Altered Affection/j.b. (COMPLETE)

Chapter Ten

      When I got home, my father's truck was there. I walked to the door and opened it. My parents were sitting on the sofa, holding hands and talking quietly. They stopped and looked over at me.

      "Daddy, I'm so sorry," I sobbed, running and sitting in front of them. He wiped the tears from my cheek and my mom went to get a towel for me.A

      "Honey, people die. We all will eventually. It was just...his time to go, I guess. Listen, Aiyana, I want to talk to you about something important. First, I want you to go with your Aunt Sue to make arrangements for Harry. Second, I've been...going back and forth to the hospital in Forks for a few days for...tests." My heart dropped. Why would he have to get tests done?

      "Why?" I whispered. He put his head in his hands and shook it.

      "I've got cancer, Ana. It's bad." And I cried.

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       The next week was almost unbearable. I helped Sue make arrangements for Harry to be buried in the cemetery on the reservation. The service was held outside and everyone was there.

        In fact, I was glad that there were so many people because I didn't have to see Jacob. Leah and Seth were withdrawn and hung out with Sam, of course. I knew how hard it must have been for Leah.

       The wolves had a bond between them; they could read each other's minds in their wolf forms. It was the only way they could communicate.

       Therefore, Leah had to hear every though Sam had about his imprint, Emily. And the whole pack had to live through the love triangle pain fest. I felt sorry for all of them. They never wanted any of this.

      It was forced on them because of all the stupid vampires moving through town. After the funeral, my father's health quickly began to deteriorate. I took him to the hospital almost every day for treatments and more tests. One day, my mom was taking care of him and I got a call from Leah.

      "Leah! Long time, no talk," I said happily, jogging upstairs to my room.

      "What are you doing today?" She asked hurriedly. I heard Seth in the background.

      "Tell her to come over!" He said loudly.

     "Do you want to hang out with...the pack today? I know you know about us. And I know Seth and I have been really busy lately and I can't explain everything, but we miss you. Look, we're going to be at Sam...and Emily's house in a little while. Come over. You know you miss Em. And she and Sam miss you, too. So do the guys," Leah pleaded.

      I laughed and agreed. I put my phone down and rifled through my closet for something to wear. 

       I finally settled on a white crop top with wide straps that said 'Ur Not Bae, Ur Baesic', a black leather jacket, light blue denim high waisted shorts with rips on the legs, and black boots.

      I brushed my hair out and changed my belly ring to a silver rings with four pink diamonds trailing down my navel. I grabbed my phone and bag, jogging down the stairs and into the kitchen. My mom stood at the stove, cooking eggs.

       "Hey, honey. What are you up to today?" She smiled at me and continued cooking. I grabbed a carton of orange juice from the fridge.

       "Just going to Sam and Emily's. Leah called and wanted me to come over. Are you guys gonna be okay here today?" I asked sincerely. I reached into the pantry and pulled out a box of cheese crackers.

        "Yes, honey. We're going to be just fine. I'll call you if I need you. Go have fun." She laughed wholeheartedly. I took my orange juice and crackers and jogged outside to the jeep.

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       As I pulled up and parked next to Sam's house, the door opened and people came barreling out. I got out, stuffing the key in my pocket. I chugged some of the juice and tucked the box of crackers under my arm.