I sat in the car waiting for my parents, Renee and Phil to load the last bags into the car. Phil was going away again, and Renee was devastated to see him leave. I wasn't anywhere near sad. He's not anything near what Renee thinks he is. He hurt me, and always have, always will. But, he is the only father I've ever known, even though I know he's not my dad. But Renee insists that he is. I guess that it's easier for her not to tell me the truth.

Has she even noticed that I don't talk to him? She can be so oblivious at times. She probably thinks that I love him to death.

They talked aimlessly about random topics on the way to the airport. They always did this, to pass the time, or to get extra talking time so they won't miss each other so much. I never payed attention to them. I looked out the window and ignored them.

"Goodbye, Renee. I love you" Phil said to her, giving her a hug and a short kiss.

"See you later Bella," He said to me, giving me a short wave. Then he gave me a quick hug, whispering "I love you. too" in my ear. Just loud enough so only I would know what he ment.

I gave him just as short a wave and a fake smile. You know, that suppressed, forced smile when you happen to be looking at a stranger and they look back. You smile and wave. But that's kind of what he is to me. That stranger in the grocery store 10-items-or-less checkout line. Someone who I wish I didn't know.

~----------~

My mom was staring at me from our couch. She was mad, she knew I didn't like him. But If she knew, she wouldn't believe me. She would believe him. Her wonderful husband. No one believed me, I was apparently just the little girl looking for attention.

"You didn't have to be so mean back there Bella." Renee said.

"He was just as bad. I got a 'see you later'. You got 'I love you'."

"Well maybe you would get one too if you weren't so evil to him."

"Hmph."

"Look, Bella. What has he ever done to you to deserve such rude treatment?"

As much as I wanted to tell the truth, I couldn't break her heart like that. So I lie.

"Nothing. I'll be nicer."

"Thank you, sweetie. I have to run some errands. I'll be back as soon as I can."

"OK, mom. I'll be fine"

~---------~

"Mom, dinner is on the table," I said as Renee walked in the door from whatever errands she had to run.

"Oh, how lovely. What's the occasion?"

"Gosh, can't a daughter make dinner for her darling mother?" Of course I wanted something, but it does not need to be assumed.

"Yes. . ." Uh-oh. Mom is getting suspicious. Her imagination is getting the best of her again. She probably thinks that I got into trouble, or need money. Or both.

"OK, I have a question."

"That's what I thought," Renee said, taking a bite, "what is it? Money?"

"Not exactly, something more personal," I said. We both knew very well that I was beating around the bush.

"Well? I don't have all day. Oh, this is very good, Bella. You cook way better than I do." At least something was accomplished today.

Here goes nothing. "Mom, who is my father?"

She dropped her fork, staring at me. I'm sure that she wasn't expecting that question. She didn't say anything. The only noise was the ticking clock on the wall and the occasional car driving past. Eventually she picked up her fork again and resumed eating.

"So, dear, how was school?" she asked innocently. Did she honestly think that she could avoid such a question so easily?

"Mom, It's Saturday." I said. She was trying to drop the subject.

Was he dead? A murderer? Bank robber? "Please, answer my question. I'm 17, I can't go my whole life not knowing who my father is. How long did you think I was going to believe that Phil is my dad? I'm not stupid, I look nothing like him, and you two got married after I was born."

"Plenty of people marry after their first child."

"I look nothing like him, I don't act like him. I don't even like him!"

"Fine. Your father's name is Charlie Swan. He lives in Washington. As far as I know, he lives in the same house, with the same phone number, and works the same job."

"Does he know I exist?"

"No, Bella. I left before he noticed that I was pregnant."

"Why did you leave him?" Now I was just hungry for answers.

"Many reasons. It just wasn't working"

"Did you love him?"

"I did at the time. But I was young. I was even more childish than I am now. Is that it?"

"Yes. Thank you, mom."

"You're welcome sweetie."

Oh, Mom? One more question"

"What more can you ask, silly girl?"

"Can I meet him?"

AN: This is my first fan fiction. And please, don't bash. This is my life, literally. Everything that happens to Bella most likely happened to me. It's only rearranged to fit Twilight.