Biting and Scratching

The Joys of Baseball

It was starting to rain when Ed pulled into our driveway to see a familiar black car in front of us.
"Oh hey, Billy's here!" I smiled, hopping out of the car and rushing to greet him.
"Hey! Uhh," I paused in my greeting, seeing his stony face still locked on Ed inside the truck. I stepped a little to the side and found Jake waiting awkwardly in the car. "Hi Billy," I smiled timidly before skipping past and knocking on the car window.
Seeing me, he jumped out of the car and walked with me to the front door.
"Want something to eat?" I asked, seeing Billy stay stubbornly staring down Ed until he left before following Bella inside.
"You'll want to put it in the fridge," Billy told Bella as he handed her a package, "it's some of Harry Clearwater's homemade fish fry."
"Dad's favourite, right?" I called back on the old memory.
Billy smiled fondly at me, "The fridge keeps it drier."
"Thanks," Bella sighed, "I was running out of new ways to fix fish, and he's bound to bring some home tonight."

"Fishing again?" Billy chuckled, "down at the usual spot? Maybe I'll run by and see him."
Jake leaned close and muttered in my ear, "meaning I'll be running him down..."
I giggled from the ticklish feeling of his hair on my neck and nudged him back.
"No," why was Bella lying? "he was headed someplace new, but I have no idea where."

Billy nodded before calling back to his son.
"Jake," he said, "why don't you go get that new picture of Rebecca out of the car? I'll leave that for Charlie too."
"Where is it?" Jake asked, a light groan on his face as he stared out into the rain.
"I think I saw it in the trunk. You might have to dig for it."
I snickered and Jake flipped me off while his dad wasn't looking, heading back out into the rain with a solemn look.

With Jake gone Bella and Billy just stared at each other, expressions unreadable. It was times like these that I was tempted to use my gifts.
"Charlie won't be back for a long time," Bella said, almost rudely, "thanks again for the fish fry."
Almost glaring at Bella for her attitude, I smiled kindly at Billy. "Could I get you anything Billy? Water, a beer?" I suggested.
"No thanks little wolf," he smiled back with the same kindness, "we'll be leaving soon." He then turned on Bella. "Bella," he said, "Charlie is one of my best friends."
"Yes." Bella nodded, a closed expression clear across her face.
Am I missing something here?
Billy spoke again, each word careful and calculated like he had said it twenty times before in the mirror. "I noticed you both have been spending time with the Cullen's."
"Yes." Bella repeated, curtly.
Billy's eyes narrowed. "Maybe it's none of my business, but I don't think that is such a good idea. Especially with Juliet's... state."
It was my turn to frown. "The Cullen's are actually some of the people that know about my, state, Billy." I was almost glad that the cutting edge to my tone made him flinch. No one was going to be using my health for any agenda. "And they have been helping me through it."

"Well," Billy cleared his throat, "you both may not know this, but the Cullen family have an unpleasant reputation on the reservation."
"Actually, we do know that." Bella's hard words surprised him. "But that reputation couldn't be deserved, could it? Because the Cullen's never set foot on the reservation, do they?"

"That is true." He agreed, "You seem... well informed about the Cullens. More than I expected."
Bella didn't falter, "maybe even better informed than you are."
His lips pursed, "maybe, is Juliet as informed?"
"More informed than Bella." I cut in.
"If that is the case," Billy's voice croaked, "then please remind them of the deal my ancestors had with them." The fog of roundabout talk lifted for a second, before Billy settled his eyes back on Bella and hardened his eyes.
"Does Charlie know as much as you two?"
"Charlie doesn't." I said plainly.
"But he likes them a lot." Bella's continuing of my words make Billy look unhappy, but unsurprised.
"It's not my business, but it may be Charlie's."
"I don't want to bring Charlie into this. Can we please speak plainly enough to say that I don't want Charlie to have anymore stress? Can we leave him this happiness?" My voice broke, but my face remained strong, and for that, I am proud of myself.
With sad eyes, Billy nodded, and I sighed in relief.
"Thank you, Billy."