ONE NORMAL LIFE / TWO EXTRAORDINARY LIVES
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BtVS AU/AR › Het - Male/Female › Buffy/Spike(William)
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
210
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11,399
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Category:
BtVS AU/AR › Het - Male/Female › Buffy/Spike(William)
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
210
Views:
11,399
Reviews:
182
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Buffy the Vampire Slayer (BtVS), nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
MRS. CARPELLO
CHAPTER 92 - MRS. CARPELLO
The next few days passed quickly. Clem also recovered from his hangover and came around over the weekend to show William how to change the oil in the DeSoto.
The eBay seller emailed William back, saying he did have a manual for the DeSoto and would be willing to just sell it to him for $10.00. Buffy said it was a fair price, set up a Paypal account in her name, since William didn't have any papers for his own, and they sent the seller the money.
Monday came and her meeting at the school. She thought of having William stay with Clem, but although they'd both apologized to her profusely, promising never to drink again (sure!) she thought it best that William not be that far out of her sight at this e in in his being back with her.
There was a library across the street from the Montessori school that Buffy decided would be a good place for William to wait for her during her time away from him. He seemed more than happy with the idea,
She gave him the cell phone, the one that she'd bought especially just for her and Andrew to use. She also told him not to answer it unless her number showed up on the Caller ID.
"Okay, you've got the phone and you have my number and the school's number, plus I'm right across the street if you need me, right?"
He nodded, "Yes to all, and stop worrying, I'm a grown man, not a child. I may have lost my memory, but I haven't lost all of my common sense, the drinking binge aside," he said, smiling.
"I know. I just...I'll miss you. We haven't been apart for over a month for more than an hour, when you and Xander went fishing."
"We haven't have we?" he said, pulling her to him and giving her a ki"gu"guess it’s time then, eh?"
"Time?"
"Yeah, to be apart for a couple of hours," he said, looking at her worried face, "I'll be alright, luv. I'll be fine; I’m not a child. And, I've got a whole library full of books to look at; got your library card if I feel like using the Internet right? I've also got some pocket change if I want a coffee or something else. And you'll see me at lunch, probably around noon. And you'll call me as soon as you know exactly what time, and I should find a quiet place in which to talk to you, being as I'll be in a library. Did I forget anything else?" he asked.
"Just that I love you," she said, smiling and kissed him.
"Never forget that, that's always right here," he said, pointing to his heart.
She returned the gesture.
Across the street, the edge of a blind closed back up and the person who had been behind it sat down at her desk waiting.
"Now go, before you're late," he said, giving her a gentle push off. She nodded and walked across the street. She turned to wave as he walked into the library and her into the Montessori.
She hadn't told him that she had a meeting with her boss an hour before the general meeting. Didn't want to alarm him. He had already told her that she most definitely shouldn't quit on his account, and she most definitely was not going to work 40 hours a week, if it meant leaving him at home alone everyday.
Buffy took a deep breath and opened the door to the school. She took a left into the main office and walked toward the back to Mrs. Carpello's inner office. The door was open.
"Hello, Elizabeth, right on time."
"Good morning Mrs. Carpello, nice to see you. Have you had a good summer."
"Yes, it's been very productive. Well, would you like some coffee?"
Elizabeth pointed to her travel mug, "Brought some with."
"Need a refill?"
"No, it's fresh. Thank you for asking me, though."
Mrs. Carpello fidgeted with her desk, making an effort at tidying before finally looking up and fixing Buffy with a stare.
"What's up, Elizabeth? Oh, and before you start, let me guess that it has something to do with thaung ung man I just saw you with across the street at the library."
Buffy didn't know whether to blush or be angry that she was being spied on.
She nodded, "As a matter of fact, he is the reason I asked for this meeting."
"Shall I make it easy for you dear? You've met someone and he's swept you off your feet, you're either running off to teach in some third world country or at the very least, in another town or state and you want my blessing, and also a good recommendation. How am I doing?"
Buffy looked at her and really wanted to wipe the smug look off her face, but that would be counterproductive at the moment. Using every ounce of self-control she possessed, she answered Mrs. Carpello evenly, "Actually, I'd say that if you were a batter, you'd have been benched before the end of the first inning."
Mrs. Carpello looked at her shocked, then laughed, "Touche, Elizabeth. Okay, why don't I be quiet and let you explain it all to me, then."
Buffy nodded, relieved.
"The man you saw me with across the street?"
Mrs. Carpello nodded.
"He's not someone I just...that man is my husband, William."
Mrs. Carpello nearly spat her coffee, "Your husband? You never told me you got married!"
"I didn’t just get married, I was married about 5 and a half years ago, but then..." she stopped a moment, \you you remember where I came from?"
"I don't. You told me you lived in Julian. I don't know if we ever discussed anything before that, I just assumed you were a long time local girl."
"Buffy shook her head, "No, I only moved here about 5 years ago. Before that I lived in Sunnydale," she said, waiting for the information to sink in.
"Sunnydale? Sunnydale?" she looked at Elizabeth, who when she saw the light go on in Mrs. Carpello's eyes, nodded at her. "Sunnydale! You were originally from there? The town that got destroyed?"
Buffy nodded.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. I had no idea. And you were living there then...?"
Buffy nodded again.
"It must have been horrible...but what does that have to do with...did you say your husband's name is William?"
"Yes, William. Well, you see he was there too, when it...collapsed. Only I wasn't with him when it did," she said, looking up at Mrs. Carpello, "I thought he was dead all this time, you see. It was only this past summer that I found out that he was still alive. He was in another state, in the Midwest. So I went to find him."
Mrs Carpello sat across from Elizabeth taking this all in.
"You went to find him,” she repeated. “How did you find out about him still being alive?"
"A friend had read something from a local newspaper and alerted me," she said, choosing her words carefully, hoping to not have to go into the whole hospital thing if she didn't have to.
"But Elizabeth, I don't want to be indelicate, but why didn't William try to find you in California through your friends or families in all these years?"
Buffy swallowed, "Because William lost all his memories. Of everything and everyone."
Mrs. Carpello was shocked. She paused, then asked, "Even of you?"
Buffy nodded, her eyes moist, "Yes, even of me.”
"And you thought him dead all this time and weren't looking for him?"
Buffy shook her head.
"So, you only found him because someone spottes pis picture in the paper, because of a fluke?"
Buffy nodded, "If you want to call it that, but I think it might be more of something like a miracle," she said, smiling.
"Oh my dear, of course it is! It must have been a miracle, to suddenly...but why was he in the paper?"
"There was an accident and he was hurt. Um...he was a pedestrian."
Now Mrs. Carpello's eyes were watering, "Of all things, after all that...but really a blessing in disguise, right? I mean, he wasn't seriously hurt was he?"
Buffy shook her head, "No, just injured his arm, but because he didn't know who he was or how he got there, it became news..."
"And you found him!" she smiled at Buffy and stood up, coming around to give her a hug.
Buffy was totally eparepared for this reaction, but accepted her hug with good graces.
"Thank you," she said.
"So, tell me what you need to tell me now," she said, sitting back down.
"Well, the fact is that we've just arrived back home a few days ago, so William is just getting his bearings. I just don't know if I can bear to leave him alone 8 or 9 hours a day, 5 days a week. I just can't imagine abandoning him like that...not after I've just found him again, after what he's gone through...I just can't. I'm so sorry," Buffy said, hoping Mrs. Carpello would understand.
Mrs. Carpello sat there, wheels turning in her head, as she studied both her hands and Elizabeth's face; "Tell me, is William...is he...feeble?"
Now it was Buffy's turn to nearly choke on her coffee. She laughed, "Feeble? Oh God, no! He's terribly smart, he's..."
"Well, Elizabeth, why can't he work then? He doesn't have to be alone, he could be doing something, right?"
"He doesn't remember any recent skills, he doesn't even remember how to drive, use a computer, although he’s learning. He remembers stuff from Oxford, but I don't know if that would..."
"Did you say Oxford?" Mrs. Carpello's ears perked up.
Buffy nodded.
"He went overseas to school? How marvelous, what did he study there? Did you know him then?"
"Um...he didn't go overseas to school, he's English. I think he studied English Literature, History, think he also knows Latin and Greek. And no, I didn't know him until he moved here, or rather to Sunnydale."
"What did he do in Sunnydale? I mean, before?"
"I...um...he was doing some writing and he worked in our friend's shop, a book store," Buffy said, wishing she didn't have to keep making things up.
“I see,” Mrs. Carpello was quiet thinking all this over.
“It seems it would be shame for you to quit, after all the time you’ve put into your education. And really, you’re quite good with the kids, one of the best first year teachers I’ve ever had,” she said, smiling. “I’d say you’re in somewhat of a bind, wouldn’t you?”
Buffy nodded.
“You never really planned on staying for the meeting today, did you?”
“I didn’t figure there would be much point, after I told you that I wouldn’t be able to hold my position any longer because of my obligation to William. I’m so sorry, but I need to be there for him, to help him get on his feet. I just can’t let him flounder all alone, while I’m gone all day. I hope you understand. I hope this will give you adequate time to find someone else to take over my classroom.”
“I see. He wants you to stay home to ‘care’ for him, then?”
“Oh, no, it’s not him at all! He doesn’t want me to give quit teaching so I can stay home and coddle him, as he put it. But you see, I know that he needs me right now, so I have to.”
“I see,” Mrs. Carpello said, leaning back in her seat and studying Elizabeth. “Would you still attend the meeting, if I asked you to?”
“I don’t know. It would seem rather dishonest of me to, wouldn’t it? To be acting like I’m planning the year out with the rest of them and all, only to have them find out that I’d already told you that I couldn’t come back and leave William alone all day? I don’t want to deceive anyone, or have them be angry with you, either.”
“I know. As far as this conversation goes, they don’t have to know that we had it today, or even the reasons that you are leaving. We could just say you had a family emergency. You let me worry about that, alright? In the meantime, I’d like very much if you would still attend today, and to think about what you told me.”
“I don’t know…”
“Please? For me?”
“Okay. Just so you know that it won’t change my mind.”
“I know that. Now, what time is it?”
“9:37,” Buffy said, looking at her watch.
“Good. What do you say you bring William over here so I can meet him?”
“You want to meet him? Now?"
Mrs. Carpello nodded, "It it's alright with you, and William.”
“Um, sure. I’ll just go get him,” she said rising.
“Good. I’ll be here waiting.”
Buffy ran across the street and into the library. She spotted William sitting at a table; a large volume opened up.
He smiled at her as soon as he saw her, “Hi, what are you doing here?”
“Mrs. Carpello wants to meet you. Is that okay? Can you come across the street for a few minutes?”
“She wants to meet me?”
“Yes, she does. It won’t be for long, there’s another meeting starting in about 20 minutes.”
“Okay, not like I’m doing anything Earth-shatteringly important.”
Buffy filled William in on what she’d told Mrs. Carpello about him, except for the part about not wanting to work if it meant him being alone all day.
They walked into Mrs. Carpello’s office. She stood up and appraised the young man. He had medium brown hair, a bit more than slightly curly, medium length. He wore glasses, which he took off and was holding in his one hand. He had on a pair of light khaki pants, and a tan polo shirt. His eyes were blue, warm and expectant, as he looked at her.
“I’m Mrs. Carpello, I’m the directress here at Montessori,” she said, taking the initiative and holding out her hand.
He took it immediately, “Very nice to meet you, name’s William Worthington. William,” he said, giving her a firm, but gentlemanly handshake.
“Sit down, William. Elizabeth.”
They nodded, taking the two chairs in front of her desk.
“Elizabeth tells me quite a story about how you’ve been able to find each other again, after being separated all these years.”
“Yes,” he said, turning to look at Elizabeth with a look of pure adoration in his eyes, that she returned, slightly blushing, since she knew Mrs. Carpello’s eyes were on them both. Elizabeth made a slight nod that was only perceptible to William.
Being of a suspicious mind normally, and having been made a fool of one too many times in her life, Mrs. Carpello studied them carefully, especially William.
She talked to William a little about his education and who he thought was the best author of the 19th Century. When it came to the 20th Century, though, William shook his head.
“I’m afraid that’s where my memory fails me, I’ve no memory of anything that's been invented, written, or taken place in 20th or 21st Centuries, up to the past month, that is.”
“How very odd, yet you remember all you ever learned about the 19th Century.”
"Wouldn't have been nearly so bad had it been the other way around, I suspect," he said, grinning.
Mrs. Carpello laughed.
“Well, William it was charming to meeting you, I can see why Elizabeth seems so happy to have found you again. I’m sure we’ll be seeing plenty of you about.”
“Thank you, nice to meet you, too.”
Buffy walked William back to the library, “I think she liked you.”
“She seemed pleasant enough,” he replied.
“Oh, but you should see her when she’s…oh nevermind. I’m just relieved that she seemed to like you. Then again, what’s not to like?”
He laughed, “That so? Even when I’m stupid drunk?”
“You have a point,” she said laughing. “See you in a couple of hours, then?”
“Be right here, waiting.”
They kissed goodbye and she went back to Montessori and her meeting.
They broke for lunch around noon. Buffy begged off of joining them, claiming she had a doctor’s appointment. She drove her car around the back of the library and after getting William; they bought sandwiches and drove over to eat in a nearby park.
After they’d finished he lay back on the blanket they were sitting on and pulled her with down to join him.
“Miss me?” she asked.
“Always miss you,” he said, kissing her hair, as she rested against her head against his chest, hearing the reassuring beat of his heart.
“Well, see you back here in another couple of hours,” Buffy told him, as she dropped him off at the rear door of the library.
“I’ll be here, waiting.”
The last hour of the meeting was given over to a teacher had gone on a seminar for Montessori educators in Italy over the summer. She proceeded to tell them of some of the latest methods she had learned.
Mrs. Carpello took that time to slip out for a little while. She walked over to the library and after a few minutes, saw William. He was up at the desk talking to one of the reference librarian about some old text he was interested in. The librarian told him that a bigger library, such as in San Diego might carry it, but if need be, they could order it on loan. She heard the librarian ask him some things about himself, and the answers he gave were consistent with what she had been told by him and by Elizabeth. William went back to his seat. From her vantagepoint, she could see most of the books he had were literature, others on the Internet, electricity, home repair, and yet another on old cars. All consistent with his interests and with someone who had lost their memory. Satisfied, she went back to the meeting.
The meeting was finally over at 3:00pm. Mrs. Carpello came up and put her hand on Elizabeth’s arm.
“What did you think?”
“Oh, I thought the new program that Lily brought back was really great. It should be very helpful, especially for the kids who are still having a hard time reading fluently." Buffy said, "but it still doesn’t change my mind."
“I know it doesn’t, but like I said, I’d like to give the matter a little bit of thought, before I officially release you from your position. Unless you have something else lined up,” Mrs. Carpello said.
“No, of course not!”
“I didn’t think so.”
“I’ll be in touch, then. In the meantime, go home and enjoy your summer with William.”
“I will, I most definitely will!” she said, smiling, and with that she sailed out the door and went off toward the library.
She found William with a large stack of books he wanted to check out.
"The librarian was sympathetic, but she wouldn't let me use your card," he said, sadly.
"I'll just do it then," she said, as they took the books to the counter, "didn't get to use the Internet then?"
"No," he said, sighing. "She said I could get my own card, but I had to show some identification, of which I don't possess, I don't even know our address!" he said, exasperated.
"I'm sorry, I should have at least told you that. We don't really have a street address, but we do have a Post Office Box number that I use. That should set you up, as for identification, we'll take care of that, too. Promise. Don't worry, okay?"
"Okay," he said, his voice frustrated, "I just never gave much thought to how much of these type of things I need to have. I wonder what I used for the past 5 years!"
She didn't say anything. What could she say? Well, William, you really didn't need anything because you didn't exist?
She made a mental note to call Willow later that evening and see about those papers.
END CHAPTER 92
A/N Thanks for hanging in here folks, in the next chapters I’ll be working on the following:
William meets Edna for the first time, well, you know what I mean, soon. Probably, Lawrence, too.
Willow sends identification papers
Driving lessons
William’s birthday
An unexpected offer from Mrs. Carpello
Spoiler warning:
I know it’s painstakingly slow, but believe me, I’m not just doing it for my health! It’s all leading up to something, it’s just this is the part where William is learning what it’s like to live in the world. You know I’ll eventually throw the proverbial monkey wrench (ie; having to do with how William finds out all about Spike) into the mix, just when they’re all nice and comfy!
Thank you to all those who take the time to review or send me emails and to those of you (and I know who you are!) who are reading, but not reviewing.
You’re the best!
spikealicious
P.S. A special thanks to my Beta, Judy! You keep my story grounded, when I take it on flights of fancy!
The next few days passed quickly. Clem also recovered from his hangover and came around over the weekend to show William how to change the oil in the DeSoto.
The eBay seller emailed William back, saying he did have a manual for the DeSoto and would be willing to just sell it to him for $10.00. Buffy said it was a fair price, set up a Paypal account in her name, since William didn't have any papers for his own, and they sent the seller the money.
Monday came and her meeting at the school. She thought of having William stay with Clem, but although they'd both apologized to her profusely, promising never to drink again (sure!) she thought it best that William not be that far out of her sight at this e in in his being back with her.
There was a library across the street from the Montessori school that Buffy decided would be a good place for William to wait for her during her time away from him. He seemed more than happy with the idea,
She gave him the cell phone, the one that she'd bought especially just for her and Andrew to use. She also told him not to answer it unless her number showed up on the Caller ID.
"Okay, you've got the phone and you have my number and the school's number, plus I'm right across the street if you need me, right?"
He nodded, "Yes to all, and stop worrying, I'm a grown man, not a child. I may have lost my memory, but I haven't lost all of my common sense, the drinking binge aside," he said, smiling.
"I know. I just...I'll miss you. We haven't been apart for over a month for more than an hour, when you and Xander went fishing."
"We haven't have we?" he said, pulling her to him and giving her a ki"gu"guess it’s time then, eh?"
"Time?"
"Yeah, to be apart for a couple of hours," he said, looking at her worried face, "I'll be alright, luv. I'll be fine; I’m not a child. And, I've got a whole library full of books to look at; got your library card if I feel like using the Internet right? I've also got some pocket change if I want a coffee or something else. And you'll see me at lunch, probably around noon. And you'll call me as soon as you know exactly what time, and I should find a quiet place in which to talk to you, being as I'll be in a library. Did I forget anything else?" he asked.
"Just that I love you," she said, smiling and kissed him.
"Never forget that, that's always right here," he said, pointing to his heart.
She returned the gesture.
Across the street, the edge of a blind closed back up and the person who had been behind it sat down at her desk waiting.
"Now go, before you're late," he said, giving her a gentle push off. She nodded and walked across the street. She turned to wave as he walked into the library and her into the Montessori.
She hadn't told him that she had a meeting with her boss an hour before the general meeting. Didn't want to alarm him. He had already told her that she most definitely shouldn't quit on his account, and she most definitely was not going to work 40 hours a week, if it meant leaving him at home alone everyday.
Buffy took a deep breath and opened the door to the school. She took a left into the main office and walked toward the back to Mrs. Carpello's inner office. The door was open.
"Hello, Elizabeth, right on time."
"Good morning Mrs. Carpello, nice to see you. Have you had a good summer."
"Yes, it's been very productive. Well, would you like some coffee?"
Elizabeth pointed to her travel mug, "Brought some with."
"Need a refill?"
"No, it's fresh. Thank you for asking me, though."
Mrs. Carpello fidgeted with her desk, making an effort at tidying before finally looking up and fixing Buffy with a stare.
"What's up, Elizabeth? Oh, and before you start, let me guess that it has something to do with thaung ung man I just saw you with across the street at the library."
Buffy didn't know whether to blush or be angry that she was being spied on.
She nodded, "As a matter of fact, he is the reason I asked for this meeting."
"Shall I make it easy for you dear? You've met someone and he's swept you off your feet, you're either running off to teach in some third world country or at the very least, in another town or state and you want my blessing, and also a good recommendation. How am I doing?"
Buffy looked at her and really wanted to wipe the smug look off her face, but that would be counterproductive at the moment. Using every ounce of self-control she possessed, she answered Mrs. Carpello evenly, "Actually, I'd say that if you were a batter, you'd have been benched before the end of the first inning."
Mrs. Carpello looked at her shocked, then laughed, "Touche, Elizabeth. Okay, why don't I be quiet and let you explain it all to me, then."
Buffy nodded, relieved.
"The man you saw me with across the street?"
Mrs. Carpello nodded.
"He's not someone I just...that man is my husband, William."
Mrs. Carpello nearly spat her coffee, "Your husband? You never told me you got married!"
"I didn’t just get married, I was married about 5 and a half years ago, but then..." she stopped a moment, \you you remember where I came from?"
"I don't. You told me you lived in Julian. I don't know if we ever discussed anything before that, I just assumed you were a long time local girl."
"Buffy shook her head, "No, I only moved here about 5 years ago. Before that I lived in Sunnydale," she said, waiting for the information to sink in.
"Sunnydale? Sunnydale?" she looked at Elizabeth, who when she saw the light go on in Mrs. Carpello's eyes, nodded at her. "Sunnydale! You were originally from there? The town that got destroyed?"
Buffy nodded.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. I had no idea. And you were living there then...?"
Buffy nodded again.
"It must have been horrible...but what does that have to do with...did you say your husband's name is William?"
"Yes, William. Well, you see he was there too, when it...collapsed. Only I wasn't with him when it did," she said, looking up at Mrs. Carpello, "I thought he was dead all this time, you see. It was only this past summer that I found out that he was still alive. He was in another state, in the Midwest. So I went to find him."
Mrs Carpello sat across from Elizabeth taking this all in.
"You went to find him,” she repeated. “How did you find out about him still being alive?"
"A friend had read something from a local newspaper and alerted me," she said, choosing her words carefully, hoping to not have to go into the whole hospital thing if she didn't have to.
"But Elizabeth, I don't want to be indelicate, but why didn't William try to find you in California through your friends or families in all these years?"
Buffy swallowed, "Because William lost all his memories. Of everything and everyone."
Mrs. Carpello was shocked. She paused, then asked, "Even of you?"
Buffy nodded, her eyes moist, "Yes, even of me.”
"And you thought him dead all this time and weren't looking for him?"
Buffy shook her head.
"So, you only found him because someone spottes pis picture in the paper, because of a fluke?"
Buffy nodded, "If you want to call it that, but I think it might be more of something like a miracle," she said, smiling.
"Oh my dear, of course it is! It must have been a miracle, to suddenly...but why was he in the paper?"
"There was an accident and he was hurt. Um...he was a pedestrian."
Now Mrs. Carpello's eyes were watering, "Of all things, after all that...but really a blessing in disguise, right? I mean, he wasn't seriously hurt was he?"
Buffy shook her head, "No, just injured his arm, but because he didn't know who he was or how he got there, it became news..."
"And you found him!" she smiled at Buffy and stood up, coming around to give her a hug.
Buffy was totally eparepared for this reaction, but accepted her hug with good graces.
"Thank you," she said.
"So, tell me what you need to tell me now," she said, sitting back down.
"Well, the fact is that we've just arrived back home a few days ago, so William is just getting his bearings. I just don't know if I can bear to leave him alone 8 or 9 hours a day, 5 days a week. I just can't imagine abandoning him like that...not after I've just found him again, after what he's gone through...I just can't. I'm so sorry," Buffy said, hoping Mrs. Carpello would understand.
Mrs. Carpello sat there, wheels turning in her head, as she studied both her hands and Elizabeth's face; "Tell me, is William...is he...feeble?"
Now it was Buffy's turn to nearly choke on her coffee. She laughed, "Feeble? Oh God, no! He's terribly smart, he's..."
"Well, Elizabeth, why can't he work then? He doesn't have to be alone, he could be doing something, right?"
"He doesn't remember any recent skills, he doesn't even remember how to drive, use a computer, although he’s learning. He remembers stuff from Oxford, but I don't know if that would..."
"Did you say Oxford?" Mrs. Carpello's ears perked up.
Buffy nodded.
"He went overseas to school? How marvelous, what did he study there? Did you know him then?"
"Um...he didn't go overseas to school, he's English. I think he studied English Literature, History, think he also knows Latin and Greek. And no, I didn't know him until he moved here, or rather to Sunnydale."
"What did he do in Sunnydale? I mean, before?"
"I...um...he was doing some writing and he worked in our friend's shop, a book store," Buffy said, wishing she didn't have to keep making things up.
“I see,” Mrs. Carpello was quiet thinking all this over.
“It seems it would be shame for you to quit, after all the time you’ve put into your education. And really, you’re quite good with the kids, one of the best first year teachers I’ve ever had,” she said, smiling. “I’d say you’re in somewhat of a bind, wouldn’t you?”
Buffy nodded.
“You never really planned on staying for the meeting today, did you?”
“I didn’t figure there would be much point, after I told you that I wouldn’t be able to hold my position any longer because of my obligation to William. I’m so sorry, but I need to be there for him, to help him get on his feet. I just can’t let him flounder all alone, while I’m gone all day. I hope you understand. I hope this will give you adequate time to find someone else to take over my classroom.”
“I see. He wants you to stay home to ‘care’ for him, then?”
“Oh, no, it’s not him at all! He doesn’t want me to give quit teaching so I can stay home and coddle him, as he put it. But you see, I know that he needs me right now, so I have to.”
“I see,” Mrs. Carpello said, leaning back in her seat and studying Elizabeth. “Would you still attend the meeting, if I asked you to?”
“I don’t know. It would seem rather dishonest of me to, wouldn’t it? To be acting like I’m planning the year out with the rest of them and all, only to have them find out that I’d already told you that I couldn’t come back and leave William alone all day? I don’t want to deceive anyone, or have them be angry with you, either.”
“I know. As far as this conversation goes, they don’t have to know that we had it today, or even the reasons that you are leaving. We could just say you had a family emergency. You let me worry about that, alright? In the meantime, I’d like very much if you would still attend today, and to think about what you told me.”
“I don’t know…”
“Please? For me?”
“Okay. Just so you know that it won’t change my mind.”
“I know that. Now, what time is it?”
“9:37,” Buffy said, looking at her watch.
“Good. What do you say you bring William over here so I can meet him?”
“You want to meet him? Now?"
Mrs. Carpello nodded, "It it's alright with you, and William.”
“Um, sure. I’ll just go get him,” she said rising.
“Good. I’ll be here waiting.”
Buffy ran across the street and into the library. She spotted William sitting at a table; a large volume opened up.
He smiled at her as soon as he saw her, “Hi, what are you doing here?”
“Mrs. Carpello wants to meet you. Is that okay? Can you come across the street for a few minutes?”
“She wants to meet me?”
“Yes, she does. It won’t be for long, there’s another meeting starting in about 20 minutes.”
“Okay, not like I’m doing anything Earth-shatteringly important.”
Buffy filled William in on what she’d told Mrs. Carpello about him, except for the part about not wanting to work if it meant him being alone all day.
They walked into Mrs. Carpello’s office. She stood up and appraised the young man. He had medium brown hair, a bit more than slightly curly, medium length. He wore glasses, which he took off and was holding in his one hand. He had on a pair of light khaki pants, and a tan polo shirt. His eyes were blue, warm and expectant, as he looked at her.
“I’m Mrs. Carpello, I’m the directress here at Montessori,” she said, taking the initiative and holding out her hand.
He took it immediately, “Very nice to meet you, name’s William Worthington. William,” he said, giving her a firm, but gentlemanly handshake.
“Sit down, William. Elizabeth.”
They nodded, taking the two chairs in front of her desk.
“Elizabeth tells me quite a story about how you’ve been able to find each other again, after being separated all these years.”
“Yes,” he said, turning to look at Elizabeth with a look of pure adoration in his eyes, that she returned, slightly blushing, since she knew Mrs. Carpello’s eyes were on them both. Elizabeth made a slight nod that was only perceptible to William.
Being of a suspicious mind normally, and having been made a fool of one too many times in her life, Mrs. Carpello studied them carefully, especially William.
She talked to William a little about his education and who he thought was the best author of the 19th Century. When it came to the 20th Century, though, William shook his head.
“I’m afraid that’s where my memory fails me, I’ve no memory of anything that's been invented, written, or taken place in 20th or 21st Centuries, up to the past month, that is.”
“How very odd, yet you remember all you ever learned about the 19th Century.”
"Wouldn't have been nearly so bad had it been the other way around, I suspect," he said, grinning.
Mrs. Carpello laughed.
“Well, William it was charming to meeting you, I can see why Elizabeth seems so happy to have found you again. I’m sure we’ll be seeing plenty of you about.”
“Thank you, nice to meet you, too.”
Buffy walked William back to the library, “I think she liked you.”
“She seemed pleasant enough,” he replied.
“Oh, but you should see her when she’s…oh nevermind. I’m just relieved that she seemed to like you. Then again, what’s not to like?”
He laughed, “That so? Even when I’m stupid drunk?”
“You have a point,” she said laughing. “See you in a couple of hours, then?”
“Be right here, waiting.”
They kissed goodbye and she went back to Montessori and her meeting.
They broke for lunch around noon. Buffy begged off of joining them, claiming she had a doctor’s appointment. She drove her car around the back of the library and after getting William; they bought sandwiches and drove over to eat in a nearby park.
After they’d finished he lay back on the blanket they were sitting on and pulled her with down to join him.
“Miss me?” she asked.
“Always miss you,” he said, kissing her hair, as she rested against her head against his chest, hearing the reassuring beat of his heart.
“Well, see you back here in another couple of hours,” Buffy told him, as she dropped him off at the rear door of the library.
“I’ll be here, waiting.”
The last hour of the meeting was given over to a teacher had gone on a seminar for Montessori educators in Italy over the summer. She proceeded to tell them of some of the latest methods she had learned.
Mrs. Carpello took that time to slip out for a little while. She walked over to the library and after a few minutes, saw William. He was up at the desk talking to one of the reference librarian about some old text he was interested in. The librarian told him that a bigger library, such as in San Diego might carry it, but if need be, they could order it on loan. She heard the librarian ask him some things about himself, and the answers he gave were consistent with what she had been told by him and by Elizabeth. William went back to his seat. From her vantagepoint, she could see most of the books he had were literature, others on the Internet, electricity, home repair, and yet another on old cars. All consistent with his interests and with someone who had lost their memory. Satisfied, she went back to the meeting.
The meeting was finally over at 3:00pm. Mrs. Carpello came up and put her hand on Elizabeth’s arm.
“What did you think?”
“Oh, I thought the new program that Lily brought back was really great. It should be very helpful, especially for the kids who are still having a hard time reading fluently." Buffy said, "but it still doesn’t change my mind."
“I know it doesn’t, but like I said, I’d like to give the matter a little bit of thought, before I officially release you from your position. Unless you have something else lined up,” Mrs. Carpello said.
“No, of course not!”
“I didn’t think so.”
“I’ll be in touch, then. In the meantime, go home and enjoy your summer with William.”
“I will, I most definitely will!” she said, smiling, and with that she sailed out the door and went off toward the library.
She found William with a large stack of books he wanted to check out.
"The librarian was sympathetic, but she wouldn't let me use your card," he said, sadly.
"I'll just do it then," she said, as they took the books to the counter, "didn't get to use the Internet then?"
"No," he said, sighing. "She said I could get my own card, but I had to show some identification, of which I don't possess, I don't even know our address!" he said, exasperated.
"I'm sorry, I should have at least told you that. We don't really have a street address, but we do have a Post Office Box number that I use. That should set you up, as for identification, we'll take care of that, too. Promise. Don't worry, okay?"
"Okay," he said, his voice frustrated, "I just never gave much thought to how much of these type of things I need to have. I wonder what I used for the past 5 years!"
She didn't say anything. What could she say? Well, William, you really didn't need anything because you didn't exist?
She made a mental note to call Willow later that evening and see about those papers.
END CHAPTER 92
A/N Thanks for hanging in here folks, in the next chapters I’ll be working on the following:
William meets Edna for the first time, well, you know what I mean, soon. Probably, Lawrence, too.
Willow sends identification papers
Driving lessons
William’s birthday
An unexpected offer from Mrs. Carpello
Spoiler warning:
I know it’s painstakingly slow, but believe me, I’m not just doing it for my health! It’s all leading up to something, it’s just this is the part where William is learning what it’s like to live in the world. You know I’ll eventually throw the proverbial monkey wrench (ie; having to do with how William finds out all about Spike) into the mix, just when they’re all nice and comfy!
Thank you to all those who take the time to review or send me emails and to those of you (and I know who you are!) who are reading, but not reviewing.
You’re the best!
spikealicious
P.S. A special thanks to my Beta, Judy! You keep my story grounded, when I take it on flights of fancy!