Ch 18: You Stink

Bella.

Leah didn’t question why I had called her off the mountain. As we drove out of town Leah pulled a joint from the console and lit it up. Taking a nice long drag she smiled at me and passed the burning log at me. Smiling back I accepted and inhaled deeply before handing it back to her.

“So how have you been?” I hadn’t seen Leah in a few weeks although nothing really happens up on the Res she was always busy with something.

“Good,” she replied, “I started harvesting Comfrey this morning, not too much more to get done.”

Leah really liked her Comfrey tea. And she wasn’t the only one. Every year she would dry bunches of it and gives it to all the women on the Res. It was a very popular herb and is supposed to have healing powers or something.

“Ill help,” I volunteered. Leah knew I was always willing to help her out when I came to visit, even if I had no clue what I was doing. She was more than willing to show me what needed to be done while insisting I really didn’t have to if I didn’t feel like it. Honestly, my hands needed something to do. I looked down at my fingers locked together in my lap. My knuckles were almost white from being so clenched.

Untangling them I sighed and took another rotation. Exhaling I felt a layer of tension leave my body, so much better than those stupid nerve pills in the medicine cabinet at home. I quickly shut the image of the offending orange bottle out of my head.

Leah kept the conversation light. She was always looking for plants and flowers on the sides of the roads. Another month or so and she would soon be out foraging for wild ramps. I shuddered, thinking about those nasty little things. Not only do they taste horrific they stink out her entire cabin when she cooks them. I wrinkled my nose and she noticed which sent us both into a fit of giggles.

My phone sounded to alert me of an incoming text. Alice. I know she tried really hard to give me space when I need it but she was clueless that this was one of those times.

‘Where are you?’

I didn’t want to tell her I was with Leah for some reason. I guess I know she worried about me up here after the whole Jacob thing. Of course, I hadn’t told her about my last run in with him. I hadn’t told anyone.

‘Will explain later. All is well.’ I replied with a smiley face attached to the end. It was so fake. To tell your best friend all is well when you split to nowhere in the middle of school and wont say what you are doing…. Oh, poor Alice. The things I put her through, I half smiled. I bet its killing her, if its not now, by the end of school she will have herself all worked up.

‘Fine you better call me later’

Her short response made it obvious she was a bit peeved that she didn’t know what was going on. I smiled. Alice worries too much. I slipped the phone back into my bag.

Leah wasn’t lying when she said her house was a mess. Laundry waiting to be folded was piled on one end of the couch in the living room. There was a small pile of dishes in the sink and the floors were in need of some love with little bits of dirt tracked in from the garden just off the back porch.

Leah giggled as I took it all in.

“Okay, so with all the men gone up North I haven’t been doing much indoors. But…” Leah’s face stretched into a wide smile and she motioned for me to follow her through the back door just off the kitchen.

“I just cant bring myself to do anything inside with the weather being so perfect this last week,” she explained.

I stepped out on the wide porch and laughed. The garden resembled a war zone. Piles of weeds at the ends of the rows were waiting to be hauled off. The wheelbarrow sat in the middle of the cabbage with an overflowing mass of offensive weeds and clumps of dirt in it. It had sunk in the soil on one side and was listing dangerously. There were posthole diggers and a roll of wire that was coming unwound and making a fine mess all on its own. In the middle of the garden was a tall post that stood a few feet taller than me. It stood all by itself and looked so out of place. A tall ladder rested on the roof of the porch that was littered with a drill gun and a jar of screws and hooks that had been knocked over.

I was partially in shock. I had never seen Leah’s place such a mess. My face must have showed it too because Leah bust out laughing loudly next to me.

“WHAT are you doing?”, I joined in busting up along with her.

Leah, through her fits of giggles, explained how she was making a wire trellis from the center of the garden to the eave of her porch. I rolled my eyes. Leah had a habit of having really great ideas but usually ended up making a mess during the implementation of said ideas. When the men got back they would fix up whatever damage she had done to the roof and anything else she had assaulted. And when they finish she will have her trellis. Until then, well, she had this.

Leah knew her own silliness when it came to her home improvement projects so I didn’t feel bad about laughing at her. Leah grabbed a couple of half frozen bottles of water and tossed one to me.

Of course I dropped it but she missed that part. I followed Leah to her Comfrey beds and watched as she skillfully selected and clipped the large leaves, stacking them neatly in a pile beside her. It wasn’t long before I had picked a plant a few feet away and started my own pile.

The next few hours passed quickly. I heard my phone ringing from the porch where I had dropped my bag. Brushing the dirt off my hands I didn’t realize how sticky they had become working with those plants. Running in to wash my hands first, I pulled the phone from bag. One missed call from Dad and one message.

He was working late again. Dropping the phone back in its place I smiled as I watched Leah approaching with a large bundle of leaves in her arms.

“Break time”, she announced. “Why don’t you grab what you have,” she nodded toward the Comfrey bed where I had been working. “Let’s get these inside and go for a swim.”

It sounded like a good plan to me. I quickly gathered the clipped leaves noting my stack was half the size of Leah’s. Setting them carefully next to Leah’s on her large wooden kitchen table I realized how dirty I had gotten. My knees were black, and the sweat was making my clothes stick to me quite uncomfortably. A quick jump in the river was exactly what I needed.

Leah reappeared with a couple of old towels and we headed back out. The river wasn’t too far from Leah’s cabin at all. There was a nice spot she and I had often frequented over the years. It was a small deep hole with as much privacy as one could hope for on the river.

Leah and I quickly ditched our clothing until we were down to our underwear. Leah raced up the rock that overlooked the hole.

‘C’mon Bella.” She half whined as I picked my way carefully up the side. It was only 15 foot above the water so it wasn’t a large jump, and it was one I had done many times before.

I was watching my footing when I heard the big splash. Grinning to myself, I reached the top. The anticipation of the cool water already had set in and a shiver passed through me. Glancing below to make sure I didn’t land on my friends head I took two quick steps forward and plunged off the edge.

Icy.

Darkness.

Edward.

The branches were snapping in my hands but I barely noticed. Every rock hard muscle in my body seemed strained as if it were possible. I couldn’t smell anything that smelled right. Everything was off, something was wrong. The smell of the mutts permeated every dead pore and the harder I tried to pick something up, anything, the stronger it got.

Jumping from tree to tree I circled the perimeter going only as far as I was permitted. Curse the ancients for their treaties. The branches continued to snap in a blur of my frenzy. I just needed to know my Bella was alright. She was wrapped in the cloak of the dogs and despite my incredible abilities there was nothing I could do.

And then I heard something, in the distance, I heard several something’s. There was a vehicle, midsized, possibly a truck; coming off the mountain and it was moving faster than vehicles usually traveled that old dirt road. From the other direction came an ambulance, sirens wailing. Snap, another branch, this one substantially larger. I flung the stupid annoyance out into the woodlands and faintly heard it brush the ground as it landed.

The driver of the ambulance had nothing nice in his head. He apparently didn’t like these dogs any more than I did from the sounds of it.

‘…female, 17 years old, head injury…’

The growl that escaped me had no filter. Had anyone heard it they would have been clueless as to what it was or where it came from. I was gone from my spot before any human eye would have been able to see me. I moved quickly around southern rim of the perimeter. Snap. Crack. I didn’t care. The trees cried from the abuse.

Fuck it. I couldn’t take it any more. Leaping to the large Cedar across the forbidden line I paused. Breaking Carlisle’s rules was something I had done before but it was never anything like this. This was forbidden by more than just my Coven. As my head did battle with any amount of common sense it could attach itself too, I smelled her. I smelled her blood. Without another thought I leapt forward farther into the unknown. There was only one thing that was important right now. Bella.

Charlie.

“WHY WAS SHE EVEN UP THERE?” I knew the nurse wasn’t going to know the answer but at the moment I had no one else to yell at.

“When the doctor comes out he may know more than I do,” the poor nurse offered weakly before making a hasty exit. I couldn’t even feel badly for the way I had treated her. Shaking my head and jamming my fists into my pockets I continued to pace the room. No one dared look in my direction and I didn’t care, in fact I preferred it.

Bella.

Somewhere between darkness and pain I tried to open my eyes. Or at least I think I did. It was too much, I felt everything that screamed pain, and nothing at all. The light was blinding at first and it hurt. Like a knife in the brain. I wanted to rub them but my arms were too heavy. Blinking slowly there wasn’t much I could make out. A window obviously, and I think a chair. And a face. There was a man here with me. It was too fuzzy and my head was screaming. Blinking again, slowly, I tried to focus on his face. He looked so…. familiar.

I opened my mouth but nothing came out. Frustrated I pushed my raging head back into the pillow behind me and squeezed my eyes tightly shut.

“Bella…” It was barely a whisper and it startled me. Something cold brushed my cheek sending shivers down my body. My eyes flew open and I was once again blinded by the offending window at the end of the room. Looking around the fuzzy room with my head feeling like it was going to explode took every ounce of strength I could muster.

My neck strained to lift my head even the slightest bit. In confusion I realized I was in the hospital. And I was in this room completely alone.

No. No. No.

The last thing I remember was.., I coaxed my memories awake. The last thing I remember was swimming, with Leah, on the Res.

“Bella?” his voice was soft and gentle. Dad. I sighed and tried to turn my head.

“No, no baby, don’t move,” in a flash he was next to me. I tried to lift my arm to reach for him but he quickly took my hand and shushed me. “Let me tell the doctor you are awake honey. I’ll be right back I promise.” Dad’s voice was so soothing. He gave me a gentle squeeze of the hand and let go.

“Dad...” I croaked out.

“Shhhhhh, Ill be right back Bells.” I heard him move to the door.

That’s when it struck me. Panic hit. If I can’t barely move my arms… holy shit! Slowly I moved and wiggled my toes. The ache of my muscles was nothing compared to the fear of losing my legs. Shew! Everything was moving and nothing felt broken.

I started when the door swung open. I was relieved Dad was back though. Everything hurt so badly and I still couldn’t see well.

The doctor was a kind woman, tall and blonde. As she spoke I tried to focus on what she was saying, something about I had hit my head and had a few stitches, I was sedated but now they were going to let me wake up. I had two stitches in my head and she was ordering something for pain. That’s about all I got out of it and that was enough. I was so tired. I closed my eyes and sleep found me again. In the darkness there was no pain, I sighed contentedly and slipped into the nothing.

Alice.

“I don’t know anything Charlie.” I didn’t like how he was treating me and I wasn’t going to stand for it. I almost wished my Dad were home. Charlie was acting crazy like I wasn’t just as worried about Bella. “You are going to have to ask her,” I added a bit softer.

As much as Charlie was trying to grill me like a common criminal I knew he was just worried about Bella. She had gone to the Reservation with Leah and had been swimming when she hit her head. I knew as much as he did. If she went there to get drugs I sure as hell wasn’t going to be the one to tell him that. Damn Bella and her knack for getting into sticky situations. And damn her dad for expecting me to know what goes through her head. I really don’t know what she is thinking most of the time.

Charlie turned his back to me and was staring out the huge picture window overlooking the manicured back yard. “I know Alice. I believe you.” His shoulders dropped even farther. “I wish we were closer and I just thought maybe you would know something with as close as you two are.”

I moved behind him and wrapped my arm around his sunken shoulders.

“I wish there was something I could say but there isn’t,” I tried to comfort him with a squeeze.

Charlie turned and placed his hand on my shoulder. “You are a good kid.” He looked sadly into my eyes. There was something I was missing. I couldn’t put a finger on it. Charlie wasn’t saying something. I searched his eyes until he broke contact. Looking at the ground he shoved his hands in his pockets.

“They are releasing her in the morning as long as everything goes well tonight.”

“I’m sure she is going to do fine,” I tried to reassure him. “Its just for observation, right? Nothing is going to happen; they are just going to watch her Charlie.”

He sighed loudly resigned to his depression.

“Im going to get back down there and see if she needs anything. Do you think you could bring her a change when you stop by later? It would save me a trip to the house.”

“Of course I can!” I exclaimed. I walked Charlie to the front door and wrapped my arms around him for one last squeeze. “It’s alright Charlie.”
“I know it is kiddo”, he offered me his best smile. Looking me in the face his smile faded. “She is all I got..” his voice choked with emotion. I swear I almost saw tears starting to form in the corner of his eye when he quickly darted out the door. “See you in a bit,” he called over his shoulder as he walked to his cruiser.

Bella.

Dad was great in making sure I was as comfortable as possible. He brought me breakfast this morning from the diner so I was spared the hospital food. He closed the curtains in the room for me so when I woke the light didn’t blind me as badly as it had last night. My body was sore and my head raging. I needed a shower pretty badly too. Being brought in the ambulance with no clothes on I had sent him to the house to get something for me. He had been sitting here all night in a cramped up chair. He refused to leave me. The thought brought a slight smile to my lips. I couldn’t imagine a better Dad.

I thought back to this morning when I had to call a nurse for help. He looked so at a loss that he couldn’t help me to the bathroom and back. Poor Dad, I thought. He kept calling me his baby. It must have been awful for him. To think all this was because of my clumsy ass, again. This wasn’t the first time I had scared him with an injury, the last time was in Canada though. When my mom…..

“Hey baby,” the door of my room swung open. I pulled myself up into more of an upright position on the bed. Dad pressed his lips to the top of my head while asking how I felt.

“I’m okay,” my throat was still hoarse and burning but I was managing alright. “Ready to go home,” I attempted to smirk but my head still hurt and I don’t think it came out very well.

“One more night Bells,” Dad was being so nice it was hard to know how to respond. Of course, his child almost accidentally offed herself so I knew he was out of sorts too. It was making the whole scene uncomfortable in a way. He was treating me like a small child and I wasn’t sure how to respond.

I had already slept every bit that I was going to be able to sleep. I had hoped he would change and take a shower when I sent him for clothes but he obviously skipped that. I looked at him confused. “Dad, did you bring me some clothes?”

“Alice is going to bring them later.”

“Alice?” Where did he run in to her?

“Yeah, she is better at figuring out that sort of stuff than I am.” He shrugged and took a seat in the chair in the corner of the room. Grabbing up the magazine he had read front to back twice already I suddenly felt the urge to get him out of there. Where it had been wonderful to have him here a few minutes ago, the prospect of sitting here watching him reread the same magazine again made me feel awful.

“Ummm Dad?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you think you can see if the nurse will help me take a shower?” I felt so grimy and really wanted to wash.

Dad looked at me skeptical. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

“Yes, Dad. My head isn’t hurting nearly as bad.” I reached up and touched the soft gauze on the side of my head. “I did fine walking while you were gone.”

Dad’s eyes almost popped out of his head and it caused me to laugh. Of course the sound ripped through my skull and echoed painfully. I closed my eyes and laid my head back waiting for it to pass.

Eyes still closed I explained to Dad that a nurse had come in while he was gone and helped me around a bit. I was shaky on my feet but I did just fine considering. I was glad he was gone for that part. Dad has a tendency to get short with the nurses when he sees me wince.

“Really, Dad, I’m okay,” I assured him. I wished with all my heart I could wipe the worry out of his eyes. Without warning the tears started falling from my eyes. I couldn’t hide them from him.

“Bella, baby!” He rushed to the side of the hospital bed. “Shhhhh honey what’s wrong?”

“Dad, really, everything is fine,” I insisted through the tears. Taking a deep breath I tried to make it okay. “I’m just tired and emotional. It has to be the drugs, remember the doctor said I would be off for a little while.”

I looked at the thin white blanket covering my feet. Waves of guilt washed over me. Dad didn’t need this and I was the reason he was here. When I told him he should take time off I didn’t mean to spend with me here like this. This wasn’t right. I wasn’t right. An awful feeling of remorse flooded me. I was responsible for putting him through all this. The air was stifling. And frankly, I was overwhelmed with the baby treatment.

Where just a bit ago I was grateful to not be alone and oh so thankful for real food, I was not looking forward to spending the night reassuring Dad that I was okay and no I didn’t need anything, every time I shifted in the bed.

“Dad, why don’t you go home? Let the nurse help me take a shower and Alice will be here in a bit. There really isn’t anything you can do for me here.”

The words hung in the air and I watched Dad take them in. At first, I regretted saying them; the look of rejection on his face was heartbreaking, as if I hadn’t put him through enough.

“Dad, you need a shower.” I smiled the biggest smile I could manage. The teasing tone of my voice seemed to reach him.

“Alright kiddo, if you’re sure,” he slowly absorbed what I was trying to say.

“Its okay. I know it was crazy last night for you and I’m so sorry.” I bit my lip choosing my words carefully. “All my tests came out fine; they just want to watch me tonight, nothing is going to happen. There is no point you sitting here being miserable with me a second night. You should go home.”

“You sure Bells?” Dad looked torn.

“Yeah Dad, I’m sure you stink,” I giggled gently, emphasizing the stink part.

“Alright baby, promise you will call if you need anything?”

I rolled my eyes, “Yes Dad, I will call. I’ll be fine. Go and get something to eat and get cleaned up. I’m only a phone call away.” I giggled again stealing Dads usual line.

“Alright kiddo, if you think you will be alright Ill take you up on it.” Dad lifted an arm pretending to smell him self and I laughed. Pain shot straight to the site of the stitches and I winced again.

“Dad! Get out of here you are making me hurt myself!” I exclaimed with a huge smile on my face. My head hurt like hell from laughing but I was getting him in a better mood and that was what I had hoped I could do. He looked so upset when I told him he should leave; I couldn’t leave it like that.

Dad promised to be back first thing in the morning with breakfast and I promised to call if I needed anything before then. And then he was gone.

The shower I requested turned out to be a lot more than I bargained for. The IV that hung from my arm hurt and I was constantly getting caught in one of the lines. I couldn’t wash my hair and had to wear a ridiculous cap to make sure my bandage didn’t get wet. I would be able to wash my hair in a couple of days I was told, until then I would have to be patient. I was glad there was a bench in the large shower. I needed it.

I missed Alice stopping by. I was exhausted after the whole shower ordeal and unlike my Dad she didn’t try to stay to watch me sleep. Inside a small coach overnight bag that was obviously Alice’s I found my toothbrush, deodorant, fresh underwear and a matching pair of sweats. Best. Things. Ever. When you are in the hospital.

The nurse brought me some magazines to help me pass the time when I finally woke around 8. The nurse sent down for some food that I pushed around on my plate. It really wasn’t very good at all. The longer I was here the better I felt the slower the time went.

I debated texting Alice but I didn’t know where my phone was. My head was too tender to use the phone in the room to make any calls. I didn’t really feel like talking but there was an element of loneliness that crept in to the room after a while. I wondered how many people were in the hospital that had no one. It was a sobering thought and I hoped Dad was okay after I sent him away.

After exhausting the pile of magazines filled with superficial articles about clothing and makeup I finally gave up and decided to try to sleep as much as I could so morning would come faster.

I never would have thought hitting your head could take so much out of a person. Sleep was peaceful and came easy even if I did wake up several times. Twice I woke in the night to the IV pulling at my arm and both times there was an extremely good looking orderly there to help me get unstuck.

Even in my sleepy state in the dark room I could see him pretty well. That same guy who was there the first night, right when I woke up before Dad came in. He never said a word and he worked quickly before he would quickly disappear again on me. Both times I thanked him and got no reply. If I hadn’t been so tired I would have been more conscious of the fact I looked like hell. He probably thought I was a complete idiot for hitting my head while swimming and I must have looked a fine mess with sleep crust in my eyes, dirty hair and a bandage on my head.

Either way, he was there for me when I needed him and knowing he was around made it easy to slip back into the darkness.