Perdition Chapter 10

Then

"Who is that boy over there playing with Benny?" I asked my best friend Angela.

She looked over her shoulder, then back to me. We were mostly just gossiping on the swing set. "That's Edward Cullen. You know his sister Alice, don't you?"

I nodded, still watching him and Benny as they raced each other across the monkey bars. "She's younger than us, so I only see her at the playground or sometimes at lunch."

Angela looked at me more carefully and giggled. "Bella, he's in 8th grade. Stop staring."

My eyes widened on hers as I finally tore my gaze from him. "So? That's only a year older. He's so tall already, Ange," I murmured.

"More like gangly. He won't sprout up until high school, you know. Besides, I think Benjamin is so much cuter."

My eyebrow shot up. "Since when does he go by 'Benjamin'? He's always gone by Benny, since we were in kindergarten."

"Since he turned thirteen, Isabella," she emphasized my full name for effect.

I shuddered. "Don't call me that, ever. Only my dad calls me Isabella," I said quietly.

"Sorry. Bella."

I swung back and forth gently a few times. "So have you asked him out yet?"

Angela laughed, a nasal giggling sound. "No. I'm waiting for him to notice me."

It was said so wistfully, and I realized something then and there. "Well, I'm not waiting for some boy to notice me."

I stood from the swing, full of twelve year old confidence, and marched over to the monkey bars. I crossed my arms and tapped my foot in the mulch, waiting for the boys to reach the end and drop down. I watched Edward, his long skinny arms working furiously, long thin legs dangling. He reached the end first, crowing loudly and holding his arms above his head in victory.

"Cullen."

He turned to me, seeing me standing there like I owned the playground. "Yeah?"

"Winner takes me for ice cream," I stated, rather imperiously.

He looked a little confused, but he perused me up and down, his green eyes sparkling in the sun. "Okay."

"Okay." I suddenly didn't know what to do.

"Are your parents here?" he asked.

"Um, no. I'm allowed to stay in the square alone."

"Cool. Let's walk over to Miller's Confectionery." He held his arm out like a gentleman, and I shot a look to Angela before accepting, bending my elbow and linking it with his.

"You are going to wash up when we get there, aren't you?" I asked, worrying my lower lip in my teeth as I looked down at his dirty hands.

He laughed, and I still think that's the moment I fell head over heels.

Now

I hear the bell chiming on the diner door, much like the bell in my memory at the ice cream shop. Edward and his daughter come in, and I see the recognition as his gaze lands on my face. I give him a smile but don't make any effort to move. I don't want to intrude on their time, I just want to watch them interact. There was a time when I knew that I would be the mother of his children, and everything about the girl's adoption has me curious, especially since Angela won't tell me a thing. Sue comes from the back, surprising me by stopping at my table and cupping my cheek with a warm, calloused hand.

"I'm glad that you came back, Bella."

Her earnest eyes take me by surprise, and I blink several times before answering. "Thanks, Sue. How are the kids?"

She chuckles. "Not kids anymore, sweetheart. They're both fine."

She seems to want to avoid the subject, and I remember that I've seen Seth with the gang from the reservation. "That's good to hear. I'm happy to see you're still running the diner."

"Nobody can run me off, dear. The Forks Diner is my baby, and I love cooking for all of you folks." She looks up as someone calls her name, and I watch as she goes to Edward and his daughter. The next thing I know, they're traipsing down the walkway and Sue and Mallie disappear into the ladies room.

"She likes it when Sue takes her," I hear from next to me, and my head swivels to face him.

"Is it awkward to take her yourself?" I inquire, genuinely curious about a single dad taking his daughter to the bathroom.

"I'm used to it by now, but I normally check the women's to make sure it's empty, then escort her inside." He chuckles lightly.

I smile in return, and watch him as he keeps his eyes trained to the bathroom door. "It's amazing, that you've taken on a child by yourself."

It's apparently the wrong thing to say, judging by the storm clouds that cover his face as he looks sharply at me. "I didn't have a choice," he snarls, eyes narrowed on my face. I shift uncomfortably in my seat, saved by Sue coming back with Mallie.

"You ready, love?" he asks her, completely transformed into a loving and patient father.

"Yes, Daddy!" she chirps, and I marvel at her springy pigtails and pink socks, and lovely pink lace shirt and skirt combo.

"Let's go then," he says, sparing me one more glance before heading out. I sigh, thinking we're moving backward more than forward.

"He'll come around," Sue declares from where she stands near my elbow.

"Will he? And for that matter, should he? I really am to blame for his attitude, Sue." I rub my temples with my fingertips, trying to ease the headache forming.

"I think he still loves you, or there wouldn't be so much hurt to work through. If he hated you, he'd wash his hands of you, but he hasn't done that."

"How do you know so much?"

"Years of watching and listening to folks." She pats my head in a motherly fashion before disappearing into the back again.

I head out the front after paying for my meal, deciding to walk back to my apartment and figure out what to do with myself for the rest of the day. I feel uneasy, like I'm being watched. I discreetly glance around, but I don't see anybody unusual. I wouldn't be surprised to discover Black is having me followed so he can keep an eye on his asset. The morning clouds have given way to late afternoon sun, and it's actually pleasant to walk down Main Street and glance in the shop windows and admire the wares. I let myself into my home, only to stop moving and lean heavily against the door.

My belongings are scattered, my bedding on the floor and the mattress cut up. Drawers and cabinets are hanging open, even my mother's favorite clock is on the floor in pieces. My reaction is swift and visceral, my knees buckle and I slide down the door, letting the tears fall and collect on my chin. It takes me several minutes as I try not to think of the heirlooms that are ruined, but I heave myself up and into the bathroom to wash my face, where writing on the mirror stops me cold.

Where's The Money?

It looks like permanent marker, large letters underlined with a bold stroke. My hands shaking, I swipe at the mirror with my palms, but it doesn't budge. I stumble out of the bathroom, moving back to my purse and pulling out my phone. I stare at my broken things as the call is answered.

"I need help."