Disclaimer: No copyright infringement intended.
Chapter Seventy-Two
An unknown number flashed on my cell phone.
I immediately knew who it was.
"Bella?" Her voice was low, strained.
"I'm here," I answered after a few beats of silence. "Hi, Mom."
Edward stopped what he was doing in the kitchen and walked over to where I was standing. He gave me a reassuring smile and I took a deep breath as her voice filled my ear.
"Charlie came by," Renee started in an odd tone. "He's been coming by when he can."
It was her; I knew it was her. But she sounded...off.
Reserved.
Disciplined.
Medicated.
"He's been surprisingly helpful," I said quietly while thumbing the necklace Edward gave me.
"Yeah," Renee agreed. "Helpful."
We sat in silence for a few minutes.
I had nothing to give her.
She had nothing to take.
"I was going to bring some things by for you..." I trailed off and cleared my throat. "Or, I was going to drop them off with Charlie and let him bring them by."
"I don't need anything," she insisted.
"Okay." I walked over to the couch and held the phone tightly against my cheek. "How is it there?"
"It's quiet," she mused.
I didn't want to ask what she meant by that; so I didn't.
"I don't want you to visit, Bella. I hope you understand why."
Tears stung my eyes and I swallowed the lump in my throat as Edward's hand rested on my thigh.
I nodded frantically. "I understand."
"I'm not sure when I'll be released but you'll know soon enough," she explained, hints of resentment coating her words. "I'll be sure Charlie keeps you updated."
An apology sat patiently on the tip of my tongue, waiting to be released.
"I'm..." I stopped myself.
Edward softly squeezed my leg and shook his head.
"Happy Birthday, Bella," she spoke before I heard a click and knew she had hung up.
"Thank you," I whispered to no one.
A/N: Enough with the heavy. Ha...ha. Thanks for reading.
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