Chapter Eight
The glasses stare back at us -at me. Even at a time like this, my eye for fashion picks up that they're Randolph aviator sunglasses. She always knew what worked for her. And these glasses are no different.
An unfamiliar feeling makes it's way from behind my eyes to the nape of my neck. A slight burning sensation that tingles all the way down my spine and down the length of my arms. All the way to my fingers, causing a slight burning pain in between my index and middle finger.
"Ow!"
Gravis gives me an odd look as I hastily drop my Lucky Strike to the dusty ground and plunge my fingers into my mouth. Terry just chuckles and lets go of my leg.
"I'm Teresa." She says confidently to Gravis, holding her little hand out for him to shake. "Who're you?" A fair question for a six year old.
Gravis gently shakes her hand as Faith makes her way over to us.
"I'm Gravis." He says, "The mechanic."
But I'm not paying them any attention: Faith's usual casual gait has enthralled me into a… well… into a thrall. She's wearing her hair loose, just as I remember, slightly curly, and it tumbles lightly over her strong shoulders. Her lips are set in a thin line, making it impossible for me to know what she's thinking –feeling. She's wearing a black leather jacket, worn at the elbows, over a white shirt. The same white patch covers the left side of her chest: Page's Garage. Her blue jeans are faded and ripped at the knees carelessly; clearly her weekend wear; and her feet are weighed down by a newer pair of black Blundstones.
Saying that she looks good would be an understatement. And true, to any other eye, looking at Faith would drown them in beauty, but to me? I'm drowning in pain.
Quickly, my eyes dart downwards and inspect what I'm wearing. Oh yeah. Old comfy Adidas runners, worn and stained, are bound loosely onto my feet where tan Schuh Zorro's and black knee high Gucci's used to call home. My pants are a bit loose, dating back to when I used to weigh a tad more than I cared to admit. The only thing I could use to compare myself to her would be the navy blue cable zip sweater, slash jacket, from Banana Republic that Andrew and Dawn gave me last year for Christmas.
Between her and me? Not a fair comparison. By far.
Then she gives me no more time to compare ourselves. She's standing right beside Gravis, right in front of Teresa and me, shifting her weight to her right side… Settling her sunglasses in her back pocket... Staring at Teresa, tears welling in her dark brown eyes... Staring at me before stepping forward and engulfing me into her sturdy yet soft arms.
They say that senses can open locked up memories in a heartbeat, and that smell is the most potent one. Well, 'they', whoever they are, are not wrong. The aroma of baked apple pie can remind someone of his or her mothers baking, blossoming flowers can remind someone of a fabulous spring vacation when they were younger, etc.
Involuntarily, as I fall into her clasp, I take a deep breath, a sigh of contentment and all that other crap that escapes my lips as my brain associates her scent to hidden gems. She smells like Faith ought to smell. Like worn leather, Bvlgari and a faint hint of smoke. And don't you know it, those memories just come flooding back in.
Smell.
I can hear her take the same deep breath that I took in, and I just know she's doing the same thing. Screw the Chosen Two relation crap. Anyone would know that.
And I remember... A naturally outspoken girl, suddenly shy, standing on my doorstep on Christmas Eve. Falling in love with me, falling in love with her... I wonder if she remembers too.
I pull my arms tighter around her, bringing her closer, firmer, and she does the same. I feel like Jack must've felt when he huggedEnnis for the first time in four years. Gravis looks on with a sad expression on his face before turning away.
Touch.
And I remember... Shouting at her on the rooftop of Angel's place. Shouting angry, senseless comments at her face before jumping to save her life. Feeling her skin touch mine and know exactly what she was feeling... I wonder if she remembers too.
"I'll go get what you need." He says. "Do you want to see the truck, Teresa?"
Ter just looks from Faith and I to Gravis with a sage look on her face. My maternal instincts are going haywire at the prospect of her going somewhere with a stranger. But at the same time, some alone time with Faith would be good. Finally, Terry scurries along to Gravis and takes a hold of his hand.
"Daisy says her daddy drives the biggest truck in the world." I can hear her say as they walk back to the truck. "She says that no one has a bigger truck."
"Is that right?" Gravis says.
"Yep. But I've seen her daddy's truck. Yours is bigger." Terry says.
Faith finally lets go of me, and stares at me with a crooked smile.
Sight.
And I remember... Tasting her sweat and tears after our first time. Telling her she tasted like ocean water. Lazily tracing the black ink on her arm with my fingers before falling asleep in her embrace... I wonder if she remembers too.
"Who's Daisy?" Faith says.
Sound.
And I remember... Faith grinding my ass as Superstylin' echoed out onto the dance floor. Grinding so hard and fast I thought my jeans were going to burn off from the friction. Whispering in my ear, telling me not to worry: She'd cool me off later... I wonder if she remembers too.
"Her best friend."
She smirks and rocks back on her heels. She turns her head to where Gravis is handing the jack over to Teresa gently, and turns her gaze over back to me.
"She's beautiful." She whispers and a chuckle manages to escape my throat. She looks just like you. Of course she's beautiful.
"Yeah, she kinda is."
Faith cocks her head as I say this, and does the mind reading thing. You're beautiful. She smiles sadly and sways her head lightly.
"Buffy?" She says in a calculating tone. "I'm sorry."
And then everything that was happy for the past minutes completely dissipate into nothing. You're sorry? What kind of bullshit is that? Sorry for leaving me and our kid? Sorry the visits and calls we never received? Sorry for all the shit you put us through? Sorry for… not being there? You're sorry? You expect one lousy piece of shit word to make everything better?
But if there's one thing I've recently discovered with myself is this. I'm a dope.
"I know."
Holy shit Buffy! What kind of answer is that?
But Faith knows. She knows that one word isn't enough and that my answer is worth fuck all.
She takes a step forward and sinks her head a bit lower so that our eyes are level with each other. Behind her, Gravis and Teresa are having a field trip with the spare tire, giving us time. I've only just met this guy, but I already adore him.
"Can I kiss you?" Faith whispers against the light wind.
Huh?
"Huh?"
That's all the time she leaves me as she leans forward and lays a butterfly kiss on my mouth. My lips slowly part as I answer back and allow her tongue to gently invade my mouth.
Taste.
And I remember... Her birthday party at Riciollis. Faith showing off her pregnant girlfriend to her co workers. Showing me off. Faith dragging her to a secluded corner after doing tequila shots off her stomach. Off my stomach... I wonder if she remembers too.
We pull back immediately and just stare at each other with looks of confusion and denial spread across our faces. She takes a few steps backwards and looks relieved when her mobile starts to ring. She doesn't excuse herself before answering, nor does she politely ask for my permission to answer.
"Yell-o." She says, casting a glance at her feet, and allowing me the time to glance at my nails. "No shit. Again? Awright. Just give me 'bout fifteen minutes, okay? Okay. Yeah. Ciao." She replaces her phone back into her jacket pocket and looks up at the sky.
"You okay?" She asks softly. "I mean, I didn't mean to…"
"It's okay. I'm okay." I say.
And I remember... Faith angrily confronting Spike one week before the delivery, telling him nothing could ever take us apart. Spike nodding knowingly before leaving to cool off. Me pulling her into the living room, jumping up and wrapping my legs around her waist, whispering in her ear, telling her how hot her exchange with Spike made me... I wonder if she remembers too.
Gravis and Ter finally make their way back to us with all the necessary equipment. Terry clutching the jack with all her might, Gravis rolling the spare along the road while clutching a toolbox in his hand.
"Okay! I think we have everything we need." Gravis announces. He puts the toolbox down and relieves Terry of the jack.
"Uncle Andy says that Mommy's car is like the Millennium Falcon." Terry says to him, completely ignoring Faith and I.
"Yeah? How so?" Gravis asks.
"He says that only brave people would ever dare to drive a piece of junk like that." She deadpans.
Gravis allows himself a smile and his eyes twinkle. His eyes, now nude without the protection of his Ray-bans, are a sparkling green. I can see why Faith allowed herself to fall for this guy. I don't want to sound egoistic or anything, but this guy could pass for my brother. If, of course, I had a brother.
Finally Faith does something to catch Terry's attention. She coughs. A little cough. Ter turns around, faces her, and tilts her little head to an odd angle. She narrows her eyes into almonds and smiles brightly.
"You're the person in the picture that hangs in my room." She starts. "You're my mom."
Faith just stands there, like she's star struck. Finally she kneels down to be level with Teresa and brings her hand out to tuck a strand of hair behind Terry's ear. She smiles. A nice, warm smile that I've rarely seen.
And I remember... Faith stripping her clothing till they made a puddle at her feet as I anxiously waited for her in the bath. Feeling the warm water lap on my skin as her feet slipped in. Feeling her bare back gently press onto my naked chest. Slowly resting my chin on her shoulder as my arms held her waist protectively while Teresa moaned softly in her sleep in the next room... I wonder if she remembers too.
"Yeah. I kinda am." Faith says softly.
Teresa suddenly takes on a serious look.
"Are you an' Gravis coming home with us?" She asks, and my heart clenches. I can't imagine how Faith must feel.
Faith swallows hard and tries to smile.
"I dunno, Baby T." She says weakly.
Coward.
She leans in and kisses Ter on her forehead softly before getting to her feet. She doesn't spare me another glance as she makes her way to Gravis.
"Abby just called. Her two-wheeler is on the blink again. I said I'd be there in fifteen. You okay here?" She says.
Gravis looks at Terry and me and shrugs.
"Sure." He says. "I'm sure Buffy can give me a ride to the garage when I'll be done."
I nod and he gives me a wonderful smile. I gotta watch myself. This guy has already captivated Faith and Terry. I'd hate to be his next victim.
"Okay. I'll see you then." Faith says, and leans in to kiss him on the mouth.
It's a quick kiss but it's enough to fill me with a small indication of jealousy. And before I know it, she's giving us a little wave and walking back to the truck. The door to the drivers' side opens up and she disappears inside.
Then the truck comes to life and disappears down the road.
Gravis turns to Terry and me and gives us a warm smile.
"Now, let's patch this beaut up." He says.
And I can't help but think: What the fuck just happened?
Chapter Nine
Gravis has MOM tattooed on his left bicep. There's a small bird with some sort of branch in its beak next to the lettering. Typical. He's also got this massive scar right below it. It kinda zigzags downwards, towards his elbow. A tattooed, scarred and pierced hunk.
The slayer in me is raging inside; wanting to know everything there is to know about this guy. The mother in me is wondering what the hell I was thinking letting Teresa wander alone with him –a practical stranger. The teenage girl in me is drooling. All in all, I'm actually quite confused, and I haven't even touched base with what I'm feeling for his girlfriend just yet. There's no reason for me not to trust this guy; all signs are pointing towards him winning the perfect man award… but it's just… he's Faith's.
Basket case is the understatement of the day.
"What's that?" Teresa asks, pointing at his left arm.
Gravis lays his jacket on the hood of the car, and smiles.
"This," he says, dragging his fingers along the red mark, "is what happens when you lose a bar fight."
Terry's eyes go wide as she brings her little hand over her mouth in shock.
I have to hand it to the guy. Being totally honest to a six year old is a hard gig, and he pulled it off without a hitch. But losing a fight? Captain Marvelous? Losing? Who was he fighting?
"Did it hurt?" Terry asks, suddenly very concerned.
Gravis kneels in front of the tire and looks over the sad deflated form.
"Yep." He says. "Jack."
Ter picks up the jack in hurry and hands it over to her new best friend. Great. Just. Fucking. Great.
It takes the dynamic duo about a quarter of an hour to fix everything up, while I look on from my spot near the hood and try not to get in the way. I seem to have an allergy to grease and all it covers. I would not make Danny Zuko proud, but then again, I'm not campaigning to be Sandy either.
Finally, Gravis get up and dusts his pants off with his grimy hands.
"All done." He says, flashing me another thousand-watt grin.
"That's, huh, that's great." I manage. "Thanks."
"You're very welcome. But I couldn't have done it without the extra hand." He says, twirling Ter's ponytail, causing her to giggle.
Terry's got a huge smear of grease down her cheek.
"Ter, come here." And I do the mom thing, wetting my thumb on my tongue and wiping her cheek. Of course, I only end up smearing it more.
"Mom…"
Then an awkward silence settles in as all three of us wonder what the hell is going to happen next. Terry is probably wondering how Gravis fits in with us. Gravis' probably thinking about the perfect dinner he'll be cooking for Faith tonight. I mean, I'd be honestly surprised if the guy had no skills in the kitchen… or elsewhere for that matter. And me? What am I pondering? I'm wondering about… lots of things.
Did she really have to kiss me? What the fuck did that accomplish? Make me want her more? Dude, that's seriously messed up.
"So, should we get going?" Gravis says, breaking the tension. "I have some Gojo at the shop."
"Gojo?" I ask.
"Yeah. Some of that orange cleaner. For Teresa's face." He explains.
"Oh. Right."
And that's how all three of us piled up in the unbearably hot car. Terry in the back, in her trusty car seat, Gravis in the passenger bucket seat, and me; behind the wheel, hoping to dear God—assuming there is one— to make it to the garage, in one emotional piece. Pasadena, here we come. Wee.
I think I've found my ninth layer of hell. What was I thinking when I turned on the radio to break the intimidating awkward silence? Bryan, Bonnie and Gravis are belting out the lyrics to Rock Steady while Teresa hums along in the back. And the funny part? Mister Amazing has no singing talent whatsoever. I'm up to the point where I don't know if I'll burst out laughing or break down crying. Guess laughing is better for facial muscles.
"… You need a rock, not a rollin' stone, so when a boy just ain't enough and you wanna man made of stronger stuff…" He croons in a horrible falsetto, a smile painted on his face. "What's so funny?" He asks, staring at me, his smile slowly becoming a grin.
"Nothing." I say, but my fingers magically find themselves on the volume button, and thus, Bonnie and Bryan find themselves reduced to background noise.
Teresa doesn't seem to mind as she grabs the latest Pal'n'Gals Double Digest and gets lost with Jughead and Betty and the rest of Archie's posse. Gravis gets the hint and reduces his singing to a slight humming.
"Take a left at the stop sign." He finally says, staring out the door window.
I nod and wonder how long this little façade we've got built is going to last. How long before he starts treating me like his girlfriends ex and not like his long lost college buddy.
"So…" I start. "Faith works for you?" As a good a start as any, I suppose.
He turns his head, and I want to see the look in his eyes when he answers, but unfortunately, my eyes bounce back to me from the reflection of his Ray-bans.
"Only on weekends." He says. "She does Council stuff during the week."
Oh. Right.
"So you know about Slayers?" I ask, and I can't help but smirk in his direction.
"Make a right at the set of lights." He says, then adds, "Yeah."
I nod. "Cool." Can this be anymore pathetic?
"Mommy is the original Slayer." Terry says from behind the pages of her comic book, like it's common knowledge or something.
My eyes do the rolling thing and Gravis turns in his seat to face her.
"I know." He says, lowering his shades on the bridge of his nose. "Now that's cool."
Terry nods and goes back to her book. Gravis twists back into place and gives me a sidelong glance.
"Here." He says, pointing to a sophisticated looking building, complete with three garage doors and a neon red sign that reads Page's Garage. A smaller sign informs that the special of the month is a free tire rotation with every oil change. So. Downtown Pasadena. Nice.
"Thanks for the lift." He says, stepping out of the car.
"Thanks for the tire." I reply stupidly, suddenly remembering that a mechanic's service is rarely free. "How much do I owe you?"
"We'll talk about it inside." He says, opening the door for Terry before swinging her in the air and propping her on his shoulders.
I lock the car up and follow them to where the door's being held open by a rubber door stopper. Gravis sidesteps and lets me go in first; his eyes, an opal green twinkling in the sun are smiling and honest. It's when I see Terry wearing his sunglasses that I throw all my worries and trust issues about him out the window. Good riddance.
The inside of the garage lobby is clean and doesn't smell of motor oil like Larry's Garage, in Lenwood. It smells like orange zest. Kinda welcoming. Posters and pictures cover the walls tastefully. Posters of NASCAR and various car brands. Framed pictures of staff parties and past employees of the month. I catch Gravis, Faith and another guy in one of them, all of them sitting at a table, looking silly and drunk, wearing wool hats with ear flaps. Orange and red. Even with the happiness and all, Faith looks like she's not totally there... I dunno. It's weird. Like she's pretending to be... happy.
I'm just about to ask Gravis when this was taken when his voice makes its way to my ears.
"Hey Jo." He says to someone behind the counter. "Anything new since this morning?"
"I dunno 'bout you, but you got a kid on your shoulders."
When I finally tear myself away from the picture on the wall, and make my way next to him, my eyes land on who he's talking to.
"Seems to me that's new." Jo continues, and Gravis smiles.
Turns out Jo is a petite blonde with crazy green eyes, and a strong stature. She's got a white Stetson on her head, and two French braids slipping from underneath. She's got the same jacket Gravis and Faith had on their backs earlier this morning, except hers is a light shade of pink, stained with grease and crass. Ten bucks says: Sister.
"Jo, this here is Teresa." He says, lifting Ter from his shoulders and sitting her on the countertop. "Faith's daughter."
Jo's eyes go wide as she tilts her Stetson back a bit to get a better look.
"And this is Buffy. Teresa's mom." Gravis goes on. "Buffy, Teresa, this is Josephine, my big sister."
Score!
"No shit!" Jo whispers softly, before covering her mouth with her hand, but we still all heard. "I mean, howdy."
Terry giggles and Gravis frowns slightly in his sister's direction.
Hello? This bonding session is nice and all, but… For fuck's sake. Come on!
"Jo, hand me the Gojo." Gravis says and Josephine hands him an orange bottle, and in turn, he hands it over to me. "For Teresa's face." He explains.
"Gotcha." I manage, still staring at Jo. Fortunately, she's staring at Terry, mesmerized or something, so she doesn't catch me. She doesn't, but Gravis does.
"Jo, would mind cleaning Teresa up, while Buffy and I take care of… payment?" He says, grabbing hold of the bottle from my grasp and handing it back to his sister.
"Sure." She says, giving us a quick look as she helps Terry off the counter. "C'mon Ter."
My teeth involuntarily cringe as I hear her say Teresa's name like that. No one but Dawn andI have ever call her that.
Why you jealous, Buff? They both disappear in the back and Gravis moves behind the counter and studies what looks to be an appointment sheet. When he finally looks up, his eyes are serious and the twinkle is gone.
"So? What do I owe you?" It's cold and not fair for a guy who's only shown Terry and I affection. But I just want this morning to end. Just head off to the ocean and forget everything. Fuck Faith… Why are you so hard to forget?
"Well, Faith and I decided that…"
"Excuse me? I don't want your pity tire. I'm going to pay for this."
Gravis gives me an amused look and keeps going.
"We decided that maybe you and Teresa could treat us to dinner." He finishes.
It takes me a few seconds before it sinks it. What?
"Oh."
He ducks his head a little, as he waits for an answer.
"Oh." I say again. Dinner. Dinner with Faith. Well fuck a duck and fuck it hard. Just five minutes with her this morning and we ended up kissing and in a state of confusion. Now she wants dinner? Treat us to dinner.
"Us?" I say, and I surprise myself with the amount of jealousy that slipped in.
Gravis grins and a chuckle escapes his throat.
"Yeah. Faith and me."
"Oh." God, you'd think I didn't have anymore words in my incredibly vast vocabulary.
"Are you jealous of my sister?" He asks, suddenly. Too suddenly.
"What?"
"You know, if there's anyone you have a right to be jealous of, it's me. Not Jo." He says slowly.
My eyes narrow as I take a deep breath.
"Look. I'm not jealous of anyone, least of all your sister. I mean, that doesn't make any sense. As for dinner? Fine. Sure. It would make Terry happy and that's… Dinner is fine."
"Awesome." He smiles. "Bravo Bravo at 7 okay?"
I can only nod as Terry comes out looking fresh and clean-wearing Josephine's Stetson. Where the fuck have we landed? The Twilight Zone?
"C'mon, Ter. Give Jo her hat back. We're heading out. We have a date with the Ocean, 'member?"
Terry frowns as she hands the hat back and sulks my way.
"Can Gravis come with us?" She asks, hopeful, and I hate to break her heart.
Thankfully, Gravis takes care of this.
"No can do. I have some work to finish here before tonight." He says, handing her his sunglasses. "You can have them for today. I think it'll be sunny at the beach."
Teresa's eyes grow wide as she eagerly puts them on.
"I'll take good care of them." She says solemnly. Then her brow furrows a little and I know she's thinking about something. "What's tonight?"
