Ch. 4 Small Talk Is Cheap
On sunday my mother took me to Port Angeles to buy more clothes for school. I was looking through a clothing rack in a vintage shop when I decided on monday I was going to make an effort to get to know Edward. At this point, all I know is that I am curious about the bronze haired Cullen. Why does he refer to his parents by they're first names, why hasn't he made an effort to make friends, and why does he seem to be somewhat curious about me.
''Hey sweetie, you should try this on.'' my mother said handing me a button down top that was mutilated with safety pins. I take the shirt and hang it on my arm along with 3 other equally obscure tops. I look through a couple more racks before I head over to the dressing room to try them on.
''So Michael, what do you think about Charlie?'' My mother asks me nervously?
''Chief Swan? What about him?'' I say awkwardly.
''How would you feel about seeing more of him?'' My mother asks attempting to sound more calm.
''Seeing more of him where? The store?''
''Ok this is killing me, don't play dumb. You know what I mean. How would you feel if he and I were to start spending time together?'' My poor mother obviously has been wrestling with asking me about this.
''Well, I mean if that was what you wanted then I guess that would be ok'' I say trying to resist the urge to vomit.
''Really? You mean it Michael?''
''Well, I didn't expect you to stay single forever and it's been almost 11 years since Dad. Um so if it would make you happy to see Chief Swan, I mean Charlie, then I am totally ok with that.'' I manage to say without dying from the awkwardness.
''Oh thanks sweetie. I know it feels weird right now but I know that you are gonna like Charlie.''
''Tell ya what. If you buy me a new pair of docks, we can skip the rest of the awkwardness and I'll totally pretend to be comfortable with it.''
''It's a deal.'' She answered as if she was on a game show.
It wasn't so much that I didn't want my mother to date, but does she have to pick the Chief of Police? However, I do feel relieved to have gotten through the ''my mother is dating again'' talk relatively unharmed.
Having new clothes in my closet it made it easier to get out of bed monday morning. I dare say say it kinda gives me a tingling sensation in my stomach when I wear clothes for the first time. After I finished my routine, I danced down the stares and into the kitchen. My mom had already made my pop tarts and was handing them to me on a plate.
''Thanks mom'' I say giving her a quick kiss on the cheek.
''Your in a good mood this morning. You almost seem excited to go to school.'' My mother asked suspiciously.
''Of course I am excited, I have new clothes'' Plus Edward will be back at school today.
'' I am glad you feel that way sweetie. Oh and Jessica called, she can't pick you up because she is sick. But don't worry Charlie said he'd take you.''
''Crash!'' I dropped my plate the moment I had realized what my mother was saying.
'' I am happy to see you are taking this so well, in light of the fact that you look so cute in those new boots''
Well played woman.
'' Oh! I am just so touched that with everything else Charlie has on his shoulders, like saving the town from bad guys, he still finds it in his heart to take me to school.''
'' You are right. It is touching, isn't it?'' My mother replies with a victorious smirk.
I had just enough time to run up stairs and switch jackets before Chief Swan arrived. If I was going to arrive to school in a squad car I was going to wear my hooded leather jacket. The last thing I need is for the whole school to know about my mothers affair with the Chief.
Lucky for me The Chief turned out to be a man of few words on the way to school. I am glad I'm not the only one who wants to skip to the phase where we are comfortable enough to not force meaningless small talk. Another thing The Chief doesn't do is smile. Come to think of it, I have never met any of his family. I wanna say he has a daughter but I don't really remember her much. I wonder why she doesn't come to visit him more often. I wonder if he gets lonely.
''Alright this is your stop. Um have a nice, I mean good day Michael.'' Charlie managed to blurt out. Try not to hurt yourself tiger.'
''Ya you too Charlie.'' I said, waving goodbye awkwardly and quickly made my way through the parking lot