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           FollowingthesameinstinctthathadpromptedmetolietoMike,IcalledJessicaonthepretenseofwishingherluckatthedance.WhensheofferedthesamewishformydaywithEdward,Itoldheraboutthecancellation.Shewasmoredisappointedthanreallynecessaryforathird-partyobservertobe.Isaidgoodbyequicklyafterthat.

           Charliewasabsentmindedatdinner,worriedoversomethingatwork,Iguessed,ormaybeabasketballgame,ormaybehewasjustreallyenjoyingthelasagna-itwashardtotellwithCharlie.

           "Youknow,Dad..."Ibegan,breakingintohisreverie.

           "What’sthat,Bell?"

           "Ithinkyou’rerightaboutSeattle.IthinkI’llwaituntilJessicaorsomeoneelsecangowithme."

           "Oh,"hesaid,surprised."Oh,okay.So,doyouwantmetostayhome?"

           "No,Dad,don’tchangeyourplans.I’vegotamillionthingstodo...homework,laundry...Ineedtogotothelibraryandthegrocerystore.I’llbeinandoutallday...yougoandhavefun."

           "Areyousure?"

           "Absolutely,Dad.Besides,thefreezerisgettingdangerouslylowonfish-we’redowntoatwo,maybethreeyears’supply."

           "You’resureeasytolivewith,Bella."Hesmiled.

           "Icouldsaythesamethingaboutyou,"Isaid,laughing.Thesoundofmylaughterwasoff,buthedidn’tseemtonotice.IfeltsoguiltyfordeceivinghimthatIalmosttookEdward’sadviceandtoldhimwhereIwouldbe.Almost.

           Afterdinner,Ifoldedclothesandmovedanotherloadthroughthedryer.Unfortunatelyitwasthekindofjobthatonlykeepshandsbusy.