I REALLY hope you don't shout at me for doing what I did at the end, I know that, that is not what Edward would have done but I thought it was a fun thing to do…weird, but fun!
Chapter Ten
Food Analogy
We drove out of the parking lot and headed into the main part of town to find the house of Jamie Jacksons' family. It was silent for a while, but I could feel Edward steeling glances my way every so often. I stole my own side on glances at him whenever I thought he was not looking, but each time I got caught leaving me beet root in the face. He looked away grinning and I quickly turned to the window, my face flushed but my smile wide.
When we left the confidents of the town I frowned. "Where does the family live? I thought it was Forks?" I said as I took the address out of my pocket.
I didn't know Forks that well, it may be small but street names was not my speciality, so I wouldn't have had a clue where I was going if Edward wasn't there.
"The Jacksons' live just outside of town, hidden behind the forest on the way to La Push," he said glancing at me.
I nodded to myself and watched the scenery through the window, as we drove through the deserted long winding road. It was March, and the beautiful greens were looking as spectacular as ever. It was always beautiful in Forks, there was so much green and the scenery was always full of life, but it took a while to get used to if you came from a hot country. Green meant rain, desert meant sun and that was where I belonged. Or where I used to belong.
"What are you thinking?" Edward asked suddenly. I turned my head to face him and he stared right back, not looking at the road one bit.
"I am thinking, that if you don't pay attention to where you are driving then we will end right back where we came from; the hospital." My eyes were glued to his, I couldn't even look at the road to see where he was driving as he seemed to have hypnotised me.
At first he didn't let go of my gaze and he continued to stare at me, neglecting the road and not taking note of my worries. He just smiled, then he hit the gas. My eyes widened, and my heart thudded.
"Edward," I warned in a whisper. But I stared to realise that my heart wasn't clattering out of fear, but exhilaration. And Edward seemed to know it. The car sped up, and neither of our eyes left one another as the adrenaline pumped through us both.
The car hadn't veered out of control, and we didn't get turned into a pretzel. Still, Charlie was a cop, and if he or one of his deputies happened to go by then it would be a whole different matter.
"Edward, if I die then you better pray you die too as Charlie will kill you," I said softly, my voice quivering a little as I could feel the blood pulsate in my ears.
The car was going so fast, yet if felt so slow. I couldn't see anything other than Edward - which was be a good thing as I might have puked if I turned to see the world whiz past - and slowly a smile spread across his face, then he turned to the road without a word. The car slowed down and my heart rhythm steadied. I sighed in relief and closed my eyes.
"As much as I wasn't scared - for some odd reason - but what on earth were you thinking? We could have died…" Or at least I would have. He of course, might not have even got a scratch - if he was what I strongly thought he was.
"Sorry," he said with as much sincerity as possible. "I like driving fast." Was all he offered as an explanation of nearly getting me turned into road killed?
I glanced at him again, and his lips were twitching as if he was struggling not to laugh or even smile.
Did it entertain him that I could have died; does he enjoy the fact that I could have be crushed to death if we were to crash? I wasn't scared but that could have ended different, and it annoyed me that he found it funny.
"Edward, I am still trying to work you out, but please tell me that you didn't find that funny? Or was I missing the joke?"
Edwards face smoothed out and he looked apologetic.
"I didn't find it funny…I promise you, but I was just remembering you half shocked, half fearful face – that's what was funny." His lips twitched again and I rolled my eyes.
"Great," I murmured. "Humour at my expense."
Edward chuckled softly then we turned into a path and drove up a small narrowed road.
Edward pulled the car up in front of an old house. It stood two stories, with a large porch wrapped around as far as I could see; the wood was dirty brown, the windows were clouded with dust and the lawn was a jungle.
"Are you sure this is the right house? It looks abandoned," I said getting the shivers already.
Edward seemed to be straining to hear something, his eyebrows furrowed. Then he relaxed. "Yeah, I am sure this is the place," he said opening his door. I started to unbuckle my seat belt but my door opened before I could even unplug the clip. A pale hand expended towards me.
"How did…" I shook my head. "Never mind, let's go." I took his hand and got out of the car.
Edward let go of my hand and led the way to where I assumed the path was. It was covered in leaves and the grass and weeds grew at waist height, forming an archway for anyone who dared to trespass up the path.
"Creepy," I murmured. I wrapped my arms around myself in a blanket and I stayed close to Edward.
"Do you know what you are going to say?" asked Edward as we walked up the porch steps. They creaked under our weight so I hurried up them so I didn't fall through.
"Not got a clue, I normally wing it," I admitted.
"Make it up as you go along - my type of plan." Edward was in front and reached the large dust covered door first. He looked at me, as if to ask if was ready. I nodded.
He knocked firmly on the door and we waited. I couldn't hear a single thing inside but he seemed confident that someone was in. Mind reading? Excellent hearing? Maybe…
After a while, there was still no one answer, so he knocked again. "Hello? Mrs Jackson?" he called loudly.
"Maybe she is not in…how do you know its Mrs Jackson, it could be her husband or another child or someone…"
"It's her," he said as he peered through the clouded window on the door. "She is just ignoring us."
"Well we can't force her to come to the door. Maybe we should go and see if it's the other boy from Port Angeles and if not we will come back," I suggested.
"Yeah, but it's time consuming. All we need is a picture of her son, and then we can leave," said Edward. He knocked again but it was still silent in the house.
"Mrs Jackson, I know you are in there," he yelled through the door. "It's about your son, Jamie."
My eyes widened and I whacked him on the side of the arm - an automatic thing, as if it were Alex when he says too much, but Alex was soft. Edward was rock hard. I gasped and clutched my hand.
"What are you made of? Iron?" I gasped as I rubbed my hand. My eyes watered and Edward looked horrified. He grabbed my hand in his, looking concerned.
"Let's see, it might be broken," he said gently as he ran his cool fingers over the side of my left hand.
"I don't think it's broken, but you might get a bruise. I'm sorry," he looked guilty even though I hit him!
"It's not your fault - I hit you, I should apologise."
It was an unconscious thing, a reaction for him telling Mrs Jackson that we are here about her son, when it could have been done in a more sensitive way. I just wanted him to be quiet, but I was the one making all the noise.
"Trust me, it is my fault," he said, looking annoyed for reason I couldn't understand. "But at least all the commotion has gotten her attention; she is coming to the door now."
"How do you…" I shook my head again, still rubbing my hand.
Sure enough, there was shuffling beyond the door and I could make out the outline of a person from behind the glass.
When the door opened, the small woman that stood before us squinted her eyes, as if she hadn't seen day light for a long time. Which was probably the case as her skin was so grey and worn out. Her jewel blue eyes were hollow, filled with sadness. Her skin was worn and her hair was limp and hadn't seen a comb in months.
Her clothes were worn too and her smile was nonexistent.
"Yes?" the woman said sharply.
"Mrs Jackson?" I inquired timidly.
"Whose asking?" she narrowed her eyes at the both of us. She looked us up and down, relaxing a little. "A bit young to be the Social." She started to close the door as if she didn't really want to hear what we had to say.
"No, we are not with the social…My name is Bella Swan and this is Edward Cullen…we, er…" I looked at Edward as my mind was blank.
"We're from the high school, and we are doing studies and statistics of deaths of children under the age of eighteen," Edward finished quickly. I stared at him as did Mrs Jackson.
"My father is a doctor and we are putting together information about young deaths in this area and comparing them to bigger cities. We think that so many young people in cities, like Seattle, die too young and it could be prevented…no matter what the cause," Edward went on. It was starting to make a little more sense now, and Mrs Jackson relaxed a little but still didn't seem inviting.
"We heard about your son, Mrs Jackson, and we wanted to ask a few questions for our, er, project," I said sympathetically.
Mrs Jackson hesitated for a long moment and I could see that behind her eyes she was thinking fast. If Edward could really read minds the he could hear her thoughts. But I would have had no way of knowing, and I certainly couldn't ask him.
Finally, Mrs Jackson nodded once and opened the door wide and we stepped inside the dark and musty hallway. A stale smell hit my nose but I had smelled worse, and have been in places that would make you want to vomit the second you stepped inside.
"It's a mess," she said as she closed the door behind us. She didn't apologise like most people would, the mess meant nothing to her.
Edward and I stood in the hallway until she led the way into the sitting room. As she said, it was a mess. There was clutter everywhere, old newspapers, magazines, old dishes - all pilled where there was space. At the far end of the room, where it's almost spotlessly clean, was a child play area. A desk with one of those roller coaster beads, that you see in the doctor's surgeries, a small wooden chair, a large open chest of toys and on the walls were hand pained pictures, clearly made by a child. It was a shrine for Jamie, his name was even on the back on the wooden chair and his sneakers were still lying on the floor underneath the desk.
Mrs Jackson caught both Edward and I staring at the only clean spot in the room, and it was obvious we had no idea what to say. I dealt with grieving parents a lot, but I was lost for words today.
"You must think I'm mad," said Mrs Jackson with a ghost of a smile, as she looked fondly over to the corner of the room. "It's been six years and I still keep it exactly as it was when my son…" she couldn't finish the sentence."I tidy it of course, keep it clean. Which is more than I do for the rest of this place."
She sat down on the sofa and indicated for us to sit down too. Edward and I sat side by side on the opposite sofa and she waited for us to begin.
"You son's Jamie, right?" I began. When she nodded I went on, "He died six years ago, can you tell us what happened?"
"He was so energetic, very lively," she said sinking back into memories that she had probably re-lived a million times. "We were out in town, it was the summer and something very unusual happened to Forks; it was sunny! It was really hot, which is something we aren't used to, so we were making the most of it. I dressed him in his vacation clothes; shorts, t-shirt and I even slapped sunscreen on him. Anyways, we were stretching our legs and walked into the town. We stopped to speak to Mrs Howe, but Jamie was restless and he walked a head…" she stopped as he voice thinned out. "I should have stopped him, told him to be careful, but I never and when he ran out into the road, the world stopped. I watched, frozen as his carefree laugh echoed the street, I watched as he ran, and I watched as the car smashed into him…"
In the corner of my eye I saw Edward wince slightly as if he was there too. He looked grave, but didn't say anything.
"What happened after that, Mrs Jackson?" I asked softly. I looked around to see if the boy was there, but he wasn't. There were pictures all over the place but they were all covered in dust and I couldn't see properly from where I was sitting.
"He survived the impact, he was stable at hospital, and they operated on him. He had so many injuries…" She closed her eyes. "They put him up to the ICU after his operation. They stopped his internal bleeding, patched up his lung, re-set his bones and stabled his head wound but he still hadn't regained consciousness…" she paused again, then cleared her throat. "That night he took a turn for the worse, he was struggling to breathe so they put him on a ventilator. He looked so small, so fragile and I knew that the chances were small, but I prayed and prayed that he would make it…but…"
"His heart gave out," Edward finished so softly that I could barely hear him. Mrs Jackson heard and she nodded.
"His body gave up, he was in a coma and he just slipped away…painless, peaceful…"
"I'm so sorry," I whispered. I had said these words over and over to people, and people had said it to me after my mom died, but they were just word's, they didn't really mean anything. I guessed it was the only thing you could say when someone died, as there was nothing really else to say.
I looked around the room, but there was still no boy.
"Mrs Jackson, don't you have any other family? What about Jamie's dad?" I said, trying to ask politely why the place was such a mess.
Mrs Jackson laughed bitterly. "Brian left," she replied. "He tried for two years then got fed up, "I've lost him too, you know," he would say, but I couldn't be there for him and he couldn't be there for me…so we just fell apart." She shrugged. "So, is that all you need to ask? Where are your notes and things?" She looked at us searchingly.
I tried not to blush to give us away while Edward answered. "We will write it all down later, we didn't want to seem intimating by writing things down."
I got up subtly and walked over to the dresser where there was a line of framed photos. I picked up one that was clearer and wiped away the dust to see the faces. It was a family picture, three of them on vacation somewhere. But the little boy in the picture was just a baby, so it was hard to tell if it was the one I needed to help. I stared at the picture for a long time though.
Mrs Jackson was very beautiful in that picture. Her face was smooth and smiling, her jewel blue eyes were full of life and her hair was styled neatly, bouncing off her shoulders. In comparison to how she looked now, there was a huge difference. Six years of grieve had made her almost unrecognizable and it saddened me.
"What a sight I look now, eh?" she said. I looked over my shoulder but I didn't say anything, as I truly didn't know what to say. I put the picture down and sat back next to Edward.
"Do you have pictures of Jamie from before he…" I trailed off. Mrs Jackson moved the couch pillow away and revealed a wad of photographs. She skimmed through them and handed me one of Jamie.
He was smiling up at the camera from a paddling pool. He looked happy, not having a care in the world.
"I took that the day before he died," said Mrs Jackson. "We don't normally have a use for paddling pools in Forks, but that week it was so hot so Brian and I decided to treat him - he loved it!"
I handed the picture to Edward who was watching me curiously. "He is beautiful, he looks so happy," I said sadly.
I shook my head once to Edward who had a question on his face. It was not the boy. Part of me wished Jamie was my ghost, as I knew that it would help Mrs Jackson a lot if she got to say goodbye.
Edward handed the picture back to Mrs Jackson and I felt we should leave. Sadly there wasn't anything we can do for her and there was no need to burden her with my gift.
"We better be leaving, but thank you so much for your time, Mrs Jackson. We are truly sorry for your loss," said Edward standing up.
I stood too. "Thank you for your time," I said. Then I got an idea, as I felt I needed to help her in some way. "Would you mind if I came by some time, even if it was to keep you company? You must get lonely out here all by yourself…maybe I could, er, tidy for you? I love cleaning," I admitted brightly, hoping that I didn't offend her.
Mrs Jackson laughed and smiled a real smile. "Honey, you are barking mad for wanting to clean this place," she stood up too and looked around. "My brother comes once a week to make sure I have food and to force me to eat." It wasn't quite a no. I followed Edward out and into the hall.
"I will come around sometime. I can start on the sitting room and before you know it, it will be good as new." I smiled.
She snorted behind me but still didn't decline my offer. Edward opened the front door and stepped out.
"Bye, Mrs Jackson, take care," said Edward nodding his head.
"See you later, Mrs Jackson; I will be back with my cleaning things next time," I said stepping out too.
Mrs Jackson didn't say anything but a smile could be seen on her face before she closed the door.
"So the ghost isn't Jamie, and it's not Adam, so that leaves the boy that lives in Port Angeles," said Edward as we drove back to my house.
"Yeah, but I wish it was Jamie, it would help Mrs Jackson a lot and I think it would mean a lot to her to say goodbye. I bet she hasn't been out since he died. She looks so lonely and depressed and I can't help but feel bad for her."
Edward parked the Volvo outside my house. The cruiser was in the drive way, as was my truck. "How did that get there?" I asked nodding to my truck. Last time I remembered seeing it was on Tuesday when I parked it in the school lot that morning.
"Emmett drove it home," replied Edward. "He said that it was the slowest thing in the world."
"Charming," I laughed. "It's old but it gets me around."
"Fair point, but I can have Rosalie have a look at the engine, she likes to tweak sports cars but she could try and do that monster of a thing, if you want?"
Rosalie, the breathtaking blonde. Back home, in Phoenix, she would have been the queen bee of the school. But Forks High school didn't have cliques; it was too small to have people separated into stereotype groups.
"No, that's okay, I think its fine as it is," I said declining the offer.
I had curiosity itching inside me all day. I had almost blurted out my questions for Edward, I had wanted to ask if he was what I thought he was, but I couldn't force myself to do it. I was such a coward. But I had a right to be scared, because if the Cullen's were vampires, then I couldn't just blurt out what I thought I knew on a whim. Their existence was probably the most vital thing to keep secret and I just couldn't walk up to them and reveal what I knew - or I thought I knew.
Before I even realized he had moved, Edward was opening my door again. He had all my bags from the hospital in his arms and on his shoulder. I got out the car myself and he closed the door behind me.
As we were walking towards the house, he looked down at me, smirking. "Charlie is up, but he is getting ready to leave for work. He is waiting on your first though," he said as if he just got a phone call from my dad who told him things what he couldn't possibly know otherwise.
I stared at him with my eyes as wide as they could go. "And you know that, how?" I asked sharply. If he could read minds, then he sure as hell wasn't doing a good job at hiding it. Unless…
Edward tried to look confused. "Good guess, I suppose," he shrugged. He walked up the steps while I stood frozen on the spot, thinking fast.
When he reached my front door, he turned back to me. "Coming, Bella?"
My eyes narrow. I took a deep breath and followed. I reached the door and let myself in.
"Dad? I'm back," I called out. We went through the kitchen and Edward set my things down by the table. Charlie darted in seconds later, looking disgruntled.
"Thank God, Bells, I was wondering where you were," he said quickly. He was already dressed in his police uniform. He was getting ready for work, just as Edward said.
"How are you feeling?"
"Fine, much better," I said meaning every word.
He eyed me sceptically but there was no evidence that I was lying so he let it go.
"I have some paper work to do at the station, but I can stay if you want me to," he said as he tucked in his shirt.
"No, that's okay dad, I am just going to get some lunch then going to rest," I said the right thing to reassure him.
"You sure? Okay, well I won't be long and don't worry about dinner, I will bring us something home."
"Don't worry about it dad, I want to cook, you just let me worry about dinner," I said waving off his offer to take care of our meal.
Charlie looked like he was going to argue but then he looked at Edward as if he has just noticed him. "Thanks for bringing her home…wait, shouldn't you be at school?"
"Yes, but one day won't set me back," replied Edward honestly.
Charlie just shrugged. "Are you staying for dinner, Edward?"
Edward shook his head. "No, but thanks for the offer."
Charlie wasn't paying much attention as he was doing up his laces on his boots but I decided that Edward should stay for dinner. I tried not to smile when I said, "Why not, Edward, I mean you have done a lot for me today and yesterday, it's the least I can do for you."
"Yeah, Edward, you should stay. Bella is the best cook in Forks; you have to try her to die for meals," Charlie laid it on thick. It would normally make me blush, but I kept a straight face. I had an alternative motive for wanting Edward to be put on the spot about staying for dinner.
"No, that's okay, I am sure Bella is the best cook, but I will go home to eat," Edward said, leaving no room for Charlie to argue.
But I had other plans. "Oh, come on, Edward, you may as well stay, I won't give you food poisoning. Why won't you stay?" I pushed.
"I have a special diet," he replied casually.
Charlie was not paying attention any more so I continued seeing if he would play my game.
"Oh, whys that?" I asked. If this was someone else, then I wouldn't be so rude and ask why they had a special diet, but I was awfully curious to hear his answer.
Edwards's lips turned up a little. "Food allergies," he replied nonchalantly.
"What foods are you allergic too? I could make sure I stay clear of them for you," I said. Charlie was now raiding the fridge for something to eat before he left, but he was still not attuned to our conversation.
"I am allergic to meats," replied Edward.
"So you're vegetarian?" I asked.
He contemplated for a second. "Of sorts," he said slowly.
I bit my lip. "How long have you been a vegetarian?"
Edward gave me a long hard stare. He looked at me for so long that I wondered if I said anything out loud or if I just said it in my head. "Too long," he replied finally.
We stared at each other for a long time without saying anything.
"Right, that's me away," Charlie's voice interrupted the silence. I had forgotten he was there and I jumped.
"Oh, okay dad, see you later on." I turned to him. He had a sandwich in his hand, dropping crumbs all over the place.
"Bye, Bells" He turned to Edward before stuffing his face. "Bye, Edward, thanks again."
Edward nodded once to Charlie but kept his eyes on me. Charlie looked from me to Edward, shrugged, and then left.
Once the door closed again, it was silent in the kitchen. Almost eerily. I knew that this time would come, but I wasn't quite prepared for it to be discussed quite like that.
Using a food analogy was not exactly the best way. It was almost comical, but I didn't find myself smiling.
"How long have you known?" I asked him finally. It was clear to me now, that he knew that I knew about him and what he was.
Millions of questions bubbled on my lips but I didn't know which to ask first. One question was, why was he so calm? I had just admitted I knew his secret - in a weird evasive way - but he wasn't angry or worried, and that struck me as odd.
Edward's face was mixed emotions, but anger or fear was not one of them. Without replying, he reaches into his back pocket at brought out a folded piece of paper. He unfolded it and handed it to me.
Written across the page in all different sizes of writing: BeLLa KnOwS WhAt yOu ArE!
The ending was not how I planned it, I never planned to do a bad parody of the film, but that's how it turned out…
Edward has known for a while that Bella knows about him. I tried to get him to leave hints by revealing that he is different in subtle ways, just trying to see how she reacts. I know that Edward wouldn't really do that but this is fan fiction and I am not being in full canon anyway. Originally I was going to get Bella to try and 'out' him, by doing stuff so he would slip up, and do things that people might question if they didn't know the truth, but it just didn't turn out that way. But it was a fun idea. Anyways, I might add a chapter to explain it all from Edward's POV and have the part where that note came through…not sure yet, as I might just explain it all from Bella's POV with Edward telling her how he came to find out.
There have been one or two people that have given me their ideas, or thoughts that I might use and fit it into the story, so I was wondering if anyone else had ideas? Or even little suggestions they might like to see in the story? I am always interested in what people think and what ideas they come up. I won't add in things too complicated but if you have any thoughts of things I could add then let me know.
Not sure when I will update but leave me the best gift anyone could leave after reading my story- a review!
