A Talk between Two Fathers
[Of course, all characters belong to Ms. Meyers. This chapter didn't turn out as fun as I'd like. Oh well. One more chapter and this will be done. Would really appreciate your review! -- Thanks, Kelli]
Chapter 5: Jewels
Jasper Hale
An orange bead ricocheted off the wall, bounced off a desk and tumbled to the floor. Another sound followed it closely, Emmett swearing under his breath. I ducked behind my book to hide my smile. Couldn't help my amusement. Watching Emmett, with his huge fingers, attempting to string microscopic beads on a string thinner than a hair was pretty dang funny.
Alice had a much kinder heart than Rosalie did. I leaned over and snuck a kiss on her cheek as she leaned over her own project. When she smiled, I could feel her pleasure at my gesture. Held up a half-finished bracelet, with a pattern of gold, red and navy. "What do you think?"
"It's beautiful, honey."
She beamed at me. Bent back over her work, enjoying herself. I wasn't surprised that she was good at this. She always has had an artistic knack. I went back to my book, A World Lit Only by Fire by William Manchester. Interesting look at the medieval world. Not sure I can buy everything he's saying though.
The class was half-over when an officious looking woman stalked into the room. After so many years of dealing with teachers, it was an instinct to stash my book in my lap, grab the jewelry kit and start fiddling with it in less than twenty seconds. I looked up in complete innocence as she glared across the dozen students. "Which one of you is Emmett Cullen?"
"Uh, me." Emmett waved a hand.
"You're in the wrong class." Her voice was cold. "Please come with me."
A wave of relief swelled in Emmett as he jumped to his feet, a big happy grin on his face. Before Rosalie could protest, I leaned forward and growled at her, "Sister, please be kind to your husband."
Rose pretended to ignore me, but she stayed in her seat, silent. What she'd done to Edward had taught her to think, at least a little bit, about how she treated her family. She just needed a reminder from time to time.
Guilt does have it uses.
The instructor, an elderly woman, came over to retrieve Emmett's battered starter kit. A pang of her mixed regret and worry washed over me. I took a guess, stood up and pulled out my wallet. "Ma'am, may I buy that? Ah'm sure my brother will want it later." This was a complete lie, but I did feel bad that she'd lost a paying student. She brightened. With an apologetic tone, she said, "Thank you. It's twenty dollars."
I gave her the money and retreated to my book. As Alice has said, the instructor didn't mind, as long as she was paid for the seat and the supplies.
Alice leaned over and kissed my cheek. "You're a sweetheart. I love you, Jazz."
My turn to beam.
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Edward Cullen
The introduction to investing class was much more boring than I'd anticipated. The teacher had the gall to start it off with a review of accounting procedures. I'd learned basic accounting seventy years ago when Carlisle had made me manage my family's estate.
I wasn't surprised when Rosalie strong-armed poor Emmett into attending the jewelry class with her. She'd been jealous when Jasper said he going to go with Alice. She wanted Emmett to show her the same devotion. Pointless to explain to her that it was for Jasper's sake that he with Alice. Pointless because she already knew it, but it made no impression on her.
I'd taken steps to get Emmett out of purgatory, though. During the break, I'd run down to the office, found the most bureaucratic mind working there and pointed out the Emmett wasn't in the right class. The jewelry class cost more, so the woman immediately brindled and charged off.
Emmett showed up twenty minutes later, smiling. I winked at him. He understood then that I'd had a hand in his reassignment. I dipped my head to acknowledge his silent thanks.
The seats around me were vacant. What a shock. I caught surprised thoughts, sidelong glances, but no one spoke to me. Sure, going to night school was really going to make us appear more normal.
Sure.
The real result will be to have more people aware that we're strange.
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Carlisle Cullen
"How were your classes?" With five adopted 'children', I was always careful to respect their particular place in the family to make sure that I never accidently appeared to favor any of them over the others. I always used the order in which they joined the family. Edward reported to me that they thought it was fair. That meant I started with my oldest son first. "Edward?"
"Not bad. Good instructor."
"Rosalie?"
"It was okay." She held up her wrist. "We finished a bracelet."
"It's very nice," I said. It wasn't a lie. Rose was good with her hands and the bracelet looked professionally made. She smiled, pleased at the mild compliment.
"Emmett?"
"Dull."
"Alice?"
"Fun!" She didn't hold up her own bracelet, though I could see she was wearing one similar to Rose. Since she didn't comment on it, neither did I. Alice was too kindhearted to want to steal any of Rose's thunder. Even on something as trivial as a bracelet.
"Jasper, can I see your bracelet too?" I was teasing him and he knew it. I was surprised when he held up his wrist to show off a new wristlet.
"I'm impressed. You actually made that?"
"Hell no." Jasper said. He grinned at the outburst of laughter around the table. "Alice made it, 'a course."
"Swearing, Jasper!" Esme scolded him, but then she laughed along with the others.
"Sorry, Esme." Another grin.
"All of you thank you for going," I said. "Alice, do you think this will help?"
Alice closed her eyes, leaned against Jasper's ready shoulder. His arm came around her shoulders. She opened her eyes after a moment.
"I'm sorry, Carlisle. It doesn't appear that Charlie is impressed at all. It won't change his mind."
"Too little, too late," Edward muttered, his eyes on Alice's face.
She nodded.
"Does that mean we don't have to go back?" Emmett asked.
"Not if you don't want to."
"I'm out," Emmett said.
"Me too," Edward seconded him.
Alice and Rose exchanged glances.
"I learned some new techniques. I'd like to go back," Alice said.
"I'll go too," Rose said.
"Jasper?"
Alice whispered something to Jasper too low for the rest of us to hear.
"Thanks sweetheart," Jasper smiled down at his wife. "But that's okay. As long as the teacher doesn't mind me reading, I don't mind going."
"Okay." Better than I'd hoped. "Does anyone have any other ideas?"
Emmett waved a hand. He looked serious. Generally, this meant he'd thought of another prank that he couldn't wait to unleash. Since it's possible I was wrong, I asked, "What is it?"
"Thought of a great idea for us to look more involved in the community," Emmett leaned back and crossed his arms. "The Salvation Army."
I couldn't help keep a surprised look off my face. I didn't know much about the Salvation Army organization; expect that they were a well-respected charity. "That's a good idea."
"No it's not." Edward was glaring across the table at his brother.
Alice giggled.
"What is it?" Esme asked.
"He thinks it'd be funny for me to wear a uniform and march in their band," Edward said.
Emmett tried to hide his smile, but he started to laugh. "I wanna' see Edward walking along banging the big drum. And wearing a hat."
"Emmett." I turned to him. "Guess what you and Rose will be doing tomorrow?"
An expression of dread appeared on Emmett's face. "Oh, no, Carlisle, no way!"
"You'll be joining the Salvation Army." Except I'm not that cruel. The poor Salvation Army didn't deserve to have them inflicted on them. Emmett deserved to worry about it for the rest of the night. I'd let him off the hook before they left for school.
"Thanks everyone."
Alice has warned me that the attempt to convince Charlie of our normalcy was doomed, but I felt we'd needed to try.
At least Alice was willing to talk to Charlie. Maybe that would help but she was working with Edward on how to get such an awkward conversation started.
If Jasper's research found out that Charlie was doing anything to trace our past, I'd need to make a decision.
Like get Bella involved.