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"How do I deal with you, How do I deal with me, when I
don't even know myself what it is you want from me."

Sheila snapped the stereo off. "I want you to talk to me,
Willow, not listen to that inane music."

"I don't like it anyway.  She's a no talent."  Willow truly
believed that, although the lyrics from the song did have a
certain meaning for her relationship with Angel right now.

"I couldn't care less about your taste in music.  I want to
talk to you about this note you left."

That was her mother's entire problem.  Willow knew it
wasn't just the music, her mom couldn't care less about
anything that was going on in her life.  It was just dumb
luck that she'd even found the note.

"Well, mom.  You have the floor. Talk."

Sheila picked up the note and began to read from it, "Mom &
Dad, I'm staying over night at Amy's.  I'll be home
tomorrow after school." She paused.  "I don't know how you
could be so inconsiderate, Willow.  You just decide you're
going to sleep over and leave a note instead of talking to
us.  We worry, you know.  We may have very busy careers,
but you are the most important thing to us."

Willow had to fight to keep her composure.  She was angry
and found it funny at the same time.  That same note had
lain on her bed on and off for three weeks. As a matter of
fact, it had been on her bed for the last four nights
running.  Willow always checked in after school, always
left a few dirty dishes in the sink, always made it look
like she was still spending her nights in her own bed.  Her
mother wouldn't have even found the note if she hadn't been
looking for Willow's copy of H.L. Mencken's 'The American
Language', God only knows for what.  Her parents might
feign concern, but they didn't care about her.  As long as
she did well in school and didn't wind up in jail they
barely noticed her.  Some people should never have
children. Willow swore to herself that she'd never be that
kind of parent, if she ever got that chance.

"Well, what do you have to say for yourself, Willow."

"I'm sorry, Mom.  I didn't mean to worry you and dad."

"It's a little late for sorry.  There's going to be a
change around here.  No more notes."

Conflicting emotions ran through Willow.  Her parents were
finally taking a genuine interest in her life.  On the
other hand, no more nights with Angel.  She wasn't sure
what she felt.  She was even a little angry.  She'd finally
found someone who cared for her, who she cared for.  Her
mother and father's timing was as bad as their parenting
skills!

Her mother reached into the pocket of her sweater, pulled
out an object and handed it to Willow.  She took it.  It
was a cell phone.

"From now on, you can call and leave a message on the
machine if you're staying out late or sleeping over with
Amy or Bunny. If you forget, we can call you. There's no
need to uselessly worry your father and I.  We have too
many other things to deal with other than fretting over
your whereabouts."

Willow stared at the phone, relief and disappointment
clouding her features.  "Good idea, mom."

Her mother's voice softened. "We know you're a good girl,
dear. A good girl with a good head on her shoulders,
especially since you stopped dating that weird little
musician.  Boz, wasn't it?"

"Oz, mom. His name was Oz.  And he was a nice boy, too."

"It's all for the best.  You need to concentrate on keeping
your grades up, not some silly relationship with a boy.
You're much too young for anything like that.  You know
that, don't you."

Willow gave her a wistful grin. "Yes, mom.  I'm not ready
for a boyfriend."

Sheila patted her daughter awkwardly on the shoulder.
"Good." She handed Willow an instruction booklet. "This
will tell you how to use it.  The charger is on the dining
room table and the number is on the pamphlet.  Now your
father and I have a banquet to attend, so don't wait up."

Willow spoke quietly as her mother walked out of the room.
"I never do, anymore."

Willow walked into Angel's and wearily headed towards the
sofa.  She drew back her hand, as if to throw her new phone
into the fire, but couldn't do it.  She sat down, staring
at it.  What would have been a status symbol for any other
sixteen-year-old, was just another sign of her parent's
indifference to her existence in their world.

"Here, Tupelo." She called quietly for her kitten, but the
animal must have been off exploring.

Willow lay down and closed her eyes, trying to catch a few
winks before Angel woke.  She knew she should be doing
homework, she was just too exhausted.  She jumped when she
felt Angel's hand on her stomach.

"Good morning, Willow."

"Actually, it's afternoon, and so far there's not been
anything good about it."

Angel gave her a gentle kiss on her forehead. "What's
wrong, little girl?  Bad day at school?"

Willow shook her head. "No. My parents.  They finally found
the note I'd been leaving on my bed."

"Didn't go well, huh?  I guess we won't be spending as much
time together."

"It went fine.  And I'll be spending as much time with you
as I want.  It's the same old thing, a brief show of
parental concern and then it's back to the status quo."

Angel moved to the end of the sofa and pulled her shoes
off.  He started massaging her feet, trying to ease some of
the tension in her body.  She sighed and wiggled her toes.

"I'm sorry you got stuck with your parents, Willow.  I'm
sure they care in the ways they can.  I love you."

"I know.  And I'm so grateful for that."

Angel moved his hands up to her calves, still massaging
her.  He could slowly feel her relaxing.  A change of
subject would probably be best. "You know, next week is
Valentine's.  What would you like to do?"

Willow looked at him for a moment. "Um, are you really
wanting to celebrate it... I mean... You kind of have a bad
history with that holiday."

Angel froze and looked at her, silent.

Willow sat up and covered his hands with her own. "Oh,
Angel, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel bad.  I
didn't think."

Angel gave her a half-smile.  "I know you didn't mean to
hurt me.  And *I * don't really have much of a history with
Valentine's day.  That was Angelus."

Willow moved into his lap, kissing his neck.  "I know.
Well, flowers and dinner are traditional.  Dinner's kind of
out and you've given me plenty of roses."  She hesitated.
"I do know one thing I'd like from you, but it's part of
what I'm doing for you, so I can't tell you."

"Oh, really.  I bet I know what it is then." He winked at
her.

"Oh, stop it.  You know though, by my count, the fifteenth
is going to be one hell of a night, so Valentine's should
be pretty interesting, too."

"Is that so."  He snaked his hand beneath her blouse,
cupping her breast. "What about tonight, will it be a hell
of a night, too?"

She bit softly into his neck, sucking his cool skin between
her teeth.  Angel groaned, brought his hands underneath her
knees, stood and headed for the bedroom.  He deposited her
unceremoniously on the bed.

"Hey! Is that any way to treat the one you love!"

"Oh, I love you, little girl.  I was just putting you in
your place.  My bed.  And do you think *I * might get to
here those three little words from you soon?"

Willow answered in a sugary sweet voice.  "Oh, I'll say
them now, if you want, Angel.  Fuck me hard." She stuck her
tongue out at him.

Angel dove on to her.  "What a mouth you have on you,
Willow.  But your wish is my command."