Fredric's voice broke into our conversation. I turned to look at him.
"Hey, Alice," he began, a smile on his face.
"Yes dad?" She responded, A slightly confused.
"What time's your flight?" He asked repressing laughter
"What flight?" She asked, now really confused.
"Your flight to Antarctica." Billy and Fredric burst out laughing and Jacob joined in. I thought it was funny but I was trying to spare Alice's feelings so I restrained myself.
"Ha Ha Dad, but I'm from Florida, you wouldn't want me to catch pneumonia would you?" She replied, Her voice showing just the slightest bit of anger/
"Aw, Come on! It's not that bad!" He was still smiling.
"Yes it is! God! Now I know why mom hated it here!" His smile evaporated.
"Your mom didn't hate it here." he spat. I barely knew Fredric but even I knew that was the wrong button to push.
"That's not what I meant." she mumbled regretful, into the table.
"Than what did you mean?" He was almost yelling now.
"I..."she began. He got up and walked over to where she was sitting.
"You don't know your mother at all!" She stood up to face him.
"Well I'm sorry but I believe I know her a tab bit more than you!" She replied aggressively. I gripped Jacob's knee in concern and he placed his hand on top of mine. The whole restaurant was watching now.
"Obviously you don't because you didn't know that she only sent you out here so that she didn't have to deal with you!" he was shouting now. I gripped Jacob's knee harder.
"So what?" She shouted back "Your going to torture me because you couldn't save mom?" And than he reached out and hit her. She had pushed him too far. I couldn't believe it.
"HEY!" Jacob stood up suddenly, shouting furiously. Alice's lip was bleeding. My thoughts were consumed by Alice. Was she okay? Oh my god, Oh my god, Oh my god.
Her dad reached toward her, a look of complete and utter self hatred plastered on his face.
"Ali..."
"Don't touch me!" she shouted, fuming and shocked. And she turned and ran. I stood up quickly and ran after her, calling her name but a strong arm wrapped around my forearm, restraining me.
"Let her go." I turned to see Jacob's face, over a foot above mine, staring down at me.
"Jacob..."
"Let her cool down, she'll come back when she's ready." He sounded like Doctor Phil. But way cuter.
"Okay." I agreed, hesitantly, I still wanted to go after her but he would just stop me again.
"Let me drive you home."
"Thanks." Billy, Jake and I walked toward the car after reassuring Fredric that everything would be okay. Outside, I looked around. Alice's car was still in place but she was nowhere to be seen.
There was a knock on the door about an hour after Jacob dropped me off at home.
"Jasper?" I asked surprised "What are you doing here?"
"Alice." he replied simply nodding toward her in his arms.
"What-" he cut me off.
"I found her, I brought her to my father, I came here." he explained. Wow. Rude. "Can she stay here?"
"Um..." I replied like an idiot while I collected my thoughts. "Why did you take her to your father?"
"I wanted to make sure she was okay."
"And is she?"
"She's just sick. She should be okay."
"What should I do?" I asked, concerned.
"Does this mean she can stay." Is he serious?
"Yes! Of course she can stay!"
"Can I bring her upstairs?"
"Yeah." I really don't like him. It's aggravating to know that Alice likes him. GAH!
"Where should I put her?" Put her? She's not a book!
"My room is upstairs, on the left." I replied annoyed. I stood, rooted to the spot, until he came back. He was back faster than I thought possible.
"Give these to her when she wakes up." he commanded, handing me a white bottle of pills.
"So, she didn't want to go home?" How long would it take her to forgive her dad? It would take me weeks, even months, but that's me, stubborn.
"Yes, I she said that. But she wouldn't tell me why." he looked at me, hopefully.
"She had a fight with her dad. A bad one."
"What happened."
"Um..." Should I tell him.
"Oh, It's okay, I understand."
"I just don't know if Alice wants you to know and I don't feel comfortable telling you if it's against her wishes." Actually, I didn't feel comfortable talking to him at all.
"Thanks anyway. I'll see you at school." YOUR NOT WELCOME!
"Your welcome. See ya." He turned and strode out the door.
I walked to the kitchen, picked up the phone book, and flipped through until I found Alice's dad, Fredric Brandon. I punched the numbers into the phone and pressed send.
"Hello?" He picked up after one ring. Waiting for Alice I'd bet.
"Mr. Brandon? It's Aylah."
"Oh, Aylah. Thank god." he sounded really worried. He must feel terrible.
"Alice is here. She's okay." I reassured him.
"Oh thank god. Can I talk to her?"
"She's asleep."
"Oh." He sounded disappointed. "Would you mind telling her I'm really sorry, I don't know what came over me, and I really want her home."
"No problem, I'm sure she'll come home as soon as she cools down, Just give it time."
"Thank you. Goodnight Aylah."
"Goodnight sir." I replied politely. I dragged my feet to the living room and laid down on the couch and pulled my cell phone out of my pocket to text Jake.
