Nessie's Life

Chapter 21

Sutton and I held our breath as Shelly took her first step. A huge grin spread across her face as she handed her crutches to grandpa. "Guess I won't be needing these anymore, Dr. Cullen."

He chuckled. "Take it easy, sweetie. You're free to walk, but remember no dancing for a week. Understood?"

"Yep!"

"Alright then, see you next Saturday. Have fun, girls." He came over to hug me goodbye.

We grabbed our bags and walked down the hall, through the lobby, and out the sliding glass doors. Shelley drove us to her house, blasting the local alternative station the whole way. I discovered that her singing was almost as good as her dancing.

When we pulled into her garage, a lady who I presumed was Shelley's mom opened the door. "Hey girls! Come on in!"

Sutton walked ahead of me. "Hey Ms. Lydie!"

"Hello, Sutton."

She looked at me. "And you must be Nessie. Nice to meet you." I shook her hand, and then stepped into the kitchen. Shelley came in last.

"Shelley, which doctor did you see?"

"Dr. Cullen."

Her mom stiffened a little. "Oh. I was hoping you'd have someone else..."

Shelley blushed. "Mom! Dr. Cullen is Nessie's dad!"

Ms. Lydie smiled politely. "Of course, he is an excellent doctor. I would just like for you to have some variety." Shelley didn't reply.

"I'll have the lasagna ready at 7:21," said Ms. Lydie after a long beat.

"Yes! I love your lasagna!" She laughed at Sutton's enthusiasm.

Shelley was still mad. "Ok, I'll show Nessie my room, and then we can go out back." She started walking. "It's just down this hall." I followed Shelley out of the kitchen and to the left.

When she opened the door to her room, I gasped out loud. It was decorated exactly the same way as mine, from the white bed to the furry mint rug to the light purple walls with dark purple polka dots.

"Is something wrong?" Shelley was really embarrassed now.

I shook my head. "No, it's just... I really like your room."

She knitted her eyebrows together. "Um... thanks?" I stepped in, smacking myself internally. I followed Sutton, who put her stuff down by the bed.

Shelley flopped onto her bed. "Sorry about my mom. She has this thing with people who remind her of... a guy she once met. And she just completely avoids those people."

"But don't worry, Nessie," added Sutton. "Ms. Lydie's totally cool with everyone else." I smiled weakly.

Shelley sat up. "I have to pee, and then we can go to the Little House and talk about stuff." She went into the next room.

I looked at Sutton questioningly. She laughed. "The Little House is this really cool shed that Shelley has out back. It's so awesome, but I can't really tell you about it. You'll just have to see for yourself."

"Hmm," I said, wandering over to Shelley's book shelf. She had pictures from every year of her life, just like me. I went backwards down the line, and was surprised by how much she really did look like my mom.

I was about to turn away when the very first picture caught my attention. It was Ms. Lydie holding an almost newborn Shelley. What was interesting was the background.

They were standing in front of a familiar restaurant... and then it clicked in my brain. Charlie had taken me to that restaurant when I lived with Jacob in Forks. Why were Shelley and her mom in Forks?