Сумерки

           I’dspentthebetterpartofthedayinAlice’sstaggeringlyvastbathroom,ahelplessvictimassheplayedhairdresserandcosmetician.WheneverIfidgetedorcomplained,sheremindedmethatshedidn’thaveanymemoriesofbeinghuman,andaskedmenottoruinhervicariousfun.Thenshe’ddressedmeinthemostridiculousdress-deepblue,frillyandofftheshoulders,withFrenchtagsIcouldn’tread-adressmoresuitableforarunwaythanForks.Nothinggoodcouldcomeofourformalattire,ofthatIwassure.Unless...butIwasafraidtoputmysuspicionsintowords,eveninmyownhead.

           Iwasdistractedthenbythesoundofaphoneringing.Edwardpulledhiscellphonefromapocketinsidehisjacket,lookingbrieflyatthecallerIDbeforeanswering.

           "Hello,Charlie,"hesaidwarily.

           "Charlie?"Ifrowned.

           Charliehadbeen...difficultsincemyreturntoForks.Hehad

           compartmentalizedmybadexperienceintotwodefinedreactions.TowardCarlislehewasalmostworshipfullygrateful.Ontheotherhand,hewasstubbornlyconvincedthatEdwardwasatfault-because,ifnotforhim,Iwouldn’thavelefthomeinthefirstplace.AndEdwardwasfarfromdisagreeingwithhim.ThesedaysIhadrulesthathadn’texistedbefore:curfews...visitinghours.

           SomethingCharliewassayingmadeEdward’seyeswidenindisbelief,andthenagrinspreadacrosshisface.

           "You’rekidding!"Helaughed.

           "Whatisit?"Idemanded.

           Heignoredme."Whydon’tyouletmetalktohim?"Edwardsuggestedwithevidentpleasure.Hewaitedforafewseconds.