Eventually my sun-bathing was interrupted by a ringing from my pocket. I jumped, it had been hours of silence. I dug it from my pocket, reading the Caller ID.
"Hi Grandpa!" I answered.
"Hi kiddo. What are you into today?"
"I've actually been out hiking, enjoying the sun. How's work?"
"Well, it was a normal day until now, that's why I called. We got a report to help out with an accident in the next county over. I'm about to head out but I'll be awhile. Sue has the night shift. Will you be alright on your own for a bit longer?"
"Of course! Don't worry about it."
"Are you sure? I can call and see if Seth is busy tonight."
"Yes, I promise! I'm excited to have some 'me time'. Be careful out there, Chief."
"Always am. Love you, kid."
"Love you! Bye!"
I laid back on the quilt, soaking up a few more rays of sun before it started to sink behind the trees. Although I was sad to miss out on time with Charlie, I was excited for another chance to branch out on my own. I knew there were a couple restaurants around town. I decided to run back to my car and head to town to scope out my options.
Driving around, I passed a lodge-style steakhouse, a newer-looking pizza parlor/arcade combination, and a diner I knew Charlie was a major fan of. I decided on the diner, knowing if Charlie was a regular, they must serve a few things I was used to eating. I pulled into a small lot, noting the expected light crowd for a weeknight. All eyes turned to the door as I walked in, curiously working to identify a new face. A sign read "Seat Yourself", so I hurried over to an empty four-top table near a young couple hoping to shake the wandering eyes.
A middle aged woman with a kind face walked over to take my order.
"Welcome in honey, what can I get for you?" I glanced at the menu quickly.
"Can I have a bacon cheeseburger, medium rare, and a coke to drink please?"
"Coming right up," she widened her eyes at my order details, but chose not to comment. She smiled before walking away to continue her rounds.
This was another first for me, eating at a restaurant alone. My family had taken me out a few times, helping me learn to blend in with the human world. Some of the other customers were still peeking over at me. Needing something else to occupy my mind, I pulled out one of my books from my tote bag and picked up where I left off. After a few minutes, the woman from the young couple next to me leaned toward my table.
"Excuse me," She started timidly. "We couldn't help but notice that you were sitting alone. Would you like to join us?" She motioned to the man with her, a welcoming smile on his face.
I was shocked and stuttered for a moment. Was it smart for me to sit with them? I wasn't thirsty. They seemed to be very sweet people. I knew my cover story. "Sure, thank you," I decided, scooping my book back into my bag and moving over to one of the chairs across from the couple.
"Hi," the young man spoke for the first time. "I'm Ben and this is Angela." I reached over to shake both their hands. As they spoke their names, recognition ran through my mind. More of mom's friends! I was brought back again to that night we sat with her yearbook.
"This is Angela Weber. Gosh, she was the sweetest friend to me from day one."
"Absolutely," Dad chimed in. "Her mind was always so peaceful and kind. I was so glad you had a friend like her."
"If there is anyone from our high school days that you run into in Forks, I hope it's her. She was so great, sticking by my side and easily made friends with your dad and Aunt Alice too. Such a brave girl." Mom continued, before she flipped to a new page. "And this was her boyfriend, Ben. I wonder if they're still together? If they are, they're probably married by now." Mom wondered.
"Oh I would almost bet that they are. Those two were crazy about each other." Dad agreed, with a smirk and a knowing look in his eye. I almost asked what he was hiding, but mom was already moving on to new pictures.
With all that mom and dad had told me, I wasn't surprised at all that this was how I would meet Angela, her reaching out to a lonely girl at a restaurant. I had to control my face, not wanting to be off putting with my excitement for meeting her.
"I'm Renesmee."
"We haven't seen you around before, are you new to town?" Angela asked.
"You could say that. I'm here visiting some family for the summer." Their eyes perked up in curiosity, so I continued. "Do you all know Chief Swan?" The recognition on their faces was almost immediate. "We're cousins, on my grandma's side. I'm staying here with him for the summer."
"No way, what are the chances?" Angela's small smile grew. "We went to high school with Bella, we were friends! Gosh, we haven't seen her in years. How is she?"
"Oh of course, I remember hearing about you both!" I worked to fake my realization. "It is so great to put faces to the stories. And Bella is doing great. Her and Edward are spending the summer traveling again, of course."
"Oh that is so good to hear! I am not surprised at all, those two have been so in love since day one. I'm so glad they're doing well." Ben nodded along in agreement.
At that moment, the waitress returned with my meal. She placed it on the table along with Ben and Angela's half eaten dinners.
"Do we need anything else?" Ben and Angela politely declined.
"Actually," I spoke up. "Can I put in a to-go order for a steak and baked potato as well?"
"Absolutely. It will be waiting for you at the counter when you check out." She reassured, flitting away with a kind smile.
"For Charlie. He's working late tonight." I explained. "So tell me about you all! I have heard some high school stories, but what's new? When I tell Bella later that I ran into you both, she will be dying for details."
Angela and Ben took turns telling me about their life over the last ten years. Like they had told mom, they attended the University of Washington after high school—Ben majored in Computer Science while Angela chose English. After earning their Undergrad degrees, they decided to stay and both pursue Master's degrees as well. In the midst of that, they got married; a small ceremony here in Forks. Now, they rent an apartment in Seattle where Angela works for a publishing company and Ben as a Website Developer. With both of them having younger siblings, Angela's twin brothers just recently graduating high school, they take time every summer to come home and visit for a few weeks, which is what they were doing now.
I listened intently to their entire story, both for mom's sake as well as my own interest. It was fascinating to hear so many details about the lives of a couple ordinary humans! I imagined if mom and dad were also human, their lives could've been in a similar place. And I felt a borrowed joy for these two, grateful that such loyal friends to my parents had built a loving life together.
"And that's about everything," Angela was wrapping up. "In the next couple years, hopefully we will buy a house in Seattle, maybe start a family? But for now, we are here visiting home for a couple weeks."
"Gotta love home but after living in Seattle for so long, Forks feels awfully small," Ben laughed. "Where are you from, Renesmee? I can't imagine what you plan to do in Forks for an entire summer."
"Well, I live with my family in Oregon, in a town not much bigger than here. But you're right, Forks is definitely small. I'm excited to spend the summer here though!"
"There may not be much of a crowd, but the sights are amazing. And you should definitely take a trip over to the reservation to see First Beach, it's beautiful!" I nodded politely, but sadly knowing I would never get to cross that experience off my list. After that, the conversation took a beat, finishing off our final bites.
"Thank you all so much for inviting me over to your table. This was much better than eating alone." I couldn't wait to tell mom and dad about this later. What a great turn this night took!
"Thank you for joining us! It was so great to meet you Renesmee." Angela smiled sweetly.
"Tell Bella and Edward we say hello!" Ben added. We all got up and headed to the register at the front to pay. "Bye Renesmee, I'm sure we will see you again soon!"
"I do hope we see you again," Angela grasped my hand sincerely. "You know, I didn't see it at first, but you and Bella do look alike. I think it's the eyes."
"Yeah, I get that a lot." I was satisfied to be recognized as looking like my mother, even under these pretenses. Soon, they were both out the door. I stepped up to pay and grab Charlie's meal.
I turned away from the register, reaching to put my wallet back in my purse. Too busy multitasking, I headed toward the door but instead ended up face first into a rock hard chest.