Chapter 6
Narrated by Shelly Cope.
Waylon and his team had never been so busy. There weren't many houses without a treehouse or a playhouse in their garden. He had managed to buy himself a secondhand fishing boat with all the money he had made.
The kindergarten or the new 1st-grade class was seen around town doing activities from the book Miss. Denali had given them. Taking pictures as they did their activities.
Izzy's friends, one by one, went on vacation.
Ben had been to visit his family in Detroit. His daddy had to work in Seattle, so he went with his family to Seattle for a few days. Ben came back telling the others about the zoo and children's Museum, a kids discovery Museum. He and his family ate at the space needle. They had cotton candy and rode on many rides, including the big wheel.
Angie's family met up with the rest of the Webber family at a campsite just outside Rainier. It was an annual Webber camp during the first week in July. Then the first week of August, the whole family went to a retreat with their church.
With Emmett's pending departure to college, the entire Cullen family, including Rose and Alice, were going in an RUV to visit first with Carlisle's family in Thayne, Wyoming, for a week, and then afterward traveling to Esme's family in Loveland, Colorado. They were gone for almost a month, and Izzy missed Teddy and would ask every day when Teddy was coming home. She also knew of another impending trip to take Emmett and Rose to their college.
Izzy was getting excited as she was going on vacation with her daddy. They would be going on a plane for the first time. Her daddy had a buddy that lived in Phoenix, Arizona. But two days before they were to fly out, officer Mark got shot three times when he had stopped a speeding driver. Charlie canceled the trip as he had to work extra shifts.
~T&I~
"Jess and the others have been on vacation, and I just know they will say something to me about not going anywhere," Izzy pointed.
"Izzy, it doesn't matter if you didn't go anywhere this summer. Daddy said officer Mark nearly died. They don't even know who the people were who shot him," Teddy offered.
"Hey, do you two want to go to the park for a while. I'm sick of packing, and I'm not going to see you for a while," Emmett asked as he put his head around Teddy's bedroom door.
"Yes, please, Emmy. But Jess and the others might be there. They said I'm not allowed in the park," Izzy replied.
"She did, did she. Izzy, Jess doesn't own the park; it's for all the public to use. We will throw the ball around to help you two with your coordination. If they say anything to you, I'll have something to say to them and their mother," Rose answered.
"Okay, we will just put our shoes and coat on," Teddy said excitedly. "Come on, Izzy."
Izzy reluctantly went to the mudroom and put on her shoes and coat. Emmy's car already had both hers and Teddy's seats in the back. Izzy looked over at Teddy as he was talking excitedly about playing football like Emmy when he got older. How is Teddy going to get his leg fixed so he will be able to play? Izzy worried as she listened.
Izzy looked out of the car window as they got nearer the park. She was relieved that Jess and her friends weren't anywhere in sight.
They were soon laughing as they played girls against boys. Both Izzy and Teddy laughed as Rosie kept tackling Emmy until he was on the floor so Izzy could get the ball for a touchdown.
"Can we go to the playgrounds to go on the swings for a while before we leave," Teddy asked?
"Yes, I'll beat you to the swings," Emmett shouted behind him as he ran towards the playground.
"Wait for us!" Teddy shouted, laughing.
"Go with them, little Izzy; I'll just pick all the things up," Rose said, smiling.
Izzy took off running in the hope of catching them up at the roundabout.
"Come on, little Izzy, get on the roundabout. Are you ready," Emmett asked as he pushed the roundabout to spin around?
"Can we go on the swings next, please, Emmy," Teddy asked.
"Yes, but we have to go soon. Rose and I still have things to sort and pack.
"Bet you to the swings, Teddy," Izzy yelled as she took off.
"Push me, please, Emmy," Teddy shouted over his shoulder.
"Could you push me, please, Rosie," Izzy asked.
"Of course, I will, Izzy. Us girls must stick together," Rose said, taking her hand.
There were shrills of laughed as Teddy and Izzy laughed and shouted; they wanted to go higher.
"Come on, you two, we have to be going," Emmett said, with a smile on his face.
"Can we stay a little longer, just long enough to play on the jungle gym and go down the slide," Teddy begged.
"Okay, another ten minutes, then we must go. Stay in the playground and do not wander off. We will be over there sitting on that bench," Emmett offered.
"We promise," Izzy vowed.
Laughing holding hands, they went towards the jungle gym.
They enjoyed themselves as they went onto the slide. Neither Izzy nor Teddy saw Jess and her friends come into the park.
"Look, Lauren, it's Izzy. I thought you would have been on vacation," Jess laughed.
"Leave us alone, Jess. We were here first. Go and play somewhere else," Teddy demanded.
"You're not in charge, Teddy. We can play here if we want to," Micky shouted.
"We can all play on this. It's big enough for us all," Izzy almost whispered.
"What was that, Izzy? You don't want to play anymore. Then get off," Siobhan shouted as she pushed Izzy.
There was a scream as Izzy fell from the jungle gym.
Scrambling down, Teddy screamed, "Emmy, Rosie, they've pushed Izzy from the gym, and her face is bleeding."
"Fuck!" Emmett shouted as he ran towards them.
"Who pushed her from this," Rose asked.
"It was Siobhan. She just pushed her because they didn't want her to play on the gym," Teddy offered.
"Who is supposed to be looking after you? Where are your parents?" Rose growled.
"My daddy owns this park-like he owns the town. We don't need anyone to look after us," Jess boasted.
"Your dad is the mayor. He doesn't own anything," Rose seethed. "Can she be moved? Em, she needs to get to the hospital."
"Izzy, sweetheart, can you feel your legs," Emmett asked.
"Yes, can I go to see my daddy, please, Emmie," Izzy sobbed.
"I'm going to carry you, but if something hurts, tell me straight away," Emmett gently said.
"Okay," Izzy whimpered.
"Come on, Teddy, help Rose pick up our things. We are going to have to get her to the hospital. Then we are going to have to tell the Chief," Emmett stated.
Rose called Carlisle and the Chief to meet them in the ER as they drove to the hospital.
Teddy took Izzy's hand. "It's going to be okay, Izzy. I won't let them keep hurting you again."
Once they got to the ER, Carlisle and Charlie met them.
"I'm so sorry, Chief. They were only playing in the jungle gym. I didn't know those kids had been bulling Izzy," Emmett offered.
"I know, Emmett. Calm down, tell me what happened and who did this," Charlie asked.
"It was a kid called Siobhan who pushed her. But that kid of the Stanley's. It appears that Jessica is delusional that she and her family own the town and the park. She seems to think she can say who plays where. It would help if you spoke to them," Rose ranted.
"I know, honey. I intended to speak to the Stanley's. He needs to realize that the elections are coming up for mayor, and I've heard that a new contender is running against him," Charlie chuckled. "Well, Emmett tell me what happened?"
Emmett recited everything that happened at the park while Charlie took notes.
"From what you have told me, you haven't done anything differently than I would have done. If you were on the jungle gym, you could bet I would have got a call. You did just as I would have done if I were with Izzy and Teddy sitting watching them play. I don't blame either you or Rose," Charlie stated. "Are you all packed and ready for the next chapter in your life?"
"I can't wait. I've been so lucky to get a full scholarship. Rose has had to get grants. This year it will be a struggle for her having to stay in the dorm, but next year, we will be able to get a place together," Emmett replied.
"Well, make sure you both stay on the right side of the law and enjoy your freedom," Charlie advised.
Once inside, Charlie found Izzy as she was about to go for an arm x-ray.
"What's that on her chin?" Charlie asked.
"It's magic cream, daddy. Doctor Teddy's daddy put it on, so he can give me a jection them puts the pink cotton to fix my chin. It won't hurt much," Izzy answered.
Izzy wasn't long getting her x-ray when she returned to her room.
"Honey, we've got to go now. We still have things to pack," Rose gently said.
"But you will come back, won't you," Izzy sniffed.
"Yes, we will be back for Christmas and then in the summer," Emmett explained again.
"Okay, Teddy, you'll be back before we go back to school, won't you. You're my best friend. You're my one." Izzy cried.
"Yes, I'll be back before we go back to school. I would never leave you alone. I told you you're my one. I love you, and I'm going to marry you when we get bigger, and I'm a doctor," Teddy firmly said.
Hugging Izzy, they all left. Leaving Izzy crying.
"Come on, Izzy. Teddy will be back in just over a week. We are driving Rose's car, so she has it there should she need it. Once Emmett and Rose are settled in, we are getting on a plane to come home," Carlisle reassured. "Let me look at the x-ray to see if you have lost those teeth at the playground and not in your lip."
"How many teeth have you lost, Izzy?" Charlie asked.
"My two front teeth," Izzy sniffed.
"Let's get your chin stitched; you're lucky from the x-ray you have lost your baby teeth on the floor. But you're not so lucky your arms broken," Carlisle said.
"It's going to be okay, Izzy," Charlie reiterated.
Carlisle put eight stitches in Izzy's chin.
"What color cast do you want this time?" Carlisle asked.
"Could I have a green one this time, please," Izzy answered.
"A green cast it is," Carlisle answered.
"Knock, knock, is it okay to come in," Alice said with her head looking around the door. "I heard a little girl lost her front teeth today. I thought about how the tooth fairy could come and leave you your money if you don't have your teeth. So, Jazz and I went over to the playground and guess what I found."
"Daddy, what if the tooth fairy doesn't know I fell and lost my teeth?" Izzy panicked.
"Well, it's a good thing we found them for you," Alice offered.
"Thank you, Allie. How much does the tooth fairy give me for my teeth?" Izzy asked.
"I used to get a dollar, but that was so long ago now," Alice replied. "Chief, tomorrow I have to go into Port Angeles for school supplies. I wondered if I could take Izzy with me, then we could get something to eat and catch a movie. Maybe Shrek?"
"Oh please, daddy, can I. Teddy won't be here, and I'll be all by myself. So will Alice because Jazzy won't be here either," Izzy begged.
"Okay, as long as you promise to be good for Alice, you can go with her," Charlie replied.
"Are you ready for your cast now, Izzy?" Carlisle asked.
"Yes, Doctor Teddy's daddy. I'm going to be a big girl tomorrow, and I'm going to the movies with Allie. Tell Teddy for me," Izzy excitedly instructed.
~T&I~
Izzy had a fun time hanging out with Alice and her friend Charlotte. Renee had refused to take her shopping for school clothes. Alice and Charlotte volunteered to take her, much to Charlie's relief. Things with Renee were getting more strained. It didn't matter what Charlie and Izzy did. It wasn't suitable for Renee. Charlie would come home from work to find Izzy on her own in her treehouse. Izzy had been at home all day on her own, locked out of the house playing with her lovey. He could rely on Alice like he had the Cullen's. Something was going to have to give, and Charlie knew he would address it sooner than later for Izzy. Charlie decided it would be this weekend as he was off duty.
~T&I~
"Mommy, how many days is it until Teddy comes home," Izzy asked her mom.
It was a conversation that was a daily subject. Charlie never minded answering her question, but it was wearing on Renee, who had no patience with her six-year-old daughter.
Izzy missed her best friend and wanted to know when he was coming home.
"Isabella, just go into your cubby to play with your toys but don't get crayons all over the floor," Renee instructed.
Picking up her lovey, she strolled to the space under the stairs where she had to play when it was just her and Renee in the house. Izzy soon drew a picture for Teddy, but she sang as she began to draw as usual.
"Isabella, will you stop making all that noise," Renee screamed. "I'm trying to meditate, and all I can hear is your noise."
Seething, she pulled Izzy from under the stairs by the arm without the cast on. Slapping her several times before she pushed her out of the house.
Izzy stood on the back porch crying, holding her shoulder, not knowing what to do. She couldn't go to teddy as he wasn't there, and neither was her Emmie bear, who always made things okay.
Izzy strolled to her treehouse. Climbing up the ladder, then crawled under the blanket she had in there. Crying herself to sleep, she didn't know how much time had passed, and her daddy had come home from work.
Charlie walked into a dark house and couldn't understand where everyone was.
"Renee, Izzy. I'm home. Are you upstairs?" Charlie shouted.
He flicked on the lights in the house as he made his way through the tiny home. He saw Izzy's toys under the stairs. He couldn't understand why they weren't in her toy box in the sitting room.
Charlie took the stairs two at a time. Looking into his room, he noticed that Renee's wardrobe door was open, and none of her clothes were there. He checked her drawers. They, too, were empty. His blood ran cold as he rushed to Izzy's room, checking her closet, and was relieved to see all her clothes were still in there. But where could Izzy be?
Rushing outside, he checked to see if her bike was in the small shed. He saw it in the little stand he had made her.
Beginning to panic. "Izzy, honey, where are you?" Charlie shouted.
Izzy woke up hearing her daddy shouting. She burst into tears, relieved it was her daddy; she shouted, "Daddy, I'm in my house."
Rushing up the ladders, Charlie pulled Izzy into his arms.
"Honey, what are you doing out here in the cold. Where has your mommy gone?" Charlie asked.
"She shouted at me and hit me. She scared me. I'm always doing something wrong for her," Izzy sniffed.
"Come on; honey, let's get you into the house and get you warm."
Charlie gasped when he saw the marks over Izzy's face, and she winced when he touched her arm.
Sitting Izzy on the countertop, he checked out her face and arm.
"What happened to your face and arm?" Charlie asked.
"Mommy got mad with me, and she pulled me from my cubby space and slapped me," Izzy sniffed.
"Honey, what cubby? When was this?"
"Over there under the stairs. I must play there, so I don't make a mess mummy said. It was before lunchtime."
"Your mom hit you and pulled you by your arm. Have you eaten since breakfast, Izzy? It's six at night?"
"No, I haven't even had my snack and milk. I'm a bit hungry, daddy."
"Okay, honey, let's set you in your chair and get you some milk. Then we will send out for a pizza."
"Can I have chicken on mine?"
"Of course, you can, baby."
Charlie went into the other room and called for a pizza. Then he tried to call Renee's cell phone. But her cell went to message; he tried again, only this time it was off.
"Izzy, honey, do you know where your mommy went to."
"No, daddy."
"That's okay, honey. Now I just need to check your arm to make sure it's okay. Tell me if it hurts when I lift it?"
Charlie carefully lifted her arm. He wondered if Renee had pulled it out of joint when she pulled her by her arm. Luckily it seemed to be just a little sore.
"Go wash your hands before dinner comes, kiddo."
Once Izzy was out of earshot, he called the station.
"Hey Claire, it's Charlie. I need you to check the CCTV around town and see if you can see Renee anywhere or if she left town," Charlie requested.
"Will do, Charlie? Is there a reason?" Claire asked.
"Yes, I think she might have left town. I just wanted to know if she has and if she was alone," Charlie replied.
"Not a problem. I'll let you know what I find out," Claire answered.
Now Charlie had to come up with a way of still working and looking after Izzy.
~T&I~
Charlie found out that Renee had left town. She seemed to be going onto the 101. She could be heading anywhere. One thing was for sure once she stepped back into Forks, she was going to be charged for what she did to Izzy. Charlie asked for an APB set out against her to find out where she had gone he was going to press charges. He knew he could never forgive her for how she had treated Izzy this past year. This wasn't the Renee he had fallen in love with; he couldn't work out what had happened to her.
As the Cullens were still out of town, Charlie enlisted Alice and her friend Jane to take care of Izzy while he was at work. They both slept over when he had to do his night shift the day after Renee left.
Alice and her friends took Izzy exploring. They showed her how the teenagers around town used the woods to quickly get to each other's houses. This was useful when they broke their curfew or wanted to sneak out to go to parties. They swore her to secrecy. But Izzy loved that she was like a big girl.
~T&I~
"Come on, Izzy, get your shoes on. We are going to dinner at the Cullen's; they got back at lunchtime. I'm sure Teddy has missed you as much as you have missed him," Charlie shouted.
"I'm ready, daddy. Let's go. I've made Teddy a picture for his treehouse. It's our new headquarters for the two of us, Angie and Ben. Teddy is the captain, and I'm his right-hand person," Izzy said.
"Izzy, honey, take a breath. We have plenty of time to tell me things," Charlie chuckled.
"Can I sit in the front of the car, please? I don't like that window when I'm on my own at the back of the car," Izzy begged.
"Okay, but we have to put a booster seat in the front. We have to keep the law," Charlie confirmed.
Izzy was fidgeting while they traveled the three blocks to the Cullens' home.
"Come on, daddy, get me out of the car. I need to see Teddy. It's been so long, daddy," Izzy demanded.
"Just hold on, young lady. It's been a week; Izzy just be a little more patient," Charlie scolded.
As Charlie opened the cruiser's door, he saw Esme holding onto Teddy to stop him from running to get to Izzy.
Once out of the car, Izzy ran up the Cullens' drive, shouting, "Teddy, I'm so happy you're home I've missed you so much; you have been away forever."
Chuckling, Carlisle came behind Esme and watched his son trying to get to Izzy without running. As they got to each other, they hugged, and held hands. They chattered together, each trying to get their news in first.
"Esme, Carlisle, I was wondering if I could ask you for some help?" Charlie asked.
"Of course, we will do anything we can to help. You know you just have to ask," Carlisle answered.
"Renee left. She hurt Izzy. She pulled Izzy up by her arm and slapped her a few times. She has bruises on her face and back," Charlie continued.
"Did you get her checked out? Her arm?" Carlisle asked.
"She seemed to be able to move it, so I didn't think," Charlie sighed.
"I'll check her before you leave," Carlisle replied.
"What else can we do to help?" Esme asked.
"I was wondering if while I'm at work, Izzy can come here. I mean, I'll pay for her food. I'm trying to see if I can get her a permanent sitter. When I work nights, I know I will have to find someone to stay over at the house with her. Alice and her friend Jane have been looking after her these past few days. But I can't expect them to put their lives on hold to stay with her," Charlie rambled.
"Charlie, we have a spare room. I can make it into a room for Izzy. She can stay here while you at work at night. When you finish at six, she can come here and have her dinner and do her homework. They are going to school on the bus. When you go in early, you can drop her off here or even take her to the station and get the school bus to pick her up from there. We will sort it out together. Now let's eat dinner. I'm sure that Jazz thinks his stomach has eaten itself," Esme said.
"Thank you I don't know what I would do without you both," Charlie replied as they walked towards the dining room.
Thanks as always to my pre-reader Kellie (Klcivinski) for reading through the chapter and pointing me in the right direction.
Thanks also to Donna (EdwardsFirstKiss) for editing the chapter and making it more readable.
Any mistakes are all mine.