“I think Phoenix is actually higher up the homicide list, Dad. I have lived like that,” Bella remarked.

“Well, you couldn’t pay me enough,” Charlie said.

I listened to her defense. Who would have ever thought she would be in more danger here in Forks, Washington, population 3000? I shuddered at the obvious distinction in the circumstances.

…Now is the time. This shouldn't be so difficult. She will listen, and that’s all I need from her. She’s smart and she can make her own decisions. When he leaves again, she will see… if she can’t understand now…

He was preparing again. Hopefully, he would leap this time. I opened my eyes and glanced at the clock again. He had approximately twenty-four more minutes…

I heard Bella’s light walk from the kitchen to the little table accompanied by a scraping noise. It was the sound created by her depositing onto a plate the contents of the pot I’d smelled boiling as I approached the block.

…I owe this to Jacob, anyhow. He is a good kid and he’s done nothing wrong. I doubt He would have ever told me about…well, maybe, but still…

He was ready. No…he was still thinking. Where was Bella? Was she eating? We had spent too much time apart. I could not bear to be away from her gaze, her warmth, her touch. Unfortunately, that included lunchtime. I had to remind her to eat during our hour lunch periods and today had been no exception.

Here goes nothing…“Hem-hem…” Charlie started.

I tensed. I turned the music off and positioned my hands on the steering wheel, bracing myself against the steering column. I felt ridiculous as I considered the silly gesture. The column could snap so easily.

“You’re right. I did have a reason for doing this. I wanted to talk to you.” Charlie began.

Anxiety washed over me. I'd known this was coming, but I suddenly felt as unprepared as Charlie. How could he possibly phrase the words he was thinking in a way that would elicit a response from her? She would never bare her soul to Charlie, of course, but I wanted…no, needed…to listen. Her unguarded heartbeats, her breath, and her feet and any other compulsory responses to his words would be my only source of confirmation, or…denial. Bella moved and set something down. Was it her plate? I was sure she had not taken more than a bite or two. I felt a sudden surge of irritation at her willful disregard for her health.