Folktale

1840

Forks, Washington

It'd been weeks since Father Tobias talked with Isabella. Every chance he tried to get close to her, she walked away, pretend to not notice him or look the other way. It hurt him, deep down, he ached for the young girl. The usual bright and smiling girl he'd see at choir only smiled whenever that boy was in the room. If not, she often look pale, nervous, weak... And he couldn't stand by and watch her be eaten up by her guilt.

His heart also ached for Micheal, but his sole focus was on Isabella and he was going for the root of the problem. The Masen boy. After Sunday's service, he walked out the church to find the Masen family chatting up with the Newton's. Father Tobias stopped long enough to notice the cold manner Edward treated Micheal, to notice the subtle glare and the way the young man ignored him.

"Father Tobias!" Mr. Newton greeted him as he approached their group. "We were just talking about what a wonderful service you put together."

"That's great to her," Father Tobias said, not finding it in him to be moved by the comment. "Mr. Masen, I hope you don't mind if I borrow your son for a minute."

"Of course not!" Mr. Masen patted his son's shoulder. "Edward, I'm sure that errand you needed to run can be put to later, can't it?"

No one other than Father Tobias noticed the way Edward's face fell. He wanted to say no, he wanted to go see Izzy as they had planned to, but it was Father Tobias, no one ever said no to him. Especially in front of his family.

"Of course, I've got time."

"Great."

Father Tobias stepped aside, letting Edward walk through. As they stepped up the stairs, Edward looked back to where Izzy stood with her family and the Denali's. She caught his eye immediately and her heart began beating faster when Father Tobias closed the doors to the church behind them. She knew not to expect to see Edward that day and the thought sadden her.

Edward followed Father Tobias to his office. He knew what this was about. He knew where their conversation was going.

Father Tobias sighed and leaned against his desk. "I'm sorry to pull you away from your family and your errand, Mr. Masen, but there's an important manner I need to discuss with you before you leave."

"I know," Edward said, leaning back against the wall. "I know that Izzy told you."

Father Tobias was shocked to hear it.

"You know?"

"I know the day Izzy got sick was because she ran through a storm to come to church and confess, I know she hasn't been feeling well and she thought talking to someone was going to make her feel better. I know about her locket, I know what you said. This isn't some fool around, Father Tobias. We tell each other everything."

"Really? Okay, since you two are so honest with each other, what are you going to do when the wedding day comes?"

Edward chuckles. "That's not going to happen."

"Oh, it's not?" Father Tobias crossed his arms over his chest. "Then I suppose you two will come clean to your families? And you think they will accept your relationship with open arms and let you two be together like you want to be?"