Categories > Books > Twilight > Worth Hurting For
Charlie walked into the station from lunch and looked around. Usually it irritated him that he was the only back on time, but today he was elated, hoping he’d be alone when he finally heard something back. He had been speaking with a police chief in another state regarding a cold case he’d begun working on again. This case always made him emotional and he didn’t like people seeing that side of him.
Charlie sat down at his computer. He hated the thing, seeing as how he’d never really learned to use it. To him it was a hindrance, as was all technology; real police work was done in the field, not on-line.
The only thing he did know how to do was check his email, because Bella had showed him one day. He clicked the familiar blue triangle icon and waited for it to boot up. The computer dinged, indicating he had a new email.
He looked up and groaned. It was another message from his ex-wife. She was still trying to coordinate Bella’s graduation. Seeing Renée wasn’t going to be easy, but he would do it for Bella’s sake. For now, though, he wasn’t going to deal with this. Putting it off was what he did best and he would do just that, until she called. Besides, it was only the beginning of April and talks of graduation could wait.
He noticed another unread email from an address he had never seen. Fumbling to open the message, he barely noticed the subject line, Lily Jane. His heart beat faster than he knew possible as he began to read.
Dear Chief Swan,
This is Chief Chance Taylor from North Beach, Maryland. We have spoken several times on the phone regarding a cold case you’re familiar with. I believe I have some new information that could lead to her recovery and safe return home. Please call at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
Chance E. Taylor
Police Chief
North Beach, MD
Charlie sat back in his chair and let out a sigh. He felt like he’d been suffocating for so long, and could finally breathe again. He began to reach for the phone when he paused, needing a minute to collect himself. A smile spread across his face as a silent tear fell; he could finally bring her home where she belonged.
He reached for the phone, dialing slowly, not completely sure he was ready for the coming conversation.
“Chance Taylor, Police Chief,” Mr. Taylor said, picking up on the first ring.
“Uh, Chief Taylor. This is Chief Charlie… I mean Chief Swan. You, umm… You sent me an email earlier today,” Charlie stuttered.
“Yes, of course. Chief Swan, I believe I’ve found her. She looks very similar to the picture you sent earlier this week, the one displaying how she would look currently, at 18,” Mr. Taylor said.
“That’s… that’s incredible. Do you have an address?” Charlie asked, frantically searching for a pen.
“She’s actually here, in the station, with me. Since I wrote you that email, one of my officers picked her up. She’s a runaway,” Mr. Taylor said, “the woman who adopted her called it in last night. My guys had no idea they were one and the same.”
Charlie laughed, “Please give me all the information you have.”
Charlie listened intently for a half hour as Chief Taylor listed all the information he had available.
“Well?” Chief Taylor questioned, as he finished.
“That’s definitely her,” Charlie gushed. “Now, how do I get her home?”
——————————————————————————————————————————
He slowly walked into the house, the thought of telling Bella weighing heavily on him. He placed his hat and gun holster on the coat rack by the front door. Sitting at the kitchen table, he began to dread what was to happen next. He’d had very few emotional conversations in his past and this one was shaping up to be the hardest. Telling Bella was something he’d always hoped he would have to do.
(December 1987)
“Charlie, I can’t be married to you. You’re a ghost!” Renée screamed.
Charlie simply hung his head and put his hands in his pockets. The guilt that had become her primary emotion recently reared its ugly head. This guilt couldn’t overtake her life; she would have to learn to get past it. She needed to take care of her daughter, the only thing worth saving at this point.
This same guilt had turned Charlie into a quiet, reserved, and cold person. As far as Renée was concerned they were both at fault for that horrific day, but only one of them was willing to overcome it. He used to be so fun, talkative, and goodhearted and in an instant that Charlie was gone; the instant he discovered they had both made a horrible mistake.
“Honey, we used to talk all the time,” Renée said more softly, “about everything. You used to be my best friend. I don’t have anyone to talk to. I’m tired of dragging everything out of you. I’m tired of getting one word answers. I’m tired of you staring at the TV instead of looking at me. I’m tired, Charlie,” she choked back a sob as tears threatened to run down her cheeks.
He remained silent, with his hand in his pockets, looking anywhere but at her.
“Goddamnit Charlie, look at me!” she began screaming again, stomping her foot. Her tears were now flowing freely, anger taking over.
Charlie looked up slowly, knowing what he’d see. He would choose his words carefully, making this easier for her. If he could just betray every feeling he had for her and lie, maybe she could move on.
“I know you deserve better than me, ‘Née,” he said flatly, never faltering.
“That’s it?” she squealed, in disbelief.
Charlie simply nodded his head, cringing, not aware she could reach that decibel.
“I know why you work all those hours. I know you think this was your fault, but it wasn’t. I can’t do this anymore, Charlie. We have to take care of Bella,” she pleaded with him.
Renée always assumed she’d stay in Forks forever with Charlie and grow old, but seeing the way this conversation was going she knew what she had to do. She didn’t even care that she had no idea where she was going, she just had to go.
“I can’t do anything else until I find her. I have to know,” Charlie said, walking out of the kitchen and into their tiny living room.
He had finally done it, ended their entire marriage with two small sentences. She ran upstairs to their room, throwing herself on their worn-out comforter. Sobs rocked her body as she lay broken on their bed.
She had made this house their home, with no help from him. It was easy to be mad, angry, and bitter, but she was also madly in love with him still. The words he had said would haunt her forever. He had opted to stay here and consume his life with that fruitless search.
He wasn’t the only one able to act that callous. She would get off the bed and move on with her life, taking Bella and starting over. Maybe one day he would understand what he’d done, but she couldn’t wait around for him anymore.
(Present Day)
If he’d known those were the last words he’d speak to her as his wife, he would have said so much more. At least that’s what he had continued to tell himself all these years.
All that seemed so unimportant now compared to telling Bella that her parents had lied to her for so long. She would be mad at them, of course, and she had every right. They had altered so many things so she wouldn’t find out, now it was time to come clean.
He heard her truck before he saw it, which brought a smile to his face. She would drive that thing into the ground before ever thinking about getting a new one. Being stubborn was something they definitely had in common. At least his stubbornness had finally paid off; Lily was going to get to come home.
She pulled next to the curb and took her time packing up her things to come inside. It had been raining all day, so she walked gingerly across the lawn and up the stairs. Charlie waited patiently inside, watching everything from the living room window, praying she wouldn’t slip and hurt herself.
One thought was repeating itself, How do I tell her this story?
Bella walked in, faced Charlie, and deposited her backpack by the front door.
This is going to suck, he thought, looking at Bella.
“Hey, Bells. How was school?” Charlie started, hoping to keep it casual. He was having a hard time looking at her directly, nervously rubbing the back of his neck.
“Good,” Bella said, with a perplexed look on her face, “Is that why you’re home in the middle of the day, to ask me about school?” she smirked at him skeptically.
“No. No, it’s not, Bella,” Charlie stated, his tone suddenly turning serious.
“Okay,” she said slowly.
She swallowed hard and he knew he had made her nervous.
“Well, Bells, I have something pretty important to talk to you about. It’s going to be really hard to understand, especially since it’s the first time you’re hearing anything about it,” Charlie said as quickly as possible.
“I don’t really know how or where to start,” he confessed.
“If this is about me still being grounded, I’m okay with it. I deserve it. As long as Edward is still allowed over, I’m okay with it,” she corrected quickly.
Charlie rolled his eyes, “No, Bella. This isn’t about Edward or you being grounded.” For once, this isn’t about him, kid.
“Okay, sorry, just say it. I can take it,” Bella said. She seemed to be trying to convince herself more than him.
Charlie stared at his hands.
“Well, honey. When you were born, you had a sister. You’re a twin,” Charlie said, closing his eyes, waiting for the onslaught.
There, I said it, Charlie thought, now here comes the hard part.
Charlie sat down at his computer. He hated the thing, seeing as how he’d never really learned to use it. To him it was a hindrance, as was all technology; real police work was done in the field, not on-line.
The only thing he did know how to do was check his email, because Bella had showed him one day. He clicked the familiar blue triangle icon and waited for it to boot up. The computer dinged, indicating he had a new email.
He looked up and groaned. It was another message from his ex-wife. She was still trying to coordinate Bella’s graduation. Seeing Renée wasn’t going to be easy, but he would do it for Bella’s sake. For now, though, he wasn’t going to deal with this. Putting it off was what he did best and he would do just that, until she called. Besides, it was only the beginning of April and talks of graduation could wait.
He noticed another unread email from an address he had never seen. Fumbling to open the message, he barely noticed the subject line, Lily Jane. His heart beat faster than he knew possible as he began to read.
Dear Chief Swan,
This is Chief Chance Taylor from North Beach, Maryland. We have spoken several times on the phone regarding a cold case you’re familiar with. I believe I have some new information that could lead to her recovery and safe return home. Please call at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
Chance E. Taylor
Police Chief
North Beach, MD
Charlie sat back in his chair and let out a sigh. He felt like he’d been suffocating for so long, and could finally breathe again. He began to reach for the phone when he paused, needing a minute to collect himself. A smile spread across his face as a silent tear fell; he could finally bring her home where she belonged.
He reached for the phone, dialing slowly, not completely sure he was ready for the coming conversation.
“Chance Taylor, Police Chief,” Mr. Taylor said, picking up on the first ring.
“Uh, Chief Taylor. This is Chief Charlie… I mean Chief Swan. You, umm… You sent me an email earlier today,” Charlie stuttered.
“Yes, of course. Chief Swan, I believe I’ve found her. She looks very similar to the picture you sent earlier this week, the one displaying how she would look currently, at 18,” Mr. Taylor said.
“That’s… that’s incredible. Do you have an address?” Charlie asked, frantically searching for a pen.
“She’s actually here, in the station, with me. Since I wrote you that email, one of my officers picked her up. She’s a runaway,” Mr. Taylor said, “the woman who adopted her called it in last night. My guys had no idea they were one and the same.”
Charlie laughed, “Please give me all the information you have.”
Charlie listened intently for a half hour as Chief Taylor listed all the information he had available.
“Well?” Chief Taylor questioned, as he finished.
“That’s definitely her,” Charlie gushed. “Now, how do I get her home?”
——————————————————————————————————————————
He slowly walked into the house, the thought of telling Bella weighing heavily on him. He placed his hat and gun holster on the coat rack by the front door. Sitting at the kitchen table, he began to dread what was to happen next. He’d had very few emotional conversations in his past and this one was shaping up to be the hardest. Telling Bella was something he’d always hoped he would have to do.
(December 1987)
“Charlie, I can’t be married to you. You’re a ghost!” Renée screamed.
Charlie simply hung his head and put his hands in his pockets. The guilt that had become her primary emotion recently reared its ugly head. This guilt couldn’t overtake her life; she would have to learn to get past it. She needed to take care of her daughter, the only thing worth saving at this point.
This same guilt had turned Charlie into a quiet, reserved, and cold person. As far as Renée was concerned they were both at fault for that horrific day, but only one of them was willing to overcome it. He used to be so fun, talkative, and goodhearted and in an instant that Charlie was gone; the instant he discovered they had both made a horrible mistake.
“Honey, we used to talk all the time,” Renée said more softly, “about everything. You used to be my best friend. I don’t have anyone to talk to. I’m tired of dragging everything out of you. I’m tired of getting one word answers. I’m tired of you staring at the TV instead of looking at me. I’m tired, Charlie,” she choked back a sob as tears threatened to run down her cheeks.
He remained silent, with his hand in his pockets, looking anywhere but at her.
“Goddamnit Charlie, look at me!” she began screaming again, stomping her foot. Her tears were now flowing freely, anger taking over.
Charlie looked up slowly, knowing what he’d see. He would choose his words carefully, making this easier for her. If he could just betray every feeling he had for her and lie, maybe she could move on.
“I know you deserve better than me, ‘Née,” he said flatly, never faltering.
“That’s it?” she squealed, in disbelief.
Charlie simply nodded his head, cringing, not aware she could reach that decibel.
“I know why you work all those hours. I know you think this was your fault, but it wasn’t. I can’t do this anymore, Charlie. We have to take care of Bella,” she pleaded with him.
Renée always assumed she’d stay in Forks forever with Charlie and grow old, but seeing the way this conversation was going she knew what she had to do. She didn’t even care that she had no idea where she was going, she just had to go.
“I can’t do anything else until I find her. I have to know,” Charlie said, walking out of the kitchen and into their tiny living room.
He had finally done it, ended their entire marriage with two small sentences. She ran upstairs to their room, throwing herself on their worn-out comforter. Sobs rocked her body as she lay broken on their bed.
She had made this house their home, with no help from him. It was easy to be mad, angry, and bitter, but she was also madly in love with him still. The words he had said would haunt her forever. He had opted to stay here and consume his life with that fruitless search.
He wasn’t the only one able to act that callous. She would get off the bed and move on with her life, taking Bella and starting over. Maybe one day he would understand what he’d done, but she couldn’t wait around for him anymore.
(Present Day)
If he’d known those were the last words he’d speak to her as his wife, he would have said so much more. At least that’s what he had continued to tell himself all these years.
All that seemed so unimportant now compared to telling Bella that her parents had lied to her for so long. She would be mad at them, of course, and she had every right. They had altered so many things so she wouldn’t find out, now it was time to come clean.
He heard her truck before he saw it, which brought a smile to his face. She would drive that thing into the ground before ever thinking about getting a new one. Being stubborn was something they definitely had in common. At least his stubbornness had finally paid off; Lily was going to get to come home.
She pulled next to the curb and took her time packing up her things to come inside. It had been raining all day, so she walked gingerly across the lawn and up the stairs. Charlie waited patiently inside, watching everything from the living room window, praying she wouldn’t slip and hurt herself.
One thought was repeating itself, How do I tell her this story?
Bella walked in, faced Charlie, and deposited her backpack by the front door.
This is going to suck, he thought, looking at Bella.
“Hey, Bells. How was school?” Charlie started, hoping to keep it casual. He was having a hard time looking at her directly, nervously rubbing the back of his neck.
“Good,” Bella said, with a perplexed look on her face, “Is that why you’re home in the middle of the day, to ask me about school?” she smirked at him skeptically.
“No. No, it’s not, Bella,” Charlie stated, his tone suddenly turning serious.
“Okay,” she said slowly.
She swallowed hard and he knew he had made her nervous.
“Well, Bells, I have something pretty important to talk to you about. It’s going to be really hard to understand, especially since it’s the first time you’re hearing anything about it,” Charlie said as quickly as possible.
“I don’t really know how or where to start,” he confessed.
“If this is about me still being grounded, I’m okay with it. I deserve it. As long as Edward is still allowed over, I’m okay with it,” she corrected quickly.
Charlie rolled his eyes, “No, Bella. This isn’t about Edward or you being grounded.” For once, this isn’t about him, kid.
“Okay, sorry, just say it. I can take it,” Bella said. She seemed to be trying to convince herself more than him.
Charlie stared at his hands.
“Well, honey. When you were born, you had a sister. You’re a twin,” Charlie said, closing his eyes, waiting for the onslaught.
There, I said it, Charlie thought, now here comes the hard part.
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