I woke up to my alarm going off and felt Edythe reach over me to shut it off. She was still lying on my chest where I had placed her last night after we finished exchanging gifts. I stretched as much as I could with her still on top of me and said, "Morning, love. Hope you weren't too bored being held hostage all night again."
She just snuggled her head deeper into my chest, "My nights with you beat any night I have ever had before, Thomas."
The sight of her nearly naked was more than enough to fully wake my body, much to my embarrassment. Still lying there with no clothes or blanket on, Edythe noticed my lower half rising for attention quickly and laughed.
"Want me to take care of that?" she smiled.
"Hmmm, that would be great, but there is no return for you in that, is there? Not until I'm stronger and can survive your muscle spasms."
She ran her hand along my stomach, "I just need to get used to redirecting the energy, so you won't be in danger. This will just be a day after the birthday gift."
Later that morning, we snuck into the shower and back into my room, trying not to wake anyone. Edythe covered herself with one of my shirts after she put her outfit from last night back on, then she put on the flasher jacket. With a promise of being back soon, she disappeared out the window and was gone before I could react. Was I really fast enough to catch something at that speed in my tiger shape?
I then looked around my room at the torn shorts, boxers, and pillow, with its feathers all over my bed and on my floor. Between shifting and Edythe herself, I guess it's a good thing clothes keep mysteriously showing up. I cleaned up as much as I could and placed it all near the door so I could take it down to the garbage, hopefully with no one the wiser.
Then I got dressed and noticed even more unfamiliar clothes in my drawers and closet. I looked for something semi-formal for the Will reading, but I also didn't want to stand out more than I already did at school. Finding a nice button-up that would work perfectly, I grabbed my painting in its protective case, the feathers and torn clothing wrapped in the half pillowcase, and headed downstairs. I would be making breakfast again, as I was skipping my workout. I always tried to do that to give Bella a break. But then I realized that Bella hadn't needed to make my breakfast for quite a while. Oh well, no big deal, I am sure I owe her far more than she owes me.
Once at school, Edythe walked me to Art class, and we talked about meeting in the parking lot before lunch so we could go to the Will reading at the police station. Bella would ride with us as she was standing in for Renee. Apparently, there were a few family heirlooms that were going to her. Renee had tried to make the trip herself, but Phill had received a last-minute job offer to coach the AA league baseball team in Jacksonville, Florida, after taking my advice. I think Renee was secretly glad to have an excuse not to return to Forks. A small part of me wondered if she also felt guilty when facing Charlie, knowing that she was responsible for their separation and how poorly she handled the whole thing.
I handed my painting over to Mrs. Ross, and she told me she would evaluate it later that day and put it on the wall this weekend, along with Alice's painting. She offered to have us select our next topic, but with everything I had going on that day, I really didn't want to think about it. Alice was subdued herself today for some reason, I didn't want to ask, half afraid it was because of me. When class was over, I walked her to her next class as normal, before we parted, though, she gave me a hug.
"Maybe this weekend we can show you how the family plays sports. I wonder if you would be able to play baseball with us?"
I smiled at the thought, "I would love to watch even if I couldn't play. See you later, Alice."
I watched her enter her classroom, and then I walked to my own class. When I walked in, Bella just smiled at me as I sat in my seat. I was glad I didn't have to ask Mike to move as I used to have to do every morning. He stopped bugging Bella unless he was trying to get information about Jessica. He acted like Bella was now his ticket to getting enough girl advice to get down Jessica's pants. I idly wondered how long until she shut him down on that idea.
Math class with Edythe was nice. Not because of the class, but because she was there. We passed notes back and forth, talking about Alice suggesting a baseball game this weekend. It was then that I found out that they only got to play when a thunderstorm was in the mountains to cover up the noise they created. It made me look forward to it more than just a little bit.
Coming face to face with Edward wasn't something I was looking forward to, but I was again happy he couldn't read my mind. Now, if he just kept out of Edythe's mind, it would be okay...If. Still, we had not gone too far yet, so there was some solace in that. That train of thought also led me to remember that Charlie thought I would be receiving Mom's old childhood home in the reading. Edythe and I wouldn't have to worry about making too much noise if I moved into it this summer. My thoughts were interrupted by the bell. I kissed Edythe and told her I would see her soon, and we separated to go to our classes.
Mr. Banner and I had come to a mutual understanding about my class time with him. I turned in my work and kept my head down, and he ignored me. It was petty for a teacher, but I didn't really care. After the bell rang, I was on my way to the parking lot, where I saw Edythe and Bella waiting for me. The drive to the Police station was rather quiet, each of us lost in our own thoughts.
Edythe pulled into the police parking lot, and the first thing I noticed was the Grey Chrysler that Johnny drove yesterday. As I got out and pulled the seat forward for Bella so she could get out, I heard the door open, accompanied by Johnny's voice.
"You can't kick me out, she was my fiancée. I am sure she left me something in her Will. I will get a lawyer and contest this. You are just trying to ensure my rightful dues go to that spoiled kid of hers. I want your name and badge number, so I can sue you personally."
I just shook my head at the audacity of the man. "Hey Jeff, didn't know it was your day for taking the trash out. But your efforts to keep the station clean are very appreciated."
Edythe laughed, and Bella just stared at Johnny with daggers in her eyes. If looks could kill, Jeff would be putting the cuffs on her for homicide about now.
Johnny looked over and saw us, "Tell him, Tommy boy. I was about to marry your mother, she definitely left me something in her will. I should be able to hear it."
I felt tired, wrung out like an old washcloth. Looking at Johnny just made me sad. All my anger at him, all the effort I had put into hating him. The way I felt didn't affect him, me being sad, or me being angry with him didn't change a damn thing for him. Only me. I put in the effort to remember him and all the hurtful things he said and did. My memory wouldn't let me forget, but I could choose not to think about it, not let it affect me any longer. Johnny Track would no longer be something important enough to be at the forefront of my thoughts. I glanced over at Edythe, I had better things to think about now.
"Mr. Track... On this day, of all days, you are here not to remember what a wonderful woman my mother was, but to try and gain from her loss. Wasn't it enough that you only took from her while she was alive? Did you ever contribute anything to make her life better? Yesterday, I called you Pathetic for your actions against me, and I stand by that. For your actions today... Failure... seems appropriate. You are a FAILURE of a human being, and I hope to never see you again after today."
Johnny's face turned red as my words sank in. Well, except for the side that was sporting a large yellow and black bruise. Jeff just whistled at my statement. Bella smiled and gave me a hug, and lastly, Edythe laughed. Three sharp chuckles. Then Johnny staggered forward like he wanted to rush me.
I just watched him, my eyes and body language daring him to do it. Finally, his face went white.
"You want me out of your life, fine." He pulled a bundle of papers from his inner jacket pocket and waved them towards me. "Sign these and you will never see me again. Nancy used my money to invest, and I want the returns on it. Sign these and we are done for good, boy."
Edythe walked towards him and grabbed the papers and quickly thumbed through them before tearing them in two. "There were no receipts in here, much less ones showing your contribution to any of Nancy Raizel's stock market activities. As a financial lawyer, she would have ensured there were copies of any transaction like that. Unless you have more paperwork in your jacket showing specifically those receipts, I suggest you get into your car and leave here now, go learn the consequences of your actions back in Denver."
I recognized the tone she used in the last sentence, she had used it on me once. The complete conviction that you would do what she said with no hesitation. The expectation of obedience to her words. This was Edythe's compulsion, I would bet on it.
As if to prove my thoughts correct, Johnny woodenly turned and walked to his car, got in, and drove away without another word.
Edythe turned to me and Bella, "We should get you two inside, you don't want to be late."