The next day was better... and worse.
It was better because it wasn't raining yet, thought the clouds were so dense and opaque. It was easier because I knew what to expect of my day.
Mike came to sit by me in English, and walking to my next class, with Chess Club Eric glaring at him all the while; that was flattering. And it made me re-think my judgement on Eric's sexual orientation. I decided on bi.
People didn't look at me quite as much as they had yesterday. I sat with a big group at lunch that included Mike, Eric, jessica, and sevel other people whose names and faces I now remembered.
It was worse because I was tired; I still couldn't sleep with the wind echoing around the house.
It was worse because Mr. Varner called on me in Trig when my hand wasn't raised and I had the wrong answer.
It was miserable because I had to play volleyball. That was a total catastrophe.
And it was worse because Edward Cullen wasn't at school at all.
All morning I was dreading lunch, fearing his bizarre glares. Part of me wanted to confront him and demand to know what his problem was like any other testosterone-crazed male, I even imagined what I would say...
But I knew myself too well to think I would have the guts to do it. I made the cowardly lion look like the terminator.
When I walked into the cafeteria with Jessica - trying to keep my eyes from sweeping the place for him, and failing entirely - I saw that his four siblings of sorts were sitting together at the same table, and he was not with them.
Mike intercepted us and steered us to his table. Jessica seemed elated by the attention, and her friends quickly joined us. I vaguely wondered if Jessica knew that Mike was gay.
I walked to Biology with more confidence when, by the end of lunch, Edward cullen hadn't appeared. Mike, who was taking on the qualities of a golden retriever, walked faithfully by my side to class.
I held my breath at the door, but Edward wasn't there. I exhaled and went to my seat. Mike followed, talking about an upcoming trip to the beach.
He lingered at my desk till the bell rang, then smiled at me wistfully and went to sit at his desk. It looked like I was going to have to do something about Mike, and it wouldn't be easy.
In a town like this, where everyone lived on top of everyone else, diplomacy was essential since no one knew about my Homosexuality, and I had a feeling they didn't know about Mike's either. Unfortunately for me, I hadn't had many boys crushing on me, so my tact when it came to things like that was... well, lacking.
I was relieved that I had the desk to myself and that Edward was absent, I told myself repeatedly, but I couldn't get rid of the nagging suspicion that I was the reason he wasn't there.
It was ridiculous and egotistical to think that I could affect anyone that strongly... Not to mention impossible.
When the school day was finally done and the blush caused by my numerous volleyball accidents had faded, I changed quickly out of my P.E. clothes and back into my jeans and navy blue sweatervest and scurried out of the locker room, pleased that Mike hadn't waited for me.
I hopped into my truck and dug through my bag to make sure I had what I needed.
Last night I'd discovered that Charlie couldn't cook much besides fried eggs and bacon, So I requested that I be assigned kitchen detail for the duration of my stay.
He was willing enough to hand over the keys to the banquet hall, though I think he was surprised that his only son wanted to do the cooking in his house.
I had also found out this morning that we had literally no food in the house, which wasn't very encouraging to a seventeen-year-old boy who despite his slim figure ate a lot.
So, I made a shopping list and took the money out of the jar labelled FOOD MONEY and made a date after school with the local Thriftway.
I gunned my deafening engine to life, ignoring the heads that turned in my direction, and backed carefully into a place in the line of cars that were waiting to exit the parking lot.
As I waited, trying to pretend that the earsplitting rumble was coming from someone else's car, I saw the two Cullens and the Hale twins getting into their car. It was the shiny new Volvo... of course.
They looked at my noisy truck as I passed them, just like everyone else. I kept my eyes straight forward and was relieved when I was finally free of the school grounds.
The Thriftway was not far from the school, just a few streets south, off the highway.
It was nice to be inside the supermarket, it felt normal. I did the shopping at home, and I fell into the paattern of the familiar task gladly. The store ws big enough inside that I couldn't hear the tapping of the rain on the roof to remind me where I was.
When I got home, I unloaded all the groceries, stuffing them in wherever I could find an open space. I hoped Charlie wouldn't mind.
I wrapped potatoes in foil and stuck them in the over to bake, covered a steak in marinade and balanced it on top of a carton of eggs in the fridge.
When I was finished with that, I took my book bag upstairs. Before starting my homework, I changed into sweats and checked my email for the first time. I had three messages.
Beall, write me as soon as you get in. Tell me how your flight was. Is it raining? I miss you already. I'm almost finished packing for Florida, but I can't find my pink blouse. Did you see it in the laundry? Phil says hi. Mom.
I sighed and went to the next. It was sent eight hours after the first.
Beall, why hadn't you e-mailed me yet? What are you waiting for? Mom.
The last was from this morning.
Young man, If I haven't heard from you by 5:30 p.m. today, I'm calling Charlie.
I rolled my eyes then checked the clock. I still had an hour, but my mom was well known for jumping the gun.
Mom. Calm down. I'm writing right now. Don't do anything rash. Beall.
I sent that, then began again.
Mom, everything is great. Of course it's raining. I was waiting for something to write about. school isn't bad, just repeptitive. I met a nice crowd. The blouse is at the dry-cleaners, they called last friday. Charlie bought me a truck, it's old but sturdy and I love it. I miss you too, i'll write again soon, but I'm not goign to check my e-mail every five minutes. Remember what I told you at the airport? I'm a man now. I love you. Beall.
I hit send, then picked up my copy of Wuthering Heights - the novel we were currently studying in English - and began reading it again for the fun of it. That's what I was doing when Charlie came home.
I'd lost track of time, and hurried downstairs to take the potatoes out and put the steak in to broil.
"Beall?" My father called out when he heard me on the stairs.
Who else? I thought to myself.
"Hey Dad, welcome home."
"Thanks." He hung up his gun belt and stepped out of his boots as I bustled about the kitchen. As far as I was aware, he'd never shot the gun on the job, but kept it ready.
When I was younger, he'd remove the bullets as soon as he walking in the door. I iguess he considered me old enough now not to shoot myself by accident, and not depressed enough to shoot myself on purpose.
"What's for dinner?" he asked warily.
"Steak and potatoes." I answered, and he looked relieved.
He seemed to feel awkwards standing in the kitchen doing nothing; he lumbered into the living room to watch TV while I worked. We were both more comfortable that way. I made a salad while the steaks cooked, and set the table.
I called him in when dinner was ready, and he sniffed appreciatively as he walked into the room.
"Smells good, son."
"Thanks."
We ate in silence for a few minutes. it wasn't uncomfortable. Neither of us were bothered by the quiet. In some ways, we were well suited for living together.
"So, how did you like school? Have you made any... ah, friends?" he asked as he was taking seconds.
"Well, I have a few classes with a girl named Jessica. I sit with her friends at lunch. And there's this boy, Mike... he's very friendly. Everybody seems pretty nice." With one outstanding exception, I added mentally.
"That must be Mike Newton. Nice kid - nice family. His dad owns the sporting goods store just outside of town. He makes a good living off all the backpackers who come through here."
I knew that Charlie's short interlude about the Newton family was his way of approving Mike as dateable material.
"Do you know the Cullen family?" I asked hesitantly.
"Dr. Cullen's family? Sure. Dr. Cullen's a great man."
"They... the kids... aare a little different. They don't seem to fit in very well at school."
Charlie surprised me by looking angry.
"People in this town," he muttered. "Dr. Cullen is a brilliant surgeous who could probably work in any hospital int he world, make ten times the salary he gets here," He continued, getting louder.
"We're lucky to have him - lucky his wife wanted to live in a small town. He's an asset to the community, and all those kids are well behaved and polite. I had my doubts, when they first moved in, with all those adopted teenagers. I thought we might have some problems with them. But they're all very mature - haven't had one speck of trouble from any of them. That's more than I can say for some folks who have lived in this town for generations. And they stick together the way a family should - camping trips every other weekend... Just because they're newcomers, people have to talk."
It was the longest speech I'd ever heard Charlie make. He must feel strongly about whatever people were saying.
I backpedaled.
"They seem nice enough to me, I just noticed they kept to themselves. They're all very attractive." I added, trying to be more complimentary.
"You should see the doctor," Charlie said, laughing. "It's a good thing he's happily married. A lot of the nurses at the hospital have a hard time concentrating on their work with him around."
We lapsed back into silence as we finished eating. He cleared the table while I started on the dushes. He went back to the TV, and after I finished washing the dishes by hand - no dishwasher - I went upstairs to my math homework.
I could feel a tradition in the making.
That night it was finally quiet. I fell asleep quickly, exhausted.
