The Pull
Chapter 21: Visitation
Bella P.O.V.
At 6:30 pm, Jasper and I left for Lands End Funeral Home. The visitation wasn't until seven, but I wanted to be there early. I also wanted a chance to see Charlie before people started arriving. When we got there we were greeted by Eddy, the old man who owns the place. He showed us to a large side room.
The walls were lined with sofas and arm chairs. They all looked very comfortable but I had a feeling I wouldn't be sitting down tonight. At the back of the room there was a long table filled with cookies, cakes, coffee, and ice tea. The center of the room was filled with folding chairs. They must be expecting a large turn out. They were probably right, Charlie was the chief of police in a small town (everyone knew him). At the front of the room next to Charlie's coffin there was a large poster board covered with pictures of Charlie. I walked over to it and examined the photos.
There were pictures of Charlie at work. At the dinner. Fishing with Billy Black and Deputy Dan. In La Push with Harry and Sue Clearwater. Several of Charlie and me, when I used to spend my summers here as a kid. A family photo when I was a baby. Charlie and Renee's wedding picture and prom picture. A photo of Charlie in a football uniform and even some of him as a child. Someone had put a lot of time into this. My guess is it was Sue Clearwater. It brought tears to my eyes.
Then I walked over to Charlie's coffin. I looked down at him. He looked like my dad but at the same time he didn't. His face was void of any emotion. It was starting to sink in that this was all real. I would never see my father smile again or hear his laugh. Silent tears began to stream down my cheeks. One of them landed on Charlie's cheek. I reached down and whipped it away. His skin was cold, not as cold as Jasper's but it was close.
Jasper put his hand on my shoulder and I turned to face him. He whipped away my tears as he said "I am sorry Isabella but people are starting to arrive. Are you ready for this?" " As ready as I will ever be." I said as I took my place between the photo table and Charlie.
For the next two hours there was a steady line of people. All of them telling me how sorry they were of my loss. Saying he was too young. Asking me if there was anything they could do. Some of them told me stories about Charlie. To be honest, it was all a blur. When everyone had left I asked Jasper to take me home. I didn't even bother changing into pajamas. I just curled up in Jasper's arms and drifted off to sleep.