Could he be more prepared?

“Ha! Good one,” he replied. He was anxious now, but only I heard it. Human ears could never have detected the minute strain.

She seems like she’s in a good mood…probably because he’s coming over soon…I won’t wait too long, just in case…this might actually be a good point…

I leaned my head forward again, tightening my hands into a closer grip around the steering wheel. All of my faculties trained on the house in the hope that he would finally begin. The sooner the better. My morbid curiosity was not going to ebb.

No, I will wait…let her eat first and then we’ll have a little more time. He’s not allowed in until seven anyhow…it’s only six-thirty…

I let out a begrudging growl. Beyond tedious! Charlie’s thoughts were usually so direct, although he rarely verbalized what he was actually thinking…

He reminded me of Emmett, only Charlie was capable of keeping his mouth shut. To my astonishment, I'd never imagined he could be such master of procrastination. He was intentionally taking an exorbitant amount of time to run through the motions of finishing preparations for their dinner. He was stalling, vacillating, and prolonging this inevitable conversation for what seemed like a dreadfully unnecessary amount of time. I heard the clanging of a kitchen utensil and the continual murmur of his thoughts, but nothing else.

I rolled my eyes and briefly contemplated starting my car, driving to the curb, getting out, walking up the drive, and timing my arrival so that he would lose this opportunity. Patience, Edward, I told myself.

If I acted now, I would be too early. The rules were clear. I was not to enter the house until seven o’clock. Besides, stopping Charlie this evening would probably resolve nothing. He was intent on having this discussion about Jacob Black…

Almost as if he’d read my mind, Charlie began to run through his reasons for supporting Jacob Black, as if he were ticking off a list. Jacob Black. I grimaced at his name and sighed at my own resignation. I settled comfortably again in my seat, waiting. Still.

The list continued…

…practically family…such a good kid…he was only worried about her…

This would have been amusing if it weren't infuriating.