The Learning Curve: Chapter 53

Forks Community Hospital

Esme was sitting leisurely in the waiting room when I walked out, her legs crossed casually, looking like a queen on her throne. Even though she was flipping through a magazine, there was something otherworldly about her. She was a mom straight out of a storybook.

She looked up when she heard my steps on the tile, and with a smile she patted the seat next to her. I gave what probably appeared as a grimace in return and sat beside her.

"So, Bella, you've had quite the day," she began. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine," I said, surprised at the question. "I'm just glad Edward is okay."

Esme nodded thoughtfully. "It's a scary thing, seeing your child bleeding, no matter what the circumstances. You were very level-headed today - I'm glad my son had the good sense to find a girl who can be counted on."

I blushed. "Chief Swan trained me well, I guess."

"So it seems," she said, and then her face turned serious. "I worry about Edward sometimes. He has a tendency to go too far too fast with everything he does. It's gotten him hurt in the past - physically and emotionally."

I nodded slowly, unsure how this was going to relate to me.

"I hope I can trust you to be genuine with him," Esme continued, "even if your feelings aren't as deep as his."

I gulped. This sounded suspiciously like she wanted to know my intentions toward her son. "I wouldn't lie to him," I promised. I hoped I'd never hurt him, either.

"I don't think you would," Esme smiled. "I just want you two to be cautious. You're still so young in the grand scheme of things."

Again, I nodded slowly and hoped she wouldn't start talking about condoms.

"On a lighter note, I am glad to meet you, Bella. Edward talks about you constantly."

I smiled shyly, unsure how to respond to that. "I'm happy to meet you, too."

"Tell me about yourself. Do you know where you want to go to college?"

"I was planning on the University of Washington," I admitted and wondered if she'd think less of me. "I've already applied there, but Edward's making me apply to Dartmouth."

"I heard something about that," Esme chuckled. "Do you know what you'd like to study?"

I hated this question; I had no idea. "Maybe English. I like to read."

To my surprise, Esme smiled fondly. "I majored in English. It's not as easy as everyone lets on, but it is worth the effort."

"Edward said you met Dr. Cullen at Dartmouth."

"I did," she smiled. "We were two years apart. It was very hard when Carlisle went to medical school. We even broke up for a while, but it was pointless - neither of us wanted anybody else."

I smiled, touched by her obvious affection for her husband even after more than twenty years. It made a startling contrast to my parents' extremely brief relationship.

I was about to ask her another question, but Charlie chose that moment to return from the cafeteria where he'd been chatting with some old acquaintances.

"Ready to go, Bells?"

"Yeah, Dad." I looked back to Edward's mom. "It was really nice to meet you, Mrs. Cullen."

She patted my hand. "Call me Esme, honey."

I felt like I'd gotten her stamp of approval.