Buffy Stuff

Nonsense

mistymidnight

Author’s Notes: Sorry about the lack of updating, but my Microsoft Word up and died on me a couple days ago. It’s still dead, in fact. I’m using AbiWord. I’m not quite sure how to work it, seeing as it’s just my backup program, so bear with me if the formatting stinks.

The weird thing is, though, that I have Windows XP (no, that’s not the weird part) and Word works on all the other user names except mine. Huh.

Remember, Tara’s family lives in the South somewhere, not in California.

Hi, it’s me again. Just copied the whole AbiWord file onto Microsoft Word on a different user name. Ah, the agony of updating!

Chapter Five

“Today?” Tara asked her mother the next morning as she watched her fry sausage and eggs for breakfast.

“Today,” her mother confirmed, smiling, as she flipped over a sausage link.

“Hi!” Donny said, practically flying into the kitchen. “Me and Dad are going tomorrow!”

He was talking about, of course, Washington DC.

“H-hi, Donny,” Tara said. “Do you want some eggs?” She held a plate out to him.

“Nah,” Donny said, “Me and Tim are goin’ down to the brook today. We’re gonna catch some frogs and stuff.”

“Oh,” Tara said. “But don’t you want breakfast anyway?”

“Nah,” Donny said again, grabbing a piece of toast nonetheless and stuffing it into his mouth. “Tim’s mom is giving us sandwiches and junk to bring.”

“Oh,” Tara repeated.

“Eeya,” Donny called over his shoulder, his mouth full of toast. The screen door slammed shut after him just as Tara’s father came downstairs, saying, “How are my girls?”

Tara’s mother smiled and kissed him on the cheek and Tara waved. “Hi, Daddy.”

“Hey, T-girl. Are you helping Mommy with breakfast?”

Tara nodded. “Eggs and sausage.”

“Good,” said Daddy. He gave Mommy an appraising look. Tara had a feeling it had to do with the “raising Tara right” conversation.

“Will you and Mommy take care of the house while me and Donny are gone?”

Tara nodded again. “Sure, Daddy. I prom--”

“Well, aren’t you going to have some breakfast?” Mommy asked them. “Or are you just going to sit and talk all day?”

“Wish I could, but I’ve gotta run,” Tara father said. “See you both tonight.” He gave Tara a kiss on the top of her head and dashed out. “I’ll pick up some coffee and a bagel on the way.”

Tara’s mother looked sadly at all the uneaten food, then sighed. “Tara, call Bethie. We’re gonna need some help.”

Tara watched her mother as she helped wash the breakfast dishes. Something was going on, that was for sure.

“What is it, Mommy? What’s the matter?”

Mommy smiled. “Nothing’s the matter. I’m just deciding when to tell you about the extra-normal special treat I have planned.

“Oh, now, Mommy! Please tell me now!”

Mommy chuckled and said, “What were the normal things you wanted to do, Tara?”

Tara didn’t hesitate. She thought about them every day. “Go to Disneyland, swim in a lake in the mountains, laugh til my tummy hurts and eat Jell-O before it gets jiggly.”

“Okay, so guess what we’re doing.”

“Going to Disneyland?!” Tara asked excitedly.

“No,” her mother said. “Too expensive. Guess again.”

“Drinking un-jiggly Jell-O?” Tara asked.

“Nope,” said her mother. “Although I suppose we could make that part of the extra-special treat, if we wanted to.”

“Swimming in a lake?” Tara guessed.

“Give Tara MaClay the prize!” Mommy said.

“We’re going to a lake?” Tara exclaimed. “Yay!”

“Don’t forget the other part,” Mommy said.

“In the mountains?” Tara asked. “Oh, boy, oh, boy! I’ve gotta tell Bethie! This--”

“No, Tara,” Mommy said. “This is going to be out Mommy-Tara Secret, okay? Just like the magic.”

Tara considered, but only for a second. “Okay,” she agreed. “Deal.”

Yes, it was short, I know, but I have ideas for coming chapters. In fact, I have one that I was gonna use in this chapter, but I didn’t want to rush the story. Okay, until the next update.... sayonara!