Chapter Thirty Eight
Charlie
Bella looked worried when Alice dropped her off in the morning and I worried that maybe she and Jasper had broken up or something. Of course the scene with her mother hadn't helped any, it must have brought back some memories. I still didn't know the full story of her upbringing but enough to feel guilty about not doing more.
I'd failed Bella too by not fighting Renee harder for my daughter and allowing her to keep fobbing me off with stories about moving and money. I'd put my career ahead of Bella's welfare but I would try to make it up to her if I possibly could. The conversation on the way back to the bus depot had been colorful to say the least. Renee had accused me of poisoning Bella against her and she was not happy when I told her a few home truths, how Bella really wanted a life of her own and was enjoying herself in Forks. I got a sneaky suspicion that Renee wasn't as happy with Japan or Phil as she tried to make out. Far be it for me to point out her husband was almost young enough to be her son!
Renee's biggest problems seemed to be loneliness as there weren't many English speaking people close by and the fact she had to do all the housework and cooking which made me wonder if Bella had ever been anything more than an unpaid servant and source of money via me. It would explain why Bella was so ready to take on all the cleaning and cooking when she arrived. I was off for the day and suggested Bella might like to accompany me on a trip to the reservation.
"You and Jake could chat I'm sure and I'd like my friends to see a little more of you."
She looked a little dubious but eventually agreed before going upstairs to shower and change. I didn't ask her about Jasper, I felt awkward talking about her "boyfriend" problems if there were any, he might just have had to stay and help Carlisle or something. She didn't look heartbroken so I decided it was best to let sleeping dogs lie.
Bella
I rang Alice from the bathroom to let her know I would be going to the Quileute village with Charlie so they could follow but she just said that was fine, I would be safe enough there but Esme would be coming over tonight to make sure I was safe over night. Of course it was too soon for her to have heard anything from the others but I had to ask anyway. As she rang off I found myself rubbing my chest and knew I'd have to stop that or my dad would be dragging me to the clinic. I put on a thick sweater and jeans and went to join my dad for the visit to the Blacks. I'd seen Jacob and Billy a few times when they came over to watch TV with a case of beers, often I'd made supper for us all but I got the impression that they both disapproved of my friendship with the Cullens, just as Billy wasn't keen on dad sticking up for Dr Cullen.
We took my truck so Dad could deliver some old wood from the shed he and Jasper had mended and I smiled at the memory of Dad and Jasper out there together patching a shed that really should have been demolished. Every time I thought about Jasper I felt the pain intensify and tears well in my eyes, I missed him so much and I was so worried about him even though I now knew of his past. He wasn't that man any more though and Maria would want him to be, would she hurt him if he refused? But of course he wouldn't refuse would he? He knew to do so would be putting me in danger and he had gone back to keep me safe because he loved me so much.
At Billy's Jacob came out to greet us and help dad unload the wood taking it over to a huge bonfire they were building in the cleared area in front of the cabin. I went in to say Hi to Billy and take in the cake and casserole I'd brought over for him and he asked me to sit down and then cleared his throat,
"Charlie tells me you are seeing one of the Cullens Bella?"
"Yes that's right, Jasper Hale."
"I see, do you think its wise to be dating so soon after arriving here? I would have thought you'd want to spend some time with your father first."
I was slightly taken aback by his question,
"Oh I do and Jasper helped him with some jobs in the house so we were all together."
"They aren't...The Cullens are not good people Bella. You'd do well to steer clear of them."
"Dr. Cullen is a friend of dad's."
"I know, your father doesn't always know everything about the...people who live here Bella."
"I'm sorry? I don't understand what you are saying?"
"The Cullens aren't necessarily all that they seem."
Then it hit me, Billy Black knew about the Cullens. He knew what they really were, I had to be careful here. They had warned me how dangerous knowledge of their world could be.
"As long as my dad is happy with my boyfriend that's all I worry about."
"Happy with him? With Jasper Hale? I wonder..."
He stopped short hearing dad and Jacob coming through the door and I heaved a sigh of relief so when Jacob asked me if Id like to see the car he was rebuilding I was glad to get away from his father's reproachful glances.
We walked slowly to the garage that sat about a hundred feet from the cabin and Jacob pulled the cover off what looked to me like a clapped out banger but he seemed proud of it.
"I'll admit its not beautiful but the engine is running sweet now. How do you like the truck?"
I smiled affectionately,
"I like it."
He nodded,
"Yeah its sturdy but thirsty."
"Its not too bad, I just go from home to school and work in it so it doesn't matter too much."
"And the Cullens?"
Was he about to start on about Jasper too?
"I'm sorry?"
"You drive to the Cullen house."
"Yes I do sometimes."
"They're dangerous you know...the Cullens. They aren't what they appear."
"Really? Well they've been friendly to me."
"Friendly? Yeah I'll bet."
"Look if you've got a problem with them that's your affair, nothing to do with me. My dad doesn't agree with you either."
"He wouldn't, he doesn't know."
"Know what?"
Jake kept silent and I smiled,
"Well? If you think they have some deep dark secret why don't you tell Dad? He's the Police Chief after all. Are they serial killers? Do they hunt out of season? I know, maybe they don't have drivers licenses?"
"You shouldn't make fun Bella. Some things are truly dangerous and that goes double for the Cullens."
I turned to walk back to the cabin and he grabbed me by the arm,
"Don't assume you're cleverer than me just because I live on the res. We know things, things you pale faces don't. We protect the tribe."
"We? You know things? You protect the tribe? From what exactly? The Cullens?"
"Yes the Cullens and others like them."
"Really? And just how do you do that Jacob?"
He smiled at my sarcastic tone of voice and grabbed my forearm,
"If only you knew you'd come here begging for our help to keep you safe. Your fear would have you screaming for our help."
I shrugged free of his grip and walked top the garage door then turned back,
"Well I do and you don't hear me screaming Jacob Black now do you?"
I walked slowly back to the cabin knowing I probably shouldn't have said that but annoyed at his tone of voice.