Chapter 17

           ItwasjustbeginningtodrizzlewhenEdwardturnedontomystreet.Upuntilthatmoment,I’dhadnodoubtthathe’dbestayingwithmewhileIspentafewinterimhoursintherealworld.

           AndthenIsawtheblackcar,aweatheredFord,parkedinCharlie’sdriveway-andheardEdwardmuttersomethingunintelligibleinalow,harshvoice.

           Leaningawayfromtherainundertheshallowfrontporch,JacobBlackstoodbehindhisfather’swheelchair.Billy’sfacewasimpassiveasstoneasEdwardparkedmytruckagainstthecurb.Jacobstareddown,hisexpressionmortified.

           Edward’slowvoicewasfurious."Thisiscrossingtheline."

           "HecametowarnCharlie?"Iguessed,morehorrifiedthanangry.

           Edwardjustnodded,answeringBilly’sgazethroughtherainwithnarrowedeyes.

           IfeltweakwithreliefthatCharliewasn’thomeyet.

           "Letmedealwiththis,"Isuggested.Edward’sblackglaremademeanxious.

           Tomysurprise,heagreed."That’sprobablybest.Becareful,though.Thechildhasnoidea."

           Ibridledalittleatthewordchild."JacobisnotthatmuchyoungerthanIam,"Iremindedhim.

           Helookedatmethen,hisangerabruptlyfading."Oh,Iknow,"heassuredmewithagrin.

           Isighedandputmyhandonthedoorhandle.

           "Gettheminside,"heinstructed,"soIcanleave.I’llbebackarounddusk."

           "Doyouwantmytruck?"Ioffered,meanwhilewonderinghowIwouldexplainitsabsencetoCharlie.

           Herolledhiseyes."Icouldwalkhomefasterthanthistruckmoves."

           "Youdon’thavetoleave,"Isaidwistfully.

           Hesmiledatmyglumexpression.