Chapter Thirteen

Charlie

It was strange having someone else living in the house and the first couple of days I felt very awkward and self conscious but then realising Bella felt the same I tried very hard to relax. I watched her sometimes and got the feeling she was waiting for something to happen, for me to lose my temper, shout or god forbid strike out at her. Put together with what she'd said about not having a computer or a car, not even getting the money I sent her for boots and gloves I got a bad feeling. Everything she asked me she expected a refusal and any little kindness was met by wonder. I talked to Sue about it and she suggested I should speak to Bella about it especially as Renee hadn't been in touch even to make sure Bella got here safely or to check how she was settling in so after dinner on Wednesday, a very tasty chilli with home made bread and a fresh fruit salad with frozen yoghurt I asked Bella to join me in the lounge. She looked nervous and I swear her hands were shaking as she washed the dishes. I helped by drying up, something she had found very odd and she followed me through head down and sat nervously on the edge of the chair. Come to think of it she had gone straight to her room after dinner ever since she got here. I had thought it might be shyness but maybe she wasn't sure she was welcome to join me.

"Bella, how are you settling in?"

"Fine thank you."

"School OK?"

"Yes, the other students are very friendly, they invited me to a barbecue on the beach at the weekend and Id like to go if that's OK with you."

I nodded smiling,

"Sure, you need anything for it? I guess everyone takes something and I think there's some steaks in the freezer.

"Oh no, I wouldn't dream of taking anything from the house, I thought I'd get some ingredients from the store and make a couple of salads and bake some rolls."

I frowned and she misunderstood me,

"Of course I don't have to go if you'd rather I didn't."

"Hey, I think we should get a few things clear right now."

I must have sounded abrupt because she flinched so I held out a hand to pat hers,

"Bella, I don't know what happened in the past, with your mum but here things are different. I don't have a problem with you going out with your friends and you sure as hell aren't supplying stuff for a barbecue yourself when the freezer is stuffed full. There is something though, something I need to ask you and I'd like you to give me a straight answer."

She nodded swallowing nervously.

"Right. You said you never had a computer or a car. Did you ever get money from me?"

She hesitated chewing her lip so I already knew the answer before she spoke,

"No, mum said she needed to for us to live. I didn't have many new things but it didn't matter, I used the library computers to do home work and I borrowed mums car to shop."

"Did you go out with friends? Have them home for sleep overs, that kind of thing?"

She shook her head again her eyes shining as tears collected there but I had to know,

"Were you ever hit or hurt by anyone? Your mum or her friends?"

Her hesitation was even longer and she wrapped her arms around her frame as she nodded,

"Sometimes. I think I was in the way a lot."

I sighed,

"The more I hear the more concerned I get Bella, I think maybe we should report her for the abuse and neglect, its not too late"

She shook her head looking terrified,

"Hey calm down Bella, what's wrong? No, one will hurt you and I promise I'll never leave you with her again. She can't hurt you now, you're old enough to make your own decisions, live your own life but she should be brought to justice for the things she's done to you"

She wouldn't tell me why she was so terrified but begged me to leave things with her mother lie and seeing how distressed it made her I agreed reluctantly, at least for now but hated the idea of Renee getting away with the things she'd subjected my daughter too. Of course some of it was my own guilt for not finding out sooner, for not demanding my rights when Bella was much younger, I'd failed her as much as Renee.

I slipped off my chair and knelt beside her as the tears started to fall.

"I promise you no one will ever hurt you again and you sure as hell aren't in the way here. You're my little girl and I love you. I wanted you here with me but your mum wouldn't let you come. I want you to relax and start enjoying your life now and if there is anything worrying you I want to know."

I patted her knee a little self consciously and she nodded. Her thanks were almost inaudible as I got up.

"Right I'll make coffee. You got home work tonight?"

"Yes, English, then I thought I might clean out the freezer and see exactly what's in there and how long its been in there."

"Good luck with that, mind the mammoth steaks at the bottom"

She managed a slight laugh as she took the mug from me and went upstairs. I was livid with Renee and myself for not trying harder to get custody of Bella or at least to visit more often. That woman had been a real bitch to our daughter but I would make sure she never hurt her again.

Bella

I felt better after talking to Charlie and I could see he had no idea what life had been like with my mother. I really hoped I would never see her again or Phil. I loved it here in Forks, my life was so different, so much more pleasant and I was looking forward to being a normal teenager for once. My homework didn't take long and after I went downstairs and out to the garage where the old freezer stood in one corner. Lifting the lid I wasn't sure where to start, there were various parcels wrapped in paper none of which were dated or labelled so I unwrapped a few and found they contained fish Charlie had caught and gutted but never got round to cooking. I had no idea what to do with them but I'd soon find out on the internet. Below a thick layer of these were casseroles and pies Sue had prepared for dad all labelled and dated which needed using up soon and at the bottom some bread and vegetables that looked like they were well outside their sell by dates so I binned them and refilled it a little less chaotically putting the steaks he had mentioned on top for the barbecue. The rest of the meat which was forced into the freezer compartment of the fridge could now come out here and make things easier to see.

I went back inside and couldn't help smiling as I heard my dad snoring so I put my head round the door to see him laid out on the couch with an empty coffee cup on the floor beside him. I picked that up and the newspapers piled in the corner tiptoeing out so as not to wake him. I had been wary of moving anything in case it upset him but now I knew he was happy for me to really think of this as home I decided to say thank you by making him a fruit cake and clean the kitchen up while it was cooking. The cupboards just needed rearranging and wiping out but some of the contents wouldn't have been out of place at the Disease Control Centre in Atlanta so I threw them in the trash making a new shopping list to replace the most dangerous of the chemicals he had masquerading as out of date sauces and cans of meat. I just finished the kitchen floor when I heard him stir and the cake was out cooling on a rack so I made fresh coffee.

"I smell something wonderful"

He came out sniffing the air then looked around.

"Whoa, is this still my kitchen? Is that cake?"

Before I could answer him he broke some off tasting it cautiously before filling his mouth and nodding approvingly.

I had passed the test and I could stay, or so he told me with the third slice of cake headed the same way as the first two so I went to bed more happy and relaxed than ever.