A/N I would also like to thank everyone who reviewed the last chapter. I didn't get the chance to thank you personally. Please forgive me. I apologize for the last update. I haven't been well, and my hubby thought he was helping by putting up the chapter for you. I was getting anxious as I hadn't kept to my schedule, so he apologized to you all.
Chapter 18
Narrated by Shelly Cope.
Edward
Edward had worked hard to catch up with his lessons, and he was still having things said to him by Mike and Jess. Although Siobhan had once again been sent to her father's because her mom was struggling, it wasn't long before he dropped her back home in Forks. According to gossip, Siobhan was close to being sent to Juvie. Edward didn't care either way and refused to speak to her. He had been given a second chance and had grabbed it with both hands.
All the Cullen family had gone to New York for Jazz and Ali's wedding. Jazz had gone into orthopedics. He had another year and was thinking about going back to Washington. Now that Ali was a trained vet, she preferred to work with large animals. Everyone joked that she was too small to deal with larger farm animals. Ali hadn't found a job. She was working as a volunteer on an alpaca rescue farm. Esme told her that if she came back to Forks, there would always be a position for her in her practice.
Charlie told the Cullens he had heard nothing about Izzy. Edward had been disappointed. He just wanted his Izzy back in Forks, where she belonged.
Edward has been hounded constantly by Rachel. She didn't seem to understand that he didn't want to pursue a romantic relationship with her. He just wanted to be friends. Rachel was even making it hard to be her friend. Edward decided he would be on the yearbook committee with Ben and Angela. When Rachel asked him if he was going to see about volunteering for the yearbook, he told her 'No'. He told Ben and Angie he felt terrible doing it, but he couldn't take much more of her clinginess. An announcement was made as to who would be on the committee, and he was thankful there wasn't a space for her to take.
He told Ben and Angela he knew his Izzy was still alive somewhere; he could feel it. When she came home, he wanted to ensure that he had no complications and unwanted people in his life. Edward knew he had a lot to make up to her.
He was still working at both his mom's practice and the hospital. He was keeping up with the payment plan he and his parents had agreed to. The money was slowly going back into his college fund. He still couldn't think about what had happened to the $2,000 he had taken. Now he had friends that he didn't need to impress. They liked to do different activities, and he needed money to go with them. Now he had a car; although it wasn't a new one like his siblings, he was still grateful. But he had gas to buy and maintenance to do on the car. So, he picked up every extra hour he could.
Izzy
Izzy had been home for several months, and she was still struggling. She didn't like crowds in the streets. Or when Leah brought her giggling friends home to hang out or when they stared at her. The music they listened to was just a noise. You couldn't even hear the lyrics. The television was on too much, and sometimes it was on, and no one was watching it. As time went by, Charlie said it should get easier.
She didn't like Kate, the therapist, or Julia or Sammy, but after many crying sessions, she settled with an elderly lady called Helen. She didn't want to discuss her time with the cult. Helen said she would take it steady. She would not rush Izzy into talking until she was ready.
The same thing happened with the tutors. First, she had Lilly, then Maria. Then Seth said he heard Jayne taunting Izzy, calling her names, including retard. She made Bobbie sit outside the door, making both Izzy and Bobbie anxious. Charlie was beside himself, but they needed proof. Sue brought home a camera which was concealed in a book. It was put on the shelf with the other books hoping to catch Jayne taunting Izzy. They were appalled by the things Jayne said. Charlie fired her straight away and then reported her. Sue said she would make sure she wouldn't be able to do it to another student. So now she was working with Bethany, another elderly lady. It appears she feels safer with them.
This made Charlie wonder how old this woman, Apple, or the jailer, was for Izzy not to trust younger women.
Seth loved showing his new big sister how to use a laptop. But she had no desire to learn how a cell phone worked.
Izzy had been working hard at her schoolwork, using her newly acquired knowledge of computers to complete extra modules. Izzy knew it didn't matter how hard she worked on her schoolwork; she wouldn't be graduating this year with everyone else her age. She also knew, as did everyone else, she could never attend college or be able to stay in the dorms if she went.
Charlie had gotten her more paints and some canvases in the hope that it would take her mind off her struggles.
Sandy was sending Izzy letters every other week telling her they had orders for her paintings. Charlie took her to deliver the paintings, but Sandy wasn't giving the money to Izzy. They were keeping it for running the commune like they did when she had lived with them.
Izzy had to find the money to buy canvasses and paints as Charlie could only afford to buy a few canvasses every month. Izzy panicked every time she received a letter from Sandy telling her what they wanted. Which in turn made her have more panic attacks. Charlie knew he had to do something to stop this. But he wasn't sure what he could do.
Charlie had learned from speaking to some of Sue's colleagues that Sparrow had helped those people take Izzy from Forks. Sparrow was also one of the people who smashed Izzy's ankles to stop her from running away. He could have left her anywhere but took her back to that place. Charlie wondered if Sparrow had left Izzy with those people as insurance to get his get-out-of-jail-free card.
She was still having nightmares almost every night. One night, they found her asleep on the floor in the corner of their room. She was laid without a pillow or blanket, only Bobbie to keep her warm. It devastated Charlie. He wondered just how bad it had been for his little girl. He felt useless and didn't know how to help her.
Bobbie had settled in with the family with no problem. He stayed by Izzy but allowed Seth to take him for a walk, as he no longer had friends to run around with. Izzy still panicked around strangers.
~T&I~
Edward
"Rachel, just drop it. I will not go to the same school as you," Edward growled.
"Teddy, we will be a couple by then. We only must stay in the dorms for the first year and, then we can get a place together," Rachel whined.
"Rachel, first stop, calling me Teddy. The only person who can call me that is Izzy. Second, we are not a couple, nor will we ever be. I'm about to go into a committee meeting, so back off and leave me alone," Edward snarled.
Edward pushed past her, going into the rooms used by the school paper.
"Why doesn't she just leave me alone? How can I go to a school where I can't afford the accommodation, without thinking about getting student loans to pay for college? I thought about something like a community college. I know everyone is going will think I'm a loser, but what else can I do?" Edward said as he threw his bag on the desk.
"Edward, have you spoken with your parents about it?" Angela asked.
"I would, but it's still a bit of a sore subject with me stealing the money out of my college fund. It reminds everyone what a fuck up I am," Edward replied.
"Edward don't be so hard on yourself. You have proved that you have changed. You might have to go to a college near home. Many of them are affiliated with the University of Washington, anyway. I'm hoping to go there. I'm doing a teaching course as well," Angela informed him.
"I read an article while I was in England visiting my auntie. There are a few students who can't afford to stay in student accommodation. They had to be in classes, for I think it said three days. They booked into what they called the premier Inn and stayed while they had to be in lessons. They block booked so they could have a room for the whole of the year. Booking in advance, they get a great deal. Then, they stay at home the rest of the time, and keep their weekend jobs. They save money. It might be worth looking into. Angie right talk to your parents they might help you find finances, but living off campus might be the answer," Tyler offered. "Well, unless you want the college experience, then that's not such a good idea."
"Are we ready to start?" Sammy said as she pulled out a box of photographs.
~T&I~
Izzy.
"I'll get a coffee. I'll be right here waiting for you after your session. Do you want me to take Bobbie with me?" Charlie asked as they stood in the reception of Doctor Helen Short's office.
"No, daddy, I'll take him with me," Izzy quietly replied.
"Hi, Izzy. Are you ready?" Helen requested.
"Yea, daddy, you won't leave the building, right?" Izzy questioned while biting her lip.
"No, honey, I told you I'll be downstairs having coffee. I'll be right outside when you come out," Charlie replied as he stopped her, biting her lip.
"I bought some paints and a canvas; if you want to, you can paint. Or we can talk. Or you can do both," Helen said. "I've been thinking of doing things differently. Instead of talking and trying to sort out how you are feeling. How do you feel about taking back your life? Starting by getting a small weekend job. So, you can pay for things for yourself like other kids your age. That way you can be a little more independent."
"What job would I be able to do?" Izzy grumbled.
"My friend has a shop just up the street from here. She can't afford to pay much, so she hasn't been able to fill the position. She told me she needed someone mainly on the weekends," Helen said.
"What would she want me to do?" Izzy asked.
"She wants someone to use a potter's wheel to make plates, cups, mugs, and vases. In her shop, people come and choose a piece of pottery; then they paint it. She then glazes the pottery. They return a few days later and buy it. You know how to do many crafts that are old fashion. Have you ever thought about making pottery? We can go there next week in our session," Helen proposed.
"Yes, I think I would like to learn that," Izzy answered.
"Last time I went to see her, she had half of her shop she didn't use. We might talk her into letting you sell your paintings. Your dad can help you open a bank account. You can save for a car, or maybe a loom. You said you missed making rugs. What do you think, Izzy?" Helen asked.
"I can't drive, not with my stupid feet!" Izzy grumbled.
"Well, we can see if I can get someone who can fix your feet. But next session, I'll take you to meet Heidi and you can see if it's something you are interested in," Helen said. "Let's see if your dad is here, and we can see what he thinks."
The following week.
"Heidi, I would like you to meet Izzy, her dad Charlie and her best friend Bobbie," Helen introduced.
"Hello everyone, welcome to my little store. Would you like to come this way? I can show you where you will work," Heidi offered.
Heidi knew Izzy's story and knew it was on a need-to-know basis and not to discuss her with anyone else.
"Have you ever used a potter's wheel before Izzy?" Heidi asked.
"No, but I would imagine that the peddles would be like the pedal on the spinning wheel," Izzy answered.
"You know how to use a spinning wheel?" Heidi asked, surprised.
"Yes, I learned just over two years ago. I can spin sheep and angora wool," Izzy informed.
"Well, you will have no trouble using these peddles. I have a spinning wheel at home. Could you show me how to use it? That's if you don't mind?" Heidi inquired. "I can bring it into the shop."
"Yes, I would love to help you use it," Izzy beamed.
"Would you and Bobbie like to start on Saturday morning? Is seven too early for you?" Heidi asked.
"No, we will be here at seven on Saturday. You can bring me, can't you daddy," Izzy requested.
"Of course, I can, honey," Charlie replied.
~T&I~
Izzy
Everyone was so thankful to Heidi. She seemed to work well with Izzy, and they became close. Heidi brought a loom for the shop so Izzy could make rugs to sell. Heidi enjoyed using the spinning wheel. Izzy was now going to work all day on Saturdays, Tuesdays, and Fridays after she finished her schoolwork. Izzy seemed to thrive on working hard. Fitting in her schoolwork wasn't a problem. She was doing most of her schoolwork online now.
Izzy enjoyed being in the workroom's atmosphere. She would paint, sketch, or make mats when there weren't pots to be made. It wasn't long before Heidi persuaded Izzy to sell her pictures in her shop. Izzy had so many outlets that she found it challenging to keep everyone supplied. People had left pictures of their families to paint when Heidi explained Phoenix the person who paints didn't like to be in the public eye.
~T&I~
Charlie
"Here you go, Charlie, coffee," Sue said as they sat on the porch.
"Sue, I just find it hard to accept what that kid did to my little girl. Yet he can still go into witness protection."
"Charlie, I know it's hard to get your head around, but he drew maps to show where they buried people. People's graves have been located, identified, and then returned to their loved ones. People who have been enticed into that life have been able to leave. Others were brought to justice because of him."
"Yes, I understand that, but that boy helped those people take Izzy. He could have left her in Port Angeles when they changed cars or In Seattle when they went to the department store. In any of the gas stations, when they filled their car, or the diner where Izzy tried to get help. No, it doesn't sit right with me." Charlie pressed.
"I can't begin to understand how hard it has been for you, Charlie. The Izzy upstairs is so broken. She's eighteen-years-old and has callouses on her hands. No teenager at her age has callouses on their hands like she has. I also understand that those people at the commune still get Izzy to contribute to their way of life. She worked hard for them. But we are going to have to stop them from using her. If she went back there, she wouldn't have a life."
"I was fishing with Marcus. He told me about the legal side of-the-art business. He might only have a small law firm, but he knows his stuff. He suggested cutting the commune off from free paintings. If people inquired about her paintings, then it should be Izzy who kept the money herself.
"Marcus said we should get a burner phone, print some business cards, and tell them to hand them out to anyone inquiring about a painting or sketch. He thinks it won't be long before we don't hear from them."
"I hope you are right. Izzy seems to be more settled since she has been working for Heidi. She's even talking to Helen more," Sue said.
"Marcus has offered to be Izzy's attorney if she needs one, and his wife is an accountant. She can deal with all the taxes Izzy needs to pay. They have said they would also put pictures in their offices if she wanted to. Marcus' sister owns a chain of restaurants, and she wants Izzy to paint some paintings for her. One of Marcus's friends wants to commission Izzy to paint a large three-foot by six-foot picture of the skylight of Manhattan for his office; he offered to pay her $2,500 for the picture." Charlie said.
"We are going to have to talk to her about it all. I don't think Izzy will ever attend college. She will only take online courses. But she can paint and make a living from it. There might be a possibility that she might teach art one day."
"We could turn the pool house into a studio for her. In the winter, when it's colder, we can put heating in there. Or let her use the attic in the winter months."
"That's a good idea. The pool house isn't too far away from the house. We can install an intercom system so she can keep in contact with us in the house. We will have to suggest it."
"She can still paint in the name of Phoenix, so she can still be unknown to anyone who may still be out there looking for her. I've had a few people ask about those beautiful throws she makes. I could always sell them at work."
"Sue, I don't want to rule her life. I will ask her what she thinks. I know she is eager to make her own money. But I think the problem is going to be breaking her alliance with that group."
~T&I~
Today, Sue and Charlie went to the commune to discuss Izzy's artwork.
"Hello, Charlie, Sue, haven't you brought Bell to visit with us?" Pop asked.
"No, she is at work and enjoying it as well," Charlie replied.
"What job is that?" Meme asked.
"She works in a craft shop. She makes different pots. The lady who owns the shop has people come in and paint the pottery, and it gets glazed," Sue answered.
"Well, what about her schoolwork? She was doing well while she was here with us?" Meme inquired.
"She's doing great. At first, Izzy struggled to use the computer, but Seth showed her how, and her English is improving all the time. Seth has put on an auto-correction app, so that helps. She has a studio at our house, where she paints. Her tutor only comes twice a week if she is struggling, and we can't help her. Next semester, she will work on subjects from the local school via the computer. She won't be going in person, but she will get her assignments from them. She is doing 9th-grade work now, just three years behind her peers," Charlie answered.
"I take it this isn't a social call," Sandy said from the doorway.
"No, it isn't. Sue and I have been talking. Izzy works so hard on her schoolwork that we didn't want to pressure her with the orders for her paintings. She owes money she has borrowed to buy the canvases to paint for you. We had some business cards made for you. If anyone asks, could you give them one of these cards, and we can arrange with them what they want to pay and a time frame? She even has an accountant to help with her finances," Charlie explained.
"Too many people are trying to make money from her. We taught her to live independently. She doesn't need to work for the man," Petal said. "She needs to come home to us."
"That's what you're doing aren't you? You keep the money she makes," Sue snapped.
"Look, I'm grateful for you looking after her when that kid brought her here. He should have brought her home to me; it seems he was one of the people who took her from Forks. I'm her dad. It's my job to look after her. But she wouldn't be so broken if it wasn't for that Sparrow kid. She would have been home with her friends, discussing prom and what school she would go to next year. Instead, she is three years behind in her schoolwork and struggling with pain daily because of the broken ankles he afflicted her with. Sparrow didn't have to take her back when she ran away. He didn't need to break her ankles. She still has nightmares, and can't sleep unless the light is on. He brought her here out of guilt," Charlie spat out.
"That's your version of things; we know the true stories. You were too busy to notice how unhappy Bell had become. You didn't even notice how everyone, even her best friend, had been cruel and bullied her. If you had noticed her more, you would have seen those people hanging around your small town. You call yourself the chief of police!" Petal yelled.
"Her name is Izzy. You don't know my daughter at all. She doesn't like to worry people. Did you not notice how Izzy tried to cover for that woman when she wasn't doing her job? I know my daughter better than you do. Between you and that cult, you took her from me for ten years; you stole my time with my daughter. I'm not arguing with any of you. Izzy won't be doing any more paintings for you. You can either give people a card or not; that's up to you," Charlie growled.
"Come on, Charlie, this isn't getting us anywhere. We are going to have to get legal advice. I don't trust them," Sue said as they walked back to the car. "I'll drive. You are so angry, and we don't need a speeding ticket."
"We are going to have to tell Izzy we went here. She is settled a lot more now that she has that job. She has hardly had any nightmares. But I'm not having them sending her letters enticing her into going back," Charlie spat out.
Sue turned the radio up as Charlie looked out the window. She knew there was no use in speaking to him.
When they got home, they were met at the door by Seth, who seemed in a panic.
"Charlie, mom, thank goodness you're back. They were laughing at her, and one of them did something to her hair. It's the first time I've seen them. How did she get them?" Seth rambled.
"Seth, concentrate. What's happened to Izzy?" Charlie panicked.
"Yes, okay," Seth took a deep breath.
"They started making fun of Izzy and all those scars she has on her back, legs, arms, and neck. One of them pushed her to the floor. One pulled her hair, dragged her to the pool, and threw her in. Bobbie bit one of them, and they say they are getting him destroyed. Izzy went crazy, screaming and crying. She went into her studio with Bobbie. They were banging on the door and windows. I called Nanna and Grampa, and they came straight round. Grandpa sent the girls home, and Leah is in her room. Nanna is with Izzy and Bobbie. But Bobbie won't let anyone near Izzy. He keeps growling at everyone. Mom, Izzy has cut all her hair off," Seth finished.
"I'll kill those kids. You had better deal with Leah, Sue, because I'm not having her do this to my little girl. If need be, I'll find somewhere else to live," Charlie shouted and rushed to the pool house.
"Izzy, honey, it's your daddy. Can I come near you? Ask Bobbie to stop growling. Charlie sat on the floor before Izzy, but not close enough that Bobbie would attack him. "Seth, can you call Helen and ask her to come, please?"
"Izzy, I was thinking, how about we can get your feet fixed? I'm going to see if we can go to a hospital in New York or maybe even go back to Forks and have Carlisle help us find someone to fix them. What do you think?" Charlie asked.
"I'm not going to Forks, not so Teddy can laugh at me, and then call me a cripple like those girls did today," Izzy sobbed.
"Izzy, can I hug you? Then we can get your hair sorted out," Charlie asked. "Tell Bobbie I won't hurt you."
"Hi, Izzy; I heard that you've had a rough afternoon," Helen said as she walked slowly through the door.
"Yea. I've had better days. Bobbie love daddy," Izzy said.
Charlie watched how Bobbie huffed, then walked over to lick his face, and Bobbie offered Charlie his paw.
"Now, come over here my baby girl, and tell me what happened and why you cut all your hair off," Charlie asked.
Helen and Charlie sat on the floor while Izzy explained everything that had happened that day.
"Well, Izzy, do you want to have your feet and ankles fixed? My brother is the head of the orthopedic department at Mount Sinai Hospital. He owes me a favor," Helen advised as she pulled her cell phone from her pocket.
"Helen," Izzy shouted.
"Yes, honey," Helen replied.
"I'm not going without Bobbie," Izzy said.
"I'll tell him that," Helen chuckled.
Thanks always to Kellie (Klcivinski) for pre-reading through the chapter and pointing out where it could be improved.
Also, as always, thank you to Donna (EdwardsFirstKiss) for all her hard work editing the chapter and making my words pretty.
Any mistakes are all mine.