Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight…yet. But, according to my horoscope I should be searching my heart to forgive an ex. But Hell, I'm not as selfless as Bella so I say "what horoscope?"
Chapter 2: Burgers and Kidnapping
BPOV
I picked up my canvas bag and threw it over my shoulder and cast a last glance at the room. The yellow paint peeling off the walls, the dirt smudged on the window, the tufts of carpet that have been unearthed over years of being trampled; the room was a mess, but, it was my mess. My home, the only home I'd ever had. The only home I knew I'd ever have to call my own.
"Bella?" a small voice asked from the corner of the room, I tore my eyes away from the bad and looked at the only shining point in my life, Bree. Her thick brown hair had been pulled into a pony tail the day they shut all the utilities off, to keep the grease off her face and her cool as easily as possible. Her almond shaped eyes were full of worry and sadness now. Whereas a few years ago sadness was not even in her dictionary let alone her life. "Where are you going?" she asked in a whispery tone. She knew. She always knew.
"Bree…I'm leaving," I could not believe my own words. I never thought I would be the one to abandon my own child. "I'm sorry, baby…" I closed my eyes and listened to her breath quicken. "I can't take care of you anymore. " Bree jumped up from the floor and flung herself into my arms. "C'mon Bree, just think about it. No one will be here to yell at you. About anything! You can live your own life. It won't be so bad…"My voice faltered and I knew she had me. It would be horrible.
I am a horrible mother. There I said it. It's true after all. I'm twenty-six years old with a ten year old daughter. I have no friends. No family. No job. No anything. And because of that my daughter is suffering. Sure, she won't say anything but I see the disappointment in her eyes. If we go to the mall for free samples she looks at the kids walking around with full size meals. If we go to the park she stares at the happy family playing on the swings. When she was little it was enough for us to be just be us. When she turned eight and she realized she wasn't normal all Hell broke loose.
Age five: children go to school. I knew this. I ignored this. Bree wanted to go so badly. When we would hang out in restaurants the television would show all those Disney shows. Shows that showed children going to school. The norm in today's society. Bree looked at me thoughtfully and finally said, "Mommy, can I go to school, too?" I shook my head and suppressed a sob. "Why not?"
"Because I'd miss you too much, baby. What would I do without you all day?" I smiled and my answer appeased her for the time. Except that was when she was five. At age eight she wanted to learn. She knew the basics. 2+2=4 and c-a-t spelled cat. But she was a very bright girl and knew there was more. And that's what she craved: more. I am no teacher but I tried my best to give it to her.
Every day that I wasn't job hunting we would head the local library and I would read to her, teach her, everything I knew she should know by now. As I read Gone with the Wind and Wuthering Heights to my eight year old daughter I knew she was special. She would question words too large for her, I would tell her to look it up. After a few months she decided she wanted to read the dictionary. I didn't stop her. Reading the dictionary lead to reading the encyclopedia. Bree was not stupid. She knew that needed to learn. I am just thankful she had the drive to try at all.
We've never been homeless before. I've always scraped by just enough to live on. I knew I could never have my daughter sink to begging, even when she offered. I knew I would never exploit her or put her at danger because of my own stupidity.
It was my fault she was here in this situation to begin with…
"Mom?" Bree whispered. She hadn't called me 'Mom' in over a year. "Can I please come with you? I will be on my best behavior…I promise."
"Of course, baby. I'm sorry too…"
A few weeks have gone by since Bree and I left our home. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be when I realized I didn't have to go alone. I still don't know what I was thinking, leaving my daughter all alone. It isn't like I won't be able to protect her. At least if I'm around she will be a little safer. It isn't like I'm on drugs. Heck, I don't even like to drink! Everything is too expensive to waste on vices like that. If I'm going to waste money I would rather waste it on a hotel room for a night. That way Bree and I can shower.
The early sun was bright orange against smoggy grey sky of Seattle. Great, another perfect day, I chuckled and nudged Bree awake. She stirred slightly and rolled away from me. Great…stubborn child! I nudged her again. No movement. I looked at my watch. Five minutes to six. We need to be out of here before the land lady wakes up. Which could be any minute now. She was pretty pissed when she found us back here a week ago. I tried not to stay here again but it was cold and she leaves a window open every night so the heat comes outside. It's like she's inviting hobos over. Hobo…hmmm, never thought I'd consider myself that. But, hey, never thought I'd have Bree either. Things change. Some for the good. Some for the bad. You just have to learn to take it all in and make yourself better because of it. Don't dwell on the bad, it makes you weak.
"Bree, if you don't wake up we're gonna be in big trouble!" I hiss and she finally stirs. She blinks several times and then gives me a brilliant grin. "You won't be smiling if that bitchy woman comes back with the broom!" Bree's smile faded slightly…only slightly but she still jumped up from her make shift bed and threw on her beanie. I tossed her my old army jacket and she put it on with ease. At ten she was starting to blossom into a beautiful girl, not that she wasn't always cute, but now, I saw some boys looking her over. It made me nervous to leave her alone. If something happened…I can't even think about it now. I have to go to an interview, four actually.
"Bella, what's for breakfast?" Bree asked as we tossed the last of our belongings into my bag. I thought it over and shrugged. "No! C'mon! Not again!" I smiled at her wickedly.
I went into the fast food joint, a different one then yesterday just in case the same people were working, and marched up to the counter. This early in the morning no one else was there but me, the cashier, and a lonely cook. Good. Today was going great. The boy behind the counter looked about sixteen and was obviously suffering two things: acne and virginity. I could only help with one but I was not into going to jail for being a pedophile. But that doesn't mean I can't get a free meal out of it.
"Hey…" I looked up at the boy from my eyelashes. Something that supposedly looks sexy and sultry. I think I look dazed and confused. He smiled nervously and fiddled with his nametag: Riley. "Hey, Riley," I tried again. He smiled revealing braces. Oh, the poor child. At his age I'd already lost all of his problems. Of course, that's probably not something I should reveal to him. "I'd ordered my meal over the phone last night, the guy said he would have it ready, is it?" Riley looked baffled and picked up a piece of paper.
"I…uh...Matt didn't say anything about a delivery…but, I could…uh…get it ready for you, if you want…"Riley stumbled while still fiddling with his nametag. Damn, fiddling pissed me off. A mom thing, I guess. So I did what I had to do. I grabbed Riley's fiddling fingers and pulled them to my chest. His fingers twitched. Then relaxed.
"Riley! Really? You would do that for me!" I cheered and gave my brightest smile. He nodded dumbly. "That makes me so…happy….Riley…do you feel how fast my heart is beating!" He nodded again allowing his eyes to stick to my breasts. I bounced from one foot to the other. "All this excitement just makes me oh so hot, Riley. Could you please add a cup of ice to my order?"
"Sure, thing….?" Riley searched for my name. I smiled and let go of his hand, he retrieved it slowly and placed it on the counter.
"Vanessa. I ordered two cheeseburgers and two large fries. I'm sort of in a hurry, so could you…?"
Riley smiled, this time not self conscious at all, "I'm right on it, Vanessa! Hey, Tyler! Pick up the slack!"
I left the fast food joint with two bags in my hand and a cup of ice in the other. I tossed a bag at Bree and she squealed with joy. I smiled and sat next to her on the bench. I watched as she ripped open the wrapping of the burger and began to devour it.
"Don't choke, Bree!" I laughed and bit into my own burger. We ate in silence and when I took our trash to the nearest dumpster and back Bree was watching me curiously. "What?"
"How did you get the guy to give you free food?" Shit. How do you tell your kid you pretty much fling yourself at a horny teenager for food? Easy. LIE. LIE. And LIE some more.
"I asked him, sweety. I told him I had a kid to feed and she ate like a ravenous dog. And, hey, he understood and gave me what I needed," I shrugged and took off her beanie. She scowled and I kissed her forehead. "You are so pretty, Bree, why do you dress like a boy?" I handed her the damn hat back and successfully changed the subject.
"Because if I look like a boy then nobody will mess with me. I watch television, Bella. Girls on the street get hurt. I don't plan on getting hurt. I know what to do. And prancing around with my legs open won't help me," Bree's words stung. She hit home with the legs comment. It sounded what my parents had said the minute I told them I was pregnant. "Besides, I like my hat." I nodded and stood up from the bench. Bree took my hand gently and we walked to the library.
"Now stay here, Bree. I will be back by closing, okay? If I'm late we will meet where we slept last night, just hide away from the crazy broom swinging nut job, okay?" Bree giggled and I kissed her on the forehead.
Interviews. Suck. Ass. Seriously, who ever makes a good first impression? I'm not what they call 'office material,' seriously. That's what they ALWAYS tell me. What does that even mean? I don't even have anyone to ask about it. All I know is I wasted my day in five different interviews. All of them ending with the apologetic look, fake no fucking doubt, and the generic response: "We don't see you as office material, Miss Swan, maybe next time. We're sorry." Bull fucking shit! If they we're truly sorry I would have a job! I would have a home! I would have a better way to feed my kid! But I don't!
I was still fuming as I stood on the street corner waiting for the light to change. I saw a man approach me so I held my purse tighter to me. I had eight bucks and had to intention of losing it to a loser like him.
"Hey, baby, how much?" He chided me. I glanced at him and turned my body further away. "C'mon baby, two hundred, three? I know you ain't cheap. I got money. I'll pay…" the man said almost desperately. I looked at him and saw that he didn't look as creepy as I had thought. He was well dressed and wearing a nametag from a place I had just interviewed at. Ah, the shitty irony.
"What?" I asked him blankly. I had an idea about but he wanted but…no. I wasn't in that profession.
"Hey, Sexy Girl! There you are!" I light feminine voice called at us. I looked over and saw a very tall blonde woman approaching. She threw her arm around me and squeezed. "Excuse me, sir. I just need to have a conversation with my main chica here, okay?" He nodded and I let the strange woman lead me away. I opened my mouth to thank her but she clapped her hand over my mouth. "Okay, I don't know who you are but I do know this isn't what you are. He's asking for what you think he's asking for and I want to know, will you give it to him?" I shivered. "Okay, I get it. You're freaked. My name's Rosalie." Such a classy name… "But, you can call me Rose. I work over at the Whitlock Hotel on Ninth Street. This isn't my job; I just keep the peace and hire out the girls to the big spenders over at the hotel. Do you understand me?"
I quickly went over the facts in my head. Rosalie worked at a hotel. She managed 'the girls,' and sent them to high paying men. This man was willing to pay me. He would pay good. Rose wants to hire me. Wow, such an unorthodox interview in a way. I involuntarily chuckled and Rose scowled. She removed her hand slowly but grabbed on to my wrist.
"I get it, seriously, though? Is this safe?" I whispered. Rose surveyed the waiting man and nodded. "Sex, right?" Another nod. "How long?"
"As long as you guys can go, it's both of your decision. You'll have to discuss it with him."
"I have a kid, she's ten. She's waiting for me…"
"Don't worry about it, tell him an hour, if he says no, he says no. These guys are everywhere. It will be okay. And as for your kid, how old are you?"
"Twenty-six. Too old for this?"
"Nah, Irina just retired at thirty-five, you'll be fine. I'll give you her old area and call you when you get a special order, deal?" Rose held out her hand.
"How will you get a hold of me? I don't have a home…" I felt embarrassed for the first time about my situation.
"Come stay with me. I have a feeling you and your kid aren't too much of a problem. So do we have a deal, Mr. Lawyer is getting antsy over there," Rose shook her hand slightly. I took hold and sold my sold to the blonde devil.
EPOV
Shit. I hate the dark. What the fuck is wrong with people in Seattle? Always in the fucking dark! God damn, I hate Jasper. How dare he ditch me to bang my sister? Yeah, I know what 'dinner and a movie' means. Sicko. Whatever.
But seriously. I hate Seattle.
I understand why we had to build here, it was financially perfect, but, I will always hate it. It actually scares the stuffing out of me. Robbers around every corner and darkness everywhere. And the people just look like serial killers. But whatever. I'm a big boy now. I can handle the dark. I bring a flashlight.
The one good thing about Alice walking in on me tending to my needs was now she was hardly around. I scared her off. Finally! Jasper was a little peeved with me and Emmett thought I was incestual but at least I can live my life in peace. With no one around. Which leads me to my next issue besides the city. No girl. I thought I was charming. Hell, I know I am charming. But, I have injured the ego of many women in Forks and have been forced to expand my reach globally. Which is also half the reason I am in Seattle. The other half is to check up on the Whitlock Hotel. It's a swanky place that Jazz built and Alice designed. Even my mother, Esme, got into it. I, personally, just watched the bills pile in and hid the horror from my family. They were costing me a fortune. Thankfully the proverb of spending money to make money came into use and I earned all my money back. And much, much more.
A bad thing about girl hunting is I actually want a girl with a brain. And it turns out I have surrounded myself with idiots. So where am I now? Oh, yeah, the public freaking library. The bookstore was closed for the night and the library seemed to be pretty well lit. Had to save my flashlight's battery for the walk home.
The building wasn't imposing in the slightest. It was a squat tan building with reflective windows. Since all the lights were on I could see clearly in side. There were some people milling about and none of them appeared to be murderers so I decided it was worth stopping in. The air conditioning greeted me cheerfully removing the unnatural muggy heat of Seattle's night. I looked around and took a quick sniff. Books smell great. I don't know how people deny it. They smell awesome. If there was perfume that smelled like books I would give it to every girl I know, even Alice, just so I can smell books all day. Whatever, I don't care if I'm weird. At least I'm rich. I nodded to the librarian with an amiable face and disappeared down the aisles.
Horror.
Kids.
Romance.
Humor.
Ah, here we are. Classics.
I run my hand down the spines of the ancient books and take a deep breath. I love used books. I should open a library…
I continue my walk down the aisle until…I trip. I Edward Cullen tripped. Over what? A freakin' kid!
Oomph! I landed with a thud. I looked around confused and came face to face with a surprised looking girl.
"Oh my, sir! I'm so sorry! My mom always tells me to not sit in the aisles…but it was so late and no one ever comes down here…I thought it would be okay…are you okay? Are you hurt?" The tiny child rambles at a irritating speed. I grunt and take a seat next to her.
"S'okay , kid. Where's your mom anyway?" I wasn't mad at the kid. I was mad at the lack of parenting. Carlisle would have dragged me out by my toenails if I tripped someone like that. Besides how could you get mad at a kid like this? Big brown eyes, baggy camo clothes, and a beanie. C'mon? It's like the cutest thing ever when a girl goes all tomboy. Wow…I need a shot. I'm becoming too soft. "Never mind, none of my business…" I mumbled and tried to stand up. Ow. Never mind. I looked at the girl and she looked legitimately scared. "Um, you okay?"
"My mom isn't here yet. I've been waiting all day…" tears welled up in her eyes. "She said she wouldn't leave me but she tried once. She could try again. I don't want to be an orphan…" My heart seized for the girl and I stood up ignoring the pain. I held out my hand and the little girl eyed it with rightful suspicion.
"My name is Edward Cullen, and yours is?"
"Bree Swan…" she took my hand and shook. I lifted her off the ground and beside me.
I had no control over what I was doing. It was like an out of body experience. I didn't want to do this. I shouldn't be doing thing. But I did. And I was. I led Bree out of the aisle and up to the front desk. The librarian looked at my skeptically.
"My name is Edward Cullen; my sister told me to come pick up my niece here but won't answer her cell phone. I need you to tell her to call me at this number so I can give her back in time for school tomorrow, can you do that….." I searched for the nameplate… "Roberta?"
Roberta cleared her throat and handed me a piece of paper, I quickly scrawled my name and number on it and returned it. "What does your sister look like?" I blanched. Shit.
Bree took over with a liar's ease. "She is five foot four and has wavy brown hair with light brown highlights. She will be looking down all the aisles but will start with the 'Classics' section. Her name is Bella Swan. Tell her I'm okay, please?" Roberta smiled fondly and agreed.
When we got outside and Bree was in the backseat firmly strapped in I smiled in the rearview mirror. "Wanna burger?" Bree smiled happily and I tore out of the parking lot. Totally feeling like a kidnapper.
BPOV
I slid on my panties and hurried out of the hotel room but not without my three hundred and fifty bucks. If I did this seven hours a week….Bree and I could live in a hotel. A cheap one. But a hotel nonetheless. It would be better than an alleyway.
I checked the clock in the lobby…8:45! Shit shit shit shit! Bree! I told her nine! That's when the library closes!
I start running.
I don't stop running.
I run all the way to the library.
I run to the 'Classics' section.
No Bree. I look around frantically.
I begin to tear up when a frail librarian hands me a piece of paper and walks away.
I open it up and wipe my eyes.
Edward Cullen: Reach me at 989.345.2233 I have your kid. She wanted a burger. Don't worry. I swear.
I close my eyes and begin to pray. I either just lost my kid to a murderer or I was just saved by an angel named Edward Cullen.
No matter what though, I needed to get to a phone.
A/N: Hey, thanks for the love last chapter! TWO whole reviews and a couple favorite stories! Sounds pretty suhweeeet! Okay, I somehow turned myself on writing the end of last chapter and had to take a break. Hopefully some sexy time next chapter. Let me know what you think of Edward going all kidnapper and Bella going all….Oh, Pretty Woman on us :)
Lots of loves!
