Chapter Eighty Two

Renee

Well I wasn't happy about Bella staying at Charlies or having to visit her there but as Phil pointed out

"We can't complain Renee, this guy Jasper, Bella's boyfriend, is being good enough to pay for our flight."

He was right of course but that didn't make things that much better as far as I was concerned.

"Charlie knew about this you know, about Bella being ill and the boyfriend. It's why he hasn't said much, he thinks I'll disapprove I know he does I could feel it last time I spoke to him."

"In fairness to the guy Renee you didn't talk to him so much as shout at him, and he never mentioned a boyfriend."

"Exactly my point Phil, he was trying to keep it from me, he always keeps things from me"

"But we've been on the road, it hasn't been easy to catch up with us"

"Phil Dwyer are you taking Charlie's side?"

He backed off as I knew he would, even Phil knew better than to upset me

"Of course not honey I was just saying, anyway let's leave judging anyone until we've met them, OK?"

The flight was tedious but necessary and the thought of seeing Charlie didn't improve my mood at all,

"I thought you'd be pleased,. You're going to see Bella again. I miss her."

"You miss her? She's my daughter, my flesh and blood, I brought her up single-handed, if anyone is going to miss her its me Phil."

"Of course. Just relax, you'll be seeing her soon."

I did as he said taking out the magazine I'd bought at the airport and skimming through it. An article on TB took my interest and as I read about it I started to panic, was this what Bella had? It sounded bad if not treated quickly and of course Charlie wouldn't have bothered when she started feeling ill, his idea was that you worked through illness, just like a man. Until of course they decided they were dying when they would curl up in a ball and wait to be looked after by wife or girlfriend. I checked off the symptoms ready to watch for any of them in Bella. I never should have allowed her to go to Forks to live with her father, it was cold and wet, just the kind of place to pick up TB. Why did I let him talk me into the idea?

By the time we got off the plane I was so concerned I just wanted to see my little girl. The friends who picked us up seemed nice enough but they looked pale to me, were all Charlies friends sick?

"Mr and Mrs Dwyer, its good to meet you"

The young man Peter held out his hand and we shook, his hand was cold, did he have bad circulation? He was a little young for that but his wife was also very pale and cold, strange people. As they drove us to Charlies place I tried to make conversation,

"How long have you known Charlie?"

"A while, we're hunting buddies."

"I see,"

"From your tone I take it you don't approve"

"No, I think Gods creatures should be left in peace personally, those in the wild that is. I'm not a vegetarian or anything, at least not any more. I did go through a phase of being a vegan but it was so dreary I just got depressed. How is Bella?"

"Getting better but she has been quite poorly."

"I see and no one thought to contact me?"

Phil squeezed my hand warningly but I ignored him,

"I think Bella didn't want you worried, she's getting better now anyway."

"I should hope so. What was it? Not TB?"

"I'm sorry? I thought that was more or less eradicated now."

"Oh no, it's on the rise again, my poor girl suffering like that, it doesn't bear thinking about. Is she still coughing? I do hope not, it's very distressing I hear."

He looked at his wife and I knew I was right, my Bella had TB and they'd kept it from me. Wait till I saw her father, I'll be giving him a piece of my mind.

When we pulled up outside the house which was similar to the one in Forks but smaller I was first out and ran to the door which Charlie opened looking at me surprised,

"You OK Renee? Need the bathroom?"

"What? No of course not. Where is she? Is she still on medication? You know if they'd caught it earlier things would have been much easier for her. How could you?"

He looked at me with incomprehension then stood aside,

"Go through Renee, she's in the lounge by the fire"

"I should hope so but fresh air is important too or didn't you know that?"

"What?"

I was already kneeling at Bella's side looking into her poor white face and taking her hand in mine,

"Oh Bella you should have contacted me. I would have insisted Charlie get you medical attention straight away, I'm sure you'd be better by now if he had. Do they know where you picked it up?"

Bella

I had no idea what Renee was talking about What exactly had Peter told her on the way here? I would kill him myself if he'd upset her unnecessarily!

"I'm OK mum, much better now"

"Better? You're as white as a sheet and so cold. I'm sure there's something wrong here, everyone is so cold. No wonder you're sitting by the fire. Don't worry I'll take you home with me, the sun is the best medicine for TB and we'll get a second opinion on your lungs, I can hear you wheezing from here".

"Mum I haven't got TB. Who told you I had?"

She looked slightly bewildered then smiled gently and patted my hand

"Of course you haven't Bella, now just relax, I'm here now and everything is going to be fine I promise"

I sat up pulling my hand free and watching as Peter grinned from the corner of the room while everyone else looked as confused as I felt. Then Charlie spoke,

"Renee Bella hasn't got TB, What made you think she had?"

"What? Oh, well what is wrong with her then?"

"A virus mum I told you on the phone but I'm getting much better and mum I'd like you to meet my boyfriend Jasper"

She turned to look at Jasper and frowned,

"There must be something in the water round here, you're all too pale, you need sun, I told you years ago Charlie, sun is good for you."

"I remember but now the TB scare is over perhaps we could all sit down and get to know each other."

Charlie

Well Renee had as usual jumped to conclusions and caused a panic for herself but she did calm down when Bella told he that Jasper was taking her to the continent to get over her virus.

"Oh good. I take it you won't be going alone?"

She turned to me,

"Charlie, you aren't letting these two go off to France or Spain or wherever alone surely"

"Why not Renee, you and I were married when you were their age and you left home to roam the country at a much younger age if memory serves."

"That's not the point. I don't think its right and as Bella's mother I have a duty to tell her so."

"Mrs Dwyer I will look after Bella's every need"

I rolled my eyes as Peter burst out laughing and even Phil had to smile at Jaspers words while Renee looked outraged,

"Charlie say something"

"Anyone want a drink? How about you Phil?"

Of course that was the wrong thing to say and Renee hit the roof so we guys made a swift exit leaving Bella, Renee, and Charlotte to work things out between them. Phil burst out laughing as soon as he was out of Renee's earshot,

"Jasper you couldn't have put it better if you tried. Renee is having a heart attack. I'm sorry, but she does tend to get herself into a state sometimes. Be grateful her daughter takes after Charlie not her mother"

I liked Phil and we guys sat chatting while I poured beer for all four of us although two wouldn't be drained I knew.