BPOV
“How
the hell did you get a baseball scholarship?”
It wasn't so much what Emmett said that bothered me, it was the tone of voice he utilized to enunciate the words used in making his point.
It wasn't so much what Emmett said that bothered me, it was the tone of voice he utilized to enunciate the words used in making his point.
A
point that I took personal offense to.
As
if to say there wasn't a snowballs chance in hell that I, could
have gotten a scholarship. In the deep recesses of my mind, I
understood he wasn't exactly questioning my intellect but rather my
athletic abilities. After all if what Seth had read on the internet
was correct, then the SANZ scholarship I received, was awarded to
baseball players – male baseball players – of which I was
neither.
Still, my good friend, Rose, blinking her eyes at me in disbelief while shaking her head and muttering 'that's unbelievable' was insulting.
So yeah - I took offense
Agitated by the implication of the impossibility I snapped back “Why is that so unbelievable?”
I had lived most of my formidable years with a single father who took great pleasure in three things – Beer, Fishing and Sports, and not necessarily in that particular order. Usually Charlie's relaxation consisted of a combination of the three pastimes occurring simultaneously. I also was indoctrinated into the world of sports by spending so much time hanging around a group of adolescent LaPush boys. Plus lets not forget my football playing ex-husband whose family owned a sporting goods store, and when he decided to grace our home with his presence, watched nothing but ESPN.
So the basic concepts of each game weren't lost on me. I knew football was played by quarters, points were made by touchdowns and a first-down was achieved by moving the ball ten yards. I knew there were four periods in a basketball game, points consisted of one for free throws, two for a regular basket and three when the ball was thrown from outside the paint -whatever the hell that meant.
However baseball, was not only the American pastime, it also happened to be Charlie's favorite not to mention how Phil made his living, so I was well versed in the game. The field was a diamond, there were nine players on each team and a full game consisted of nine innings. Each batter got three strikes before being called out and after four balls they got a walk and took a base.
Still, my good friend, Rose, blinking her eyes at me in disbelief while shaking her head and muttering 'that's unbelievable' was insulting.
So yeah - I took offense
Agitated by the implication of the impossibility I snapped back “Why is that so unbelievable?”
I had lived most of my formidable years with a single father who took great pleasure in three things – Beer, Fishing and Sports, and not necessarily in that particular order. Usually Charlie's relaxation consisted of a combination of the three pastimes occurring simultaneously. I also was indoctrinated into the world of sports by spending so much time hanging around a group of adolescent LaPush boys. Plus lets not forget my football playing ex-husband whose family owned a sporting goods store, and when he decided to grace our home with his presence, watched nothing but ESPN.
So the basic concepts of each game weren't lost on me. I knew football was played by quarters, points were made by touchdowns and a first-down was achieved by moving the ball ten yards. I knew there were four periods in a basketball game, points consisted of one for free throws, two for a regular basket and three when the ball was thrown from outside the paint -whatever the hell that meant.
However baseball, was not only the American pastime, it also happened to be Charlie's favorite not to mention how Phil made his living, so I was well versed in the game. The field was a diamond, there were nine players on each team and a full game consisted of nine innings. Each batter got three strikes before being called out and after four balls they got a walk and took a base.
Heck!
I even knew what a balk was.
So
who the hell were any of them to tell me I didn't deserve a
scholarship?
Pointing a finger at my chest I tapped it forcefully while justifying “I did get the SANZ!”
Pointing a finger at my chest I tapped it forcefully while justifying “I did get the SANZ!”
Then
because they had all gotten my temper up by suggesting my inability
to have received it I went on to tell them just how much the
selection committee thought of my abilities.
“And
just to be clear...” pointing at my chest “I didn't get a measly
ten thousand a year. Heck No!” Getting caught up in the moment I
swept my arms out dramatically and reminded them “...I got
everything
paid for. The whole nine yards. Tuition, lab fees, books, room,
board...” ticking off each award on my fingers and feeling proud of
myself I went on “...they even provided me with a brand new Mac
laptop. So either the website Seth read was wrong, or I guess
somebody thought I worthy
enough to receive it...Didn't
They?”
Cocky, I was down right cocky saying the last words with a whole 'in your face' attitude
“Bella no one thinks you weren't worthy..."
Of course Edward would pick up on my use of that particular word
“It's just..." imploring me with his eyes "...well, babe..." beseeching me with his tone "...you got to admit...”
Where Edward was attempting a tactful rebuttal, his brother-in-law had no problem saying what he thought “Darling the thing is...”
Cocky, I was down right cocky saying the last words with a whole 'in your face' attitude
“Bella no one thinks you weren't worthy..."
Of course Edward would pick up on my use of that particular word
“It's just..." imploring me with his eyes "...well, babe..." beseeching me with his tone "...you got to admit...”
Where Edward was attempting a tactful rebuttal, his brother-in-law had no problem saying what he thought “Darling the thing is...”
I
turned my head towards the opposite end of the table just in time for
Jasper to finish saying “I've seen you play.”
Having
my full attention – along with everyone else – he held up his
hands while giving me a patronizing grin as he said "Grant it,
we were only using a wiffle ball and plastic bats...” the man's
amusement growing as he tried to fight a snicker “...I mean maybe
your true skills lie with with more ... professional
equipment.”
“No ..." my head jerked back towards Jake's voice as he assured "there's no skill”
I responded to the insult with a knee jerk reaction "I'm not that bad”
“You run like a girl”
“I am a girl”
Edward's hand rubbed my knee while he agreed “Yes you are”
“Yeah, that's the point...” That disbelieving tone was back in Emmett's voice “Even if you were able to catch fly balls with your toes while doing a back flip and threw at the speed of sound....You Are Still A Chick.” Again emphasizing each word with a belligerent tone before he pointed a finger in my brothers direction.
“No ..." my head jerked back towards Jake's voice as he assured "there's no skill”
I responded to the insult with a knee jerk reaction "I'm not that bad”
“You run like a girl”
“I am a girl”
Edward's hand rubbed my knee while he agreed “Yes you are”
“Yeah, that's the point...” That disbelieving tone was back in Emmett's voice “Even if you were able to catch fly balls with your toes while doing a back flip and threw at the speed of sound....You Are Still A Chick.” Again emphasizing each word with a belligerent tone before he pointed a finger in my brothers direction.
“That
scholarship is specifically given to males...” raising an eyebrow
he kind of grinned “Now besides seeing you play, we've seen you in
your underwear."
My
eyes narrowed at the memory of all the Cullen men -unbeknownst to me
- being in our hotel room when I walked out to say good morning to
Edward wearing nothing but a skimpy t-shirt and panties.
Not
paying any attention to my reaction Emmett cast a grin in Edward's
direction saying. “Unlike
some people...” Pausing he dramatically tapped his chest “....I've
never had any experience with drag queens but I'm pretty damn
sure...” waving his hands in front of me for effect he sneered
while saying “...the goods are real.”
Then
with a twinkle in his eye he looked down to the end of the table
seeking a second opinion “Plastic Man? You were there that morning
little Bella came traipsing out in those tiny little green
things...did that look real to you or what?”
Three
comments were made at the same time, the two from behind me I
completely ignored. Alice's wondering “What morning?” Was
overshadowed by Jasper's agreement with his smart-ass brother-in-law
“Looked authentic to me”
And
the one I paid any credence to was from across the table where
Charlie huffed out “What are you doing parading around in only your
underwear?”
Carlisle
was quick to come to my defense “That's not exactly what happened
Charlie”
While
I was looking at my father Jasper reminded his wife and informed all
who was listening of the unintentional free show I provided.
The
explanation must not have been good enough for my father as he
wondered “Why would you come out of the bedroom without being fully
dressed?”
My
mouth dropped open in shock as I reminded him “You walk around the
house in your shorts all the time”
“It's
my damn house!” he reasoned with certainty and I replied by
slamming my hand down on the table “It was my damn
hotel room!”
“Easy baby” Edward's voice was low
and demanding as his hand squeezed my knee. Feeling bad for losing my
temper I explained to my father in a softer tone “I didn't know
anyone was there”
“Well
maybe next time,
you should check”
Charlie's
matter of fact tone irradiated me more then his previous accusatory
one, even with the increasing pressure on my knee my ire came back.
Rather then losing my temper I decided it best to reminded my father
that he had no freaking say in how I walked around in a hotel room,
or any other damn place
“Do
I need to remind you
Dad, that I am a grown
woman...”
Before
I could finish putting my father in his place, Emmett shouted
“Exactly! That's what I'm saying, and it brings me back to my
original question...How the
heck did you
...Is-a-bell-a...”
carefully
pronouncing each
syllable “....Swan
get selected to receive a baseball scholarship?”
Since I had absolutely no idea how to reply and I was still reeling from having to defend not only my intelligence but also my honor, I chose to correct Emmett of his inaccuracy.
Since I had absolutely no idea how to reply and I was still reeling from having to defend not only my intelligence but also my honor, I chose to correct Emmett of his inaccuracy.
Leaning
forward so I could see him better I spoke very deliberately
“Cummings”
Narrowing his eyes Emmett questioned “Excuse me?”
“You said Swan. At the time, my name was Isabella Cummings” Beside me Edward stiffened as did the hand on my knee while he spoke under his breath “Excuse me a minute.”
I watched Edward get up and my eyes followed his back as he walked into the house. It wasn't hard to guess what made him leave. My marriage to James had never been his favorite subject, it seldom came up in discussion except when I spoke of how bad it was. He asked me once if there had ever been a time when James was kind to me. For the most part, from the moment we were pronounced husband and wife, my life became a living hell. However there were occasions when we shared moments of normalcy. It wasn't often but over the course of the time we lived under the same roof, there were a few shared breakfast and civil conversations during an evening meal.
“Does it matter?” with Edward's seat vacant my eyes stared directly into Emmett's
You bet your sweet ass it did.
That's what I wanted to say, instead, remembering there were children present I told him confidently “Yes...it mattered.”
“Why?”
How do you explain to someone who never had a financial care in his life, what it is like to constantly have the worry on your mind?
Narrowing his eyes Emmett questioned “Excuse me?”
“You said Swan. At the time, my name was Isabella Cummings” Beside me Edward stiffened as did the hand on my knee while he spoke under his breath “Excuse me a minute.”
I watched Edward get up and my eyes followed his back as he walked into the house. It wasn't hard to guess what made him leave. My marriage to James had never been his favorite subject, it seldom came up in discussion except when I spoke of how bad it was. He asked me once if there had ever been a time when James was kind to me. For the most part, from the moment we were pronounced husband and wife, my life became a living hell. However there were occasions when we shared moments of normalcy. It wasn't often but over the course of the time we lived under the same roof, there were a few shared breakfast and civil conversations during an evening meal.
“Does it matter?” with Edward's seat vacant my eyes stared directly into Emmett's
You bet your sweet ass it did.
That's what I wanted to say, instead, remembering there were children present I told him confidently “Yes...it mattered.”
“Why?”
How do you explain to someone who never had a financial care in his life, what it is like to constantly have the worry on your mind?
Emmett
wouldn't begin to comprehend the need to pinch pennies every month,
wondering how you were going to keep a roof over your head. He never
needed to work a part-time job at 'Walmart' just to afford basic
necessities like food and gasoline. More central to the discussion
was the fact Emmett certainly didn't have to worry how he was going
to pay for college. His parents rented a private home for their sons
to live in while they attended Dartmouth – because
heaven forbid they had to live in a crappy dorm.
If
Carlisle and Esme went to those lengths it also seemed safe to say
they probably just wrote out a check for the full tuition bill. I on
the other hand, didn't have that luxury. Charlie – justifiably -
refused to release any of my funds. Which meant, Federal Student Aid
was the only way Isabella Cummings was ever going to be able to
attend any college, never the less one as costly as Dartmouth.
And
believe you me, even with the generous scholarship, she needed every
penny she could get.
“Because being married provided me with more grant money then I would have gotten had I not been.”
“Is that why you didn't divorce him?”
The snide comment came from behind me, however my eyes shifted in the completely opposite direction - towards the still closed patio door.
Where the hell was Edward?
He didn't want me to concern myself with his sister's spitefulness, yet in this particular situation how was I suppose to respond. Would it be best to ignore the accusation or should I reply? If I did, would my words be turned around and used against me? Would my reply just give Alice more ammunition to continue with her already seemingly low opinion of me?
“Because being married provided me with more grant money then I would have gotten had I not been.”
“Is that why you didn't divorce him?”
The snide comment came from behind me, however my eyes shifted in the completely opposite direction - towards the still closed patio door.
Where the hell was Edward?
He didn't want me to concern myself with his sister's spitefulness, yet in this particular situation how was I suppose to respond. Would it be best to ignore the accusation or should I reply? If I did, would my words be turned around and used against me? Would my reply just give Alice more ammunition to continue with her already seemingly low opinion of me?
I
just didn't know and was at a loss of why I felt the need to tread
lightly around her. The situation made me extremely uncomfortable.
The last thing I wanted to do was get into an in-depth discussion
about my marriage to James. It was bad enough Charlie had innocently
brought him up by making a passing comment that was easily moved away
from.
Alice's
accusatory tone was a different matter.
Throughout my life I'd come across many
'toxic' people and I've had lots of practice eluding them. For the
most part I completely avoided being in their presence. When that
wasn't possible, I ignored them. It had always been my contention
that spiteful people had no bearing on my life and I refused to give
them any leeway into thinking they did.
But the problem was, the person making
snide comments wasn't just anyone. She was Edward's sister. Someone
who was a strong presence in his life which meant therefore, mine
too. How were Edward and I going
to actively build a life together while still interacting with
someone who has been making it abundantly clear she holds animosity
against me?
I
love Edward with every fiber of my being. I want to be with him, to
share our lives together, building a relationship of mutual respect
and affection. Agreeing to permanently move in with him has given me
hope that maybe finally I can have what everyone else seems to take
for granted – Happiness.
Was
that too much to ask for?
The
hostility radiating from Alice had me questioning the validity of it.
Edward
could say his sister's flippant attitude was inconsequential. He
could spout out bullshit about how it didn't matter what she said or
thought and act as if her attitude didn't bother him in the least.
But I knew different. Alice's open antagonism was hurting him.
I also came to the conclusion that ignoring her wasn't making it any better. Alice's earlier actions made it fairly clear that she would fake enthusiasm for my presence but we were no longer friends. In fact judging from the way she acted at meeting my family I was beginning to wonder if we ever were.
Oh,
she smiled while pouring on the Cullen charm as she shook Charlie's
hand. She was sweet and engaging, asking him how long he was staying
in town. Then - unlike me - Sue received a hug, along with a
compliment on the cute sun dress she was wearing. Alice introduced
her children with a smile, accepting the praise of their overall
general adorableness with grace. However, by the time she had moved
on to Seth and Tracy, the genteel facade had worn off.
The
first thing she said was a snide comment about my brother not getting
up from his chair to shake her hand. It wasn't so much the words
'oh, don't bother getting up' It
was the pompous voice, which I wasn't the only one who noticed
because Seth shot me a quick 'what
the fuck' look.
Shrugging
I listened to the questions about his new computer, where he got it,
how many mega bites it had, simple polite conversation until Alice
commented “I see you bought a WiFi card”
“No...” Seth shook his head
“...this is running off the house...”
Alice
sounded shocked at first “Oh...I would think Edward had it secured”
“It is” Seth said in confusion “He
gave me the code”
“That
was very
nice of him” Alice's tone made it sound like Edward had given him a
kidney or something.
It
was the fucking internet.
What the hell did Alice care if my brother had the password to get onto the server? It didn't cost anything extra, Seth wasn't using up minutes and it wasn't like Edward had to go out of his way to hook anything up. He didn't mind when my brother asked for the code, in fact he spouted it right out, telling him to save in on the system. So why did Alice make it sound like my brother was bestowed with some great benevolence?
Seth must have felt the same way as he looked at her mystified then blew it off with a shrug “It's just to get on the net”
“I know, but he didn't have to give you the code”
Why wouldn't he?
I wanted to ask her what the problem was however Alice went back to small talk, asking them what they did all weekend. Listening to Tracy talk about the shower and Seth's take on the baseball outing with the men. When my brother told her about all the teens going out to an under twenty-one club, he laughed while commenting “Trace and me had a one o'clock curfew...” smirking my way he added “...which we could have totally blown off since the adults...” making air quotes around the word “didn't come home until after two”
He was right and I laughed at the memory then became baffled when Alice asked “If no one was here, how did you get into the house?”
And with that question I knew exactly what Alice's problem was.
What the hell did Alice care if my brother had the password to get onto the server? It didn't cost anything extra, Seth wasn't using up minutes and it wasn't like Edward had to go out of his way to hook anything up. He didn't mind when my brother asked for the code, in fact he spouted it right out, telling him to save in on the system. So why did Alice make it sound like my brother was bestowed with some great benevolence?
Seth must have felt the same way as he looked at her mystified then blew it off with a shrug “It's just to get on the net”
“I know, but he didn't have to give you the code”
Why wouldn't he?
I wanted to ask her what the problem was however Alice went back to small talk, asking them what they did all weekend. Listening to Tracy talk about the shower and Seth's take on the baseball outing with the men. When my brother told her about all the teens going out to an under twenty-one club, he laughed while commenting “Trace and me had a one o'clock curfew...” smirking my way he added “...which we could have totally blown off since the adults...” making air quotes around the word “didn't come home until after two”
He was right and I laughed at the memory then became baffled when Alice asked “If no one was here, how did you get into the house?”
And with that question I knew exactly what Alice's problem was.
Emmett
had made mention of it and Edward said his sister was upset she
didn't have access to the house. So for her to find out that my
little brother was awarded concessions that she herself was denied,
well, frankly, it pissed her off.
Was she really that damn superficial?
Was she really that damn superficial?
The answer to my mental question came in response to Seth's obvious answer. “I used the codes for the door and the security system and we came in and went to bed. We didn't get to sleep long because they were all so loud it woke us up...”
I
grinned at him, because that night after taking Quil and Claire to
New Moon, there was a little bit of yelling going on, and it wasn't
from fighting.
“Wait...” Alice's eyes scrunched up as if she was looking into the sun “...Edward let the two of you sleep in the same room?”
YUP! Alice was really that superficial.
“Wait...” Alice's eyes scrunched up as if she was looking into the sun “...Edward let the two of you sleep in the same room?”
YUP! Alice was really that superficial.
...
and rather self righteous along with being hypocritical which was
embarrassing the hell out of Tracy. The poor girl wasn't even
blushing she just looked so damn uncomfortable I thought she was
going to run from the room.
“Alice, they're eighteen” well almost, I added mentally before asking “What were you doing at eighteen?”
“I wasn't having sleepovers with my boyfriend at someone's house”
No she was just taking it up the ass every night and calling herself a virgin.
Again, I was being the bigger person by keeping that thought to myself, yet I wasn't going to let her get away with insulting two good kids nor was I going to allow her to defame Edward's good sense
“There were four responsible adults here with them Alice. So don't worry, they weren't left alone to just be sleeping together at someone's house. They were here, my brother, Was Here. Spending the weekend with his girlfriend, who had permission from her mother to stay here...with me...at my house”
It was the first time I ever claimed ownership to the house with any kind of conviction and I was feeling pretty content with the statement. That is until Alice took the wind out of my sail with two words “Edward's house”
Turning her full attention to me, she went on “Which is why I said it surprised me. We weren't brought up like that so because my brother allowed them, at their age, to share a room in his house...”glaring at me she added “all I'm saying Bella is that...” forming each word carefully for emphasis she added “It Surprised Me”
I was a little surprised myself – who the fuck did she think she was?
“Alice, they're eighteen” well almost, I added mentally before asking “What were you doing at eighteen?”
“I wasn't having sleepovers with my boyfriend at someone's house”
No she was just taking it up the ass every night and calling herself a virgin.
Again, I was being the bigger person by keeping that thought to myself, yet I wasn't going to let her get away with insulting two good kids nor was I going to allow her to defame Edward's good sense
“There were four responsible adults here with them Alice. So don't worry, they weren't left alone to just be sleeping together at someone's house. They were here, my brother, Was Here. Spending the weekend with his girlfriend, who had permission from her mother to stay here...with me...at my house”
It was the first time I ever claimed ownership to the house with any kind of conviction and I was feeling pretty content with the statement. That is until Alice took the wind out of my sail with two words “Edward's house”
Turning her full attention to me, she went on “Which is why I said it surprised me. We weren't brought up like that so because my brother allowed them, at their age, to share a room in his house...”glaring at me she added “all I'm saying Bella is that...” forming each word carefully for emphasis she added “It Surprised Me”
I was a little surprised myself – who the fuck did she think she was?
Fortunately - or maybe it was unfortunate because I was perturbed enough to have had it out right then and there – Esme called her over. When she walked away it was Tracy who wondered what I had done to make Alice mad at me.
“Nothing...at least nothing I know about”
Seth scoffed “uh...guess she's just a bitch...” grinning he reminded me “...there's one in every family”
I didn't even bother admonishing him for calling Alice a bitch, because he was right - she was - and her new statement 'is that why you didn't divorce him' only proved Seth's point.
She
didn't have a freaking clue of how hard I tried to get James to sign
those papers. The physical and emotional turmoil I endured because of
it. Not to mention everything Jake went through to finally have it
accomplished, putting his own safety and freedom at risk so I could
have mine.
“Bella did get divorced” Jake said as he glared down the table like a wolf on the prowl and by the time I could turn to the person on the receiving end of his stare, Alice was already responding “Yes, but not until after she graduated from Dartmouth”
“Not from lack of trying” Billy – always a constant source of support – put in while my father also came to my defense “It can take some time for the paperwork to be finalized, took me and Renee nearly three years”
“My sister's divorce dragged on nearly a decade” Edward's grandmother stated with a level glare at her grand-daughter “It's not as easy as it sounds Alice. Amelia's husband treated her terribly. Controlled her every move, wouldn't allow her access to bank accounts. He'd threw a fit if she even so much as opened the mail and the whole time he was off keeping time with one little hussy after another.”
Boy did that last part sound familiar.
“Bella did get divorced” Jake said as he glared down the table like a wolf on the prowl and by the time I could turn to the person on the receiving end of his stare, Alice was already responding “Yes, but not until after she graduated from Dartmouth”
“Not from lack of trying” Billy – always a constant source of support – put in while my father also came to my defense “It can take some time for the paperwork to be finalized, took me and Renee nearly three years”
“My sister's divorce dragged on nearly a decade” Edward's grandmother stated with a level glare at her grand-daughter “It's not as easy as it sounds Alice. Amelia's husband treated her terribly. Controlled her every move, wouldn't allow her access to bank accounts. He'd threw a fit if she even so much as opened the mail and the whole time he was off keeping time with one little hussy after another.”
Boy did that last part sound familiar.
Although
I had always assumed James was only ever fucking Victoria, after
recent revelations I was beginning to wonder. Intrigued by the story,
I listen intently while she shared.
“She
finally filed for divorce but he knew where his bread was butter and
resisted.”
Resisted?
Resisted?
That
wasn't the word for what James did, he flat out refused. Telling me
in a fit of rage there was 'no
fucking way' he was
signing papers until he got what he deserved.
I
guess he must have felt entitled to having Jake beat the crap beat
out of him, because that was the catalyst to my freedom. Alice wasn't
aware of all the circumstances that led to my divorce being
finalized. So she could sit there, making rude comments, and I could
again be the bigger person by not responding. I just hoped for her
sake, she'd never experience the powerlessness of not being able to
stop someone from making your life miserable.
The tension at the table was relieved by Edward's return and his saying from behind me “Seth what was the name of that Professor who established the scholarship?”
“Ummm...” my brother mused while Edward sat down next to me holding a manilla folder with a few papers on top for easy viewing, yet the way it was tilted I couldn't see what they were.
When I lifted my eyes I had full intentions of asking however coming face to face with his scrutinizing gaze I was the one being questioned “You alright babe?”
God he knew me so well
Was I alright?
At that moment I wasn't exactly sure, however blurting out at the table that his sister was being a malicious witch, wasn't exactly the best thing to do. Instead smiling I gave the one word answer that always drove me crazy “Fine”
Cocking his head ever so slightly, Edward stared me down as if he was trying to decide how completely honest I was being when Carlisle interrupted him “What do you have son?”
“Oh...” Snapping back into the moment Edward took one last glance at me before answering his father “...At Aro's suggestion we hired a ….” Seth cut him off by saying “Victor Salvatore”
“Damn...” Edward hissed under his breath “I was afraid you'd say that”
Looking down, my eyes landed on Edward's finger pointing at that very name printed on the paper. Still unsure what I was reading my focus went to the letterhead. It was the background report Mr Weiss - the private detective – had given us on Caius. The realization that Professor Victor Salvatore was his father caused me to gasp.
“What is it?” both Leah and Jake asked, leaning forward and craning their necks as if trying to read it for themselves while Edward looked to Seth with his own question or rather a demand “Google him”
I was still staring at the paper when it suddenly was ripped from Edward's grasp by his brother who was as stunned as I was “You have got to be shitting me”
“Emmett” his mother's reproach for cursing was being drowned out by Charlie's constant muttering “Salvatore...Salvatore...Salvatore...” and completely avoiding Esme's glower, Emmett questioned Edward “Caius is his son?”
“If it's the same Victor Salvatore...sure looks that way” Edward stated and Charlie must have remembered where he had heard the name “That's the palooka with those two twenty year old girls that's been bothering Bella?”
Dad was with us the day Mr. Weiss gave his report, and had a lot to say about Caius spending time with not one, but two, young girls.
“That's him Charlie”
The wrinkles in my fathers forehead became more pronounced as he leveled me with a glare “What does his father have anything to do with you?”
“How do I know” hating how Charlie always made me defend myself I got a little agitated “I don't know any Professor Salvatore”
“Well it seems he certainly knows you and now his son is up to all kinds of shananagons over it”
“Wait...” Jake interjected “Is that the antiques guy you asked me about?” Realizing Jake was speaking to Edward, I became confused.
When did Edward ask him about Caius?
I still hadn't completely grasped the connection when Seth keeping his eyes on the computer screen said “What do you want to know?”
“Everything” both dad and Edward said in unison, Edward's tone sounding inquisitive while my father was leading more towards impertinent.
“Well...lets see...He was a Professor of Philosophy...actually I guess he was the...”
Growing impatient Edward ordered “Just read the whole thing from the beginning”
Taking a deep breath my brother pursed his lips then started “Professor Victor P Salvatore died in his home on ...”
“You're reading his O-bit-u-ary?”
Discounting his daughter's repugnance Carlisle noted “If you want to know about someone, their obituary is the best place to start...” turning to Seth he swept his hand “Carry on”
Giving Alice a disgusted face that did nothing to disguise his dislike for her my brother restarted.
“Professor Victor P Salvatore died in his home on March eighteenth, two thousand and ten at the age of eighty-two. Professor Salvatore was well known throughout academia for his research in the philosophy of language and the ethics of metaphysics. His students and colleagues best remember Professor 'Sal' as being an inspirational mentor.”
The tension at the table was relieved by Edward's return and his saying from behind me “Seth what was the name of that Professor who established the scholarship?”
“Ummm...” my brother mused while Edward sat down next to me holding a manilla folder with a few papers on top for easy viewing, yet the way it was tilted I couldn't see what they were.
When I lifted my eyes I had full intentions of asking however coming face to face with his scrutinizing gaze I was the one being questioned “You alright babe?”
God he knew me so well
Was I alright?
At that moment I wasn't exactly sure, however blurting out at the table that his sister was being a malicious witch, wasn't exactly the best thing to do. Instead smiling I gave the one word answer that always drove me crazy “Fine”
Cocking his head ever so slightly, Edward stared me down as if he was trying to decide how completely honest I was being when Carlisle interrupted him “What do you have son?”
“Oh...” Snapping back into the moment Edward took one last glance at me before answering his father “...At Aro's suggestion we hired a ….” Seth cut him off by saying “Victor Salvatore”
“Damn...” Edward hissed under his breath “I was afraid you'd say that”
Looking down, my eyes landed on Edward's finger pointing at that very name printed on the paper. Still unsure what I was reading my focus went to the letterhead. It was the background report Mr Weiss - the private detective – had given us on Caius. The realization that Professor Victor Salvatore was his father caused me to gasp.
“What is it?” both Leah and Jake asked, leaning forward and craning their necks as if trying to read it for themselves while Edward looked to Seth with his own question or rather a demand “Google him”
I was still staring at the paper when it suddenly was ripped from Edward's grasp by his brother who was as stunned as I was “You have got to be shitting me”
“Emmett” his mother's reproach for cursing was being drowned out by Charlie's constant muttering “Salvatore...Salvatore...Salvatore...” and completely avoiding Esme's glower, Emmett questioned Edward “Caius is his son?”
“If it's the same Victor Salvatore...sure looks that way” Edward stated and Charlie must have remembered where he had heard the name “That's the palooka with those two twenty year old girls that's been bothering Bella?”
Dad was with us the day Mr. Weiss gave his report, and had a lot to say about Caius spending time with not one, but two, young girls.
“That's him Charlie”
The wrinkles in my fathers forehead became more pronounced as he leveled me with a glare “What does his father have anything to do with you?”
“How do I know” hating how Charlie always made me defend myself I got a little agitated “I don't know any Professor Salvatore”
“Well it seems he certainly knows you and now his son is up to all kinds of shananagons over it”
“Wait...” Jake interjected “Is that the antiques guy you asked me about?” Realizing Jake was speaking to Edward, I became confused.
When did Edward ask him about Caius?
I still hadn't completely grasped the connection when Seth keeping his eyes on the computer screen said “What do you want to know?”
“Everything” both dad and Edward said in unison, Edward's tone sounding inquisitive while my father was leading more towards impertinent.
“Well...lets see...He was a Professor of Philosophy...actually I guess he was the...”
Growing impatient Edward ordered “Just read the whole thing from the beginning”
Taking a deep breath my brother pursed his lips then started “Professor Victor P Salvatore died in his home on ...”
“You're reading his O-bit-u-ary?”
Discounting his daughter's repugnance Carlisle noted “If you want to know about someone, their obituary is the best place to start...” turning to Seth he swept his hand “Carry on”
Giving Alice a disgusted face that did nothing to disguise his dislike for her my brother restarted.
“Professor Victor P Salvatore died in his home on March eighteenth, two thousand and ten at the age of eighty-two. Professor Salvatore was well known throughout academia for his research in the philosophy of language and the ethics of metaphysics. His students and colleagues best remember Professor 'Sal' as being an inspirational mentor.”
Born
in the Tuscany region of Lucca Italy he migrated with his family to
the United States, settling in Boston Massachusetts. Later graduating
with a Master's degree in Philosophy from Dartmouth College and going
on to receive a PhD as a Professor in the Humanities. He then spent
forty-one years as an educator with the last thirty-one as Head of
the Philosophy department until retiring in June of two-thousand and
four. Professor Salvatore was a distinguished educator and respected
adviser to both students and his fellow facility members.
When Professor 'Sal' was not encouraging the free thinking of his students he would often be found sitting in the 'Salvatore' club house cheering on his beloved Big Green Baseball team. Professor Salvatore was living proof of a serious philosopher maintaining the high standards of a compassionate person.
He will be greatly missed by his sons, Caius and Dante, five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. His devotion to Dartmouth College along with his pursuit of knowledge will live on through the trust set in place to maintain the SANZ – Salvatore/Nunez – scholarship fund, he and his late wife of fifty-two years, Evelyn Lenore Nunez Salvatore established. Even in death his legacy will live on.”
Looking up Seth said “That's it”
There was a quiet hush, almost like a moment of silence given out of respect for the man who's life had just been immortalized and then dad broke it by saying “Well I guess we know now what SANZ stands for, it was their names. Fifty plus years of marriage, that's something and I guess he must have really loved baseball.”
Looking to his son Carlisle asked “If he was a baseball fan, perhaps you knew him Edward”
Thinking for a moment Edward answered with an uncertain tone “I wasn't in any of his classes...but I'm fairly sure he was the one who presented me with the plagues at the athletic awards...” turning towards his brother he asked “Did you have him?”
“I don't think so...” shaking his head as he leaned backed into the chair “... I only took the basic Philosophy class like every other sophomore. I highly doubt the chair of the department would lower himself to teach an intro course”
Something was bothering me, it was like a piece of information was being overlooked yet it was really unsettling as if was right there, just begging me to grasp it. With that unease building I asked Seth to read the last paragraph again. Once he repeated the first several words 'When Professor 'Sal' was not encouraging the free thinking of his students...' I tuned everything else out.
I felt my body rock as if I'd been struck by a force so strong it nearly crippled me as my mind went to Saturday morning discussions with an older, wiser, gentleman. I had met 'Sal' my first week at Dartmouth in Professor Bluee's office, who was not only head of the Psychology Department, he was also my adviser. I had made an appointment for a simple introduction and for him to discuss my academic progress, so he was expecting my arrival. It was there that I walked into a rather heated debate between the two men over the philosophical inclination toward positivism verses determinism.
Professor Bluee introduced me to 'Sal', the elderly man shook my hand and flatteringly asked my opinion on the subject. Not sure how to answer and not wanting to appear ignorant in front of the man who had the power to shape my academic future - I answered.
“I could be wrong but it was my understanding that positivism has been proven a false model because there was no way to measure it for scientific accuracy. I mean how can you base any findings on the theory of the psychosocial idea, 'imposed on the mind by experience'. Even if ten people are exposed to the same experience their individuality would create ten different reactions, therefore the analysis is flawed.”
“That's true Ms Cummings” Sal said with a nod before asking “However under the laws of scientific method, wouldn't it be fair to to make allowances for those differences in the variable portion of the experiment?”
“But there's no way to accurately measure that.” I found myself being drawn into the debate “Even if you have two twenty year old women...twins” the word sounding more like a question then a clarification.“...raised in the same home, with the same parents, under the same rules. The existentialism of the individual alone would cause the findings to be flawed”
Smiling at me I could tell Sal was pleased with the way he pulled me into his web “So what you are saying Ms Cummings is that the experiences of the individual is the greater impact on a persons psyche”
“Yes...free will.”
“And would you agree that with free will comes free thinking?”
It took a moment for me to answer and when I gave my simple 'yes' a knowing grin formed on the sharp minded older gentleman's “I believe you are going to do very well here Ms Cummings”
So began many discussions with Sal, who seemed to be a semi-permanent fixture in Professor Bluee's office. Showing up just about every Saturday to keep the man half his age – as Sal said – 'at the top of his game.' There were also chance meetings with Sal while doing research in the library, reading a book on the quad or taking a coffee break in the cafeteria. Other then a passing remark for basic inquires, we never spoke of anything personal. Our discussions were always kept at a purely academic level. Philosophies, theories and concepts would be debated until both of us were laughing at how far the other would reach to stress their point. Whether we agreed with one another or not, Sal's favorite saying was 'the free thinking of ideas is what sets the individual apart'
“What baby?”
Realizing I said those words out loud, I looked to Edward and repeated “The free thinking of ideas is what sets the individual apart...” adding in a reverent voice “It was Sal's standard saying”
“You knew him?" He asked with wide eyes, before jumping to the wrong conclusion "He was your Professor”
Shaking my head I answered “No...” then changed my mind because if it was the same man I did know him “I mean...yes”
“Bella, which is it? Yes or No?”
“No...I wasn't in his class...Seth said he retired before I even got there”
“Then how...” holding up my hand I stopped Edward before he could finish “I didn't know him as a Professor....but if he's Sal?...I had lots of contact with him.”
“Do you mean debatable Sal?”
Of course I had told my sister about the older intelligent man who engaged me in so many discussions that she teasingly dubbed him 'Debatable Sal'
When Professor 'Sal' was not encouraging the free thinking of his students he would often be found sitting in the 'Salvatore' club house cheering on his beloved Big Green Baseball team. Professor Salvatore was living proof of a serious philosopher maintaining the high standards of a compassionate person.
He will be greatly missed by his sons, Caius and Dante, five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. His devotion to Dartmouth College along with his pursuit of knowledge will live on through the trust set in place to maintain the SANZ – Salvatore/Nunez – scholarship fund, he and his late wife of fifty-two years, Evelyn Lenore Nunez Salvatore established. Even in death his legacy will live on.”
Looking up Seth said “That's it”
There was a quiet hush, almost like a moment of silence given out of respect for the man who's life had just been immortalized and then dad broke it by saying “Well I guess we know now what SANZ stands for, it was their names. Fifty plus years of marriage, that's something and I guess he must have really loved baseball.”
Looking to his son Carlisle asked “If he was a baseball fan, perhaps you knew him Edward”
Thinking for a moment Edward answered with an uncertain tone “I wasn't in any of his classes...but I'm fairly sure he was the one who presented me with the plagues at the athletic awards...” turning towards his brother he asked “Did you have him?”
“I don't think so...” shaking his head as he leaned backed into the chair “... I only took the basic Philosophy class like every other sophomore. I highly doubt the chair of the department would lower himself to teach an intro course”
Something was bothering me, it was like a piece of information was being overlooked yet it was really unsettling as if was right there, just begging me to grasp it. With that unease building I asked Seth to read the last paragraph again. Once he repeated the first several words 'When Professor 'Sal' was not encouraging the free thinking of his students...' I tuned everything else out.
I felt my body rock as if I'd been struck by a force so strong it nearly crippled me as my mind went to Saturday morning discussions with an older, wiser, gentleman. I had met 'Sal' my first week at Dartmouth in Professor Bluee's office, who was not only head of the Psychology Department, he was also my adviser. I had made an appointment for a simple introduction and for him to discuss my academic progress, so he was expecting my arrival. It was there that I walked into a rather heated debate between the two men over the philosophical inclination toward positivism verses determinism.
Professor Bluee introduced me to 'Sal', the elderly man shook my hand and flatteringly asked my opinion on the subject. Not sure how to answer and not wanting to appear ignorant in front of the man who had the power to shape my academic future - I answered.
“I could be wrong but it was my understanding that positivism has been proven a false model because there was no way to measure it for scientific accuracy. I mean how can you base any findings on the theory of the psychosocial idea, 'imposed on the mind by experience'. Even if ten people are exposed to the same experience their individuality would create ten different reactions, therefore the analysis is flawed.”
“That's true Ms Cummings” Sal said with a nod before asking “However under the laws of scientific method, wouldn't it be fair to to make allowances for those differences in the variable portion of the experiment?”
“But there's no way to accurately measure that.” I found myself being drawn into the debate “Even if you have two twenty year old women...twins” the word sounding more like a question then a clarification.“...raised in the same home, with the same parents, under the same rules. The existentialism of the individual alone would cause the findings to be flawed”
Smiling at me I could tell Sal was pleased with the way he pulled me into his web “So what you are saying Ms Cummings is that the experiences of the individual is the greater impact on a persons psyche”
“Yes...free will.”
“And would you agree that with free will comes free thinking?”
It took a moment for me to answer and when I gave my simple 'yes' a knowing grin formed on the sharp minded older gentleman's “I believe you are going to do very well here Ms Cummings”
So began many discussions with Sal, who seemed to be a semi-permanent fixture in Professor Bluee's office. Showing up just about every Saturday to keep the man half his age – as Sal said – 'at the top of his game.' There were also chance meetings with Sal while doing research in the library, reading a book on the quad or taking a coffee break in the cafeteria. Other then a passing remark for basic inquires, we never spoke of anything personal. Our discussions were always kept at a purely academic level. Philosophies, theories and concepts would be debated until both of us were laughing at how far the other would reach to stress their point. Whether we agreed with one another or not, Sal's favorite saying was 'the free thinking of ideas is what sets the individual apart'
“What baby?”
Realizing I said those words out loud, I looked to Edward and repeated “The free thinking of ideas is what sets the individual apart...” adding in a reverent voice “It was Sal's standard saying”
“You knew him?" He asked with wide eyes, before jumping to the wrong conclusion "He was your Professor”
Shaking my head I answered “No...” then changed my mind because if it was the same man I did know him “I mean...yes”
“Bella, which is it? Yes or No?”
“No...I wasn't in his class...Seth said he retired before I even got there”
“Then how...” holding up my hand I stopped Edward before he could finish “I didn't know him as a Professor....but if he's Sal?...I had lots of contact with him.”
“Do you mean debatable Sal?”
Of course I had told my sister about the older intelligent man who engaged me in so many discussions that she teasingly dubbed him 'Debatable Sal'
Leah's
use of his nickname sparked another memory of a cold dreary November
afternoon during my senior year. The harsh New England wind blowing
so fiercely that the rain drops felt like pebbles pelting against my
skin. Ducking into the coffee shop to get out of the weather, I
ordered my normal extra large latte, then moved to the seating area
intent on warming up. Spotting Sal in the corner, he smiled,
motioning for me to join him.
After
the initial small talk and a few sips to help speed up the defrosting
process in my bones our conversation turned to a discussion on
ethics. Essentially concentrating on the fundamental principles of
one generation passing their beliefs onto another and how society
dictates respectability. It was Sal's contention that society had the
greater impact on the morality of the people, while I had my own
thoughts
“Don't you think that the morals and ethics of the people within the society set the pace for what is acceptable behavior? Take the Puritans for example, they held stringent beliefs on what was proper. The parents passed those values down to their children and rather than diminishing in fervor their convictions expanded. To this day those same views are still very much a part of our modern day culture”
“Such as?”
Not wanting to state specifics I gave general examples “Codes of conduct that still govern families, marriage, child rearing and sex.”
“There has been a sexual revolution Ms Cummings” The little grin on his face wasn't meant to be lecherous, I took it for what it was - a prompt.
“Yes, in some ways we are a more open society. Women are free to enjoy and express their sexuality, homosexuals are no longer considered mentally ill and we've come to the point where we teach there is nothing abnormal about having sexual desires. So in that regard we've come a long way in just the past thirty or forty years. Yet you have to admit even in our enlighten world, there are things that still are, and probably will always be socially unacceptable...”
“Don't you think that the morals and ethics of the people within the society set the pace for what is acceptable behavior? Take the Puritans for example, they held stringent beliefs on what was proper. The parents passed those values down to their children and rather than diminishing in fervor their convictions expanded. To this day those same views are still very much a part of our modern day culture”
“Such as?”
Not wanting to state specifics I gave general examples “Codes of conduct that still govern families, marriage, child rearing and sex.”
“There has been a sexual revolution Ms Cummings” The little grin on his face wasn't meant to be lecherous, I took it for what it was - a prompt.
“Yes, in some ways we are a more open society. Women are free to enjoy and express their sexuality, homosexuals are no longer considered mentally ill and we've come to the point where we teach there is nothing abnormal about having sexual desires. So in that regard we've come a long way in just the past thirty or forty years. Yet you have to admit even in our enlighten world, there are things that still are, and probably will always be socially unacceptable...”
Knowing
he'd be expecting a definitive answer I said “like infidelity. And
even though children born to single mothers are no longer refereed to
as 'bastards,' the illegitimate children who are a product of an
extramarital affair are still …"
I was going to finish by saying 'a blemish' when Sal's face turned solemn as he added his own thought "A dirty little secret"
The memory of his words caused a tremor to rock through me as I had just heard that very phrase only a few hours earlier.
"Oh My God.....Edward..." The urgency in my voice put him on edge and he grasped my wrist when I tried to snatch the papers from him "What is it!"
He wasn't asking, Edward was demanding to be told however I was already grabbing the files from him and in one fell swoop jumping to my feet so fast my chair tipped over. Pushing my plate out of the way I had the folder open on the table and was hurriedly shuffling through the papers.
“Bella what are you looking for?”
“A paper”
“What paper?” He asked while trying to re-stack the pages I was tossing around “Which one?”
When I didn't answer right away Edward asked “Bella...Who's Sal?”
I didn't get to answer because my hands were holding the copy of the email Eleazar had given us. It was a conversation between Caius and Tanya. As I was re-reading his answer to why Caius was so determined to get information on me, my mind registered Edward's frantic plea “Bella what is it?”
It was like any other time I had been involved in a research project, in order to get the pieces together, I needed to put all my focus on the task at hand and my words came out slightly harsher then intended “Give me a second....”
Realizing the biting tone I used, my eyes shifted from the paper to his concerned face, I wanted to apologize for being so short, I wanted to take away the worry he was feeling and I wanted him to allow me the few minutes I needed to sort it out. My mind was in a whirl and in the mass confusion going on in my head the Quileute words spilled from my mouth.
“Asgaya hoto'vta HAY nihi ageyutsa usdi tsitsaduliha.... asgaya”
EPOV
Sir Please, your girl needs a moment and she will do as you ask ….please
It was the last pleading 'please' that got to me and even though I was going out of my mind with worry and curiosity, I had to give Bella what she asked for. She was on a mission, her mind working in it's normal one directional train of thought, focused on the task at hand and she needed to get it straight.
Jacob had gotten up to stand behind her, looking over Bella's shoulder at the three papers she was frantically reading. He too was curious as to what she was thinking yet like me, Jacob knew to remain quiet. Charlie however was a different story, he was on his feet leaning across the table and demanding “Just who is this Sal person to you?”
I was going to finish by saying 'a blemish' when Sal's face turned solemn as he added his own thought "A dirty little secret"
The memory of his words caused a tremor to rock through me as I had just heard that very phrase only a few hours earlier.
"Oh My God.....Edward..." The urgency in my voice put him on edge and he grasped my wrist when I tried to snatch the papers from him "What is it!"
He wasn't asking, Edward was demanding to be told however I was already grabbing the files from him and in one fell swoop jumping to my feet so fast my chair tipped over. Pushing my plate out of the way I had the folder open on the table and was hurriedly shuffling through the papers.
“Bella what are you looking for?”
“A paper”
“What paper?” He asked while trying to re-stack the pages I was tossing around “Which one?”
When I didn't answer right away Edward asked “Bella...Who's Sal?”
I didn't get to answer because my hands were holding the copy of the email Eleazar had given us. It was a conversation between Caius and Tanya. As I was re-reading his answer to why Caius was so determined to get information on me, my mind registered Edward's frantic plea “Bella what is it?”
It was like any other time I had been involved in a research project, in order to get the pieces together, I needed to put all my focus on the task at hand and my words came out slightly harsher then intended “Give me a second....”
Realizing the biting tone I used, my eyes shifted from the paper to his concerned face, I wanted to apologize for being so short, I wanted to take away the worry he was feeling and I wanted him to allow me the few minutes I needed to sort it out. My mind was in a whirl and in the mass confusion going on in my head the Quileute words spilled from my mouth.
“Asgaya hoto'vta HAY nihi ageyutsa usdi tsitsaduliha.... asgaya”
EPOV
Sir Please, your girl needs a moment and she will do as you ask ….please
It was the last pleading 'please' that got to me and even though I was going out of my mind with worry and curiosity, I had to give Bella what she asked for. She was on a mission, her mind working in it's normal one directional train of thought, focused on the task at hand and she needed to get it straight.
Jacob had gotten up to stand behind her, looking over Bella's shoulder at the three papers she was frantically reading. He too was curious as to what she was thinking yet like me, Jacob knew to remain quiet. Charlie however was a different story, he was on his feet leaning across the table and demanding “Just who is this Sal person to you?”
“Oh my lord...” Bella groaned
“...for two years...” she seemed lost in her own little world
“...why didn't he ever tell me?”
At her own question, Bella's eyes shifted from the papers and I have to admit I was more then pleased that even with Charlie pressing for information, and Jacob hovering at her back, she ignored them to speak to me.
“Edward...I think...Sal..” shaking her head Bella corrected herself “Professor Salvatore...Cauis' father is...was... Phil's father.”
I was so shocked, she could have
knocked me over with a feather...
Phil's father?
Bella's step-father, the only man
who she considered to be her daddy, the man who shaped her life, was
the son of...and that would make him the brother of...
Shaking my head to clear away the
wayward thoughts I had to know her reasoning.“What makes you think
so?”
Charlie
had his own question “How could he be Phil's father, Seth said that
professor guy was married fifty some years...”
Turning
on her father she addressed his comment with a derisive tone “Oh
come on dad...he
certainly wouldn't be the first person to ...” stopping herself
Bella seemed to think of something as she cup her hand over her mouth
and gasped “OH MY GOD...it was him...” her eyes shifted behind me
as she spoke in a quiet whisper “...it was all Sal...he did it
all...”
I
was too focused on Bella to see who she was talking to and still
unsure as to how she knew Professor Salvatore. I needed her to get it
together and start explaining however all she did was ramble on to
whoever she was looking at “...the scholarship...the room...the
computer...Professor Bluee as my adviser..all of it...it was because
of him...not because ”
“Don't
You Dare Say It!” the venom in Leah's voice was shocking and when I
turned to look at her I was taken aback by her stance. She was on her
feet, poised as if readying herself for a fight “I mean it Bella,
Don't You Dare...”
Unsure
what Leah's warning was about my mind was spinning with the
possibilities when I heard my Alice say “So not only were you an
easier acceptance because of your transfer status, you also had
someone on the inside pulling strings so you'd be sure to get in”
I
saw the look of desolation come over Bella's face and I glared down
at my sister ready to chew her out.
“That was uncalled for Alice” Dad's
tone made it clear he was not happy with his youngest child but his
words held no weight with Leah who seethed “What the hell is that
suppose to mean! You been making comments all day, why don't you just
say what you mean!”
all
day?
I
know Alice had said dome disparaging thing when they first arrived,
however I assumed in the company of our parents she would have
remembered the manners our mother drilled into us.
“I
was just making an observation about how Bella got into Dartmouth,
that's all”
The
words coming from my sisters mouth were saccharine sweet, yet there
was an underlying dig in there that bothered the shit out of me. It
was as if she was saying Bella couldn't have gotten accept without
someone intervening. I wanted to inquire as to Alice's motives yet
there was no time Leah had taken up the defense of her sister.
“What
do you think because she comes from a small town that she's not good
enough? Not smart enough?”
“I
didn't say anything about that. I was just wondering...like everyone
else... how she got accepted so easily...and it makes sense now.”
“I
suppose her perfect grades in high school had nothing to do with it.
Or how about the four-point-o GPA she kept at PACC along with the
shinning letters of recommendation from not only her instructors but
the Dean himself. And know for a fact Dartmouth would never have
taken into account her SAT score of fourteen-seventy.”
There
was a collective gasp from several people at hearing the outrageously
high score along with my father repeating under his breath in
astonishment 'fourteen-seventy'
and behind me Emmett
mutter 'damn dude, she
did better then you'
Pride
surged through me, instinctive and strong – my girl was a fucking
genius.
Hearing
the reaction Bella tried to appeal to her sister by saying her name,
however Leah was on a roll and was not to be deterred.
“She didn't have the luxury of most
college kids who have nothing to do but school work! No...”
becoming animated Leah pointed at herself “My sister...had to cook
and clean, do the shopping and the yard work and still keep a part
time job. OH...” she scoffed “...and don't even get me started on
the jerk of a husband who treated her like sh...”
“Leah!” Bella yelled at her sister
who finally seemed to catch on to the fact she was revealing more
then she should.
“No Bella! That's bull! I'm not going
to just sit back while somebody...anybody questions your
accomplishments”
“I wasn't questioning Bella's
accomplishments, all I said was...” cutting off my sister Leah
again sounded angry “Oh, I heard what you said...several times, and
I'm telling you and everybody else here, until you know what your
talking about, keep your mouth shut!”
With
that little announcement my father gt to his feet “Alright, lets
just settle down. Alice that remark was rude and you should
apologize”
“ Yeah apologize princess...”
“Leah...” Bella implored her sister
“...Alice is right”
I
was as shocked by that comment as Leah seemed to be “Are you
kidding me! She's not right! She's not even partially right! She's so
far from right she's Completely Left!”
Throughout
this exchange I noticed my sister remained quiet and did not offer an
apology but I was too busy watching Bella shaking her head while
staring down her sister “If it was Sal...then maybe he did pull
strings...and I did get preferential treatment.”
“That's all I was saying” my sister
interjected “I'm sorry if it came out wrong”
“Oh it was way wrong”
“ Leah” Bella pleaded again before
looking up to the person standing behind her “Jake do
something...please...”
“Nenemoo'sha”
Hearing
her husband call her sweetheart Leah took up her fight with him
“Jake”
Inclining
his head ever so slightly his face became stern as he held up one
hand to stop her from talking “wuhs. Ah-th-lah-CHID. Háo'omó'e”
The only word I was certain of was the
first one 'no' the rest I was unsure of however whatever he said had
their desired effect on Leah. Taking a deep breath she seemed to get
herself under control before she replied with a bit of sarcasm “I'm
calm”
Her penatrating gaze once again came
back to her sister “I just have one question for you Bella. What
does it matter?”
“What do you mean?”
“Even if Sal did give you the
scholarship, it's his money. He can do what he wants with it. Maybe
he did see your application was moved to the top, so what. It's not
like you didn't have the credentials or the grades to get in. They
didn't pass over someone who was more worthy just to make room for
you. So if that man pulled some strings just so you could get the
education from the school you always dreamed of going to...I say
Thank You God! It was a blessing from the Great One himself.”
No truer a statement could have been
made – Bella getting away from Forks was a blessing.
“And ask yourself this...was Sal the
one sitting in all those classes? Was Sal the one who lived on Campus
for two years without ever going home? Was Sal the one who received
high honors and was accepted into the senior research group? Did Sal
take any of those test or write one stupid paper that had you
graduating with a staggering four-point-three?”
“Holy crap ” Ignoring my
brothers astonished mutterings, Leah pointed at Bella “You did that
Bella...you...against all odds...you...so what does it matter how you
got there? ”
Breaking the silence my father said
firmly “Leah's right Bella. I tried everything I could think of to
help Emmett. Connected every person I knew who could have possibly
intervened on his behalf. If one of them would have been able to come
through for him, we would have jumped at the chance. As it was... it
just didn't work out”
“See...” Leah was sure of herself
as she said “That's my point Bella. Regardless of how much effort
you put into something...sometimes its not what
you know, its who
you know.”
“But I didn't know. Don't you think I
should have known?”
“Why? Would it have made a
difference?”
I
suppose that was the question that would never be answered because
Bella didn't know about all the details that went on behind the
scene. It must be hard for her to say what she would have done had
she known and so maybe it was better she didn't. Because that way the
choice was simply to go or not, there was no moral or ethical choice
behind the decision. The full ride scholarship was her chance to get
away from the hell she was living in and she took it with gratitude.
Ultimately her leaving for Dartmouth was a catalyst to bringing her
to me. I suppose in a way Sal deserves my gratitude too.
Except
I was still clueless as to who I should be thanking “Baby could you
please tell me how you know 'Sal', before I go insane”
She
looked at me a little bewildered “Didn't I tell you?”
“ No” several voices sounded at
once. Mine – believe it or not – slightly amused, Emmett's more
or less exacerbated, Charlie's a bit irradiated and Jacob just
stating a simple fact as he reached across the table for a jar of
Laub “Here, take a seat, have a drink and...tell us who the heck
'Sal
is”
That's
exactly what Bella did, clinking the jar against the one Billy was
holding – because apparently no one should drink alone – she
along with everyone else sat down and we were regaled with the story
of Sal. Starting with how she first met him in her advisers office,
their debates, chats and occasional meetings around campus. Bella
recalled some of their encounters and how she came to the conclusion
that the Sal she knew was more then likely Phil's father. I had to
hand it to her, once Bella's intuition gets peaked she becomes like a
super sleuth. Piecing all the fragments of information together until
it makes perfect sense and I'm left wondering why it took so long to
see it.
Throughout
the whole explanation our hands remained entwined on the table and I
rubbed my thumb soothingly over her skin. When she finished her eyes
met mine for a moment before saying “I only knew him as Sal. I
didn't even know his last name. But we...it was...” swallowing
hard, she narrowed her eyes in deep thought before wondering “...if
he was Phil's father, why didn't he say something...or at the very
least, mention him?”
I
didn't know what to say, because frankly anyone who knows my girl
would be honored to have a closer relationship with her. It seemed
odd that the man could have been so close- a grandfather of sorts-
yet still keep his distance.
My
grandmother however must have understood where he was coming from as
she said “That would have brought up a lot of questions, with
answers he might not have been prepared to give.”
Releasing
my hand Bella shifted in her chair to give my grandmother her full
attention as she continued “Think about it dear, if he was
Phil's father, then he was carrying around a forty year old secret.
Which must have been a heavy burden to bare.”
“Then why go through the trouble to
give me the scholarship in the first place?”
Gran
had the answer to that question too “Well there are several reasons
I suppose. Perhaps it was his chance to get to know you. Maybe while
his son was at the school, he got to finally have some sort of
relationship with a child he never knew. Then only a sort time later,
that son was forever taken from him. But it would stand to reason
that since you were named his heir...” Gran smiled gently “...Phil
must have loved you, like a daughter”
I
saw Bella's head nod ever so slightly while Gran added “It would
seem logical for him to bestow on you what he couldn't give his
child. Like you were an extension of a life that was lost.
While
Bella thought on those words my grandmother gave another plausible
reason “Then there is always the basic reason...plain, simple,
guilt.”
“Guilt” Bella wasn't questioning it
was more or less reconciliation
“Guilt can eat away at a persons
soul, until they are so racked with shame that they have no choice
except to right the wrong they have committed...anyway they can”
I had heard those same words earlier in
the day come straight from Bella's mouth. She was trying to express
the need to inform Eleazar of the possible -as she called it –
'shit storm' that might be coming his way. Thanks to Tanya,
who contacted James, his whole household was now in jeopardy. Bella
had said she made no excuses for her own willingness at turning a
blinds eye, because she did what was necessary to survive, 'anyway
she could.'
“Your right” Bella admitted “Guilt
has a way of eating you alive”
Gran had no idea exactly what my girl
was talking about or how it effected her own life, but I sure did.
Squeezing her shoulder I pulled Bella back towards me and kissed her
head whispering quietly against her ear “I love you nâhtötse”
Tilting
her head she lightly kissed my hand and murmured “I know”
“Where
was Phil's mother?”
Mom's
question broke our little bubble and Charlie corrected his daughter's
assumption that the twenty year old Marilyn died accidentally.
Bringing a whole new round of sympathy for the young woman who
decided to take her own life in a motel room.
Gran expanded on her thoughts “I'm
sure that would have added to the man's guilt. Maybe the affair was
an on going thing, maybe he really did care about the girl. But if I
had to guess, with the obvious age difference, she was a gullible
young woman that made him feel good about himself. However he
certainly wasn't willing to risk losing his family or his career over
some...” looking to me gran wondered “...what do you call it?
Piece of Tail?”
“Yeah.. that works Gran” leave it
to my grandmother to make me blush.
Proud
of herself my Gran went on “I'm going to assume that she was one of
his students and I'm sure the college has rules about those kind of
things...” again looking to me she questioned “Am I correct?”
This
time it was Bella who answered “They tend to frown on fraternizing
with your students”
“Well I'm sure they would have really
been unhappy with making one of them pregnant, not to mention the
reaction from his wife. So instead he walked away. I can't be sure
why the girl would be compelled to take her own life...in a motel
room no less. One can only surmise why she was there. Maybe they were
going to meet and he never showed up. Maybe that was were they got
together to be intimate...we just don't know. For whatever reasons
whether to get attention or a complete loss of hope, that young girl
took her own life and left behind his child. A son, he couldn't
recognize. That's something that through the years was probably
eating away at him”
“Maybe that's why you were named in
his will Bella”
Rose's comment brought to mind the
other mystery and Charlie was quick to wonder “You were named in
his will? Is that estate you were talking about yesterday Edward?”
“I don't know...” picking up the
papers containing the numerous emails I told him truthfully “Caius
made an illusion to Bella having received a rather large
inheritance.”
“How large?” that was my father
asking
“Again we don't know...” finding
the correct paper I handed over to Bella's father “...he says
something about seven hundred and fifty thousand”
“DOLLARS!” Seth shouted excitedly
while Charlie read the email and Bella mumbled under her breath “I
don't want his money”
“Well can I have it?”
Her head whipped in Seth's direction
and I could only imagine the look of revulsion on her face as she
said “NO!”
“Come on...if your just going to
throw it away...”
“You and I already have a deal”
What deal?
I wondered while Sue made the inquiry
out loud and Bella explained that the previous year Seth was thinking
about joining the army to take advantage of the education bill.
Finishing she got to the heart of their bargain “So I told him to
take a student loan on anything not covered by the Native American
act. The deal is as long as he graduates ...” stressing the
word with a head nod in Seth's direction “...with at minimum of at
least a two-point-seven GPA...I would pay off his loans”
“That was very generous of you”
Shrugging off Sue's assessment she said
“I wasn't going to let my brother go get himself shot in
Afghanistan just so he could become a crime scene expert”
“Yeah...but if my wonderful,
generous, beautiful sister...” Cutting off her brother Leah moaned
“Oh My Lord...shut up already...” and Bella laughed “Flattery
will get you no where”
“It was worth a shot”
The three of them laughed for a moment
before Bella pointed a finger towards her brother “You stick to
your end...go to school”
“And then we'll talk” the
hopefulness in his voice making me moan right along with Bella who
told him “It sounds like a lot of money, but it's really not”
“Says the one who's loaded”
“Ugh...I'm not loaded...”
“You got more then me”
Bella seemed to be finished with this
conversation as she said “Vinny's got more then you...Go To
School.” Shaking her head she turned her attention back across the
table to our fathers who were reading through the emails “Besides...I
have no idea what Caius is talking about. No one has contacted me...”
Dad interrupted “Judging from what is
said here, I think they are going to Bella.”
“Why do you say that?”
Giving me a pointed look dad shrugged
“I don't know very much about estate law...however”
Our
two fathers began a tutorial into the world of wills, probate law and
estates that had my head spinning. The police officer in Charlie came
to the conclusion that since Professor Salvatore – Sal – passed
away in March, the time table seems to be right. It would take six to
eight weeks for all the legalities to take place, which would have
put us at the approximate point where Caius put Bella on his radar.
My
father went on to explain that if the good Professor named his three
sons, the two legitimate and the one he called his 'dirty little
secrete'...as the beneficiaries. Most wills stipulate that in the
event of one of them being deceased, their share would revert to the
person or persons, they named as heir. In this case, with Phil being
dead, his share would ultimately go to Bella.
“Of course...” Dad went on
“...after actually getting to meet you Bella. It's possible that he
might have amended his will to name you directly. I'm sure when his
other two sons found out that little stipulation, they took action to
put a hold on the estate. It would give them a sixty or ninety day
extension, enough time to investigate and find grounds in which to
contest the will.”
Charlie
once again picked up “Which means, you should probably contact a
lawyer to see what your rights are”
“What if I decline?”
“Give it to me” Seth's
whining was getting on my nerves and apparently on Bella's also as
she hissed “Would you please shut up”
Dad
however found the kid amusing and chuckled before telling her “If
you are named and the will stands as it's written. The distribution
will be made with your share remaining in the trusties of the bank
where the funds are being held. They will stay there until you or the
person you appoint, claims them.”
“So the money won't just get
reabsorbed into the rest and given to the others?”
“No, I'm afraid not”
After
a moment dad agreed with Charlie about legal representation and I had
a brilliant idea “Baby when we met with the financial planner
Tuesday, this might be something for you to bring up.”
I
also had a thought to contact the investigator, perhaps Weiss will be
able to look into the whole situation and see if Bella really was in
Professor Salvatore's will. Perhaps he could even work quick enough
to have information before our meeting.
“What time Tuesday?” Charlie asked
his daughter while handing me back the stack of emails
At
hearing the answer three o'clock he smiled “ Billy is leaving to go
home in the morning with Loretta. Sue is taking Leah to see about
getting a job with that Douglas character...”
Hearing
that Bella turned to her sister excitedly “Already?”
“I know...right?” Leah sounding
just as pleased “Which reminds me I have some releases for you to
sign”
“For what?”
“Dougie said I needed a few candid
shots so I put in some of you...”
“ What!” Bella nearly screeched
while her sister offered some reassurance “Don't worry it wasn't
any of those”
“You all know Douglas?” mom chimed
in and Sue answered “Yes, I met him at the Shower yesterday...oh,
he was simply wonderful...”
While
the women simultaneously carried on several different conversations,
Charlie just kind of sat back biding his time while Leah told about
her 'chance of a lifetime' to work as a photographer with Riley. By
the time she had gotten to the point where she explaining what photos
were in the portfolio Charlie had taken two drinks of Laub.
After
two more he could no longer wait and leaned across the table to get
his daughter's attention. “So anyway since I was going to be alone
most of the day, I thought we'd go out for some lunch”
Taken
aback Bella wondered “When?”
“Tuesday.” He said as if it should
be obvious “If your appointment isn't until later in the day...we
can go earlier so you'll be back in plenty of time”
“Ummmm...” Bella hummed while
looking to me for direction. “Edward and I sort of have plans...”
While
Bella waited for me to say something Charlie came to the wrong
conclusion “If you'd rather not...”
“No it's not that dad...it's just...”
again looking to me.
There was nothing in our original plans
that couldn't be altered, my only reservation was Bella's safety.
Something I was sure her badge carrying, gun toting father was more
then capable of securing. With that in mind I quickly came up with an
alternative “You should spend some time with your dad babe, we can
drop take Seth to the vet as planned. Then I can drop you off with
your father before meeting up with Emmett at the club. You go do your
thing and I'll pick you back up in time to meet up with the financial
guy.”
“What about stopping by the college?”
Shit!
How could I forget about that?
Charlie
seemed confused “What do you need to do there?”
“I just have to fill out some papers”
That
answer peaked his interest “Did you get a new contract?”
“Ummm...no...” Bella hesitated and
I wondered if maybe she was having second thoughts but then she just
stated matter-of-factly “I'm going to let the housing office rent
out the house”
“What house?”
The
answer to Charlie's question should have been fairly evident yet he
still looked confused when Bella answered “Mine of course”
“And where are you going to live?”
He wondered darting his eyes between me and Bella
“Here, with Edward”
Charlie
stared me down as his face went through a multitude of emotions
before finally settling on what I could only assume to be disdain
“You're going to shack
up with my daughter?”
Beside
me Emmett laughed but I didn't find one damn thing funny about the
situation. In fact I was scared shitless because I swear the mans
hand started moving towards his gun belt.
