, “Lydia, if you could help me, I’d be most appreciative.” Spike smiled the most charming smile he could muster under the circumstances and relaxed as he watched Lydia’s frosty exterior thaw a bit. Oh yeah, he still had it, even if he didn’t plan to use it on anyone but Buffy.
“Well, yes sir, I believe we can help you.” Lydia took the list and slowly ran down the type of foundation and powers he had listed. She glanced back at the young man with the brilliant blue eyes and shockingly pale hair. He had such lovely cheekbones and a beautiful ivory tone to his complexion. She imagined he did look quite pretty in drag. He must be new at it though, if he was buying this much makeup. She glanced back at the list. This foundation was really going to be too dark for him.
“Sir, might I suggest we consider another tone? I have some samples here. I really think this shade wouldn’t suit you at all.”
Spike’s eyes widened as he suddenly realized what she was suggesting. “Oi, no, no, it’s not for me, it’s for my girlfriend, those are her stuff, er, colors. I bloody well do not wear makeup.”
Lydia noticed a second young man hovering at the edge of the shoe department now doubled over in laughter.
“I’m so sorry sir, your girlfriend, of course. You say these are her usual shades?”
“Yeah, I wrote them all down.”
“Very well.” Lydia rapidly began to assemble the various items, managing to talk Spike into an additional lipstick, which she assured him would look wonderful on Buffy and some perfume she was sure to like. When Spike finally escaped from the counter, looking dazed and with a considerably lighter wallet, he was rejoined by Xander.
“So, Wilhemina, will you be wearing a shocking red or a subtly pale pink lipstick tonight?”
“Bugger off Xan.”
Xander slapped him on the back. “You are seriously whipped, man, but I gotta say, I’m betting she’s going to be real happy when she sees this stuff. And a happy Buffy will make a very happy Spike.”
“That’s the idea mate, that’s the idea.”
The two entered the tux shop to pick up their formal wear for the evening.
<><><><><>
Spike finished arranging the items on the countertop. He though he might have gone a little overboard., but Buffy did seem to lug a small army of luggage when she came to stay and he wanted to encourage her to come as often as possible, to feel like it was her place as much as she wanted to make it. So, new hairdryer, make-up, toothbrush, even made himself look like a bloody poof by buying some curlers. But, he thought he’d managed to duplicate everything she seemed to cart around. He’d even cleared out some closet space and emptied a drawer for her, just in case she wanted to leave a few things. Taking a final look around, he grabbed his tux and headed out, leaving the apartment to the women.
<><><><><>
“Hey Wes, wait a minute man, I’ve got something to talk with you about.” Angel jogged to catch up with his friend as they came off the practice field.
Wesley stopped and stared as Angel silently. “Yeah, man, about Cordy, I know I set you guys up and all, but I really thought I should tell you, she’s been coming on to me hard the last few weeks. I mean, I don’t know if you guys are having problems or what, but she showed up at my place a few weeks ago, looking to party, if you know what I mean. I’m sorry man, I really am.”
Wesley stared at him with cold, dead eyes. “Did you sleep with Cordelia?”
Angel shook his head, “No, of course not, man. I wouldn’t do that to you.” And then the punch landed squarely on his jaw and he found himself laying on the concrete.
“Don’t you ever lie about her again. In fact, don’t ever go near her again, or you’ll have to deal with me. I know what Cordelia’s done. I know what you’ve done. But you’d best leave her alone from now on. She has her own sins to pay for, so don’t drag her into yours.”
Angel lay stunned as he watched Wesley stalk away.
<><><><><>
Buffy, Willow and Faith mounted the stairs to Spike’s place, carrying their dresses as they chattered. Faith had accepted the invitation to join them, and after getting their hair done, they were ready to put on the finishing touches.
“So this is Spike’s pad, huh? Cute little nook,” Faith commented as they stepped through the door.
“Mmhmm. His landlord’s Professor Link, who seems pretty cool. He’s a little weird today, though. He passed me on the path that cuts across the main quad this morning, was really friendly and said hi, but then he asked me if Spike was still having problems with mice.”
“Spike has mice?” Willow looked around concerned, not wildly excited about uncaged rodents frolicking freely around her.
“That’s the thing. He’s never mentioned it and I’ve never seem any. And Link did this odd little wink thing when he said it, like it was a joke.”
“Strange.”
“So, can I get the grand tour B?”
“Pretty much what you see’s what you get. Bed’s behind the screen over there, that door goes to the closet, and the other goes to the big bathroom.” Buffy opened the door as she spoke, but stopped as something caught her eye. She’d left all her stuff here this morning, since she’d planned to come back, but she though she’d packed it all up and left her makeup in her bag. She walked over to the vanity counter and began picking up things.
Willow had followed her in. “What’s the matter Buff?”
Buffy smiled, “Nothing.” She began opening drawers and soon uncovered her second set of everything she needed to stay at Spike’s. “Willow, Spike must have gone and bought me stuff for here, look, all this is new.”
“Oh Buffy, that’s so sweet.”
Buffy nodded. “A little scary, but very sweet. Willow, this is all happening so fast.” She slowly sank down onto the bathroom floor.
“You okay?” Willow settled down beside her best friend, watching her breathe deeply.
“Yeah, I am. It’s just, every time something like this happens, I realize how serious this is, how serious he is about me. Which is good, it means he really cares, he’s not going to use me like Angel, but it’s scary, ’cause I think I feel exactly the same way and I’m not sure if I’m ready.” Buffy drew in another long breath. “Woo, from a boyfriend who couldn’t care less to one who’s so committed even I’m a little freaked. Amazing the difference a couple of days makes.”
Willow nodded and pulled Buffy in for a quick hug. “It’ll be okay. Just keep talking it out with Spike, you know? If you feel overwhelmed, let him know. Don’t not talk to him about it though.”
“You’re right. Okay, enough of this. Let’s get into those gorgeous dresses.”
<><><><><>
Darla paced the room. The doctor had said the test results would be in by today. She knew she could always call the clinic and double-check if they’d had any news. Somehow, not knowing meant it wasn’t so. They’d call if there was a problem. Besides, she’d probably just had the flu. She’d felt better today already.
She glanced at her watch. 4:30. She needed to leave if she planned to make her appointment for hair and nails. She’d barely been able to get squeezed in, she really needed to run.
Just at that moment, the phone rang. Darla grabbed for the receiver. “Hello?”
“Darla Harmon?”
“Yes?”
“This is Winifred Burkle, from the Student Clinic?” Fred made a frantic grab as the papers at her desk started to slide off. Could her day get any worse?
“Yes?” Darla felt her stomach drop. They had called. This couldn’t be good.
“I have your test results back, it says here,” Fred sighed as she squinted at the paper now on top of her reshuffled stack. She couldn’t believe she’d forgotten her glasses, today of all days. “It says you’re results are negative.”
Darla almost jumped for joy. “Really?”
“R-really, that’s what it says.” She squinted harder to make sure. Yep, that was definitely an N.
“Thank you Winifred, you just made my day.” Darla slammed down the phone and raced out the door.
<><><><><>
Dr. Walsh re-entered the room. “Did you finish the calls, Fred?”
Fred nodded. “Boy, that Darla was sure happy to get her results. Course, I guess everyone wants that to be negative.”
Dr. Walsh stopped. “Fred, no, Darla tested positive.”
Fred grabbed back up the papers, squinting again at the name at the top of the stack. She had picked up the wrong paper to read the results to Darla. “Oh, Dr. Walsh. I’m so sorry.”
“Well, call her back immediately. She needs to begin treatment with penicillin very soon before the disease progresses in severity. It’s your responsibility to right this error.”
Fred immediately redialed Darla’s number, but only got the answering machine. After several attempts, she left a long message explaining her mistake and profusely apologizing.
Gathering her bags, she clocked out and headed out the now darkened entrance. As she exited the doors, she walked straight into a tall figure.
“Oh,” she squinted up, “Lorne, hey, how are you?”
“Doing good, sweet pea, how about you?”
Fred sighed. Lorne was so easy to talk to, he always understood. Maybe he could give her some advice. “I don’t know what to do. I just gave someone the wrong test results, and now I can’t get them on the phone and Dr. Walsh said I have to fix it. But I’m suppose to leave for L.A. tonight to go to this conference and I’ll miss my ride if I’m not there in a few minutes. I don’t know what to do.”
“Oh, that’s a tough one. Was it something serious?”
Fred nodded mournfully. “Syphilis.”
Lorne’s eyes widened. Now this was some juicy news. “Really, Fred, who is it?”
Fred’s eyes grew big. “Lorne, I can’t tell you that. Confidentiality and all,” she paused. “Of course, I guess you’ll find out soon enough.”
“Now, Fred, would I spread false rumors?” She gave him a disbelieving look. “Sweetie, I’m just trying to help. Maybe I could give them the message for you, then you could go on to L.A. and not worry about it. How about that?” He stopped for a minute. “Wait, why would I find out soon enough?”
Fred paused. Should she tell him? “Well, you were sort of on her list.”
“Her list?”
“Yeah, it’s a new thing. We ask people getting tested for STDs to fill out a list of their sexual partners on campus, so that we can alert these people to possible problems and see if we can determine where things started. It’s voluntary, but Darla agreed to do it. She was pretty scared.” Fred suddenly stopped with a squeak, realizing she’d just revealed who it was.
Lorne turned a peculiar shade of green. “Darla Harmon. Oh shit, I did sleep with her.” He mentally started to count back, “but it’s been a while, maybe two years ago. Way to much to drink that night.” He tried to remember the last test he’d had done, yep, it had been after that little incident. “Well, I’ve been tested since then, so I should be fine, right?”
Fred nodded, “Yeah. Listen, can you tell her though, since you know?”
Lorne nodded, “I’ll try to find her. Have a good trip Fred.” Lorne sauntered off, breathing a sigh of relief that he was out of the woods. So Darla has finally caught something. She was a trashy little thing and had been fairly bitchy the morning after as he recalled and since then as well. He wondered if he’d see her at the formal tonight. He rubbed his hands together. He was going to have fun with this.
<><><><><>
By quarter of, Faith, Buffy and Willow were charmingly attired and awaiting their escorts. Xander, Spike and Jonathan arrived and were nearly struck speechless by the sight of their dates.
Willow had chosen a bronze dress shot thorough with metallic highlights that shimmered as she moved. Tiny straps held the fitted bodice on her shoulders and the nearly floor-length gown was granted mobility by a high slit in the back.
Buffy had gone with a traditional black. The fitted bodice had no straps and hugged her form down to her hips, where the skirt flared slightly. A thigh high slit ran the length of her leg, offering the barest glimpse of her nylon encased thigh and showing off her strappy high heels.
Faith had chosen a short jade green dress with a twenties feel, complete with a fringe trim that shimmied as she moved. She smiled as she watched Jonathan’s face as she waltzed to greet her date. “Hey Johnny, we gonna have fun tonight?” Jonathan swallowed hard and nodded as he took her arm to lead her to the waiting car.
<><><><><>
Darla smiled as Angel came to the door. She twirled around for his approval, her skin tight red dress leaving very little to the imagination.
“You like?”
He grabbed her and pulled her in to nibble on her neck. “Very much. You look so hot, Darla. Let’s go show these losers a thing or to, shall we?”
She nodded. Suddenly she looked closer. “Angel, what’s wrong with your jaw?”
“Oh, that? Nothing, just a little scuffle at practice today, you know, gridiron injury?”
She nodded, grabbed her purse and wrap and the two left as the answering machine light continued to blink quietly in the corner of the room.