Hunger

CHAPTER 6

I tapped my fingertips restlessly against the window pane. The rain was pounding harder against it. A low whine sounded outside, making my heart wrench.

"Jacob." I whispered.

He had to stay keep guard with his pack all day. I wanted to go out and sit with him, but everyone was hell-bent on keeping me on house arrest.

I pressed my forehead against the cold glass and traced my fingers along the raindrops that slid down.

The dark black wolf with a tint of russet in his wet fur turned and faced me, his dark eyes filling with worry. Another whine escaped his jaw.

"I don't wanna do anything Jacob. I wanna be out there with you. This is the closest they'll let me come." I explained through the glass.

He growled.

"Don't get mad. They're concerned for my health. Of course they trust you." I reasoned.

He laid his head on the grass and huffed a sigh.

"Don't worry. I'm not bored. Watching you is entertaining."

He laughed again.

"Renesmee? Wanna help me decorate your room?" Grandma called from upstairs.

I gazed at Jacob and scowled. He nodded and turned away from the window.

"Alright Grandma." I sighed unhappily. "Be right there."

On my way up the stairs, I saw Alice and Jasper watch me carefully from the living room. I wanted to assure them everything was fine, but I wasn't in a very good mood.

I was going stir crazy.

I flew down the hall and to dad's old room.

I gasped in shock. The once white walls were painted a beautiful chocolate brown. The antique furniture Grandma had already told me about was set up, adding the ambiance.

She was gazing at a row of paintings lined up against the wall. "Okay...which painting?"

It took me less than a second to find the one I really liked. "That one." I smiled, pointing at Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh.

"I thought so." She smiled, picking up the frame and hanging it on the wall.

I spotted dad's old dresser and caught a glimpse of a small stack of photos. I raced over and got them and flipped through them.

"Can I ask you something Grandma?" I asked, stopping at a picture of my dad.

"Of course. What would you like to know?" she wasn't looking at me, because she was measuring a wall but I knew I had her full attention.

"What happened on mom's 18th birthday? I heard dad left her. And in this picture..." I traced the familiar kitchen from Charlie's house. My dad was sitting at the table. A twinkle in his golden eyes. I imagined he was looking at mom. I had never seen him look at anyone else like that. "It doesn't look like he would."

"Flip to the next picture." Grandma said softly in a sad voice.

I did as she asked and gasped. It was my parents in Charlie's living room. Mom had worry in her brown eyes. Dad looked like a zombie, but there was pain visible on his face. "W-What happened?" I stammered.

"That was after her eighteenth birthday party." Grandma explained, going to the window to start measuring for curtains. "Alice wanted to throw a party for her. That night she was opening presents. Jasper, still new to our style of living, reacted the way any vampire would when she cut her finger." Grandma paused, remembering. I admired my Grandma's sweet spirit. It was so kind and gentle. I knew she would never degrade or talk bad about one of us. "In short...Bella crashed into some glass and bled a lot. Not the best thing to do in a house full of vampires..." she chuckled once, trying to ease the end of the story. "Then Edward blamed himself, thinking his existence wasn't right for Bella and that she was in more danger being with him than without him."

"I can't even imagine dad leaving mom." I whispered.

"You don't want too."

That ended our conversation. Grandma moved furniture while I stared at the "After Party" picture.

No wonder Mom hated parties.