Chapter Fourteen

Charlie

I drove back with Charlotte to their house, Peter she said would make his own way back later. It was a huge log cabin with a fantastic view over the mountain range beyond. My room was really a mini suite with its own bathroom and seating area although Charlotte asked me to join her downstairs once I'd settled in.

"Charlie you are going to find us rather strange but I need to ask you not to ask any questions and just accept what you see. I know I've just confused you but it will become clear. I can't explain why certain things are as they are without putting you in danger. Are you good with weird?"

"Weird? I'm not sure I understand the question."

"Never mind. Let me just tell you that there are certain things we don't do the same as you and while you are here you will notice them, please just accept them because if you start asking questions then we will tell you but that will put you at risk."

"Are we talking anything illegal?"

"No, we break no laws usually with a slight caveat which I can't explain. Let me give you an example, we don't eat or drink like you. Please just accept this. The food in the house is for you so please help yourself. I had some things in for Bella too so feel free to raid the fridge or cupboards any time you want."

"Does Bella know you don't eat or drink?"

"Yes."

"Did she question it?"

"Not of us, no"

"Is it a religious thing? A cult?"

She laughed,

"No Charlie, no cult thing."

"OK I guess I can live with that little mystery."

"Thank you Charlie. Now dinner."

There was plenty of food to choose from and she had me a steak and salad ready double quick and a beer to chase it down. After seconds I sat back from the table groaning.

"You're a mean cook Charlotte"

"Thank you Charlie. That means a lot to me. Now would you like dessert or would you rather watch TV? We have satellite so there's plenty to choose from."

"I don't think I could eat another thing but I'd like to watch a game if that's OK."

"Our house is your house while you are here. Help yourself because we won't always think to ask you."

I thanked her and went through to the lounge area turning on the huge plasma TV and flicking through until I found a basketball game to watch. During the adverts I looked around the room and my attention was taken by a set of photographs on a bureau in one corner. Getting up I strolled over to look at them. They were old black and white photos apparently showing Jasper, Peter, and Charlotte dressed in clothes from the twenties or thirties. I smiled, I'd seen these fake photo's before but never quite so professionally done. I was still looking at them when Charlotte came in and she smiled,

"You like our photos?"

"Yes, they're very good. I don't think I've ever seen any quite this convincing before."

"Convincing?"

"Well yeah, usually you can tell they're fakes"

"Oh right yes. Did you find a game?"

I went back over to the TV.

"Yes thank you. Do you have to pick the others up from the hospital later?"

"No they'll find their own way back when they're ready."

"Oh right, a case of don't ask?"

She smiled and nodded

"You're getting the picture Chief."

The game was half over when Peter wandered in with a "Hi Chief "to me and a kiss for his wife.

I waited for Jasper to follow him but it seems he was alone.

"I take it Char has been looking after you Chief?"

"Charlie will do."

"I kinda like Chief, but if you prefer Charlie"

"No, either's fine. How was Bella when you left?"

"She's OK as long as Jasper's there with her, she relaxes in his company. I know he may not be your idea of an ideal suitor for your daughter's hand but he's a good man Chief. I've known him quite a while and he's never let me down yet."

"Quite a while?"

I looked at Char who smiled at me and I nodded back,

"Don't ask?"

"Don't ask Charlie."

Peter looked at her and seemed to understand what was going on.

"Oh right, sorry Chief. You have to ignore some things I say, they lead to awkward questions and I see Char has already warned you"

"Yes she has and I'm trying to ignore anything that's too weird or confusing."

"Wow your life here is gonna be complicated. Anyway care for some company and another beer?"

I nodded,

"Yeah that would be good. I spend a lot of time on my own in Forks since Bells left so its nice to have some company, however strange. Will Jasper be back later?"

"That depends on how late the nurses do their rounds. He'll stay until Bella gets her goodnight shot then he knows she'll be out till morning and he feels able to leave. He cares Chief."

"Yeah I got that. I'd like a chance to talk to him though informally."

"He's not one for cosy chats really Charlie"

I looked at Char,

"Don't worry I wont quiz him too deeply"

She smiled then looked at the clock,

"I think I'll take a run out for a while. You be OK with Peter Charlie?"

"Sure but isn't it a bit late to be wandering around on your own?"

She smiled at me and shook her head,

"I'm perfectly safe Charlie, trust me."

Then she kissed Peter and was gone.

"So what did Char tell you?"

"Not a lot, just asked if I was good with weird then that you don't eat or drink like I do and that I should just accept what I see and hear without asking questions because the answers would put me in danger."

"That about covers it"

Peter was in agreement with his wife on this it seemed.

"Do you ride Chief?"

"I did when I was younger but I haven't in a long while, why?"

"I thought you and I could take a ride tomorrow morning. Visiting isn't until after lunch anyway. I could show you our land and the horses."

"I'd like that. Thanks."

"No problem. Oh by the way, we don't sleep either so you just go up when you get tired. Don't wait for us to go or ask you. Its your house too while you stay so feel free to come and go as you please."

"You don't eat, drink, or sleep? OK, weird, I get it."

I waited up until Jasper got home about midnight and he looked surprised to see me.

"Chief"

"Jasper, how's Bella?"

"Sleeping peacefully but her ribs were giving her a lot of pain this evening."

"Did you get her extra med's?"

"No I helped with the pain and she settled."

"You helped her?"

Peter looked at me and I put a hand up.

"I know, accept the weird. Right I give up. See you all in the morning."

As I went up the stairs I heard Jasper's voice

"What have you told him?"

"Nothing, Char told him not to question the weirdness and he'd be safe."

"And he accepted that?"

"Yeah, the Chief's cool. Don't get stressed out, at least Bella's staying here and maybe you'll be able to tell her just how things are now. You're looking better these days"

"Bella's here, how else should I feel? I can't lose her Peter."

"You won't. The girls crazy about you. She grips your hand as if she's scared you'll disappear just calm down."

I carried on into my room wondering at the conversation I'd just eavesdropped on. I couldn't argue with the fact that Jasper was in love with my daughter, nor that she was in love with him or at least that's the way I saw it. I fell asleep thinking about all the weirdness, no food, no drink, no sleep. What were these people? Aliens? Ghosts? Big Foot in disguise?