The Painter
Chapter 23
"With every experience, you alone are painting your own canvas, thought by thought, choice by choice." ~ Oprah Winfrey
~O~
"Hello Renee," Charlie sighed as he glanced at his watch. Bella was due home later that afternoon and he didn't really want her walking in on one of Renee's rants.
"Charlie," Renee bit out. "I'm calling to see how she's doing."
"It's been a week, if that. How do you think she's doing?"
Renee ignored him, huffing in annoyance at his rhetorical question. "I called the school and she seems to be doing fine."
"I know. I'm in contact with her advisor, the nurse, the teachers, even her principal. All say she's doing fine."
"For right now."
"Renee," Charlie bit his lip trying to control his anger. "It's a smaller school and she has good, kind friends."
"I heard about her friends,"
"The Cullen's are good people so don't get me started."
Renee glared at the steering wheel. She was so close to asking for Bella to come back to her so she could keep a watchful eye on her but that was her normal and she didn't want to be that way anymore. She needed to cut the cord. She knew that. It was just so hard.
She also didn't like that Bella seemed to be doing so much better there than she did in Arizona; like she was to blame or something.
"I just worry," Renee sighed, trying to remember this is what she wanted.
She thought it would be easier for everyone. She'd have time with Phil to build their marriage as Bella went to the quiet calm of Forks.
"I know, and I get it. I worry too, but she seems to be happy here. I haven't seen anything concerning."
"I- uh… I called a counselor."
Charlie gave a long exhale.
"She doesn't have to go," Renee hedged.
"She's seen so many counselors, Renee. Give the kid a break and let her figure things out for herself."
"It's just in case."
"I will talk to Bella and see if she wants someone to talk to, but I think she's going to surprise you someday."
"I hope so."
"She can't stay like she was as a child all her life. She's going to have to let go and jump into her life and learn to trust herself and that we'll all be there to catch her if she needs to be caught."
"It's just- for so long I've been walking around her with buffers, trying to protect her from the world. I've been her advocate, her right fighter-"
"You need to get a hobby then." Charlie scoffed. "She's not painting as much, if that helps you with knowing her mental clarity. She's going to school- even though it's only been for a short time. She has made friends. She even has a date that she's excited to go on so I think she's doing alright, so far. I'll let you know if she or when she's not."
Tears fell down Renee's face and she quickly wiped them away. "Thank you."
"Yep."
.
"Where are you taking me?" Bella smiled as they descended the steps in front of the Swan house. Charlie had already left for work, but she carried her cell phone so he could know where she was and how to contact her if he needed to.
But Edward just grinned, teeth peeking over his bottom lip coyly.
"I told Charlie, but it's a surprise for you."
"I just don't like surprises." Bella pouted in feigned petulance but Edward scoffed as he opened the passenger side door for her.
"Not all things unknown are to be dreaded," he said cryptically and Bella watched him with curiosity.
Edward Cullen wasn't anything like any other guys she had ever known.
The school day had gone smoothly, actually. A Cullen was always around thwarting every move Mike made to get closer to Bella but if she noticed she didn't say anything.
At lunch she sat with the Cullen's in the very back of the cafeteria and enjoyed the easy banter that her new friends seemed to have and ignored any looks from other students around her watching.
Alice was still a bit odd, her gaze seemingly ranged from piercing to unfocused, but then she became attentive with a bright, knowing smile. Bella ignored it, knowing from past conversations that the Cullen's had secrets and she didn't want in on those secrets in fear that they would want to know hers.
But it was possible that they already knew more about her than she realized.
"A clue," Bella huffed, looking at Edward's profile as he drove. His car seemed to take the slick asphalt with ease, even though she had to hold onto the armrest a few times.
Edward seemed to be contemplating her request, eyes darting to hers for a slight second before staying on the twisting road.
"Green. Lots of green." He grinned.
"That's everywhere!" Bella groaned, gesturing around the car to the surrounding trees, moss, and brush.
Edward chuckled, gripping the steering wheel so he could turn.
"A green house?"
"It's a large green house, but more like a botanical garden. They do tours and artist meet ups; that kind of thing."
"That's so thoughtful." Bella smiled eyes on the large glassy building that was framed with metal and wood beams. It was stunning to Bella, which would be boring to someone else.
She could see the whimsy lights shining from within and shades of green with little bursts of color.
"Tonight is one of the art nights. I brought some your paints, brushes, canvas, and easel. Charlie helped."
Bella completely beamed. "Wow, Edward. I don't know what to say."
"Shall we go in?" He grinned, enjoying the color flushing her face. It wasn't a normal blush, but as if she radiated from within.
"Yes!" Bella didn't wait for Edward to get out of the car; instead she bolted out and toward the back of the car. Edward chuckled as Bella bounced. He opened the back and they both started grabbing the items before he finally closed it.
"Are you going to paint, too?"
Edward looked at Bella, her eyes shining brightly as she awaited his answer. "I'm going to try." He scoffed.
She let out a small squeal as Edward laughed, shaking his head.
"I might be horrible at painting." He warned, teasingly. "I may need one on one help."
"I'll help you."
"I'm looking forward to it." He smirked, her radiant blush deepened.
.
A/N: I may not get to them all, but I do try to answer questions and such, as needed in your reviews and PM's. You can also find me on Facebook as Everleigh Allen.