Chapter 3
Xander couldn’t remember the last time he sat at this table. He almost wanted to laugh at the parody of typical family life the four depicted. If he fooled his eyes into not seeing the scattered beer bottles and lipstick stained glasses which had long been drained of cheap gin, if he fooled his mind into believing his mother had made the meal, not Buffy, he may been able to believe this was just a normal Wednesday night in a normal family’s life. If he could just imagine Buffy wasn’t able to tell their parents about an unwanted teen pregnancy, he could believe that life wasn’t full of the horrors the Summers clan inflicted.
But Xander knew that life was never normal for this household. Years of abuse and neglect (when the two children were lucky it was neglect.) taught Xander to put a hard block on the harshness in his life. As a child he always tried to take the brunt of his fathers fists and the hurtful words of his mother. Xander wanted to protect his little sister. He wanted to hide her in her room and keep her safe. That’s why he never left. He knew he could have gotten a scholarship to UC Sunnydale. He was a good swimmer, winning state in butterfly two years in a row.
Xander was afraid to leave Buffy alone in this house. As he got up to pour a glass of soda for himself and juice for Buffy he grabbed a beer for his father. ‘No bottle, a can in case things get thrown.’ He thought.
He cleared his throat as he passed out the beverages and sat back down.
“Buffy has something to tell you.”
“Well, get it out the game’s about to start.” Hank Summers’ voice was already beginning to slur.
Buffy glanced at her brother for support. Noticing her hesitation Xander reached his hand under the table to touch her thigh. As he nodded to her she began.
“I needed you to know I am pregnant.” She braced herself for the coming on slot of yelling. She didn’t wait long.
“You stupid bitch! Who the fuck knocked you up!” Darla’s screaming pierced the air as she slapped the table hard enough to shake the glasses.
Her rant continued as the Buffy and Xander waited for the true on slot of parental rage. Hank. Expecting violence, the siblings were surprised when a quite chuckle began from their father.
“What the fuck are you laughing about!” Darla screamed at Hank.
“Little Miss Princess is a screw up!” Hank mumbled in between laughs. ” All her life she has thought good grades and cheering would get her places and it did!” Suddenly his mirth turned somber. “I raised you and that bastard son of mine but I’m not raising yours. You have one week to get your stuff and get the hell out of here.” With that Hank Summers left to watch the game.
“Damn right!” Darla said has she puffed on a newly light cigarette. “Don’t expect any help from us little slut.”
“Damn it Mom! She is not a slut or a whore or any of your stupid pet names!”
“Always Buffy’s little knight.” Darla said with a smirk. ” Well little man she may not be a slut but maybe she should be a whore.” She glanced at Buffy with a wicked gleam in her dark eyes. ” You spread ’em once see if you can get your man to take another go. ‘Cept this time get some money to get rid of it.”
Buffy shot out for chair and ran towards the stairs. Once in her room she grabbed the phone off her desk and began dialing.
‘Call Wills see if I can stay there. Figure out what do then. After I get the hell out here.’ Buffy focused on this thought as she waited for the phone to begin ringing. A stream of curse words began streaming out of her mouth as she heard a busy signal on the line.
She heard a soft knock on her bedroom door as she slammed the phone down.
“Xander I am so not in the mood for another lecture so just go away!”
Xander smiled as he opened the door. Buffy rarely showed the backbone he knew she always had.
“I don’t want to hear how stupid I am. I know that! I didn’t want this to happen. But it did! I screwed up.” She moved to her window to shove it open. ” And don’t even start with Buffy maybe you should get rid of it. Cause I am NOT going to even consider it!” Buffy stared her older brother down as he began to protest. ” Don’t you even try and denigh it Xander! I know that was why you went to see his parents. You knew they were rich and could easily pay for an abortion.”
“Buffy stop.” Xander moved to sit on the edge of her bed. “I just wanted you to have the option. Please just calm down. Your gonna make yourself sick.”
Tears began to flow freely from her eyes as she began opening drawers and pulling out pjs.
“I’ll grab you some water, change calm down then try and get some sleep. We can figure this out tomorrow. God knows today needs to just end.”
When he returned to the room he found Buffy asleep in her yummy sushi pajamas on top of her covers. He sat the glass on the counter and adjusted the curtains so they would be wide open for the morning light. He gently lifted her to arrange the blanket and covered her. After a kiss to her forehead he turned the light off and headed to his room.
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