Nessie's Life

Chapter 24

While Shelley and I were walking back to her house, I got a call from my dad. He told me that before they could even leave to go visit Charlie, he had called to ask if he could visit us. Apparently Sue was travelling for a national conference of tribal elders, and Charlie "missed Ness like hell." I told Dad that everything with Shelley had gone better than I'd hoped, even if she was still a little shaken by  my special ability.

"I'm so glad, Renesmee. You did wonderfully. I don't mean to rush either of you, I know that this must be intense for her. But given that Charlie will be here this evening, do you think you could try to find out as much as she knows about her mom's past experience in Forks and why she seems so suspicious of us? It will help us know what exactly to ask him."

Shelley and I were nearing her house. "Sure, ok. I'll try."

"Thank you Ness. I'll see you soon."

"Wait, Dad? Do you think Shelley could possibly come over later? It was her idea, not mine. She wants to get to know all of us, and she also wants to help us figure out the connection."

"I'd say it's up to her if she feels comfortable. Of course we'll do our utmost to welcome her. We'll even provide human food."

I laughed. "Thanks Dad. Bye, I love you."

"I love you too sweetheart. Goodbye."

We approached Shelley's house and snuck around to her window, but were surprised to find it closed.

"Damn it," said Shelley. "My mom must have found it and closed it. Which means she knows I left. Which also means I'll have to go in through the door, since the window doesn't open from the outside."

I bit my lip. I had always intended to let Shelley ultimately decide how much we would tell her mom, but I needed to warn her about the danger that she might be putting her mom in first. I needed to tell her about the danger that she herself was in, if the Volturi ever caught her with us. I felt rushed.

"I'm sorry to do this again, but I really need to explain something to you very quickly before you see your mom."

Shelley nodded. I touched her cheek, thinking of the threats my mom had faced when she knew about the Cullens as a human. Shelley looked troubled.

"I see."

"Are you mad at me for putting you in danger?"

"What? No, of course not. I needed to know. I somehow feel... I'm not sure, like I was always supposed to know. I don't think it could have been avoided."

I nodded. "So how do you want to approach your mom?"

"I know that she suspects. Strongly suspects, even. But I also know that she never had proof. She told me stories that she heard when visiting her friends on that reservation near Forks. Stories about Cold Ones and wolf-people and all sorts of nonsense... well, I guess not nonsense. But the point is that she doesn't know. And even though she's been cold towards you and given you a hard time, well, more than a hard time, you have to understand that my mom is the most important person in my life. I can't endanger her."

I nodded sympathetically. "Shelley, I don't blame her. I understand. And you're right, there's a difference between suspicion that someone keeps to themself and actual knowledge that can be spread. We know you won't tell anyone about us. But she might see it as her duty to warn others if what she suspects about us is confirmed."

"Ok. So I won't tell her."

I nodded. "I think that's best. I'll leave you now so you can go make up some excuse and let her know you're ok. But my dad said you could come over later, if you still want to."