Chapter Thirty Seven
Bella
I considered ignoring the phone like Charlie but I knew I was just putting off the inevitable so I ran downstairs and picked it up,
"Swan residence."
"Bella? Oh good. I had a conversation with your father today about Christmas, He's quite obviously got things all mixed up. Imagine thinking you'd want to go to Alaska with him for Christmas, personally and please don't tell him this, I think that attack has affected his brain. Be careful Bella, if he starts acting more irrationally than usual get out and ring me or Jake. He's very fond of you and I know he'd look after you. Now about Christmas, I've done all the arrangements, there's a party at the baseball ground on Christmas Eve and I've included you on our ticket, then Christmas day we're having dinner with friends who have a daughter so you won't feel left out. She's a little younger than you but I'm sure that wont make any difference, after all a lot of twelve year olds are very mature in their outlook".
"Mum."
I tried to intervene but she just steam rolled over me,
"Christmas night we'll do what we always do, toast marshmallows and watch a movie, I've ordered a few of your favourites so that will be nice. By the way I don't know if you've thought about presents but Phil is very keen to get the latest baseball game for his games console and I wondered if you'd like to get it for him. It's just been released so it's a little pricey but I thought Charlie or your boyfriend Jason could help you out. Don't worry about me, a little thing will be fine. I thought I'd get you a book token, I don't have time to go shopping, around this time of year is such a rush. Now where was I? Oh yes, the next day Phil has a game and then we're going to the beach with friends. You can come to the game of course, Phil will expect you to be there cheering him on but its only adults at the beach. Phil's friend knows a deserted part where we can go skinny dipping, I haven't done that for years it should be fun. When were you thinking of leaving? Because we have been invited to go on a camping trip after that for a few days, well when I say camping I mean one of those cabins in the desert so I can top up my tan, nude sunbathing I think, sounds like more fun."
"Mum."
"Yes Bella what? You never used to keep interrupting me and its very rude, you must have got the habit from Charlie, it's what comes of living in the wilds of nowhere I guess".
"Mum I'm not coming for Christmas. I'm spending it with dad, besides I couldn't come until the 23rd and you want me gone by the 27th. It's too far and too expensive."
There was an ominous silence before the icy reply,
"I see, I expected better of you Bella. Now its too expensive and too much trouble to come see your mum for Christmas. I suppose Charlie has a woman he's going to see, are you taking Jason with you? I guess you've outgrown me and Phil. I'm really hurt."
"Mum it's very expensive to fly down for three days."
"Well Jason could pay for you surely as your boyfriend. I'd invite him too but we don't have the room. The spare room is full of boxes so you'll have to sleep on the couch as it is, I really couldn't find space for anyone else."
Gosh it sounded better and better!
"Mum its Jasper not Jason and dad doesn't have a girlfriend but if he did I'd be really happy."
"Oh I'm sure you would, he's really turned you against me hasn't he. I just knew it. Well if you aren't coming then there's nothing else to say. I'll send your present up although I'm beginning to regret spending the money on such an ungrateful little girl. You've really hurt me. I don't think I can talk any more, you could have rung while Phil was here to support me, thoughtless and heartless".
She put the phone down then and I stood dead receiver in hand unable to believe what I'd just heard.
Charlie
Well I knew Bella hadn't said much which meant Renee had so I went into the kitchen to see if she was OK to find her staring at the receiver still in her hand,
"I don't believe what I just heard dad. Mum accused me of being thoughtless and heartless."
I put an arm around her as the tears started to fall.
"Bella honey just ignore what she said, Renee likes to feels she's the centre of the universe. She never grew up and she doesn't like it that she doesn't get her own way all the time. She'll get over it."
"She's made me feel guilty now that I want to spend time with you and Jasper, she couldn't even get his name right!"
"That's just a ploy to unnerve you. Renee knows his name well enough Bella. You go do your homework I'll speak to your mum."
"Maybe we should leave it for now, she was really upset."
"Bella if I don't ring her she'll be on my case even worse, I know her after all this time."
"OK."
I waited till she'd gone up and shut her door then popped a fresh beer to give me courage and dialled Renee's number. Phil answered and he sounded annoyed.
"Dwyer residence,"
"Phil its Charlie."
"Charlie? Oh yeah do you have any idea how upset Renee is right now? I never expected Bella to treat her mum like this, Renee did everything for your daughter and this is the thanks she gets?"
"Phil, Bella is a young woman with a life of her own and she wants to spend it with her boyfriend, that's not too much to ask is it?"
"Well if you put it that way I guess not, but she could have said it better. Renee thinks your taking Bella away from her."
"Phil I don't really care what Renee thinks. Bella is going to Alaska with me and her boyfriend. If Renee really wants to see Bella she can fly up in the New Year. You're both welcome if you want to visit."
"Now you know money is an issue just at present Charlie, we can't afford to fly to Seattle."
"And Bella can't afford to fly either so I guess you wont be seeing each other for a while."
"I understood that Bella's boyfriend has money, couldn't he pay for her?"
"You know something Phil, I think that's the end of this conversation. I'll speak to Renee when she's ready to be reasonable."
I put the phone down and shook my head, those two were perfectly matched!
Bella
Charlie came up and knocked on my door,
"Bella, I just spoke to Phil. I don't think we'll be hearing from Renee for a while, she's busy playing the rejected mother but she'll come round. For now I think we are both out of favour."
"Did he say anything about Jason."
"Who?"
"Its mums name for Jasper."
"Ouch, she's no more subtle than she ever was! Yes he did but I put him straight. So it looks like you and I are off to Alaska next week."
After he'd gone I finished my homework which hadn't taken long then picked up a book and sat by the window wondering where Jasper was now. He and Emmett had gone hunting and I missed the feeling I got when he was nearby, I felt cold and empty. The evening dragged and I decide to look for present inspiration on the internet but without much success then I saw I had mail. The first one was from Angela, reminding me we were going for coffee after school tomorrow, more time without Jasper! The next was from Renee, it was short and sweet,
"Et tu brute?"
She could have been on the soaps!
The next made me feel better though, it was from Alice,
"Bella, leave your window open, he'll be back early, he just can't stay away!"
I smiled and made sure when I went to bed that my window was not only unlocked but pushed half way up.